Laos Gourmet

Today you will explore Vientiane - the charming and fascinating capital of Laos. Our visit will take you to the key sites: National Museum, Wat Sisaket the city‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the next stop is Haw Phra Kaeo. Visit Pha That Luang, the giant golden stupa, is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Next you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane.

You will take a short transfer to Lam Pai-Bay Tong. This is a rustic restaurant/cookery school down a quiet side street close to the Mekong River. The experienced Head Chef, Chandra, will begin the cooking class at 16:00.

Over the next three hours you will learn how to create seven local dishes using traditional ingredients and techniques. There is no need to take notes because you will be given your own recipe book to take home, enabling you to recreate your favorites and remember your time in Laos for years to come.

At around 19:00 it will be time to relax and enjoy the feast, which you have created together. Local desserts will also be offered, although you will probably not make them yourself, as the savory dishes tend to be most popular. Tea, coffee and local herbal cocktails (non-alcoholic) are included. Overnight in Vientiane.

Today, you will take a short flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at the airport, you are welcomed and transferred to hotel in town for check in. The rest of the day you will visit the Royal Palace (official name "Haw Kham"), which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

Before sunset, ascend the 328 steps to the top of Phou Si Mountain that offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding rivers and cityscape before wandering through the bustling Hill Tribe Market for traditional textiles and handicrafts made by some of the ethnic minority groups. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Following breakfast, gain a deeper understanding of Lao culture at Wat Visoun with its iconic Watermelon Stupa and Wat Aham with the altar of Luang Prabang's two respected geniuses. Cruise along a Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves where you will discover gold-lacquered Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes nestled deep in the limestone caverns. Embark on a cultural tour of Luang Prabang in the afternoon where you will explore the gilded temples such as Wat Mai, Wat Sensoukarahm and Wat Xieng Thong dotted across the city. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Start your day by meeting at a restaurant and before transferring to the local market. Learn more about the market while taking in the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy place. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson. You will be transferred to a picturesque lakeside pavilion where you will be introduced to the Laos kitchen.

The chef will give you an introduction to all the fresh ingredients you have just bought from the market. Learn how to make Jeow, this is a spicy Laotian dipping sauce and Mok Pa, a popular fish dish steamed with herbs in banana leaves….

Enjoy the tastes of your newly discovered recipes for lunch. The rest of the day is free at your own pace. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

This morning, wake up early and participate in the daily morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls of offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice.

Enjoy breakfast and our tour guide will meet you around 8:30am for a  visit the morning Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit the Ban Ouay, Hmong Hill tribe, Ban Ou, Lowland Lao and Ban Thapene of Khmu Village. Continue driving to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths, return to Luang Prabang around 4.00pm and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Have breakfast in the hotel and enjoy your free time before your transfer to Luang Prabang airport for your onward flight.