A textile and handicraft tour fit for the most discerning of shoppers and artisans! Lao weaving and handicrafts are renowned for their beauty and there are so many different ethnic designs and traditions to explore. Come with us on a journey through the textile traditions of Laos ? from the loom to the boutique. First we stop off for a peek at a boutique that specialises in traditional indigo textile products, which luckily just happens to be next to one of the best coffee shops in Vientiane. Then we visit the Lao Textile Museum where you can admire a range of different traditional, antique textiles created by different Lao ethnic groups. Learn more about these pieces and their uses, and try your hand on a traditional Lao loom. We'll then visit one of Vientiane's premier weaving houses to see modern day weaving and textile production first hand. We'll also visit the showroom to see the incredibly beautiful finished products. Then a break for lunch at a very popular French cafe that only the locals know about, where you can relax before a hands-on afternoon of exploring traditional handicrafts. After lunch, visit the Hmong Sisterhood handicraft cooperative, a locally based non-government organisation providing support and vocational training for young Hmong women, and learn how to draw the intricate wax patterns used for creating Hmong Ikat (or batik). The women will guide you in crafting your own traditional Hmong cross-stitch embroidery which you'll get to take home, and you can try on some amazing traditional Hmong costumes. At the end of the tour we can either drop you at the Morning Market where you will find some of the best handicraft shopping in town. Or we can drop you back to your accommodation. Either way, we'll give you our special insiders' map of Vientiane highlighting the best handicraft and textile shops in town so you can keep shopping to your heart's content! Details You'll need to bring sunscreen and a hat. Please wear comfortable clothes suitable for travelling in a tuk tuk. Tour runs from 8.30am to approx 2.30pm. Pick up and drop off at your accommodation. Please be ready at the front of your hotel at 8.30am sharp for pick up. The tour can be run any day from Monday to Saturday depending on availability. Tour does not run on Sundays. A minimum of one full days notice (24 hours) is required to set up this tour, due to the nature of the activities involved. Please provide as much notice as possible for your trip. This tour may be cancelled or altered up to one full day (24 hours) before departure time. Full payment will be required for any cancellation less than 24 hours before this time. Pricing $75 USD (600,000 kip) per person $45 USD (360,000 kip) per person for children 12 years and under (Please use the add-on section for child bookings) The price includes all transport by tuk tuk, all activities, water, English speaking guide, and lunch. It does not include any additional drinks or food purchased and no unplanned stops are possible.