SPIRITUAL LUANG PRABANG

DAY 1 : LUANG PRABANG – ALMS GIVING – PAK OU CAVES – CITY TOUR (- / L / -) 

06.00 We can marvel at sacred caves and ancient and modern Buddhist art on a day of cultural discovery. At 9 am we head to the pier and board a traditional boat to cruise to the highly-revered Pak Ou Caves. These ancient grottos sit among limestone cliffs where the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers converge.

En route, we stop at Ban Xang Hai village to discover the secrets behind brewing rice wine. We then explore Tham Ting and Tham Theung caverns. These are filled with thousands of Buddha images left by devotees over the centuries.

Back in Luang Prabang, we enjoy lunch and then visit the Buddhist archive of photography at Wat Khili. This site features 35,000 historical photographs taken and collected by monks. Next, we visit 16th century Wat Xieng Thong, a shrine hailed as the town’s most ornate temple.

We then return to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure. An optional excursion to the Saynam Holistic Health Spa aims to rejuvenate both mind and body. This facility embraces a universal approach to well-being through blending spirituality components, such as meditation and yoga, with traditional health treatments. 

OPTION 1 : MINDFULNESS FOR EVERYONE | SAYNAM HOLISTIC HEALTH SPA CENTER

A visit to SayNam is a rejuvenating journey for mind and body. SayNam provides post-operative care, support after illness and injuries and also space and opportunity for mindful wellness reflections with profound beauty, wholesomeness, human warmth, professionalism and care. It’s a journey that could forever change the way you live. 

You will become aware of how important it is to treat your mind body and spirit holistically. As by following a holistic approach to life you can achieve a true balance between your minds and body that enables you to get the most out of life each and every day.

A visit to SayNam is also educational. It teaches you that there are many paths to health and wellness, depending on where you are in life. Learn more about the Lao culture, customs and history, and traditional ways of behaving or doing things in a Buddhist country. 

Meditation and yoga are offered each semester at various times. These sessions provide a chance to slow down and hone techniques for living in the present. Here you learn to rest your mind on an object, recognize and let go of thoughts, and cultivate a warm, open heart towards yourself and others. 

[Availability: Morning 0900–1030 and Afternoon 1400–1530 / Duration: 1 h/30mn]

Dinner is at leisure on own account.

Overnight in Luang Prabang 

DAY 2 : LUANG PRABANG – HALF DAY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE – CITY TOUR (B / L / -)

08.00 Today we delve into the important role spirituality plays in daily Laotian life. After lunch, we proceed to Wat Mai and marvel at its interior and exterior decorated with black and red lacquer and gold leaf. We then continue to TAEC, a museum dedicated to the rich diversity of Laos’ many ethnic minorities. This features a series of insightful exhibits that showcase the varying costumes, traditions and cultures of these ethnicities.

A must-see exhibit is ‘Living between Worlds: Human and Spirit Interactions in Laos’, a fascinating look at the importance of spiritual interactions that continue to exist in modern day Laos. This is reflected in the daily rituals that take place across the country, including alms-giving, baci ceremonies and traditional healing practices.

We then return to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure. We dig deep and discover the country’s deep religious roots on today’s tour. 

Dinner is at leisure on own account.

Overnight in Luang Prabang 

DAY 3 : MEDITATION IN THE TEMPLE (B / - / -) 

Be at one with the world and learn about the Buddhist art of meditation on this enlightening excursion. This unique experience takes place at Wat Pa Phai. This name denotes ‘monastery of the bamboo forest’ and it is one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang. It has a gilded and carved wooden façade which intricately represents aspects of everyday life in Laos. Once you are inside this place of worship, you will be led on a guided meditation exercise which will allow you to enter a state of relaxed concentration.

Meditation works wonders for the mind and body and it can help you to eliminate negative thoughts and achieve a sense of well-being. This one-hour experience will give you the opportunity to learn and practice meditation techniques used within the temple so you can develop this ritual on your own.

wAfterwards, you will receive a blessing from the head monk, followed by the transfer back to the hotel. A percentage of the proceeds from this tour are donated to the temple for worthy causes.

[Duration: 2 hours / 09:00 to 11:00 and 13:30 to 15:30 / Mon to Sat / Capacity: min 2 pax and max 6 pax]

Transport alternatively : A focus on walking adds to the spirituality of this experience.

Experience meaningfully : The guided meditation package gives former monks and novices the opportunity to earn a fair wage and continue their education while passing on their extensive knowledge and expertise to tourists.

Lunch and dinner are at leisure on own account.

Overnight in Luang Prabang 

DAY 4 :  LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE (B / - / -)

Breakfast at your hotel

We can squeeze in some final sight-seeing before bidding a fond farewell to beautiful Laos.

After breakfast at the hotel, we may have some free time before we are collected from the hotel lobby and transferred to the airport for our onward flight. We leave full of fond memories of adventures that have seen us delve deep into Laos’ spiritual side. We have explored sacred caves and highly-revered temples, experienced unique traditional rituals and found peace in the natural beauty that surrounds the town.

Along the way, we have feasted on authentic local cuisine and have been treated to the warm hospitality of the locals. Upon arrival at the airport, we say goodbye to our guide. This concludes this incredible four-day spiritual discovery. 

End of our services.