LAOS

33 Le Trung Nghia St., Ward 12, Tan Binh Dist., HCMC, Vietnam I info@trailsofindochina.com I www.trailsofindochina.com

ACCESS TRAILSSUNSET CRUISE ON THE AMANTAKA BOATDepart from Luang Prabang town in the late afternoon on the luxurious Amantaka Boat for a cruise up and down stream. The Mekong River plays an intrinsic role in everyday life for those living along its shores. From the boat, observe the local villages and rural life along the tree-lined banks of the river. Enjoy the cool breeze off the water with a refreshing cocktail and canapés, and experience a magical sunset over the Mekong River.

PRIVATE HELICOPTER JOURNEYSEnhance your travel experience by hiring your very own helicopter for the day. Let us whisk you away to the famous ‘Plain of Jars’ or to other destinations within Laos. Additionally, we can offer scenic flights of the capital, Vientiane, and aerial photography flights.

INSIDE TRAILS LAOS

BLESSING CEREMONY AT WAT SENETransfer to the serene Wat Sene temple overlooking the whole of Luang Prabang town. Bring along with you some offerings such as fruit, candles and incense sticks to offer to the monks and the nuns before partaking in a blessing ceremony that is believed to bring health, happiness and longevity. After the blessing, a white thread will be tied to your wrist – it is believed that this will help you to succeed in realizing your dreams. The blessing ceremony itself only lasts about 20 minutes but the good tidings it brings will be carried with you throughout the remainder of your journey in Laos and hopefully return home with you.

SEMINAR WITH CO-DIRECTOR & SUNSET COCKTAILS AT OCK POP TOK Veo Duangdala and Joanna Smith co-founded the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre in April 2000. Veo comes from a family renowned for its weaving and Jo left her career in the UK as a magazine photographer in search of something different. Enjoy a private 1.5 hour presentation with one of the co-directors titled “The Silk Road: From Silkworms to Nagas”; looking at the journey of a Lao textile from the creation of silk to the weaving process and the meaning behind different motifs. The spacious grounds of the Living Crafts Center are ideal for relaxing after the seminar and sipping cocktails while watching the sunset.

BACI CEREMONYBaci ceremonies are an integral part of Lao culture. Held to celebrate a special event, it is based on an ancient belief that the human being is a union of organs and the soul watches over each of them. The Baci ceremony calls the soul from wherever it may be roaming back to the body and re-establishes equilibrium. At the end of the ceremony, the village elders wrap a white cotton thread around your wrist while chanting an invocation to strengthen the power of the blessings. Optionally, we can also arrange traditional music and dance after taking part in this ancient practice.

33 Le Trung Nghia St., Ward 12, Tan Binh Dist., HCMC, Vietnam I info@trailsofindochina.com I www.trailsofindochina.com

A LAO EVENING - TRADITIONAL STORYTELLING & FOOD Why is Mount Phousi called Mount Phousi? What has it got to do with mushrooms and the Ramayana? All questions will be answered when we visit the Garavek Theater, which aim is to promote and preserve the local myths, legends, and folktales. Every evening, they present a selection of traditional Lao stories told in English by a Lao storyteller, with the live musical accompaniment of the khene – the quintessential Lao folk instrument. After the performance, transfer to one of the best Lao restaurants in the country. Choose between a typical Luang Prabang meal, a ‘buffet’ of all the local specialties, or be adventurous and try foods usually only found in local markets and private homes… or out in the jungle!

INSIDE TRAILS LAOS

AN ORCHID DISCOVERY NEAR VIENTIANETravel to Ban Hatkhai in the south-eastern part of the Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area. Guided by local villagers and an orchid expert, you will not only be surprised about the abundance of orchids but also get insights into their specific biology and ecology. While hiking through bamboo forests and jungle paths, you will also have the opportunity of getting introduced to many other plants used by the local people for medical purposes or as food supplement.

JUNGLE SURVIVOR PICNIC Leave Luang Prabang in the morning and drive to the Kuang Si Waterfalls, located approximately 25 kilometers outside of town. Meet your local expert guide on arrival and trek with him to the top area of the waterfall. Along the way, learn how to collect herbs, mushrooms, bamboo shoots and other vegetables. You will even have the opportunity to try the local way of fishing. Then, help to prepare your truly local Laos ‘jungle’ picnic lunch. After lunch, enjoy a walk around the Kuang Si Waterfall or a refreshing swim.

PETANQUE – THE LOCAL PASTIME, PASSED DOWN FOR GENERATIONSEnjoy your free time like many of the locals in Luang Prabang do - playing a couple of rounds of Petanque. This French game, with the objective to throw or roll a heavy ball as close as possible to a smaller target ball, has been played on courts here since the colonial period. Team up with your travel companion for a match or if you feel particularly confident, play against a Lao person and see whose technique works best.

33 Le Trung Nghia St., Ward 12, Tan Binh Dist., HCMC, Vietnam I info@trailsofindochina.com I www.trailsofindochina.com

LAOS

LAO TEXTILES AND COCKTAIL RECEPTION Visit to the weaving home-studio of an American textiles expert who arrived in Vientiane in 1989 as part of a United Nations project to promote traditional weaving. She was so impressed by the quality and diversity of weaving throughout Laos that she set up the Lao Textiles Studio in Vientiane. Our expert will personally escort you on a tour through her studio where she will explain the process of producing silk as well as sharing her life experiences and memories of living in Laos. The visit takes about one hour and finishes with a cocktail in her beautiful garden.

EXPERT TRAILSMEET LUANG PRABANG’S MONKS In late afternoon, proceed to one of the serene monasteries in town, and arrive in time to hear the typical monk chanting. This is a daily ritual and quite interesting to experience. Later, meet with one or two monks and chat with them about their life as a monk, about Buddhism or about Laos in general. Your visit includes a small donation and depending on the monastery, we will offer products needed by the monks to them. This surely will be a visit to remember!

EVENING APERITIF TALK WITH A HERITAGE EXPERTTake a step back in time as you’re transferred to the serenity of the Silk Road Café located on the banks of the Mekong River. Sip on your cocktail whilst the sun sets and enjoy an exclusive, private Q&A session with our local expert on Laos – a European who has called Luang Prabang home for over 20 years. Formerly a consultant for UNESCO, he’ll share with you his enthusiasm and passion for Lao culture, history, customs and the natural environment.

20th UNESCO ANNIVERSARY WALKING TOUR In celebration of the 20th UNESCO Anniversary in December 2015, a book was published that highlights myriad aspects of Luang Prabang. The walking tour you will take is based on the book and has been put together by connoisseurs who have been involved for many years in researching, documenting and preserving the town’s traditions and treasures. Set out on foot for an ‘off the beaten track’ walking tour with your local guide and the 20th Anniversary Book in hand. After the tour, stroll along a tree-lined lane just off the main road and step into a bygone era. Courtiers of the former royal Lao court built the residences and temples lining the brick path and we will take a break at a lovely little café.

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LUANG PRABANG LAO FOOD CORNERFor foodies who want to get a taste of the local flavor, head to Luang Prabang’s famous night market. Walk through the market and head towards the small side streets where vendors offer ‘food buffets’ and different local snacks. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells while your guide explains the different cooking methods or ingredients to you. After looking and trying (if you want!) head to a famous local restaurant for Sindad BBQ, a “BBQ at your table” type of Laos traditional way of cooking which is very popular with the locals.

A PRIVATE 500 CANDLES DINNER Take part in an intimate dining experience in La Residence Phou Vao’s Spirit Gardens. The entrance to the garden is lit by 500 glistening candles and the 7-course dinner which follows will leave you full and fulfilled with lasting memories of a special evening.

COOKING CLASS AT KUANG SI WATERFALL In the morning, drive in the direction of Kuang Si waterfall where the organic farm of a published Lao cookbook author is located. Start your cooking class with selecting items from the garden and learn in this beautiful environment how to prepare Lao food under the guidance of your cook. In the afternoon, say goodbye and head to the Kuang Si Waterfall and National park for a leisurely hike or swim. For the more adventurous, you can continue to the top of the main waterfall before returning to Luang Prabang in the afternoon.

33 Le Trung Nghia St., Ward 12, Tan Binh Dist., HCMC, Vietnam I info@trailsofindochina.com I www.trailsofindochina.com

GOURMET TRAILS

FROM THE COFFEE CHERRY TO THE CUP Today, delve into the world of coffee production from cherry to cup. Embark on an interactive coffee tour that provides insight into the world of the Saffron Coffee Company: a social development enterprise engaged in ethical, sustainable, and environmentally-regenerating farming practices direct with hill tribe families of northern Laos. You will have the opportunity to see the various stages of growing the beans, processing coffee, grading and sorting green beans, and roasting coffee. This tour finishes with a delightful Devonshire Tea experience, coffee appreciation through ‘cupping’ of Saffron single origin coffee and some delicious light refreshments.