Explorer Laos Tour

This trip takes you from the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang down to the capital of Laos, Vientiane, passing through thousands of miniature Buddha statues, including a boat journey to the spectacular Kong Lo Cave and Southern Laos.

Day 1: Arrive in Luang Prabang – Phousi Temple – Night Market

Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquillity and charm of this UNESCO World Heritage town, with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights, make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos.

On arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Time permitting, climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to take in the beautiful sunset over the town and the Mekong River.

In the evening, explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Accommodation: Luang Prabang Inn Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 2: Pak Ou Cave – Tad Sae Waterfall

This morning, you may wish to wake up early and participate in the daily ritual of saffron-clad monks receiving offerings in their alms bowls from local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice.

After breakfast, we board a cruise for a long-tail boat journey along the Mekong River to its confluence with the Nam Ou River, passing through the beautiful Laotian countryside and local villages.

Stop at the fascinating Pak Ou Caves, which are a system of two interlinked caves filled with Buddha statues left behind by pilgrims over generations.

After visiting the caves, we cross over to Ban Pak Ou for onward transport and continue to Tad Sae Waterfall, a large and beautiful cascading waterfall set in the forest with natural swimming pools—perfect for a refreshing break. Return to Luang Prabang and enjoy free time at your leisure.

Accommodation: Luang Prabang Inn Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 3: Ban Chan – Kuang Si Waterfall – Vientiane

Visit the morning Phou Si Market, where you will see a variety of goods such as dried buffalo skin, local tea, and saltpetre alongside chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe weavings.

Spend the day at Kuang Si Waterfall, located about 30 minutes from Luang Prabang. The waterfall is set in a natural jungle environment, and you will have plenty of time to relax or swim in its cool turquoise pools.

Continue to Ban Chan, a local village just outside Luang Prabang, famous for traditional pottery-making. Watch the process of pottery being made in traditional ovens before returning to Luang Prabang.

Later, transfer to Luang Prabang Airport for your flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival in Vientiane, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: City Inn Vientiane (Deluxe Room)

Day 4: City Tour and Buddha Park

After breakfast, begin your city tour with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the city, known for its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Then visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which once housed the Emerald Buddha, now located in Bangkok, Thailand.

Continue to the national symbol of Laos, That Luang Stupa, and stop at the impressive Patuxay Monument, often referred to as Laos’ Arc de Triomphe, a reminder of the French colonial period.

After lunch, drive to Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, a sculpture park located about 27 km southeast of Vientiane in a meadow by the Mekong River. The statues are made of cement and are ornate and sometimes bizarre, though admired for their artistic value.

Return to the city center, with a possible stop at the Beer Lao factory along the way.

Accommodation: City Inn Vientiane (Deluxe Room)

Day 5: Vientiane – Thakhaek – Hin Boun

Depart early in the morning for Khammouane Province, known for its dramatic karst limestone formations, and continue to the Nam Theun bridge area.

Arrive at the Dong Ampham National Protected Area near the village of Ban Hin. Time permitting, take a short walk through the protected forest to observe the local ecosystem before returning to Ban Hin, where you will spend the night at a local guesthouse. (~5–6 hours by road, 355 km)

Accommodation: Konglo View Resort (Standard Room)

Day 6: Kong Lo Cave

After breakfast, drive to Ban Phou Ngeng, where you will begin a memorable 3-hour boat journey along the meandering river and through Kong Lo Cave, a 7.5 km-long cave and one of the longest in Laos.

Travel by long-tail boat using lamps for visibility. Upon reaching the other side, take a short trek to a nearby village, enjoy lunch by the riverbank, and relax with a swim.

This area is home to a variety of wildlife, including monkeys and several large cats such as clouded leopards, civet cats, and tigers. The flora includes ferns, rare orchids, cycads, and a variety of epiphytes.

Return to Ban Phou Ngeng and transfer back to Ban Na Hin.

Accommodation: Konglo View Resort (Standard Room)

Day 7: Hin Boun – Pakse – Bolaven – Tad Lo

After breakfast, drive south to Pakse and continue to Tad Lo Waterfall via Paksong, stopping along the way to visit several waterfalls.

Tad Fane Waterfall, located at an elevation of 1,100 meters, features two stunning cascades dropping 120 meters from the plateau.

About 2 km away is Tad Yuang Waterfall, accessible via a pleasant walk through coffee plantations or a short drive. It is an excellent spot for a picnic and a swim.

Continue through the Bolaven Plateau into Salavan Province, stopping at Kok Pung Thai village to learn about the local ethnic group and their traditions. Proceed to Tad Lo and check into your hotel. (~7–8 hours by road, 455 km)

Accommodation: Tad Lo Lodge (Standard Room)

Day 8: Tad Lo – Wat Phou – Don Khong

After breakfast, travel to Champasak, stopping en route to visit Lao Ngam village and Phasuam Waterfall.

Continue via Pakse and cross the Mekong River by ferry to visit Wat Phou, a pre-Angkorian temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This remarkable archaeological site dates back to the 5th century and predates Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Continue south to the 4,000 Islands region and arrive at Don Khong. Check into your hotel and enjoy free time. (~5–6 hours by road, 235 km)

Accommodation: Arena Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Day 9: Don Khong – Don Khone

Enjoy a boat ride through the 4,000 Islands, passing Don Som and Don Det. Cross the old French railway bridge to reach Don Khone.

After checking into your bungalow, visit Liphi Waterfall by tuk-tuk. Then continue to the southern tip of Don Khone, known as Hang Khone, where you will take a boat trip to see the Irrawaddy dolphins.

Return to your bungalow and relax at your leisure.

Accommodation: Seng Ahloune Bungalow (Deluxe River View Room)

Day 10: Don Khone – Khon Phapheng Waterfall – Xe Pian – Pakse

After breakfast, cross the Mekong River to the mainland at Ban Nakasang and continue to Khon Phapheng Waterfall, the largest waterfall on the Mekong River.

Afterward, travel to Ban Kiat Ngong, located in the Xe Pian National Protected Area, which is a great destination for birdwatching enthusiasts. From here, enjoy an approximately one-and-a-half-hour elephant ride to Phu Asa, a temple mountain in the heart of the protected area.

Return to Pakse and enjoy free time at your leisure.

Accommodation: Athena Hotel (Standard Room)

Day 11: Pakse – Departure

After breakfast, enjoy free time at your leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Bangkok, Siem Reap, or Ho Chi Minh City.

Price Includes:

Accommodation as mentioned in the program

Private transport with air conditioning

All entrance fees

English-speaking guide

All activities as mentioned in the program

All boat trips/boat tickets

Government tax

Domestic flight (Luang Prabang – Vientiane)

Meals: breakfast only

Drinking water

Price Excludes:

Drinks

Alcohol

Visa fees/border fees

Internal flights

Personal expenses

Travel insurance

Lunch and dinner