Welcome to the start of your amazing Enigmatic Asia!

Today is all about you, so take your time and arrive whenever suits you best – even if it’s late at night, no worries at all! We’ve got you covered with convenient airport transfers. Once you’re here, unwind and make yourself at home. Whether it’s lounging by the pool, taking a refreshing dip, or simply relaxing in your serene surroundings, your free day is perfect for relaxation. Feel free to explore the local area too; you’ll find charming cafes, vibrant bars, fantastic shopping, and soothing day spas all just a short walk from the hotel. Enjoy every moment of your arrival day! 🌟🌿✨

Meals: N/A
Accommodation – Bodhi Serene or similar

After breakfast, we’re off on an exciting 2-hour journey to the Araksa tea plantation. Once we arrive, we’ll be welcomed by the friendly staff who will walk us through the entire tea cultivation process. You’ll even get hands-on experience with their resident plucker showing us the art of picking tea leaves. Then it’s on to the roasting station where you’ll learn how to knead and roast those leaves to perfection.

After all that tea-making fun, we’ll settle down for a delicious set lunch at Araksa. And hey, why not treat yourself to a tea-flavoured cocktail while you’re at it?

Come 13:30, we’re heading to the Kanjana Elephant Sanctuary to meet their small but delightful group of around 5 elephants. We might not be riding them, but we’ll get to walk alongside these gentle giants in their natural habitat and even feed them.

Once we get back to the hotel, it’ll be the perfect time to take a refreshing dip in the pool.

*Travel Tip – A quick heads-up on what to bring for the tea tour:
• Hat
• Long pants
• Sneakers or hiking sandals
• Sunglasses, sunblock lotion

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Bodhi Serene or similar

Just wanted to share some of our awesome plans for today. We kicked things off with a nice breakfast and then hit the road for a 3-hour drive to Chiang Rai. Checked into the cosy and stylish Mora Boutique Hotel, or a similar spot – very charming!

First stop was the Black House, a striking collection of black Lanna-style buildings on the estate of the famous Thai artist Thawan Duchanee. The place is just packed with his incredible sculptures and fascinating Southeast Asian artefacts. Kind of surreal but totally amazing.

Next up, we headed to Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. Honestly, you have to see it to believe it. Designed by the brilliant Chalemchai Kositpipat, this all-white temple is out of this world. It’s his artistic vision of Buddhist heaven, hell, and nirvana, and it’s one of the most breathtaking sights in Thailand.

After all that exploring, we wrapped up the day with a delicious dinner at Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar. Seriously, their truffle burger is to die for and don’t even get me started on the wasabi margarita – just awesome. Can’t wait for our early start tomorrow and trip up the Mighty Mekong.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mora Boutique Hotel or similar

Wake up early and hit the road for a 1.5-2 hour drive to the border in Chiang Khong—make sure you get there before 07:30 am. At 08:00 am, you’ll be greeted by our friendly English-speaking guide at the HouayXay immigration office in Laos, just after the shuttle bus terminal.

Our awesome guide will help you get your visa sorted out. Once that’s done, hop on a shared minivan transfer to the slow boat pier. Onboard, you’ll get a quick crash course on the Do’s and Don’ts in Laos and some fun facts—super interesting stuff!

For lunch, enjoy a delicious Lao traditional meal while cruising along. Before we reach Pakbeng, we’ll make a pitstop at Ban Kang Lae, a traditional Kamu village. It’s a small place with about 60 families where you’ll get a glimpse into rural life.

We’ll arrive in Pakbeng before nightfall, and you’ll be set for an overnight stay in your hotel there.

Meals – Lunch
Accommodation – Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge or similar

a traditional Kamu Village

Just a quick update about our awesome river journey. The boat is gearing up to leave Pakbeng at 8:00am, so make sure you’re on board for a full day of fun and adventure. As we cruise along, soak in the stunning nature and lush jungle views – it’s seriously picturesque out here!

Our first pit stop will be at Ban Mouang village, known for its lao lao whiskey. It’s as strong as it is famous, so brace yourselves! Right after, we’ll head over to the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting), where you’ll get to see over two thousand Buddha statues. It’s a major pilgrimage spot for the locals and an experience you won’t forget.

Once we’ve wrapped up the cave visit, our team has some homemade desserts and drinks waiting for you – perfect to cap off the day. We’ll be docking in Luang Prabang by 4:30pm, giving you plenty of time to explore the town after.

Looking forward to seeing you all on board! 

Meals – Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation – Parasol Blanc or similar

a traditional Kamu Village

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we’re heading to one of the most breathtaking spots around—Kuang Si Falls, situated about 30 kilometres south of Southern Luang Prabang. Imagine tiered turquoise pools surrounded by lush Laotian jungle. We’ll have plenty of time to refresh, swim in the pools, and hike around the falls.

This afternoon, we’re off to explore Wat Visoun, home to the impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome has an intriguing Sinhalese influence, which is a unique twist for a Lao site. Next, we’ll check out Wat Aham.

Continuing our cultural journey, we’ll visit Wat Xieng Thong, a standout in Luang Prabang with its multiple roofs that nearly touch the ground. Don’t miss the “tree of life” mosaic and the gilt panel on the chapel’s exterior showing semi-erotic scenes from the Ramayana.

As the day winds down, we’ll take part in a private Baci ceremony hosted by a local family. This traditional ritual is a deep dive into Lao culture, definitely a memorable and spiritual experience.

To wrap up the day, we’ll transfer to a local restaurant for dinner before heading back to the hotel for the night. Another magical day in Luang Prabang awaits!

Meals : Breakfast
Accommodation : Parasol Blanc or Similar

After breakfast, we’ve got something super fun lined up for you – a cooking class! We’ll kick things off by gathering at the Tamarin restaurant. From there, we’ll head out to a fresh local market. It’s about an hour of soaking up the vibrant local lifestyle and getting familiar with the unique Laotian ingredients we’ll be using. Plus, our local professional guide will keep things interesting with some cool stories!

Once we’re back at Tamarin, our chef will take over. With their expert guidance, you’ll get to whip up some popular Lao dishes. And the best part? You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch featuring your own homemade creations.

Afterwards, we’ve kept the afternoon free for you to relax at the hotel. But, if you’re up for some extra pampering, our guide can recommend a local spa where you can unwind with a massage).

Can’t wait to cook and chill with all of you! 

Meals – Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation – Parasol Blancor Similar

Alright folks, the alarm goes off at 5:45AM and we wake up just as the sun starts to paint the sky with its golden hues. Today, we’re diving straight into Laotian culture by joining in on their most sacred tradition: the daily morning alms giving. This practice dates back to the 14th century.. Picture this – over 200 Buddhist monks from various temples walking silently in a line to collect their daily meal from the residents, who sit quietly on the streets with offerings. It’s a humbling and serene sight, a real throwback to simpler, more spiritual times. After this beautiful experience, we’ll head back to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast. Can’t wait to soak it all in. 

After breakfast, we will immerse ourselves in a hands-on Silk Weaving Class, held at a local weaving centre renowned for preserving traditional Lao textile arts. The experience begins with an introduction to the history and significance of silk in Lao culture, followed by a comprehensive overview of natural dyeing and weaving techniques. Throughout the class, your guide and a resident master weaver will be available to assist and ensure that you gain valuable insights into the artistry of weaving.

Lunch overlooking the Mekong River *Self pay

Free afternoon.

Accommodation – Parasol Blancor Similar

Meals – Breakfast

After breakfast, you’ll have some free time to relax, explore, or just chill before we whisk you away to the airport for your departure flight. We really hope you’ve had an amazing time with us because we pour so much love into planning these trips to create wonderful memories for you all. Just a heads-up, sometimes plans need to change, but we always replace any changes with equal value exciting activities. 

Until next time… safe travels! ✈️

Meals: Breakfast