Best of Laos

DAY 1: ARRIVE LUANG PRABANG

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. Today is free at your leisure to explore the city. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG- CITY TOUR- KHUANG SI WATERFALL (B)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting 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.

AM:         We enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. During our time here, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai

PM:         In the afternoon you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Na Ouan, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. Return to the city; we then climb up to the top of Mount 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. From there, we 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 3: LUANG PRABANG- PAK OU CAVE (B)

After breakfast we visit the National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts, which reflect the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as explore the mysterious 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. We return to the city by boat and upon arrival back to the town; we visit the traditional villages of Ban Xienglek and Ban Xangkong, the villages of handmade jute paper making and hand-weaving textiles. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG- XIENG KHOANG BY DRIVE (B) (365KM, AROUND 7 HOURS)

Today we leave this charming town and drive to Xieng Khouang, an area once devastated by American bombings between 1964 and 1973. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Laos. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long, but we can make many stops at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. In the afternoon there will be time to see the old capital of Muang Khoune and its' nearby villages; Overnight in Xiengkhuang

DAY 5: IN XIENG KHOANG (B)

After breakfast, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavan; the biggest plain of jars (Site 1); and then drive 50 kilometres to Muang Kham. En route we visit the tribal villages of Hmong, Tai Dam and Khmu… and the hot springs and Tham Piew cave - a historical shrine where hundreds of local people hid during the bombings of the Indo-china War. We explore the local market at Muangkham and visit local villages before returning to Phonsavanh by the late afternoon. Overnight in Xiengkhuang

DAY 6: XIENG KHOANG- VIENTAINE BY DRIVE (B) (435KM, AROUND 8HOURS)

After breakfast, today we heading out to Vientiane. On the way, we visit the most famous in Vang Vieng is the cave of Tham Jang, which was used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders. We arrive in Vientiane at late afternoon. Vientiene is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos. After a short rest, an orientation walk of Lao Capital is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture. Overnight in Vientiane

DAY 7: VIENTAINE CITY TOUR (B)

After breakfast, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

In the afternoon we transfer out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. A spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane

DAY 8: FLY TO PASKE. DRIVE TO TADLO (B) (FLIGHTS ONLY ON TUE/WED/FRI/SUN). SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Early breakfast and today we catch early morning flight to Pakse; upon arrival in Pakse airport, you will be met and driven to our next destination of Tadlo. On our way we pass many lush plantations, hills, forests and villages. Part of our pleasure of travelling in this region is to observe the beautiful countryside and meet local people. We stop over at some of the nearby villages, home of the Kato hilltribe group. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly; welcoming you with waving hands and smilling faces. These ethnic minorities still retain their age and old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. We continue our journey through the Paksong and Boloven Plateau. The Boloven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Rivers run off this high plateau in all directions and then plunge out to lush forests along in a series of spectacular surging waterfalls. The scenery around Tad Fan waterfall is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route. 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. Overnight in Tadlo

DAY 9: TADLO- WAT PHOU- DONEKHONG (B)

The views of stumbling water and lush vegetation around the waterfalls are nothing short of spectacular. We leave this lovely destination and drive back to Pakse and enjoy a leisurely trip to the former royal capital of Champasak, our base for exploring the ruins of Wat Phou. One of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao. Wat Phou is one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001, this wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 9th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. A festival of this site is held yearly during the full moon in February and attracts numerous pilgrims from all over southern Laos. We continue our journey to Done Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight in Don Khong Island

DAY 10: DONE KHONG- CAMBODIA BORDER- KRATIE (B)

After breakfast, we board a boat to Ban Hadsaikhoun and take a short drive to visit the breathtaking Khone Phapheng waterfall, the South East Asia’s biggest waterfall, known as the Niagara of the East. Afterward, we drive back to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse.

DAY 11: TRIP CONCLUDES IN PAKSE (B)

Our trip concludes after breakfast. This morning is free, before we transfer to the airport for our flights.

(Meals included in tour price: Breakfast = B)

INCLUDED: 

• Shared Accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast at the below indicated roomtypes (see hotel category list below) (check in and check out around noontime)
• All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles (depending on group size)
• Arrival and departure airport transfers (no guide) if arriving on 1^st day and departing on last day of the main-trip (Day 1 & Day 11)
• Local ENGLISH speaking guides:
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  • Group of 1-4pax: local guides in each regions in Laos
  • Group of 5 pax up: one guide throughout in Laos (with medical kits)
• All entrance fees as program
• Meals (B/L/D) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as indicated in the program: 10 breakfasts at hotels
• Domestic flight Vientiane-Paske in economy class (US$ 140, subject to change)
• 02 bottles of drinking water on bus per person per day

EXCLUDED:

Travel insurance (compulsory)

International airfares and airport departure taxs

No early check in or late check out (except as indicated)

Meals (other than mentioned in the program)

Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks

Mineral water beyond that supplied

Visa to Laos

Items of a personal nature

Optional excursions and entrance fees and permits during free time

Additional transport required due to any emergency situation

Tipping/ Gratuities

Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills, shopping…

HOTEL LISTS (subject to availability):