BAMBOO WEAVING & COOKING CLASS

Today, during a cooking class and over a 'bamboo weaving' exercise, you will learn about the importance of the bamboo plant to Lao culture.

Begin with a tuk tuk pick-up from your hotel at 8.30am and head to 'The Bamboo Experience', a rustic pavillion (modelled on a traditional Lao house) in a picturesque setting on the outskirts of Luang Prabang (ten minutes from the town centre).

After a warm welcome your guide will explain how bamboo is a key part of Lao culture and how numerous items found in traditional Lao households are actually made from the versatile bamboo plant - these include fishing tools and musical instruments.

Then, try your hand at weaving a souvenir mat made from strips of the bamboo plant! Your local and very patient teacher will guide you through techniques which have been used for hundreds of years. 

Learn how to sharpen knives and cut bamboo into strips, then make a small mat using an overlapping weave process.

After admiring your finished creation, learn how the bamboo plant also plays a vital role in everyday Lao cuisine. In a hands-on demonstration, assist a chef in cooking delicious dishes such as bamboo shoot soup, bamboo shoot steamed in banana leaf, and bamboo shoot dip.

After class, relax on the pavillion terrace and savour your culinary creations with views of the countryside. There's also time to learn some fun Laotian games before returning to your hotel.