A highly recommended early start provides the fantastic opportunity to witness the captivating centuries old daily tradition of the alms giving ceremony, Tak Bat. Before first light, hundreds of saffron-clad monks file out from the old town’s 35 temples to collect their daily alms from faithful local residents. Following the ceremony we wander back through the morning market where locals go to buy their fresh produce for the day ahead.

We’ll head back to the hotel for breakfast, some time to relax and refresh before heading out for our day’s adventure.

Today, we visit Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham (often simply Wat Mai or Wat May) is a Buddhist temple or wat in Luang Prabang, Laos. It is the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang. Built in the 18th century, it is near the Royal Palace Museum. An emerald Buddha statue sits inside the red-gold interior.

We continue our visit at the fascinating National Museum (Royal Palace). The National Museum in Luang Prabang, Laos, was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. The site for the palace was chosen so that official visitors to Luang Prabang could disembark from their river voyages directly below the palace and be received there.

Our next place to visit is Wat Xieng Thong. Built by King Setthathirath (1559), Wat Xieng Thong is the royal city’s most important temple. Its multiple roofs sweep low to the ground and there’s a stunning ‘tree of life’ mosaic set on its western exterior wall. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch we’ll visit either the UXO Visitor’s Centre, which documents the devastation that Laos suffered during the Second Indochina War, or peruse local crafts at Ock Pop Tok, which brings the fascinating world of traditional Lao handicrafts alive for guests.

Next, we’ll explore the 16th century Wat Visoun, known for its enormous stupa and its collection of old gilded Buddhas.

*The Unexploded Ordnance Museum (UXO Museum) is closed on Saturday & Sunday.

Note: The alms giving ceremony this morning is a daily religious event not a show for tourists. Therefore, please be respectful – dress conservatively, turn camera flashes off and carefully follow the instructions of your guide.

We end the day’s tour on top of Mount Phousi in the city centre. We enjoy a sunset view of the gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city and surrounding landscape.

Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B,L)