LAOS AT A GLANCE 13 DAYS/12 NIGHTS

Day 1: Luang Prabang arrival – city tour

Upon arrival, check in hotel and relax.

Afternoon we climb up to the top of mountain Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong river. We will explore the Night market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou

Breakfast, then we shall start with a tour to visit the World Heritage described by the UNESCO as the best preserved city in South East Asia. We will start with the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, Wat Sene – the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, and National Museum. Then and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its low sweeping roofs, representing classical Laotian architecture. Then we board a cruise upstream on the Mekong river, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khoang Si

Early wake up for a fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clothed monks who collect offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

After breakfast, visit Phousi Market then we transfer to visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene. Then we drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Xieng Khoang – Plain of Jars

After breakfast and hotel check-out in the morning, we drive to Xieng Khouang and visit hill tribal villages along the way. We go to visit Site 1 of Plain of Jars upon arrival and then drive to your hotel for check-in and free at leisure in the evening.

Day 5: Xieng Khoang – Vang Vieng

After breakfast, we drive to visit Plain of Jars site 2 & 3 then continue our way toward Vang Vieng via mountainous zig zag road. We will arrive Vang Vieng in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

Day 6: Vang Vieng – full day caving & Kayaking

In the morning, our truck takes you from the office drive north of Vangvieng around 15km to the tour begins to walk on Nam song Swing Bridge to Ban Tham Xang (Elephant cave), there is a cave in the centre of this village called Tham Xang temple, you’ll know about Buddhist culture from our tour guide and the local people’s life. Then we continue trekking pass this village to the rice field to Tham Nam (water cave), you’ll be enjoy tubing in the cave with fresh water and be back to enjoy with our BBQ lunch in the small hut in the middle of rice filed, it’s best position to see green scenery rice filed and the mountains surround, after lunch we be back to the truck, and drive to Ban Vieng sa mai, where you can see the high mountain karts surrounding  in all its natural beauty and even go for a swim at the kayaking starts point in dry season.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 7: Vang Vieng – Vientiane – city tour

In the morning, we will drive to Vientiane.

Arrive in the city centre in the early afternoon, check in hotel and relax. This afternoon we explore Vientiane capital by visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. Continue to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 8: Vientiane – fly to Pakse – Wat Phou – Pakse

This morning, we will take a flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, check in hotel (early check in upon availability). After a short rest, we transfer to the pre-angkorian Ruins of Wat Phu, which gives a great taste of Khmer temples. Come back Pakse and stay overnight.

Day 9: Pakse – Bolaven plateau – Pakse

After breakfast, we transfer to visit Tadlo via Bolaven Plateau. This trip gives visitors the chance to venture off the beaten track and to discover some of the lesser-known areas of Laos, exploring the wild beauty of this southern region. Upon arrival at Tad Lo waterfall, we visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu, populated by ethnic minority groups. We drive back to Pakse in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Pakse

Day 10: Pakse – 4000 Island – surroundings

After breakfast, we continue driving to 4000 Island. Upon arrive at Khong Island, check in hotel and relax. Afternoon, we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands leisurely by boat and visit the most beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. If we have luck, we may catch a glimpse of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone.  Then we go to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng – the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the ‘Niagara of the east’.

Overnight in Don Khong

Day 11: 4000 Island – Pakse – fly to Vientiane

After breakfast, we transfer back to Pakse and catch the flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, check in hotel and relax.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 12: Vientiane – Buddha Park

After breakfast, free at leisure to recover after a long trip.

Afternoon, we drive to visit Buddha Park where hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures brought from India are displayed. 

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 13: Vientiane – departure

After breakfast, free at leisure until transfer to airport for your next flight.