Duration: | 11 Day(s) - 10 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Classic Tours |
This trip takes you from the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang down to the Capital of Laos; Vientiane through the thousands of miniature Buddha including a boat journey on the spectacular Kong Lo Cave and Southern Laos
Day 1: Arrive at 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 are welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Time permitting climb up the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to take in the beautiful sunset over this town and the Mekong River
In the evening explore the Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and 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 want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice.
After breakfast, we board a cruise for an amazingly long tail boat journey along the Mekong River to where it meets the Nam-Ou River, through the beautiful Laotian countryside passing by local villages Stop at the fascinating Pak Ou Caves, which in fact are cave system of two interlinked caves, crammed full of Buddha statues left behind by pilgrims over generations.
After the cave, we cross over to Ban Pak Ou for transport and continue to visit Tad Sae a large beautiful waterfall that is cascaded in the forest with a cool natural swimming pool, a refreshing break. Return to Luang Prabang free at your leisure
Accommodation: Luang Prabang Inn Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 3: Ban Chan – Khuangsi Waterfall – Vientiane
Visit the morning Phou Si Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea, and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe weavings.
Spend the day at Khuang Si Waterfall about 30mins from Luang Prabang, the waterfall is set in a natural jungle setting and you will have plenty of time to relax or swim in its turquoise cool pools. Continue by boat to Ban Chan a local village just outside Luang Prabang famous for traditional pottery-making watch the process of pots being made on traditional ovens before returning to Luang Prabang, transfer to Luang Prabang airport, on arriving Vientiane you will meet and transfer to the hotel check into the hotel.
Accommodation: City Inn Vientiane (Deluxe Room)
Day 4: City Tour and Buddha Park
After breakfast, we will start with the thousands of miniature Buddhas at Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the city, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo which used to house the Emerald Buddha, now in Bangkok, Thailand. We’ll then take a short ride across the city to see the National symbol of Laos which is the ‘That Luang Stupa ‘and stop at the imposing Patuxay Monument Laos Arch de Triumph a reminder of the French Colonial period. After lunch, we 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 although admired for the artwork. Return back to the center in Vientiane on the way we also stopped at the Beer Lao factory
Accommodation: City Inn Vientiane (Deluxe Room)
Day 5: Vientiane – Thakhaek – Hin Boun
Early morning drive to Khammoune Province, which has many dramatic Karst Limestone formations, and over to the Nam Teun bridge area. Arrive at the Dong Ampham National Protected area at the village of Ban Hin, time permitting take a short walk through the protected area and observe the ecosystems in the local forest before returning to Ban Hin on the edge of the National Protected Area 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: Konglo Cave
After breakfast; drive to Ban Phou Ngeng where you will start your memorable 3-hour boat cruise up the meandering river before traveling through Khong Lo Cave, a 7.5km cave and the longest in Laos PDR.
Travel by long-tail boat using lamps for sight. Once you arrive at the other side we take a short trek to a nearby village and eat our lunch on the river bank and enjoy a swim. This area is home to a variety of wildlife, such as monkeys and several large cats including Clouded Leopard, Civet Cat, and Tiger. Local Fauna includes many different types of 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 the early morning we drive to the south Pakse and continue to drive to Tad Lo Waterfall via Paksong on the way we also stop to visit some waterfalls. Tad Fane waterfall sits at an elevation of 1100m and has two stunning cascades dropping 120m off the edge of the plateau.
A further 2km from Tad Fane is Tad Yuang waterfall which makes for a pleasant walk through the coffee plantations to arrive there or alternatively it is a 10-minute drive along the main road. Tad Yuang makes a great spot for a picnic lunch and a swim.
Continuing north along the Plateau drive past Paksong and into Salavan Province, your next stop is the village of Kok Pung Thai here you can learn about this ethnic group and their tradition of building their coffins before they die. Continue to Tad Lo and check into the hotel free at your leisure (~7 – 8 hours by road 455 km)
Accommodation: Tad Lo Lodge (Standard Room)
Day 8: Tad Lo – Wat Phou – Don Khong
After breakfast, we head to Champasak. On the way, we make a short detour to visit the ethnic minority villages of Lao Ngam and Phasuam waterfall. We continue to travel by road via Pakse town crossing the Mekong by ferry to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. Wat Phu is one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001, this wonderful archaeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 5th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
After visiting Wat Phou we continue south to the 4000 Islands and the main island of Don Khong. On arrival check into the hotel free at your leisure (~5 – 6 hours with a stop by road 235 km)
Accommodation: Arena Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 9: Don Khong – Don Khone
Enjoy a boat ride through the 4000 Islands to the Island. Passing Don Som and Don Det pass the old French Ferry terminal to the Railway Bridge which you will cross to arrive at Don Khone, stop at Don Khone, and spend the night in a bungalow overlooking the Mekong and the French Bridge.
After checking into our Bungalow, we continue to visit Liphi waterfall by Tuk Tuk after Ljphi waterfall we headed to the southern tip of Don Khone known as Hang Khone here you will take a boat to see the Irrawaddy dolphins after we return to our Bungalow free at your leisure
Accommodation: Seng Ahloune Bungalow (Deluxe River View Room)
Day 10: Don Khone – Khon Prapheng Waterfall – Xepian – Pakse
After breakfast, we cross over the Mekong to the mainland Ban Nakasang and continue south to the Mekong's largest waterfall, Khon Phapheng. This is part of the Mekong fault line which stretches across the entire Mekong River and has been formed by the river eroding the softer rock downstream
After the waterfall we head to the town of Ban Kiat Ngong, Ban Kiat Ngong is situated in the Xe Pian National Protected area and is a great place for bird-watching enthusiasts. From Ban Kiat Ngong take a one and a half-hour ride on the elephants which will take you to Phu Asa a temple mount in the heart of the protected area. Return to Pakse free at your leisure
Accommodation: Athena Hotel (Standard Room)
Day 11: Pakse – Departure
After breakfast free at your leisure until transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangkok / Siem Reap / Ho Chi Minh
Price Includes:
Accommodation as mentioned in the program
Private transport with AC
All entrance fees
English speaking guide
All activities as mentioned in the program
All boat trip/boat ticket
Government Tax
Domestic flight Luang Prabang – Vientiane
Meals Breakfast only
Drinking water
Price Excludes:
Drinks
Alcohol
Visa Fees / Border fees
Internal Flights
Personal expense
Travel Insurance
Lunch & Dinner