Visitez Luang Prabang, et le reste du Laos

1-day handicraft journey

Benolaos — 2014-07-04T10:21:00Z

Luang Prabang is the capital of arts, and a centre place for handicraft in Laos. We propose 1-day journey, assisted by a guide, around handicraft thematic. First, choose a morning training with a professional

Blacksmith: create from scratch your knife or local machete
Bamboo work: weave your basket or your case
Local hunting: make a crossbow
Embroidery: make the famous Hmong slippers
Fishing: learn and practice the local technique
Pottery: learn, practice, create
Local foods: cooking class (join-in tour, see details)
The rice: learn, practice and taste (join-in tour, see details)
Lao Wine: Making Lao Hai, the sticky rice wine of the Khmu ethnic
Local paper: make your lamp in Saa paper (afternoon)
Weave or dye silk: a 1-day training

The other visits

Discover the weaving villages of Ban Xang Khong
Explore the weaving village of Ban Phanom
Visit the Ock Pop Tok weaving living centre
Cross the Mekong and visit the pottery village
Have a look at the local Lao bakery cooking the local bread

Pick-up time at your hotel: 8am
End of the journey: 5pm

Included:

Minivan (a/c), privatized, with chauffeur or local open-air tuktuk
Professional worker teaching for 1/2 day (depending on chosen option)
English speaking guide (or other language)
Entry fees
2 refreshing towels & - 2 mineral bottles / pers.

Tariffs:

Depend on the option, and the chosen language of the guide

A morning in the rice field

Benolaos — 2012-10-19T18:12:19Z

Some people like to watch, some people want to understand, and some enjoy to try and to participate. In this special place, you can see how rice is grown on a 100% organic farm cultivating many vegetables you can taste. You are also invited to also experience the life of a farmer and to add your hands at some of the activities ! What a proposal : paying to work ! But what an experience... worth a visit.

For sure, if you prefer to just view it all from the comfort of a traditional Lao rice house balcony, which is surrounded by rice terraces, up to you.

80% of Lao people live as farmers. Learn Laos from the roots.

View online : See the website

Weaving & Dyeing classes

Benolaos — 2012-06-25T09:01:22Z

Located 5km from the center town, Ock Pop Tock (litterally "West meets East") is a production center that provides courses, guesthouse, food, with one of the best shops of Luang Prabang. Visit the website : Ockpoptok.com

Traditionally textiles are made by women, the preparation of dyes and the actual dyeing is done by women and it is women that more often than not still proudly wear the cloths that they make. Materials used in textile creation are home grown; from hmong hemp in the cool mountain air, to silk made from ravenous worms munching mulberry to the organic fields of cotton that produce yarns for soft cloths.If you like textiles then you will love Laos, if you appreciate hand crafted goods then you will have a field day, if you want to see age old traditions and lifestyles then get here quick. Lao textiles are such an important part of lao cultural diversity, but times are changing and its now that we need to secure the place for Lao textiles on the world platform.

½ Day Class Natural Dyes

The Natural Dyes Class is an introduction to silkworms and silk types. In this class, students have a hands on experience with natural dye preparation and complete 3 color dyes. At the end of class you will take home 3 dyed silk skeins. Many of the natural dyes used are grown in our garden. Maximum 10 students.

½ Day Class Weaving

The Half Day Weaving Class is an introduction to weaving on a loom. Each student is assigned a loom and has a guide and a weaver to help them learn the art of weaving. Students will select two colours and will create a placemat sized piece with a Lao motif.

Hmong Batik Class

The Hmong Batik Class is an introduction to Hmong culture. Each student will create a wax resist, Hmong style design on hand loomed hemp. Due to time constraints it is not possible to complete the dye portion of the process. The natural hemp renders a beautiful finished piece. This class can be extended to a full day which includes lunch. Maximum 3 students.

Bamboo Weaving Class

Join our Master Bamboo Weaver and learn about varieties and uses of bamboo in Laos. Half Day class students will weave a placemat or traditional fan. This class can be extended to a full day, in which students weave a small basket and includes lunch.

... And many other options...
We can organize for you special tours, including visit of museum, local traditional weaving villages, to give you a full experience in weaving and dyeing cotton and silk.

Cooking classes

Benolaos — 2012-06-25T08:49:41Z

Luang Prabang is definitely the gastronomic capital of Laos. Historically, the town has always been rich in the arts, especially table arts. The best cooks were hired by the King. This created a legacy that has endured. All visitors that stop at Luang Prabang must savour the typical local dishes, which they will find, nowhere else in Laos.

Lao gastronomy is reputed for being well balanced and healthy, novel, delicate and characteristic, with, as a basic element, the well known "sticky rice" which is eaten at every meal by the people of Lao.

Lao cookery is balanced. A small use of meat, which is compensated by the association of a huge variety of plants and vegetables, spices and herbs and grilled insects (especially cicadas, chrysalis and bamboo caterpillars ...)
Lao cookery is original, delicate and special, mainly because of the typical regional ingredients that are used (the wood used for the préparation of O-Lam, for example, only grows in the province of Luang Prabang). The alga from the Mekong are also very much developed in this region, and because the people of Lao have a tendancy to consider bitterness, as a synonym of medicine, they like the taste.

Experience a half day or an afternoon to learn some local dishes that you can later returned to your country, to the delight of your friend's curious palate. About 30 USD per person.

Many options are available, ask us, we will propose the alternative that suits you best.