Rosewood Glamping & Soft Adventure

Arrive into Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos, where an Immersive Travel Asia representative will assist with a VIP visa fast-track through immigration (have your passport, a passport photo and the visa fee ready in cash). A guide and driver will then transfer you to Rosewood Luang Prabang, set into the surrounding hills, to check into your Hilltop Tent, a design inspired by the textiles and patterns of the area's indigenous hill tribes, with a king-size bed, an oversized daybed, a rain shower, a classic-style bathtub and a private balcony overlooking the forest. This afternoon, transfer to the pier to board the iMekong cruiser for a sunset cruise along the Mekong. Cruise at a leisurely pace as the boat's roof slides back for panoramic views of the changing sky, with traditional Lao snacks, Beer Lao and house wine served onboard. Dinner is at leisure this evening. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Begin the day with a private yoga session at 7am, led by a local teacher who adapts the practice to any level. After a leisurely breakfast, best enjoyed on your tent's private balcony, set out by mountain bike with a local guide for a half-day temple tour of Luang Prabang. Begin at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, before continuing to Wat Mai, known for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukharam, with its dazzling gilded facade. Finish at Wat Xieng Thong, one of the oldest and most revered temples in the country, set on the tip of the city's peninsula. Break for lunch at Le Elephant, a restaurant supporting marginalised local children through the Friends International network. In the afternoon, meet a visiting ethnomusicologist at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre for an in-depth look at Lao ethnic diversity, textiles and spirit-healing traditions, drawn from years of field research among the Tai Dam community of northeastern Laos. This evening, dine at Manda de Laos, set among three lotus ponds on a UNESCO-listed site, for candlelit dining beneath the stars. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Depart the hotel at 8:30am for the village of Xieng Lom, where a guide introduces elephant behaviour over coffee or tea before a short river crossing to meet the elephants themselves. Feed them healthy snacks and watch as they bond with their mahouts during bathtime in the river; guests do not enter the water directly, and only the mahouts wash the elephants, in line with World Animal Protection guidelines. Continue on foot alongside the elephants through Lao gardens and the jungle-covered Huay Nok stream, crisscrossing the cool water for a closer, more respectful appreciation of these gentle giants, before a freshly prepared Lao lunch overlooking the river and misty mountains. In the afternoon, head to the countryside along the Nam Khan River for a private e-biking loop on an off-road trail with several river crossings, visiting the traditional Khmu village of Ban Hue Tad and the Tad Kuang Son Waterfall, before cycling back through teak and vegetable plantations. Dinner is at leisure this evening. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Drive around forty minutes to Long Lao village, home to Khamu and Hmong communities living side by side, for the start of a scenic trek. The trail leads through fields and vegetable gardens into forested mountains, with a steep climb and a stop at a cave once used as a bomb shelter during the Indochina War, before reaching the clear turquoise waters of Kuang Si Waterfall. Swim and relax by the falls, then enjoy lunch at Carpe Diem, set beside the waterfall with its own private natural pool. Before heading back, visit the Asian Black Bear Rescue Centre, home to Asiatic black bears rescued from poachers, and learn about the threats they face and the work being done to protect them. Back in Luang Prabang, unwind with a traditional Hmong herbal cleanse at The Senses at Rosewood, guided by a Hmong shaman to align the spirits and cleanse the body of tiring energy. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at Paste, the first restaurant in Laos opened by a Michelin-starred chef, built on the historic recipes of the celebrated Lao cook Phia Sing. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Enjoy a final morning for last-minute shopping around Luang Prabang before a guide and driver transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.