Laos Green Travel Zone

📍 Vientiane Airport – Vientiane (4 km): 15 min

Welcome to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos! 

Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting at the airport to provide transport to the hotel for check in. 

Overnight in Vientiane

Inclusions:

This morning will be at leisure at the hotel, while waiting for the PCR RT results.

This afternoon, embark on a half-day discovery tour of Vientiane’s hidden gems. 

Begin the tour at the serene Wat Sisaket, one of the most beautiful temples in the capital. Continue onwards to visit the nearby Wat Phra Keo, which is used as a religious museum, displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby, take note of the Presidential Palace (from the outside), which reflects the city’s colonial history.

Next, visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them. 

Continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top for some sweeping panoramic views of the city below. The final stop of the tour will be the 16th century That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. 

Overnight in Vientiane

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Vientiane – Vientiane Train Station(17 km): 30 min / Luang Prabang Train Station– Luang Prabang (12 km): 25 min

After breakfast, enjoy free time at leisure for last minute shopping before transferring to the train station for your ride to Luang Prabang. 

On arrival in Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in before doing a cycling tour of the city. 

After fitting and adjusting the bikes, start the tour at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, to explore the history of Laos. 
Ride along the 16th century Wat Aham before reaching Wat That, where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are kept inside a large central stupa. Ride on a bit further along the Nam Khan River to visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. 

Enjoy lunch today at Tamarind, offering some of the best local food in Luang Prabang. 

This afternoon, ride out to the Phosy Market. The guide will offer explanations of the different items on display, and may also encourage sampling some of the local delicacies! Anything purchased at the market directly supports the vendors. 

Continue the ride to Ock Pop Tock, a non-profit organization seeking to preserve traditional Lao weaving techniques, a trade which was once an important source of income for many Lao families. A short tour introduces the process of silk weaving from the initial stages of creating the dyes to the final process of loom weaving.

Ride along the Mekong for the final stop of the day: the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre. The center is dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities with a variety of traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts on display.

Return to the hotel by bike.  

This evening, feel free to stroll on your own in the historical center, where there are many choices of shops, boutiques and restaurants.  

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Luang Prabang – Kuang Si (32 km): 45min

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents.

Leave the city behind and head to the countryside. Laos’ is home to the most beautiful natural landscapes in Southeast Asia and today’s drive provides a glimpse of these sceneries. Stop in a small village home to one of the many ethnic groups described at TAEC and see, first-hand, their customs and way of life.

The beautiful drive ends at a perhaps even more beautiful destination- The Kuang Si Waterfalls. The falls are a series of cascading turquoise pools, surrounded by lush forest. Spend time exploring the falls and enjoying the pristine nature. Take a challenging, but rewarding, hike to the top of the highest drop or simply relax on the rocks of the lower pools.  

A special picnic lunch is prepared alongside the falls. Enjoy local dishes with a million-dollar view of the Kuang Si falls. 

For further insight into the natural wonders of Laos, a stop can be made at the Asiatic Black Bear sanctuary. Located near the Kuang Si falls, this center houses endangered bears rescued from poachers. The center explains the efforts of the passionate animal lovers who are working to stop the poachers and preserve the bear’s natural habitat. An additional visit can be made at the unique Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm, a social enterprise that produces sustainable and delicious cheese while giving back to the community and environment. While the buffalo may be the stars here, there are also playful pigs, cheeky chickens and rollicking rabbits that are just as fun to interact with for the young and young at heart. Enjoy a homemade ice cream at the cafe before saying goodbye to the Buffaloes and the team. (Opening Hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm, Monday - Sunday)
Late this afternoon it is time to return to the city, driving once again through the vibrant rural landscapes that make up Laos' countryside. 

On the drive back to town, stop at the unique Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm, a social enterprise that produces sustainable and delicious cheese while giving back to the community and environment. 

On arrival at the farm, a trained guide will be ready for the tour and to answer any questions. Cuddle up to our beautiful buffalos who are around 450kgs heavy or feed Ferdinand, the friendly buffalo at just 750kgs! These animals love to eat not only grass but bananas as well. 
After eating, our buffalo’s next favorite activity is to take a bath. Get to wash them and give them a scrub that feels just like a ‘day spa’ for them. Next, time to get hands-on on a milking demonstration. Learn how to milk a buffalo while learning all about the benefits of buffalo milk. Then, bottle feed the cute buffalo calves. Nobody can resist a giggle when bottle feeding them!

Once you are back in town, hop on the luxurious cruiser Monsoon (or similar) for a breathtaking sunset cruise on the Mekong river. 

Tonight, enjoy your time at leisure in the historical center or at your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Luang Prabang – Luang Prabang Train Station(12 km): 25min / Oudomxay train Station - Nam Kat Yorla Paa Resort (20km): 25min

This morning, enjoy your hotel facilities before transferring to the Train station for your onward trip to Oudomxay and the Nam Kat Yorla Paa Resort, which is part of the Green Travel Trails scheme. 

Train C82 dep: LPQ 10.00am, Arr ODY 10.49am

Upon arrival at the train station, your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel.

Namkat Yorla Pa is a private protected forestry area along the Nam Kat River. Situated in Oudomxay province in North Eastern Laos, this area is truly one of the most beautiful and desired eco-tourism destinations in Laos , thanks to FACET (Forestry Area Conservation Ecological Tourism) who provides sustainable tourism services in the Nam Kat Yola Pa protected area.

Before we explore, enjoy lunch at the hotel’s restaurant. 

This afternoon, enjoy multiple optional activities in the forest!
Resort Car, Trekking, Sky Bridges, Waterfall: 2 Hours.    

• ATV, Trekking, Sky Bridges, Waterfall:2.5 Hours.
• Cycling, Trekking, Sky Bridges, Waterfall 4 Hours.        
• Cycling, Trekking, Giant Trees 4 Hours.    
• Trekking, Zip lining, Tree house 2.5 Hours.    
• Trekking, Rock Climbing, Zip lining, Tree house, Abseiling 4 Hours
• Visit local Kamu Village, dress up in traditional clothes    

Dinner at the resort’s restaurant.

Overnight in Oudomxay

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Nam Kat Yorla Paa Resort-Oudomxay train Station (20km): 25min / Vientiane Train Station- Vientiane (17km): 30 min

After breakfast, enjoy your free time until transferring to the train station.

Train C81 dep:ODY12.49, Arr VTE 15.19

Upon arrival in Vientiane, your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel.

Spend an evening tasting the best Vientiane has to offer! Start with a cold beer, joining locals as they wind down from a day of work. Then weave through vibrant street markets to sample a range of local fare from noodles to fried insects, barbequed meat to fruity ice cream.

Get ready to get a true ‘taste’ of Laos with an evening exploring the best food in Vientiane. 

Start the evening the local way by heading to a beer shop for a sundowner. Sip on cold BeerLao as the sun sets over the Mekong River. Beer shops are popular post-work watering holes and the atmosphere is always enjoyable. 

After dark, the street stalls fire up their grills and start cooking. Take a walk through Sihom, an area of small stalls selling cheap but tasty snacks. This crowded street market is popular with locals, especially on the weekends. Wander from stall to stall stopping to taste items such Lao-style donuts, bowls of steaming noodles and pork meatball wraps. 

Continue to nearby Ban Anou night market, the city’s culinary hub. The market is a hive of activity in the evening with Vientiane’s residents who come to dine with friends or family. Walk through the ends rows of food stalls and rub-elbows with the locals. The market is a great place to sample exotic snacks such as fried insects or classic Laos favourites like grilled pork skewers. 

Having filled up on savoury treats, venture to a hidden sweets shop for dessert. The specialty here is ice cream and sticky rice, an oddly delicious combination. 

With a full belly, it is time to return to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Overnight in Vientiane
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

Today, be immersed in the lifestyles and culture in Vientiane, partaking in activities designed to rejuvenate the mind and body.

Get picked up at 09:00 at your hotel. After a short drive, arrive to a lovely house in a quiet local residence area, where you will experience a hands-on Lao cooking class. This unique cooking class is hosted by Lao Experiences, a local team if cooks, passionate culinary instructors who love to share their culture and sense of taste. They will help you explore the ins and outs of traditional Lao dishes, knowledge of local cuisine culture, and especially, alternatives for ingredients which you can’t find in your countries.

Then it’s time to taste and savor the fruits of your labor. You will receive a Lao recipe booklet so that you can take your experience home.

After a delicious lunch of these freshly-prepared dishes, say farewell to the chef and transfer outside of the city. The destination is Wat Sok Pa Luang, commonly known as the ‘forest temple’. Although not in the forest, the temple is a quiet oasis in the city and ideal for meditation. A stop will be made on the way to purchase a food donation for the resident monks, a traditional offering given by pilgrims and other visitors. 

Present the offerings to the monks and have an informal discussion about Buddhism and their lives as monks. This is an incredible opportunity to learn about religion and culture in Lao. Then retreat to a quiet corner of the monastery for a private meditation session to reflect on the monks’ words and to clear the mind. 

Having refreshed the mind and spirit, it is now time to rejuvenate the body. Visit a local spa and indulge in a one-hour traditional Lao massage. The masseur will use pressure points to improve circulation and promote muscular relaxation.

Return to the hotel at the end of the day with a deeper understanding of Laos, its people, and the culture in Vientiane.                                                             

Overnight in Vientiane
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Vientiane- Vientiane Airport (4 km): 15 min

After breakfast, transport will be provided to the airport for your ongoing flight. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast