Richness & Splendors of Laos

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

Upon arrival to Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. After checking in, enjoy some down time at the hotel before heading into the city for an afternoon orientation tour. 

Just before the sun begins to set, head for the centrally located Mount Phousi and begin the ascent to its 328 steps. Upon reaching the top, enjoy beautiful panoramic views over the city and surrounding countryside. After catching the sunset, head back down the steps for a visit to the evening market, where a vast selection of unique hill tribe items can be purchased. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang
 

Inclusions:

After breakfast, begin the city tour at the former Royal Palace, now home to the National Museum. (Note: closed on Tuesdays). The walk continues to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and continues on to the 18th century Wat Sensoukarahm, boasting a dazzling golden façade. Finish with a visit to the city’s most photographed temple: Wat Xieng Thong. Located at the end of the peninsula, this temple was erected in 1560 by King Setthathirat.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt after being destroyed in 1887. Continue to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, which offers some excellent insight into the variety of ethnic groups found in Laos. (Note: closed on Monday).

Finally, cross the Mekong for a walk on the opposite side of the river, and climb to Wat Chompet for a different view of the city during sunset. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Luang Prabang – Kuang Si (32 km): 1 hour

After breakfast at the hotel, take off into the countryside with the guide for a visit to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. 

Upon reaching the falls, relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. For the adventurous type, it is possible to hike a steep track to the top of the falls for some amazing views. Additionally, at the bottom of the falls, are pools of tranquil, turquise waters which are perfect for swimming (please dress modestly). 

For lunch today, enjoy a delicious picnic provided by L’Elephant, one of the finest restaurants in Luang Prabang.

On the road back to Luang Prabang, there is an optional visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary, housing 23 Asiatic Bears that were rescued from poachers. Additionally, a stop 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) 

Upon return back to Luang Prabang, the remainder of the day is free at leisure.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Evening performance at the Royal Ballet Theatre

At 18:00, enjoy a performance by the Royal Ballet, aimed at preserving an important aspect of Lao cultural heritage. Watching spectacular performances which include scenes from the Lao-Ramayana and Lao folk/tribal dances.  (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday). 

Overnight in Luang Prabang
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Luang Prabang – Kamu Lodge by boat: 3 hours

Enjoy a beautiful day exploring the northern region on this Luang Prabang Mekong River cruise. A short transfer will be provided to the city’s sleepy jetty, where palm trees shade the river banks.

Board the Nava Mekong, a traditional wooden river boat oozing with charm. The wide, open-air seating area offers the perfect vantage point for viewing scenes of riverine life. Cast off and cruise upstream traveling at a leisurely pace. Limestone mountains and lush foliage set the backdrop as fishing boats pass by. The occasional riverside village punctuates the landscape. 

After 2 hours, the Nava Mekong will dock at the Pak Ou caves. Take a short walk up the stairs to the cavernous entrance and stare in wonder at the centuries-old Buddha images. More than 4,000 images have been tucked into every nook and cranny over the years, providing a truly magical atmosphere. It is no surprise that the Lao people consider Pak Ou to be one of their most important spiritual sites. 

Return to the ship and resume the Luang Prabang Mekong River cruise, drifting downstream back towards the city. Although following the same path, the ever-changing waterway always offers something new to see. The crew will serve a delicious lunch of freshly-prepared Lao specialties. Sourced from local ingredients and following traditional recipes, the meal is outstanding and made even more memorable thanks to the setting. 

Around 14:00 the Nava Mekong will dock in Luang Prabang where a private car awaits. Return to the hotel for a rest or continue to explore the UNESCO Heritage city. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Luang Prabang – Luang Prabang Airport (4 km): 15 min Vientiane Airport – Vientiane (4 km): 15 min or Luang Prabang- Luang Prabang Train Station (12 km): 25 min Vientiane Train Station- Vientiane center (17 km): 30 min

Enjoy the morning free at leisure until transport is provided to the airport ( or train station) for the flight( or train) south to Vientiane. Upon arrival in the capital, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. 

Upon arrival to the capital, another guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. 

Overnight in Vientiane
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a guided tour to discover the hidden charms of Vientiane. Begin at  the serene Wat Sisaket, one of the capital’s original and most beautiful temples. 

Continue to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Today used as a religious museum, this temple displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby, is the Presidential Palace. Though it cannot be visited on the inside, its exterior offers an excellent glimpse into the colonial history of the city. 

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

In the afternoon, continue to the Patuxay monument. Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, it is possible to climb to the top of the site’s roof where amazing views await over the top of the city. After soaking up the views, continue onto the 16th century That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. 

End the tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls.  

Overnight in Vientiane

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Vientiane – Vientiane Airport (4 km): 15 min Pakse – Bolaven Plateau (38 km): 45 min Bolaven Plateau – Champasak (40 km): 1 hour

After an early breakfast, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the airport for the departing flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, transport will be provided to the hotel for check in and to drop off luggage. 

Begin the day with a short tour of the city, and follow it up with a drive east to the Bolaven Plateau, a mountainous region home to dozens of hill tribes, waterfalls and coffee and tea plantations.

The first stops are at Tad Fane and Tad Yuang waterfalls. Tad Fane is a set of twin 120-meter-high waterfalls formed by the merging waters of the Champy and Pak Koot rivers. These impressive falls are situated on the edge of Dong Hua Sao protected area, 38km from Pakse (Note: water levels may vary accordingly to the previous rainy season).

Make a short stop in Paksong, the ‘capital of coffee’ before continuing east to the Sinouk Coffee Resort. An expert in coffee will provide a tour through the site, explaining the different aspects of the planation, its unique coffee trees and what the different processing stages are. After a delicious local lunch (featuring vegetables from the site’s organic garden), there will be a sample session of the resort’s best coffee. 

On the drive back to Pakse, two stops will be made. The first stop will be to the Tad Lo waterfalls, a beautiful formation of three separate falls. The second stop is to the small village of Ban Houay Houn, famous for its Katu textiles. Enjoy the chance to observe local women weaving without a traditional loom, using their legs to stretch the fabric.

Return to Pakse in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Pakse
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Champasak – Wat Phou (3 km): 15 min Champasak – Kong Island (100 km): 1 hour 30 min

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 still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

Pass through Champasak, driving through streets lined with French colonial buildings, and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. 

Then continue on to Khong Island, the biggest island in southern Laos and the start of the 4,000 Islands Region. Called “Siphandon” in Lao, this area of the Mekong stretches over 14km wide and is dotted with thousands of islands, cascades and rapids.

Overnight in Khong Island

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Champasak – Ban Nakasan (130 km): 2 hours

In the morning visit Don Det and Don Khong, two peaceful islands housing mostly plantations and simple villages. We recommend bicycles as the best way to explore. 

The islands played an important role during the French Colonial rule as they linked Laos to Cambodia and Southern Vietnam. To overpass the waterfalls, a railway and bridge were built, which today are the perfect place to soak in the surrounding views. 

Next, pay a visit to the impressive Lippi falls, which are wedged between Don Khong Island and the Cambodian border. 

In the afternoon, return back to Pakse. 

Overnight in Pakse
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Pakse – Pakse Airport (5 km): 15 min

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

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast