Arrive anytime and we will pick you up at Luang Prabang airport. Check in is 2pm. If you arrive before then, drop your bags off and we will let you know where the others are.

4pm, Meet Anna and our Lao guide and take a tuk-tuk to the Tha Heua Mai pier, where your boat will be waiting. Enjoy a cool drink as we follow the Mekong River upstream towards the confluence of Nam Khan.

Observe the villages and communities of Luang Prabang. Cross the Mekong River to the other side where you will visit Wat Long Khoun and walk to Wat Chomphet. Float down the Mekong River into the sunset. We will have introductions, and begin creating. Anna will explain the processes and help set intentions with you for the trip. Bring your chosen medium (cameras, sketchbooks, stitching, notebooks) and enjoy connecting.

Breakfast, then explore this historic and charming UNESCO heritage town by Tuk Tuk.

Visit Wat Xieng Thong. This 500-year-old temple is exquisite and is the best example of the classic Luang Prabang style. You will also visit nearby Wat Mai and Wat Sene.

From here, explore some local and interesting small side streets, along the back alleys and through temples – a city that could have been designed with slow travel in mind, a morning walking tour allows you to soak up the ambiance and appreciate the hidden charms of Luang Prabang.

Feel free to ask the locals questions as they go about their daily lives. Continue wandering up the peninsula, stopping at temples and other sites as you wish. Visit the National Museum, which is the former Royal Palace. Relics from Laos’ royalist past remain here. Overlooking the palace is Phousi Mountain. It is said that those who do not climb the 328 steps up have not really made it to the city. Venture up the hill and be rewarded with remarkable views of the area.

Lunch

Kuang Si Waterfall by private van. Stop along the way to visit the Living Crafts Centre, to see how textiles are made and meet the weavers who help to keep these traditions alive.

At the falls, crystal waters cascade into idyllic turquoise pools. Bring a swim suit if you would like to swim! Also take time to visit the nearby Sunbear Refuge to learn more about the poaching of these endangered creatures.

On the way back to the town, you will stop to visit the Buffalo Dairy Farm, known for their sustainable approach to local farming. An excellent way to finish your day. A guided tour of the farm & information on how they work with the local community; Buffalo feeding & bathing Milking demonstration; Feeding chickens, pigs, and rabbits; Bottle feeding calves. Relax in the café and enjoy the ‘cake of the day’ served with ice cream and tea or coffee before heading back to your hotel.

Dinner, local eatery. Try Lao specialties such as famous sticky rice this is a clumpy glutinous and slightly naturally sweet type of rice. Steamed in bamboo woven baskets and served in smaller version of the cooking baskets. The traditional way to eat this rice is with your hand, you take a small lump of sticky rice and gently roll and squeeze this into a ball, you can then dip this in a curry type sauce but it is normally eaten on it’s own, the vegetables and proteins eaten separately. 

After breakfast, we spend the day in a lovely riverside sala and learn how to weave our own textile items on a traditional floor loom from start to finish. An intricate artform made simple and fun with the help of our resident master weavers and translators. We spend the whole day here, including a session of natural dyeing and a Lao Weavers' lunch.

Breakfast

A full day of exploring Lao food firsthand - from market to home cooking & snack making.

We visit a local fresh market, where we meet our chef and teacher Mrs. Noy. We learn about the local produce then board a boat and cross the Mekong River. We take a simple private cooking lesson in the family's home with local specialties.

After lunch in the local village, we continue by boat upstream to visit Pak Ou Cave.

Peering into dark corners, your eyes gradually adjust to reveal the serene faces and figures of more than 3,000 Buddha images, some inlaid with semiprecious stones. That these images remain undisturbed in this remote site in one of the world‘s poorest countries is a testament to the devotion of the people. Return by boat to Luang Prabang, cruising along the Mekong, and enjoy the lush river life along its banks while sipping a drink and tasting some Lao snacks.

Opportunities throughout the day the recipe write, food sketch and travel journal. Creative sessions with Anna are ongoing throughout the program.

Local dinner.

Breakfast then check-out,

Private transfer to Nong Khiaw with a visit to a local market where we see an array of meats, fish, vegetables, and spices the locals use in their cooking. A luxurious creative session here.

Lunch at local restaurant

Then we continue to Ban Nayang (Tai Lue Village). We visit different ethnic groups in Laos, such as a traditional Lao weaving village, we can purchase some beautiful hand-woven silk or cotton textiles.

Dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in a local hotel in town nearby.

A day of rest in our spectacular location of Nong Khiaw.

You may wish to book activities at reception, grab the shuttle bus to town or kayak on the river, but most of us will be enjoying the scenery, the restaurant and the pool.

Breakfast and check-out

Board a long tail boat for a river cruise. It is a long but beautiful journey. You will sail past the most spectacular landscapes of northern Laos.

Along the way, you will see several villages, high limestone formations, and other beautiful views with our first stop Muang Ngoi. We explore the village then continue to Ban Sopchem (Phu Noi & Kamu village - weaving village).

En route, a genuine Laotian picnic lunch is served on a deserted beach on the river.

Take a refreshing dip in the river before continuing on to the dam.

and Muang Khua.

After a stroll and creative session here, we then travel by private van to Oudomxai.

Dinner

After breakfast, visit the sacred Phasingkham Buddha Temple and hot springs.

-Next we travel to Muang La to Aa No Villages (Dirt road-32 Km) First we visit Kok Mai Ngai Village (Akha tribe) Then to Aa No Village. After lunch we have a village tour learning Akha’s culture and traditions. We see some handicraft making, textile weaving, blacksmithing and embroidery. Walk up to the French former airfield to enjoy the view of the village and area.

After lunch we visit Tauser Village (Hmong hill tribe). We experience a small old Hmong village located high in the mountain. We learn a little bit more about Hmong’s culture, tradition and life style. You can ask the house’s owner to get a permission to enter the house in order to see how they live and sketch the design of the interior of the house.

Dinner

Breakfast

Check-out at 12pm and private transfer to Oudomxay Railway Station for the high speed train to Luang Prabang (about 1hr)

Private transfer to our last hotel for check-in and relaxation.

Baci Ceremony In a Local Village

In the late afternoon, we will be treated to the refined grace of a private Baci ceremony at a small village called Ban Mano. These gentle villagers led by a local family offer visitors tidings of good luck and fortune for their life and travels by gently tying cotton cords symbolizing luck, friendship and good health around your wrists. The Baci ceremony will be held at a private family home. Traditionally, Baci ceremonies can be held for a number of different occasions. Before going on a longer trip, for a new house, a new born child or, like in your case, to welcome visitors to a home.

Breakfast

A casual walk and coffee in the local market, free sketching time, take some last photos, buy some last minute foodie gifts before we say farewell at 10am.

Checkout is 12pm.

Your airport transfers are organised with us, drivers are booked, we say farewell but remain friends for life.