Mekong cruise and Pak Ou caves

A little way from the centre, Phousi market is the large covered market where Luang Prabang families do their shopping. Among the sacks of sticky rice, dried chillies and kitchen utensils, your guide helps you recognise the produce and tells you about its place in Lao cuisine.

• Sticky rice, Lao spices and condiments
• Aisles of fabrics, baskets and everyday items
• A market used above all by local people

Transfer by private tuk-tuk to the pier, then boarding your private boat.

About two hours sailing upriver, past wooded banks, fishermen and villages. A peaceful time to watch life on the river.

Lunch break by the river, before carrying on with the visit.

Two caves set in the cliff, where the Mekong meets the Nam Ou river, filled with thousands of Buddha statues left by the faithful.

• The thousands of Buddha statues
• The cliff above the river
• Where the Mekong meets the Nam Ou

A visit to a village where rice whisky (lao-lao) is distilled: see how it is made, with an optional tasting and a little local craftwork.

• Rice whisky distillation
• A tasting, if you wish
• The village's small crafts

Return by boat, faster going downstream, then by tuk-tuk to the hotel.