Luang Prabang Laos 6-day Luxury Cultural Tour and Photography Workshop with Richard Se 10 TO 15 OCTOBER 2019
AN INVITATION from Richard Se A captivating picture of the golden facade of Wat Mai inspired me to visit Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage town in Laos, for the first time more than 20 years ago. Over the years, I found myself going back numerous times, while working with local hotels and resorts, to photograph what the beautiful and historical town has to offer. Luang Prabang has changed over the years as she welcomes more and more tourists, but she has not lost her charms, especially in the heritage town on the peninsula. I warmly invite you to join me on this cultural journey and photography workshop from 10 to 15 October 2019. This is one of the best time to visit Luang Prabang as the town is celebrating the end of the Buddhist Lent with the annual Festival of Lights. Throughout the whole tour, you will stay in a luxurious heritage 2-storey colonial villa with a private pool in a beautiful garden. There are only 4 exclusive suite rooms in the villa, so the group will be limited to a maximum of 8 persons only. Â I hope to share this unforgettable experience of Luang Prabang's rich architecture and culture with you through our common love for photography.
LUANG PRABANG Luang Prabang, an ancient town located in North Central Laos, is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for its well preserved architectural, religious and rich cultural heritage with French colonial influences during the 19th and 20th centuries. The centre of the town is located on a peninsula at the confluence of the Nam Khan River and Mekong River. The traditional temple architecture is Lana style while the secular architecture is heavily influence by the French colonial. This blend of architectural style within the heritage town creates a unique atmosphere. Buddhism is the main religion in Luang Prabang and there are numerous temples and monasteries. Early morning alms giving is one of the highlights for visitors. The weather is very pleasant in October with an average temperatureof 25°C. Luang Prabang is served by an international airport which is about 30 minutes drive to the centre of the town.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS The UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang including famous and unique temples Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, the Royal Temple and Wat Xieng Thong Luang Prabang Festival of Lights (Boun Heua Fai) 2019 coordinated by our special local representative End of Buddhist Lent celebrations and parade Photography tours to Mount Phousi, authentic morning market and alms giving ritual
Private boat and sunset cruise on Mekong River Private cruise and visit to Pak Ou caves and Kuang Si Waterfall Private and special traditional puppet show Private dinner in villa Boat racing Hmong people photography Visits and chats with monks and novices. Photography of prayer sessions Possible priority tickets to a dance session host by a royal princess (subject to availability)
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Capturing rich architectural and cultural elements and moments Natural landscape surrounding the historical town of Luang Prabang and the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers Daily photography critique sessions in the villa in a relaxed and private environment.
ACCOMODATION The villa selected for this workshop is a private 2-storey heritage French colonial bungalow with a private pool and a vast garden. The exclusive bungalow has 4 double-bed suites with a living room and dining area on both levels. Workshops, puppet shows and events will be held within the bungalow and its compound in total privacy. You will be able to rest and relax in the peaceful surroundings away from the tourist crowd. Suite Amenities: Double Occupancy (King-size Bed) Air Conditioning Attached Bathroom Mini Bar Flat Screen TV Free Wi-Fi Personal Safe Toiletries Facilities Swimming Pool Laundry Services  NOTE: Due to the nature of the accommodation, the price for a single person per room is the same as for double occupancy.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
day 1
Arrival in Luang Prabang Guests arrive in Luang Prabang will be transferred to the villa and then free to relax and enjoy the villa. Early arrivals can opt to have a casual walk and a brief introduction to Luang Prabang and perhaps relax at the numerous cafes and restaurants around the town. A short introductory meeting at a suitable time in the villa and then proceed to the beautiful restaurant near the villa.
day 2
Luang Prabang Historical Town Experience the early morning alms giving ceremony at a selected location, visit UNESCO World Heritage temples and watch the sunset over Mekong River from the top of Mount Phousi.
day 3
Around Luang Prabang and Mekong River Private boat tour to surrounding temples across the river and the Pak Ou Caves. End the day with a sunset cruise on the Mekong River.
services
day 5
Boat Racing, Private Puppet Show and Farewell Dinner
day 4
Festival of Lights and the end of Buddhist Lent Photography revolving around the light festival, its preparations and parade.
day 6
Morning Photography and Departure
PACKAGE AND PRICE Date: 10 to 15 October 2019 Group Size: max 8 persons Price:Â USD$3,800 for 2 persons or USD$3,400 for 2 persons for early bird registrations before 15 June 2019
Package Includes: 5 nights luxury accommodation in heritage colonial villa (4 bedroom suites with private pool and garden) All meals and gourmet experiences and non-alcoholic drinks Airport transfers between Luang Prabang airport and villa Private group transportation throughout the stay All sightseeing and entrance fees Private cultural events in the villa Exclusions: Return air ticket to Luang Prabang Alcoholic drinks Note:Â Due to the nature of the accommodation, the price for a single person per room is also at USD$3,800 or USD$3,400 (early bird price).
terms & conditions Registration Please email to richardsephotography@gmail.com or WhatsApp +65 96448126 to register. You will be notified by email within 3 to 5 days with a confirmation letter. Payment is accepted through PayPal or bank transfer. Rooms are on a first-come-first-served basis upon registration and settlement of full payment for the tour and workshop. Early Bird Discount Early-bird discount applies to registrations sent in on or before 15 June 2019.
RICHARD SE PHOTOGRAPHY richardsephotography@gmail.com +65
96448126
www.richardse.com
Refunds and Cancellations No refund will be given for cancellation after 10 August 2019. All refunds are subject to a 10% processing fee that will be deducted from your refund. Minimum Participants This workshop requires minimum 6 participants and maximum 8 participants. Visa Entry and Requirements Please comply with all visa and health requirements of Laos.The organizer is not liable for any illness, accidents, delays or costs resulting from your failure to meet these requirements. Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in Laos. For Singaporean passport holders, a visa is not required for stays not exceeding 30 days. Travel Insurance You are strongly advised to purchase travel insurance coverage. This amount is an additional cost and is not included in your package. The organiser will not be responsible for the expenses of uninsured participants.
Copyright © 2019 Richard Se. All rights reserved. All photographs and texts included herein are the property of Richard Se. All materials are protected under international copyright laws and treaties which provide substantial penalties for infringement. The use of any images or other materials included herein, in whole or part, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, reproduction, storage, manipulation, digital or otherwise, is expressly prohibited without the written permission of Richard Se.