Join Laotian cooking classes in beautiful Vientiane and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang. Let your culinary senses guide your way, indulging in a tapestry of tastes and tantalizing aromas all while travelling in comfort and style.
Start city: Vientiane
End city: Luang Prabang
Duration: 7 Days 6 Nights
Departure: Daily, upon your request.
Cities to visit: Vientiane, Luang Prabang
- Extendable with optional tours from Vientiane and from Luang Prabang
Tour Brief
Day 1 – Vientiane ArrivalDay 2 – Vientiane City Tour – Cooking Class
Day 3 – Vientiane - Fly to Luang Prabang - City tour
Day 4 – Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves - Craft Villages
Day 5 – Luang Prabang – Khuang Si Waterfall
Day 6 – Luang Prabang – Cooking Class (Join-In group class)
Day 7 – Luang Prabang – Departure
| GROUP SIZE | PRICE/Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Persons | $554 | Reservation |
| 4 Persons | $604 | Reservation |
| 2 Persons | $732 | Reservation |
| 1 Person | $0 | Reservation |
| > 6 Persons | Contact us for even better offer | |
On arrival in Vientiane, you will be welcomed by local tour guide of Laos Travel and get transferred to hotel in Vientiane – the country’s charming capital, with its laidback riverside ambience, and alluring monuments. In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation walk around the hotel area or the guide will show you the river bank area where you could view the sun sink over the Mekong. Overnight in Vientiane.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
Day 2 – Vientiane City Tour – Cooking Class
Today we have a full day to explore Vientiane- the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indo Chinese cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Our visit will take you to the key sites: National Museum, Wat Sisaket the city ‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the next stop is Haw Phra Kaeo. This large temple is beautiful both interior and exterior, it was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees. Next is the visit Pha That Luang, the giant golden stupa is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Then you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane.
You will take a short transfer to home of Mrs. Viengdawon - a local Chef. The chef will lead you to market to prepare the ingredient and then, over the next two hours you will learn how to create local dishes using traditional ingredients and techniques. At around 19:00 it will be time to relax and enjoy the feast, which you have created together.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
Day 3 – Vientiane - Fly to Luang Prabang - City tour
Have breakfast in the hotel and the staff of Laos Travel will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at the airport, you are welcomed and transferred to hotel in town for check in. The rest of the day we will visit The Royal Palace (official name "Haw Kham") which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Continue our trip to Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang.
Before sunset, ascend the 328 steps to the top of Phou Si Mountain that offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding rivers and cityscape before wandering through the bustling Hilltribe Market for traditional textiles and handicrafts made by the hill tribes.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Take a morning cruise along the Mekong River, about two hours upstream from the centre of Luang Prabang, and discover the numerous Buddha images at Pak Ou Caves. Pak Ou (mouth of the Ou river) includes the Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) are caves overlooking the founder name Mekong River. They are a group of caves on the right side of the Mekong River. It is then only a short distance from the caves to the village of Ban Xang Hai. We’ll stop here to learn about LauLao (Lao whisky) and LauHai (Lao wine). Before returning the old town we stop to visit Ban Xangkhong where the Lue peoples of this village are noted in particular for their arts and crafts. Back to centre, we visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong - representative of classic Laotian architecture.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 5 – Luang Prabang – Khuang Si Waterfall
This morning you will wake up early (05:30 AM) and take participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. Back to hotel for breakfast.
Today we explore Ock Pop Tok craft living center overlooking the Mekong, set in a tropical Mekong garden. Meaning “east meets west”, Ock Pop Tok brings the fascinating world of traditional Lao handicrafts alive for visitors. Continue our trip to the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.
Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will take soft trek to visit the Ban Ouay, Hmong Hill tribe and Ban Ou, Lowland Lao. Continue driving to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. You are free to visit the Bear Rescue Centre which relies solely on partners, corporate sponsors and donations from the public. Back to the old town and relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 6 – Luang Prabang – Cooking Class (Join-In group class)
We start the day by meeting at a restaurant and before transferring to the local market. Learn more about the market while taking in the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy place. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson. You will be transferred to a picturesque lakeside pavilion where you will be introduced to the Laos kitchen.
The chef will give you an introduction to all the fresh ingredients you have just bought from the market. Learn how to make Jeow, this is a spicy Laotian dipping sauce and Mok Pa, a popular fish dish steamed with herbs in banana leaves…. Enjoy the tastes of your newly discovered recipes for lunch. Back to hotel, rest of the day is free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 7 – Luang Prabang – Departure
Have breakfast in the hotel and enjoy your free time before your transfer to Luang Prabang airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
1. Are tour dates of flexible?
Yes, this tour package is private and you can depart on any dates at your convenience.
2. Can I extend or change my stay?
Absolutely! Extra days can be arranged in most areas if desired. Let us know how you would like to customize your trip and we will do our best to accommodate you. You can ask helps from our travel consultant to amend or extend your stay (subject to availability of hotels and flights; surcharge may be applicable).
3. Are the rates displayed per person or per room?
The prices shown on our website are per person based on twin/ double accommodation.
4. Any surcharges if my travel dates are during Christmas or New Year Holidays?
The rates are regular price and they are not included a compulsory dinner (Gala Dinner) on the day of Christmas or New Year Eve. Surcharges depend on specific hotels you stay at, so our travel consultants will give further information to you in communications.
5. Are there any discounts available?
We offer select trip discounts periodically throughout the year, especially in the low season (Summer time in Vietnam is from May to Sep). Please contact our travel consultants to get more details.
6. How do I pay when I want to book this tour?
We accept payment by debit/ credit card (Visa, Master, Amex), cash and bank transfer. When you confirm a booking with us, we will send you our online payment link or bank details to deposit 30% of the total tour cost. The balance will be due as soon as you arrive in Cambodia. Our travel consultants will give more details via email about payment instruction.
7. Are meals included?
We have tried to balance flexibility and convenience regarding meal options. This tour package includes daily buffet breakfast at hotels and some lunches or dinners as listed in parenthesis next to the tour itinerary on each day tour. In the major cities, where there are a wide variety of restaurants, we generally do not include meals to allow our travelers the flexibility of choosing their own food preferences. Our tour guides can recommend some options for our clients to choose from according to traveler's interest & budget.
8. What type of food is typical of Vietnam?
Vietnamese cuisine is quite varied from the North to the Centre and to the South, having had many external influences over the years that have created an interesting mix of cooking methods and ingredients. French presence in the recent past has led to the assimilation of French cuisine influence, and is often attributed with Pho noodle soup's rise to popularity. Most meals include rice, as well as fish sauce which is a popular condiment added to almost every meal throughout the country.
9. What if I have a special request on food?
You just need to share us your request on type of foods, we will choose a right restaurant and order suitable menus for you.
10. What are the accommodations like?
Vietnam Tours only recommends good hotels rated from 3 stars to luxurious resorts. They are located within walking distance of the town center and the reception generally speaks English. For more information, check with your travel consultants to view pictures of our suggestion on standard hotels/ lodges/ resorts. Don't forget that you can give your favorite name of hotel brands to us, so we can get your concept.
11. What type of transportation is used?
Our Vietnam tours utilize a variety of primarily private transportation (arranged just for your groups) including new and modern vans/ cars, motor boats, etc. We use a mix of private (vans/ cars)/ public transportation (domestic flights, sharing cruises, trains) to provide travelers with the safest and most efficient transit in each area.
12. Is this tour suitable for kids?
Yes! If you have children traveling with, ask your travel consultants to customize the tour program to fit a variety of interests and ages. We also focus on family friendly vacations with less travel and minimum drive times and maximum in-country activity that will keep younger minds engaged.
13. How many people are typically on your tours?
We only offer completely private tours, so only the people you book for will be on the tour. If you are alone, it will just be you and your guide. If you are a couple, just the two of you and your guide, and so on. We believe this is the best type of tour, so that it can be personalized to you, go at your own pace, and so that you can have the full attention of your guide for the duration of the tour.
14. Is this trip a good choice for solo travelers?
Yes, it is. You will still have a private tour guide and driver to accompany throughout the journey. However, you have to cover all expenses regarding accommodations (single room), tour guides, transportations because no-one shares cost with.
15. Do tour rates include international flights?
This tour only includes domestic flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. You can purchase international flights on your own, or we can certainly help you arrange these flights with an airfare consolidator who specializes in international flights.
16. How do I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?
When you arrive at airports, you will be greeted with your name on our driver/ tour guide's welcome sign, then get transferred to your hotel.
17. How if bad weather such as storm, flood, landslide occurs during my holiday with Vietnam Tours?
Our Travel Consultants and Tour Operators keep checking weather forecast every-day, if the weather is bad and it may affect to your safety, we will discuss with you regarding a tentative program immediately.
18. How much should I budget for tips?
Tips are not compulsory on any of our tours. However, it is customary to offer a small tip for exceptional service. Other travelers opt to bring small souvenirs from their home to give to tour guides and drivers along the way.
19. Is travel insurance included? And is it recommended?
Travel insurance is not included in our tour price. Absolutely, we recommend you to contact with your local agent in your country to buy travel insurance before you go.
20. How to change or cancel my reservation?
- You can change or amend your schedule in advance or during your trip but surcharge maybe applied according to our contract with local suppliers, hotels and airlines. Regarding cancelation terms, please check out this link: https://asiatravelandleisure.com/terms-conditions.html
Want to Ask a question?
- Domestic flights: Vientiane – Luang Prabang
- Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary
- Services of a private driver and air-conditioned vehicles
- Boat Trip on Mekong River
- Vientiane & Luang Prabang Cooking Class
- Service of English speaking guides in every location
- Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
Call us on 0084 983 787 868 to speak to one of our experts.
Comments
Can you please send me some more detailed information on your 7 day Laos tour, what is the total cost in Australian dollar (AUD) ? Also is the accomadation included in the price. We are looking at traveling around March-April 2019.
Kind Regards Dianna Green
Thank you very much for contacting us.
Our rate is based on US dollar, you can exchange it into AUD by using exchange rate on the site xe.com. But the
rate in AUD can be changed due to the change of exchange rate day by day.
This rate includes accommodation service, transfer service, English speaking tour guide service and all entrance fee for the sites mentioned in the itinerary.
for further information, our travel consultant will contact to you via email.
My best regards,
Thank you very much for contacting Laos Travel!
There are 3 international airport in Laos that you can flight to: Luang Prabang airport (LPQ) in Luang Prabang; Wattay airport (VTE) in Vientiane and Pakse airport (PKZ) in Pakse. You can fly to any of these airports which is the most convenient for your international flight option.
our travel consultant will work on detail proposal and send back to you soon.
My best regards,