An option for early-risers is to rise before dawn to witness tak bat, or the giving of alms, to the lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from the residents of Luang Prabang. It’s an iconic sight and for many one of the highlights of their stay in Luang Prabang, and can be arranged on any early morning during your stay.

However, we are concerned that the volume of tourists all vying for space to witness, photograph and at times actually participate in this ceremony is detracting from what is a centuries old, important religious rite. We appreciate that observing tak bat is high on the list of most visitors to Laos, and would suggest speaking with your guide about how best to enjoy this experience in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner, which can involve watching from a less congested spot.

Your city circuit begins after breakfast at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history. The next section of the tour takes in some of the city’s temples, beginning with Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs, before continuing on to Wat Xieng Thong, perhaps the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang, and the unique Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape. Your last visit of the morning is the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which will give you further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos.

In the afternoon visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek before returning to your hotel.

Early evening you will be met at your hotel by one of our Laos friends. Take a stroll or join your companion for a coffee or something stronger (!) in a local café or bar. Your programme for the evening has no fixed structure; the aim is to give you time to immerse yourself further into the country’s culture and enjoy the company of a local friend. Your companion will take the lead with some suggestions on how to spend the evening together and be ready to show you a side of Luang Prabang that only locals know. It’s also a great opportunity to get some insider tips and insight into life in the city.

Your evening may involve enjoying some street food and live music or a cycle ride along the river to witness a local ceremony. Your companion might know of a little known backstreet eatery, or invite you to join them in a game of petanque. There may also be a chance to join them as they attend their local temple or even to share a drink and some food with their family or friends. If there’s anything in particular you are interested in experiencing, just let them know and they will do their best to make it happen.

Your companion will join you for any street food, snacks or dinner you have. They will spend about 2 - 3 hours with you, and will be happy to make some suggestions for where you can go next or will direct you back to your hotel.

After an early breakfast, transfer to MandaLao elephant sanctuary. Spread over 40 acres of prime elephant habitat, on the banks of the Nam Khan River, the project was set up to offer visitors an interactive and meaningful elephant experience, with a focus on education and animal welfare. The sanctuary is home to seven elephants, including a baby, who have spent the majority of their lives working in the region’s logging industry.

On arrival there will be an in-depth briefing about the project and an introduction into elephant behaviour and communication. There is a special emphasis on baby ‘Kit’ who came to MandaLao aged just nine months, and the positive training techniques used in his up-bringing.

You will then be introduced to the elephants and the morning begins with a bath! There is the opportunity to join the elephants in the river and assist with the bathing, using special materials found in the jungle.

Having assisted with the cleaning of these gentle giants it is now time to walk with them, crossing through traditional Lao gardens towards the jungle covered Huay Nok stream. This magical experience will undoubtedly enhance your understanding of the elephant’s behaviour and how they interact with each other, and with baby Kit. As you walk, your guide will explain how their training techniques differ from traditional methods and how your presence helps Kit.

After around two hours, it’s time to bid farewell to the elephants with some suitable treats, before trekking back to MandaLao HQ, where you will enjoy a Lao meal made primarily using produce from the project’s organic garden.

After lunch transfer back to Luang Prabang, arriving around 1pm. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Morning drive to the village of Ban Khone Kham, around 1.5 hours from Luang Prabang, with a brief stop at the Nam Ou Bridge. After a chance to explore the village, board a private boat for a cruise down the picturesque Nam Ou River. During the morning you will pass amongst the stunning limestone karst scenery, making a stop at the village of Ban Had Kham, where they produce Lao Khao (the local rice whisky), before enjoying a riverside picnic lunch.

Back on board, continue cruising downstream to where the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers converge and visit the incredible Pak Ou Caves. The caves house literally thousands of Buddha statues, hidden from the looting Chinese Haw in times gone by. The statues range from a few centimetres to the size of a human. During the afternoon additional stops will be made at the Khmu minority village of Ban Huay Kor, and a small island which is home to the monk and novices of Wat Donekhoun - an ancient temple that was a favourite stop of the King when he travelled to Pak Ou Caves, but is now rarely visited.

Continue on to Luang Prabang, arriving in the late afternoon.

After a leisurely breakfast transfer to Luang Prabang Airport for your flight to Pakse. On arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred by road south towards the region known as Si Phan Done, or the 4000 Islands. Although some of the islands are technically just sand banks, there are still hundreds of scenic spots to enjoy.

En route, stop to visit the atmospheric ruins of Wat Um Tomo, a 7th century Khmer temple hidden in the forest.

Continue south to Done Khong, the largest of the islands, where the remainder of your day is at leisure to explore the island by foot or bike, or simply relax into the Si Phan Don pace of life!

After breakfast depart for a day of criss-crossing the 4000 Islands by mountain bike and boat.

Begin by cycling across Done Khong - an island that measures 18km by 8km (at its widest point). On reaching the south, take a ferry to the quiet island of Don Phi Man and cycle around this quintessentially Lao fishing village where time appears to have stood still. Another short ferry ride over the Mekong will take you on to Don Sang Pai, where you will visit an ancient Buddhist temple and learn about the importance of religion and beliefs in the local culture.

Continue on to the neighbouring island of Don Loppadi, where the residents specialise in weaving bamboo baskets and the region’s much-used fishing nets. Cycle along dirt tracks across the island to a traditional village, where you will be welcomed into the home of a local family for a home-cooked lunch.

In the afternoon continue your exploration of the region by boat. Cruising leisurely upstream for around 2.5 hours you will pass by Don Som and several small uninhabited islands, before arriving back at Done Khong in the late afternoon.

After breakfast return to the mainland and travel north to the Bolaven Plateau passing the many plantations typical of those found in the region. Any visit to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be visited en-route.

The area is also famous for its many waterfalls and a stop will be made at Tad Fan, one of the most beautiful. During high waters, the twin waterfalls plummet into the deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation below.

Continue on to the village of Ban Beng where you will meet a specialist local guide for a unique experience: exploring the Bolaven Plateau away from the well-trodden tourist route, in a 1960’s-era Army jeep!

A stop will be made at Tad Moan waterfall where there will be time to swim if you wish. Mid-afternoon arrive at the coffee farm belonging to your local guide where you will explore the plantation and learn more about the coffee producing process, from bean to cup. The coffee farmers will be your host for the evening: accommodation is provided in a basic, but comfortable room on the farm, and a delicious home-cooked dinner will be served in the farmhouse.

Wake early and watch the sun rise over the surrounding coffee fields. After breakfast, served with fresh roasted coffee of course, set off again by jeep on a trail cutting right through the plateau.

During the morning, stops will be made to visit a number of interesting ethnic minority villages where western tourists are few and far between, and especially those arriving in a vintage jeep!

After a picnic lunch in a picturesque spot, arrive at the region’s famous Tad Lo waterfalls. There will be time to relax here before leaving the Bolaven Plateau (and your jeep) behind, travelling south towards Si Phan Don (the 4000 Islands.)

Drive as far as the Mekong Riverside from where you cross by ferry to the island of Done Daeng, one of the most picturesque islands in this laid-back region. Whilst technically too far north to be considered part of the Si Phan Don, this doesn't deter from the archipelago experience. Check in and the remainder of your day is at leisure.

After breakfast make the short boat ride to the opposite side of the Mekong River and visiting the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phou that are located near to the town and are one of South-East Asia's most dramatically situated temple sites with superb views across the Mekong River.

Designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2001, the site dates back to the 5th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Whilst much of the origins of Wat Phou are unclear, it is believed that the original temple was built by the Khmer Hindus who eventually made Angkor Wat their capital.

In the afternoon there is the option of a guided walking tour of Champasak. As you walk, your guide will explain about the rich history of this World Heritage Listed town, pointing out traditional and Colonial-style buildings of interest. Stops will be made at a potter’s workshop and at the Sisumang Buddha - a huge sitting image of the Buddha located on the remains of a Pre-Angkorian temple. At the temple of Vat Pa Non, follow the riverside path, passing ancient temples and a French-colonial era Catholic Church. You’ll meet local villagers and observe their traditional methods of making rice baskets and fish traps. Your driver will be waiting at the temple of Vat Kuang Kang to transfer you the short distance back to your hotel.

Your day is at leisure to relax.