Laos In Depth

📍 Houay Xay border – Boat pier (3km): 7 min

Begin the day with a 08:00 arrival to the Thai Immigration Office. After crossing the Lao border of Houay Xay, one of our representatives will be waiting to provide transport to the shared cruise boat. The cruise takes two days to reach Luang Prabang, with an overnight stop in Pakbeng.

En route , a stop is made to visit a local hill tribe settlement. Soak in the authentic, rural way of life here before dipping into a delicious buffet lunch (onboard). 

The town of Pakbeng will be reached in the late afternoon. Halfway between Houay Xay and Luang Prabang, this small, but dynamic town is lined with wooden houses along a steep street on the hillside. Depending on the river's current, the boat may reach Pakbeng in time to catch a sunset over the river. 

Overnight in Pakbeng
 

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Boat pier – Hotel (2km): 5 min

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before continuing the river cruise downstream.

The boat departs at 08:30 for the second half of the journey.  On the way to Luang Prabang, two stops will be made. Lunch is served on board.

The first stop is at a local village, where it will be possible to see the processing of traditional rice alcohol. Continue downstream to the Pak Ou Caves. Locally referred to as Tam Ting, these two caves are carved out of towering limestone cliffs and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of all different sizes. 

Luang Prabang is a further 2 hours downstream from Pak Ou.  Arrive in Luang Prabang early evening, before sunset.

Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will pick you up at the pier in the center and transfer you to your hotel.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Begin the day with a half-day guided tour of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Town. After breakfast at the hotel, the guide will provide pickup and transportation to the starting point of the day. 

Start the city tour at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, to explore the history of Laos. Continue on foot to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. Finish the tour at Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

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

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.  It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Depart with the guide after breakfast for the transfer to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. 

Upon reaching the Kuang Si Waterfall, relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The jungle and dense woods surrounding the falls are perfect for exploring on foot. For the adventurous type, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views await. Additionally, the waterfalls cascade down into turquoise pools, which are perfect for swimming (please dress modestly.) 

On the journey back, there is an optional visit to the Free the Bears Sanctuary, home to 23 Asiatic Bears rescued from poachers. There is an additional visit to 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) 

The rest of the day is free at leisure in Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Luang Prabang – Luang Prabang Train Station(12 km): 25 min Vang Vieng Train Station- Vang Vieng town(5 km): 10 min

After breakfast, begin the journey south towards Vang Vieng, which will take roughly 1 hour Depart for the Luang Prabang Train station to catch the last South-bound train of the day. Suggested train: C81 departing Luang Prabang @13.31, arrival in Vang Vieng @14.23 

Upon arrival at the train station, your driver will be there to pick you up.

Arrive in Vang Vieng, a small town on the banks of the Nam Song River surrounded by spectacular limestone karst scenery.

The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure with the driver and guide available. Basic options range from exploring the nearby caves and villages to visiting an organic farm specializing in the production of Mulberry tea. For those feeling a bit more adventurous, there are options for cycling, kayaking, rock climbing, trekking and tubing. (Please note, these activities will be at an additional cost.) 

For those who prefer something a bit more relaxing, simply soak in the views and enjoy a sunset along the Nam Song River. 

Overnight in Vang Vieng
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Vang Vieng – Vientiane (130 Km): 1.5 hours

Enjoy a leisurely morning before starting the drive south to Vientiane, taking roughly 1.5 hours through the new highway, Upon arrival in Vientiane, enjoy a stroll along the Mekong or take a wander in the city’s evening market. 

Overnight in Vientiane
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

This morning, enjoy a guided tour to discover the hidden charms of Vientiane. The experience begins at the serene Wat Sisaket, one of the most beautiful temples in the capital. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, which today acts as a religious museum displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby is the Presidential Palace. Though it cannot be visited inside, the outside of the building provides a glimpse into the colonial history of the capital. 

Afterwards, pay a visit to 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.
This afternoon, continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top of the monument for some breathtaking, sweeping panoramic views of the city. Continue on to the 16th century That Luang, the holiest site in Laos, followed by Wat Simuang, the most popular and venerated temple in Vientiane.

As the day comes to a close, take a stroll along the banks of the Mekong River for sunset. This is a great chance to see local life and to find a unique place to eat dinner.

Overnight in Vientiane
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Vientiane – Kong Lor Caves (290 Km): 6 hours

After breakfast, meet with the guide (08:00) for the drive outside of Vientiane. The first leg of the journey takes around 3 hours and makes a quick stop at Wat Prabath Phonsane (‘Temple of the footprint of Buddha’).

After visiting the temple, leave the main road and enter the Phou Hin Poun NPA (National Protected Area). The scenery quickly becomes much more spectacular, featuring limestone karsts, forests and rice paddies. From leaving the main road to reaching the destination will take approximately 2 hours.

Enjoy a picnic lunch brought by the guide from Vientiane. After lunch, and on arrival to the small town of Ban Kong Lor, check in to the hotel, freshen up and depart for the famous Kong Lor Caves.

Donning life jackets and headlamps, begin towards the entrance of the cave. Upon entering the cave, board a longtail boat, which will provide transport through the length of this spectacular cavern along an underground section of the Hin Boun River - a length of 7.5km without daylight!

The river flows all year and reveals vast formations of stalactites and stalagmites, some of which may be seen from the boat, others which can be explored on foot (with the help of the guide.) 

Upon reaching the other side of the cave, stop for refreshments and walk to local villages, enjoying the scenery and observing a more simple way of life (distance of the walk is up to personal preference.)

Return by boat, travelling ‘downstream’ through the cave, to Ban Kong Lor.

Overnight in Ban Kong Lor
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Ban Kong Lor – Thakhek – Savannakhet: 5 hours

This morning, accompanied by the guide, take a walk to explore the surrounding villages. We recommend taking the walk before breakfast, as the early mornings can be the most interesting and the most photogenic.

Continue with a drive to Thakhek, which will take approximately 4 hours, and arrive just in time for lunch at Inthira Thakhek (not included in cost). Thakhek is a sleepy, local town with some attractive colonial buildings.
The drive to Savannakhet takes approximately 1.5 hours. Before entering Savannakhet, stop at the beautiful 16th Century temple of That Ing Hang. An impressive central stupa dominates a courtyard which is flanked by statues of Lord Buddha, in a style similar to Wat Sisaket in Vientiane. That Ing Hang is among the most revered temples in Laos and many Buddhists will travel here during December for the annual ‘Boun Phathat’ ceremony.

Continue on to Savannakhet. The city is most famous as the birthplace of the father of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Kaysone Phomvihane, who was born here in 1920. Take a short tour of the architectural highlights, which include various French villas and the striking St. Teresa Catholic Church.

Visit the small but very interesting Dinosaur Museum. Dinosaur remains are still being discovered nearby, some of which are between 150,000,000 – 250,000,000 years old. Speak to the resident paleontologists about their work; proceeds from the visit help to keep this project going.
The remainder of the day is free at leisure to enjoy a swim and take a stroll along the Mekong.

Overnight in Savannakhet
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Savannakhet – Salavan Province (210km): 5-6 hours Bolaven Plateau – Tad Etu (40km): 2,5 hours

After breakfast, set off early this morning for the drive to Salavan Province and the Bolaven Plateau, an area of highlands sitting just east of Pakse. Most of this region sits between 1,000-1,300 meters high and features dozens of coffee and tea plantations as well as hill tribe communities. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, head to the Tad Fane Waterfalls, located 38km from Pakse. These impressive twin waterfalls stand 120m high and are fed by the Champy and Pak Koot Rivers.  (Note: Depending on the recent rains, the water level may vary greatly).

En route, stop to visit a coffee and/or tea plantation. The beans grown in this region produce some of the most famous coffees in the world, which is sometimes called the “Champagne of coffee”. Lao coffee is cultivated almost exclusively in the cool fresh air of the Bolaven Plateau by the families who live in its 250 villages.

Overnight in Tad Etu
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Tad Etu – Champasak (60km): 2 hours Xe Pian National Park – Khong Island (130km): 1,5 hour

After breakfast, transfer by road to Wat Phou.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos.  The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level is focused on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary.  The temple served as the most important economic and political centre of the region and is still one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

Pass through the small town of Champasak, where French colonial buildings offer a great contrast to Wat Phou, and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. 

Continue south to the 4,000 Islands Region. Locally known as “Siphandon”, this area is where the Mekong stretches to over 14km wide. The river flows between a large number of islands, creating waterfalls and rapids. Cross the water with a short boat trip, arriving to the accommodation in the late afternoon.

Overnight on Khong Island

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Khong Island – Siphandon – Pakse (149 Km): 2.5 hours

After breakfast, depart this morning to explore the peaceful islands of Don Det and Don Khone. The islands are home to plantations and simple villages; the best way to explore the area is either via bicycle or hired tuk tuk. 

Begin the visit at the impressive Lippi falls, which are on the west of Don Khone. Very close to the Cambodian border,  the locals revere these falls as they believe they act as a trap for bad spirits.

One of the best viewpoints between the islands has a history reaching back to the colonial times. As the islands linked Laos to Cambodia and Southern Vietnam, railway and bridge were built to overpass the waterfalls. Today, this overpass is one of the best viewpoints. 

Afterwards, take a short boat trip with the chance of spotting the elusive Irrawaddy Dolphin. 

Lunch today will be served in a local restaurant. 

The final highlight of this area are the imposing Khone Phapheng waterfalls. During the visit, discover why this section is the only part of the Mekong that cannot be accessed by boat!

Late this afternoon, return to Pakse by land.

Overnight in Pakse
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Pakse – Pakse Airport (3km): 5min

After breakfast, transfer either to the Thai border or to the airport for the onward flight.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast