Luang Prabang Luxury Extension

Waterfalls, wats, monks, and local-led exclusive experiences in charming Luang Prabang

Miles from anywhere, Luang Prabang is a charming outpost in northern Laos. Seated on a river peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers meet, the UNESCO-designated town is both the region’s spiritual epicenter and the Kingdom’s royal, former capital. History and culture are born out in architecture, sacred Buddhist sites and spaces, in silk-woven textiles, traditions, rituals, and cuisine. In Luang Prabang, ornate, winged wat temples defy imagination, monks draped in marigold robes walk the streets barefoot, and former governors' mansions nod to colonial Indochina, an era when Laos was a French protectorate.  

Zooming out—perhaps while standing atop sacred Mount Phousi—you can appreciate Luang Prabang’s natural beauty, too. Verdant forest blankets the rolling hills that envelop the town. Venture a short distance to find yourself in bucolic farmland, in jungles threaded by gin-clear streams and concealing effervescent waterfalls, or take to the river for slow afternoons on the water.  

It’s not uncommon for travelers to spend two or three nights in a given destination—especially in a region as combinable as Southeast Asia. It’s our view that laid-back Luang Prabang demands more—especially if you’re arriving from frenzied Bangkok or Hanoi. Darling, walkable, and in balance with nature, the town casts a spell upon travelers. Trust us when we say it’s a place you’ll want to linger, longer.  

There are obvious charms to be found—gilded temples to contemplate, a mystic river cave to visit, and almsgiving—but there are also many small joys, hidden charms, and untold stories to discover.  On Luang Prabang Extension, we curate five splendid days to explore winding side streets, forested waterfalls, languid riverbank villages, and whimsical wats, all at an unhurried pace that feels distinctly Laos.  

Luang Prabang Luxury Extension: 5 days / 4 nights

Luang Prabang Luxury Extension Trip Highlights

If arriving by air, touch down at Luang Prabang International Airport where our representative will whisk you through customs with a VIP fast-track visa service. Your private driver meets you outside for a seamless transfer to ultra-luxe Amantaka. Check-in, unpack, and relax; the rest of the day is at your leisure. This upscale oasis is centrally located, so you're just steps from shops and restaurants. Or take the opportunity to sample Amantaka’s divine spa services.
Rise with an appetite because this morning you will embark on a very special invitation into Mrs. Noy’s kitchen. It’s not a cooking lesson, but rather, an immersive cultural experience through food. Your guide will bring you to the morning market where you will meet your chef-teacher-hostess. Mrs. Noy will introduce you to local herbs and vegetables unfamiliar in taste and texture. With a basket load of fresh produce, you’ll travel to Mrs. Noy’s riverside village in a boat. In her traditional home kitchen, you will enjoy a private cooking lesson with the matriarch, focused on authentic flavors and regional specialties. A spread of Lao dishes is enjoyed in the company of Mrs. Noy and her family.  
In the afternoon, board a private boat to cruise up the Mekong to reach Pak Ou Caves, a mystic site filled with some 3,000 Buddha figures—some adorned with semi-precious stones. That these images remain undisturbed in this remote site in one of the world’s most impoverished countries is a testament to the devotion of the people. You won’t rush the return ride to Luang Prabang. Instead, visit river villages to sample Lao specialties including whisky and riverweed snacks, and learn about artisan handicrafts like silk weaving and Sa paper production. The evening is yours; dine at Amantaka or pick from Extraordinary Journeys’ recommended restaurants.  
Rise at daybreak to watch queues of barefoot, marigold-robed monks as they weave single-file through the city streets, collecting rice (alms). It’s a sacred, time-honored ritual in Laos and we’ll situate you in a spot far from the tourist crowds where you can offer alms in a way that feels genuine. Afterward, ascend the 328 steps that lead to the summit of Phousi Mountain to view Luang Prabang in wide screen. Return to Amantaka for breakfast.  
Afterward, head to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (TAEC) for an exclusive private tour. By this point, you will have noticed Laos’s vibrant, patterned textiles—from art and pillowcases to traditional dress, bags, and scarves—proudly displayed in markets, restaurants, and your hotel. Alongside a TAEC director or curated, you’ll explore exhibits and objects that embody the country’s ethnic cultures, traditions, and customs.  
Next, you’ll put names to faces. You’ll set out with a guide and driver on a scenic drive along tranquil country roads. Stopping to visit Hmong, Khmu, and Lowland Lao villages, you’ll see how their unique lifestyles, traditions and religious practices differ. In Ban Pano, you’ll meet Khmu people, the original inhabitants of Northern Laos who follow animist beliefs and speak a language from the Austro-Asiatic family. In Ban Long Lao, Hmong and Khmu communities live peacefully side by side. The Hmong, more recent settlers to Laos, built their villages in the mountains and practice shifting cultivation of corn and other crops.  
Your afternoon ends in the rainforest to visit Kuang Si waterfalls. A moderate jungle hike brings you to a top-of-the-waterfall viewpoint and you’ll savor a secluded wilderness picnic of Lao specialties. If it’s hot, take a refreshing dip in a nearby natural pool (rather than the busier pools at the falls’ foot). The evening is at your leisure.  
Begin your day at a walking pace, exploring central Luang Prabang’s charming streets alongside a local guide. Weave through side streets while making every excuse to stop for any craving or curiosity that begs closer inspection. Visit 500-year-old Wat Xieng Thong with its whimsical nested and winged roofs—perhaps the finest example of Luang Prabang architecture.  You’ll finish at the National Museum—housed in a former palace—where all manner of vintage objects and royal relics are on display. A delicious lunch is served in a century-old, restored UNESCO-designated heritage building.  
Once satiated, you’ll meet Mr. Francis Engelmann for an architectural “walking conference.” Having worked closely with the Luang Prabang Conservation Authority, your guide even helped secure Luang Prabang’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. Through religious, civil, and bridge architecture, you’ll turn back time to learn about the town’s fascinating royal and Indochine histories. You’ll also visit Wat Khili to view the Buddhist Archives of Photography. Here, you’ll learn about Theravada Buddhist meditation, giving you a deeper understanding of the practice and history of almsgiving and monkhood in Luang Prabang. 
We’ve saved a spectacular sunset for your final evening. Board a private boat that awaits you at Tha Heua Mai pier. Cruise upstream to reach the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. Cross to the opposite bank of the Mekong to visit Wat Long Khoun, followed by a walk to Wat Chomphet. Return to your boat to imbibe the sun as it paints the sky in broad strokes of orange and yellow. Along the way, you’ll spy villagers in riverside communities closing out their day. With a drink in hand, toast to splendid, benevolent days passed in Luang Prabang.  
A driver will fetch you from Amantaka for an airport transfer. Begin your international flight home or continue onto the next leg of your luxury Southeast Asia travel adventure. 
Amantaka: Located at the foot of sacred Mount Phousi, Amantaka is a tranquil oasis. We’ve chosen this property as your dreamy Luang Prabang base, balancing premier luxury with a central location. Situated in the heart of town, you’re a short distance from the Mekong riverfront, markets, and temples. Moreover, you’re swept into the energy of Luang Prabang’s pedestrian charms. Within the gates of Amantaka, you’ll slumber within French colonial bungalows that embody Indochine minimalism. Refined and discreet, your stay is imbued with the personalized hospitality Aman properties are known for.  

Price

Starting at $4,900 per person sharing in 2025