Laos in Depth - 12 Days / 11 Nights
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Tour Highlights
- Experiencing the beauty and serenity of Luang Prabang, spiritual centre and former capital of Laos
- Witnessing an ancient Buddhist offering to hundred of orange-robed monks as the sun rises over the mountains beyond Luang Prabang
- Learning how to cook delicious Laotian dishes
- Cruising on the Mekong River in a local slow boat
- Staying in exclusive Kamu Lodge an eco-lodge set in lush tropical wilderness
- Trying your hand at rice planting and traditional fishing in rustic villages
- Visiting the remains of pre-Angkorian Khmer civilization in southern Laos
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day 1 - Houey Xay - Pakbeng
Leave Houey Xay on the Thai border for a leisurely cruise on a local boat down the Mekong to Pakbeng. Several stops along the way offer the opportunity to sample rural life in the villages scattered along the riverbank and enjoy a riverside picnic. Arrive in Pakbeng in the afternoon. Overnight in Pakbeng. (L,D). NOTE: Luangsay boat and lodge in Deluxe category.
Day 2 - Pakbeng - Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang
After breakfast board the boat for the river journey to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. They range in size from a few centimetres to the size of a human. After lunch, continue to a village to sample to local rice alcohol known as Lao Lao. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B,L)
Day 3 - Luang Prabang
After breakfast, visit beautiful Wat Xieng Thong showing its best face in the morning sun, before heading to the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum and Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs.
In the afternoon, continue the exploration of town with stops at Wat That, Wat Visun and Wat Aham. Cross the Mekong for a walk on the opposite riverside and climb to Wat Chompet and a different view of the city for sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)
Day 4 - Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall - Luang Prabang
After breakfast, enjoy a visit to the Kuang Si Waterfall, south west of Luang Prabang with stops en-route to visit some ethnic minority villages. It is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track and if the weather is good, swim in the clear water at the foot of the falls. Return to Luang Prabang for lunch. In the afternoon visit a weaving village where traditional Lao textiles are woven and where Sa paper is made. Stop at Wat Pa Phon Pao a forest retreat. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)
Day 5 - Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng
Mid-morning depart for a drive down spectacular Route 13 towards Vang Vieng. Lunch stop in Kasi, the center of a fruit-growing area. Continue to Vang Vieng, nestled along the Nam Song river and framed by spectacular karst formations housing numerous caves. Visit of Tham Jam Cave in the afternoon and stroll through town along the Namsong river. Overnight in Vang Vieng. (B,L)
Day 6 - Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Mid-morning leave in direction of Vientiane with a stop for lunch at the man-made Nam Ngum lake, created by a hydroelectric dam. The crystal-clear waters are inviting for a swim. After lunch, continue towards the capital city Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane. (B,L)
Day 7 - Vientiane
After breakfast, visit Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, Wat Prakeo, the That Luang Monument and drive by Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe, the Patouxai Monument.
In the afternoon visit Wat Simuang with its famous stone column that marks the spot where the city of Vientiane was founded and, if time allows, the National Museum, which documents the history of Laos.
For individual travelers (max 5 pax) a foot reflexology massage is included at the end of the afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)
Day 8 - Vientiane - Savannakhet
After breakfast, stop at Talat Sao, also known as the Morning Market. The Morning Market is the place to look for all kinds of souvenirs including silk and cotton textiles, silver and gold jewelry, woodcarvings and postcards.
Continue by road for Savannakhet on Route 13 South. Lunch at a restaurant on the Mekong along the way. Near Thakek stop at much venerated Pha That Si Khotabong. Overnight in Savannakhet. (B,L)
Day 9 - Savannakhet - Salavan - Tad Lo - Tad Fane
After breakfast, visit the Provincial Museum, the Dinosaur Museum and That Ing Hang before continuing southwards on Route 13. Turn to the east and the city of Salavan before stopping for lunch near the Tad Lo falls.
After lunch continue to Tad Fane and on the way visit tea and coffee plantations of the Bolaven Plateau. Overnight in Tad Fane. (B,L)
Day 10 - Tad Fane - Wat Phu - Elephants - Khong Island
After breakfast, transfer by road to Champassak. From here continue to Wat Phou temple, a pre-angkorian Khmer temple and an UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to Champasak for lunch and see former royal mansions and samples of French colonial architecture. Continue to Ban Kiet Ngong a small lao village where you will go for a 90min elephant ride through the forest (2 persons per elephant) and up to Mount Assa. Continue by road to Khong Island, the biggest island in south Laos. Overnight in Khong. (B,L)
Day 11 - Khong Island - Khone Island - Pakse
After breakfast, take a local boat to the peaceful islands of Done Det and Done Khone, sites of the only railway ever built in Laos at the end of the 19th century. After a stroll through the palm-fringed villages and lunch continue to the southernmost part of Laos and the imposing Khone Phapheng waterfalls, near the Cambodian border. In the afternoon return to Pakse and stop at the exotic evening market. Overnight in Pakse. (B,L)
Day 12 - Depart Pakse
After breakfast transfer either to the Thai border or to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
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