Laos in Slow Motion

📍 Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang (4 km): 15 min

Welcome to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure and the cultural heart of Laos. 

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure to explore Luang Prabang independently. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang 
 

Inclusions:

Join a knowledgeable local guide and explore the charming city of Luang Prabang by tuk-tuk on this full-day tour. Discover the rich traditions that guide the daily lives of the Lao people.

Start at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, filled with intriguing historical relics. Then, take a short walk to Wat Mai, a Buddhist temple with an impressive gold-covered bas relief.Continue to Wat Sensoukarahm with its dazzling gold façade, and then Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang’s most revered temple, known for its ornate carvings and mosaics.

After working up an appetite, enjoy lunch at Tamarind, where you can sample traditional Lao dishes and learn about the local food culture.

Continue exploring Luang Prabang's streets and meet friendly locals. Visit Wat Visoun, notable for its unusual watermelon shape and impressive collection of religious artefacts.

Head to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre to learn about the diverse ethnic groups in Laos through displays of colourful costumes and traditional tools (Note: closed on Monday).

For those feeling ‘templed-out’  visit the UXO Lao Visitor Center to learn about the impact of unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War and the courageous work of UXO Lao.
End the day by climbing Mount Phousi for sweeping views of Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. After descending, take a stroll through the vibrant night market before bidding farewell to your guide. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang 

OPTIONAL TOUR: Luang Prabang Foodies Night Out

Spend an evening on a culinary discovery of Luang Prabang’s food scene. First, enjoy local snacks while watching sunset over the Mekong River, then taste street food at the night market before indulging in Indochinese cuisine at a trendy outlet. 

Departure: Daily
Time: 17:00 - 21:30

(Please note: Most local cuisine is traditionally spicy and hot! Please inform the guide just how much chili is tolerable and he/she will arrange with the restaurants accordingly.)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfalls: (30 km) 50 mins approximately

At 08:00, start early to beat the crowds and head to the countryside outside Luang Prabang. The drive offers glimpses of small ethnic villages and ends at the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, a series of cascading turquoise pools surrounded by lush forest. Explore the falls, hike to the top, or relax by the lower pools.

Enjoy a special picnic lunch with local dishes and a view of the falls. A visit can be made to the Free The Bears an Asiatic Black Bear sanctuary nearby Kuang Si,  to learn about efforts to rescue endangered bears from poachers.
Next, visit the Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm, the only buffalo dairy in Laos, producing artisanal cheeses and products. This farm supports the local community by renting buffalo from farmers, providing them with additional income, better feeding and veterinary care, and a breeding program to improve local buffalo genetics.

A trained guide will lead the tour, where there will be a chance to feed and bathe the buffalo, learn to milk them, and bottle-feed calves. Interact with pigs, chickens, and rabbits, and enjoy homemade ice cream at the cafe before saying goodbye to the buffaloes and the team.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Luang Prabang to Muang Soune Homestay: (65 km) 1 hour 45 mins

Today's tour starts at 09:00 am. Prepare for a full cultural immersion of  a true Laotian daily lifestyle with this "off the beaten track" homestay experience at Kham's family home. Her village is nestled between gorgeous mountains, the Nam Ou River, and vast rice fields.
Visitors will be welcomed into Kham's village, where they will feel at home and experience the most authentic Lao lifestyle. Depending on the season and village activities, guests can participate in preparing a meal by shopping at the local market, fishing with a local fisherman, participating in a Baci ceremony, harvesting/planting rice, bathing in the river, or even attending a local wedding party! 
These are just some of the unforgettable moments shared with Kham, her father Thongphat, her mother Bounthan, and the village hosts, Kham's aunt and uncle, Nala and Nakeuy.
The accommodation for tonight will be in a traditional 100-year-old Lao Leu private house. This unique experience provides a rare opportunity to truly become part of a Lao family and engage in their daily life.
Overnight in Muang Soune Homestay

Note: 
- The Baci Ceremony is optional and incurs an extra charge
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Muang Soune Homestay - Nong Khiaw: (67 km) 1 hour 50 mins

Continue today with homestay activities. Wake-up early with the locals between 05:00 - 06:00 am to prepare sticky rice offerings for the Monks. 
Head to the local temple for the Alms giving ceremony. There will most certainly be no other tourists crowds here as this is a remote village. 

After the Alms giving, joining the family for breakfast.   Join Kham and her uncle go fishing at the Ou river and learn the local fishing techniques. Hike the rice fields and explore the rural life of the farmers here and visit some organic gardens en-route.  Enjoy lunch with the family before saying goodbye. 

Continue the overland journey North to Nong Khiaw. 
Reach Nong Khiaw around late afternoon and check in the hotel. If there is still time, admire the sunset from the hotel’s balcony. 
 
Overnight in Nong Khiaw
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Start the day at 08:30 and embark on a fantastic and scenic trek that is suitable for all ages. In addition, be part of the Fair Trek community-based tourism initiative that works with local communities to create authentic travel experiences that leave a positive impact. The initiative helps local villages become sustainable communities and provide fair access to the economic and social benefits that tourism brings. 

Start with a traditional long boat ride, complete with a roof to shade against the sun and any rain. Cruise upstream on the Nam Ou River for 40 minutes surrounded by mountains and passing villages nestled in the forests. Watch life on the river unfold where there are buffalos bathing, people fishing and children swimming. It is an idyllic boat ride that provides a sense of peaceful serenity that is true to Laos.  

Then, hop off the boat to visit the Sopkhong Village and learn about the ethnic Khmu people’s way of life. Then, trek through local farmland and rice paddies to the start of the jungle and discover the beautiful limestone Tadmok Waterfall. Relax and enjoy a refreshing splash in this perfect setting. This is also where lunch will be served.  

After spending 30-40 minutes, head back to the village along a small dirt road arriving at the river. Hop on a 5-minute boat ride to another small Khmu village, Huay Hoy Village.
Then, take the boat for 35 minutes back to Nong Khiaw and return at approximately 16:00.  

Overnight in  Nong Khiaw

Note: 
Bring trekking sandals or shoes (no flip flops)  which can get wet, a sunhat and sunscreen, mosquito repellent, swimming costume and towel.
There will be a walk in the stream for 10 minutes to reach the waterfalls.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Nong Khiaw to Pakbeng: (244 km) 6 hours 30 mins approximately

Enjoy breakfast overlooking karst mountains and the Nam Ou river before heading to Pakbeng at 09:00 am. 

The drive from Nong Khiaw to Pakbeng offers a scenic glimpse into rural Laos. Expect a winding road with stunning views of limestone karst formations jutting out from lush greenery and rice paddies may dot the landscape along the way. There will be opportunities to visit villages en-route. 

Arrive in Pakbeng around mid to late afternoon. 

Overnight in  Pakbeng 

Note: 
Some sections of this road might be bumpy. 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Welcome to the Mekong Elephant Park in Pakbeng, Laos!
Start the tour at 08:00 am by crossing the mighty Mekong on a longtail boat to reach the village of Pakbeng. Begin the day with an elephant encounter in the forest. Walk along guided trails to meet the elephants in their natural environment. Get up close with these majestic animals, observing their movements and interactions.
After the walk, watch the elephants enjoy their daily bath in the river, cooling off and cleaning themselves. Next, observe the elephants during their daily vet routine, where the park's staff ensures they are healthy and happy. The host will explain the different processes of positive reinforcement training.
Finally, end the tour by giving the elephants some special treats, feeding them fruits and vegetables as a reward for their hard work. Walk up to the park’s restaurant area for a local lunch in a charming traditional setting before your host takes you back across the Mekong to your hotel.
The Mekong Elephant Park (MEP) has recently been certified through ACES (Asian Captive Elephant Standards) and is actively involved in conservation and education initiatives. The elephants are not trained to perform tricks or carry tourists, and visitors are encouraged to observe them respectfully. Return to the hotel by boat by 16:00. 
The MEP in Pakbeng is perfect for those interested in learning about and supporting elephant conservation in Laos. 
Note: This experience is on a join-in basis, with a maximum of 12 participants. 
This is a soft level hike. As there is part of the tour that takes you behind the scenes to go meet the elephants in the forest, you will be facing some narrow trails, irregular terrain and parts uphill which can get slippery. Do not forget to protect yourself from mosquitoes and wear long trousers for protection.

What to Bring: Hat, sunscreen, hiking shoes, back pack, insect spray, comfortable clothes, refillable water bottle. 

Overnight in  Pakbeng 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

In the morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel before continuing the river cruise downstream.

For early risers, there is an opportunity to visit the morning market where the nearby villagers and hill tribes come to buy and exchange their goods. 

Begin boarding at 08:15 on a traditional longtail boat and begin the slow cruise down the Mekong River towards Luang Prabang. Along the way, stop at villages to get a glimpse into the rustic life of hill tribes who call the Mekong home. As the scenic landscapes unfold, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch onboard.

The first stop is a visit to a Hmong Village. Here you will be able 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. The Buddhas range in size from a few centimetres to the size of a human. The caves are also a revered destination for local pilgrimages.

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

Note: 
Tour Type: Join-In Cruise. minimum 4 pax
Departures: Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday 
Time: 08:30 - 16:30
Duration: 8 hours
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Luang Prabang hotel - Luang Prabang train station (12km): 20 min Vang Vieng train station - Vang Vieng hotel within city (5 km): 10 min

Enjoy a morning of leisure in relaxation or walking around the streets of Luang Prabang. A guide and driver will assist with transfer from the hotel to Luang Prabang train station for the onward journey to Vang Vieng.

Suggested train: C91* DEP 12:52 - ARR 13:49

Accompanied by a guide, be picked up from Vang Vieng train station to the hotel where the afternoon is free at leisure. Vang Vieng has become very popular in recent years, especially due to the fantastic surroundings. The town is surrounded by karst mountains, caves and beautiful hiking trails.

Overnight Vang Vieng.

Note:
*Train tickets: Ticket class and train timings on the Lao-China Railway are not guaranteed. While we aim to book First class tickets as usual, complexities in the booking system may prevent us from securing them. Additionally, train timings are subject to last-minute changes, but we'll notify in advance if this occurs.

Items prohibited on board: Rubbing alcohol, aerosols (including spray deodorants and sunscreens), knives,
pocket knives 

OPTIONAL TOUR: Romantic Namsong River Cruise by Sunset

Cozy up for a romantic sunset boat ride in Vang Vieng. Glide down the Nam Song River on a classic longtail boat, soaking in the serene beauty of the landscape. See towering limestone karsts and rice paddies shimmering in the fading sun. It's the perfect way to create unforgettable memories with your special someone. 

Notes: 
x1 bottle of wine is provided. Champagne can be requested with surcharge

Departure: Daily, Riverside Boutique Hotel Pier. 
Time: for sunset cruise, timing varies depending on the season (between 05:00 pm to 06:00 pm approx). The boat can be hired at any time of the day. 
Duration: 45 mins approximately
Tour Type: Private (2 PAX max)

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Today you will be introduced to Vang Vieng and its different facets. At 10.00 AM you will be picked up by a local English Speaking Guide and Tuk Tuk then travel to Ban Vieng Samai by boat. It is the Village of Khmu Minority and Lao all living together.

We explore the Village and see how their daily lives are. Visit one of the neighbours whois a knife smith, an elderly man who uses techniques that have been used for generations on how to create a new knife for his daily income. You would have a chance to try this.

From here you will continue to one of the Khmu families where you will be welcoming a typical Khmu lunch in the family’s garden. (If the weather is not good, lunch will be served in the house).

Learn the traditions and culture of animism that is practised by many ethnic minorities in Laos. After spending some time chatting with the family,  learn how the local rice wine,”Lao Hai” is produced. Later in the afternoon, the  guide will lead you through rice paddies to a cave on the other side of the river, passing by farmers working on the fields. On the way back to the village, take a rest in one of the local rice huts and try some of the rice wine, while learning more about the importance of agriculture in Laos.

Once the set slowly sets, we continue back to the village and  transfer back to the hotel.

Arrive at approximately 03:30 P.M – 04:00 P.M

Overnight in  Vang Vieng

Note:  This rice field section of this  is seasonal so there won't be rice paddy scenery during the dry season (JAN - MAR).  
Trek type: Soft
Tour type: Private
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Vang Vieng hotel - Vang Vieng train station (5 km): 10 min Vientiane train station - Vientiane Hotel (17km): 30 min

In the morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel. The morning is free at your leisure to enjoy the hotel and surroundings of Vang Vieng,  before heading to the train station for Vientiane. 
Suggested train: C91 13:44 - 14:56

Accompanied by the guide and driver, transfer from the train station to the hotel in Vientiane city. Once refreshed, 
start the afternoon tour of Vientiane. Explore Vientiane's charm with this half-day guided tour. Begin at Wat Sisaket, known for its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Continue to Wat Phra Keo to view Lao and Khmer religious art.
Learn about Laos' colonial history at the Presidential Palace, then visit COPE to understand the impact of UXO from the American-Vietnam War era.
See the Patuxay monument for views from the top, and conclude with a visit to That Luang, Vientiane’s holiest site.
The tour concludes in Vientiane's city centre after exploring the city's past and present.

Overnight in  Vientiane
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Accompanied by a guide and driver, transfer to  Vientiane International Airport for the next part of the journey. 

Flight details:
FDXXXX XX: XX-XX:XX hrs
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast