Duration: | 10 Day(s) - 9 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Classic Tours |
Day 1: Arrive in Vientiane – City Tour
On arrival at Wattai Airport in Vientiane, you will meet and transfer to the hotel, after checking into the hotel we transfer to the local restaurant for our lunch
After lunch we continue to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wats; Wat Ongtue, Wat Simuang, and Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.
After Wat Prakeo we continue to visit the national symbol of Lao; the scared That Luang Stupa, you will also have the opportunity to take some pictures of the Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Return to the hotel and free at your leisure before dinner. Overnight in Vientiane.
Accommodation: City Inn Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 2: Buddha Park
After breakfast, we will start a trip to Buddha Park also known as Xieng Khuan. This art sculpture park is located about 27km southeast of Vientiane and is a great and intriguing place that children would very much like. Located in a meadow by the Mekong River the cement statues are both ornate and sometimes bizarre although admired for the artwork.
After Buddha Park returns back to town. On the way back there may be the possibility to stop at the Beer Lao factory. Return to the center before back to the hotel we also stop at the morning market which has an array of products and souvenirs.
Accommodation: City Inn Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 3: Vientiane – Vang Vieng
After breakfast, we continue to visit the morning market in Vientiane to pick up a souvenir or just browse, before departing on the drive north to Vang Vieng. You will arrive in Vang Vieng around mid-day and you will have the rest of the day to relax by the Nam Song River.
For those feeling energetic why not take a short walk to Tham Jang Cave just one of the local caves in the area where the villagers of Vang Vieng hid out during the bombing of the Indochina Wars? (~3 – 4 hours by road 165 km)
Accommodation: Inthira Vang Vieng (Deluxe Room)
Day 4: Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang
Today our journey continues north along the mountainous roads north of the UNESCO World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang. There will be plenty of times to stop along the way, the drive takes about 3 – 4 hours and you will arrive in Luang Prabang in mid-afternoon, transfer to the hotel where you will have plenty of time to freshen up.
Late afternoon to climb Phousi Hill, with its 328 steps, it’s a rewarding walk as once at the summit you’ll have a fabulous panorama view over the town center and the mighty Mekong River and beyond. We return to your hotel late afternoon and the evening will be at your leisure.
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. For late arrivals, this can be done on the following day (~3 – 4 hours by road 125 km)
Accommodation: Luang Prabang Inn Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 5: Ban Chan Village – Pak Ou Cave
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, then board a cruise for an amazingly long-tail boat journey along the Mekong River to where it meets the Nam-Ou River, stop at Ban Chan village just outside Luang Prabang famous for traditional pottery making here you will watch the process of pots being made on traditional ovens.
After Ban Chan, we continue to visit Wat Xiengman and Wat Longkhoun and continue by boat through the beautiful Laotian countryside passing by local villages before arriving at the fascinating Pak Ou caves, which in fact are a cave system of two interlinked caves, crammed full of Buddha statues left behind by pilgrims over generations. Returning back to Luang Prabang by boat you will stop at Ban Shanghai to observe the traditional process of rice wine distillation. Arrive back in Luang Prabang at around 5 pm.
Accommodation: Luang Prabang Inn Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 6: Full Day City Tour and Kuangsi Waterfall
08:30 Today’s tour through the historical and UNESCO world heritage city of Luang Prabang will give you insight into the culture and rich history of the magical city. Luang Prabang has a fascinating history with a delightful mix of Buddhist temples and French Colonial buildings.
Our first stop is Wat Visoun: a replica of an older Temple, which was erected in the same place back in 1513. Wat Visoun houses numerous religious art treasures. Next, we head to Wat Xieng Thong a royal Wat built on the banks of the Mekong River in 1559. Wat Xieng Thong has remained relatively undamaged by the various mainly Chinese invasions over the centuries. The temple is decorated extensively with impressive carvings, murals, and mosaics.
Visit the Laotian Royal Palace officially known as Haw Kham. The palace was built during the French colonial era for the King and his family. The site was chosen so that official visitors to Luang Prabang could disembark from their river voyages directly at the palace and be received there. In 1975, the monarchy was overthrown and the Palace was converted into a National museum. Today it houses many artifacts, which showcase the richness of Laotian culture. Then continue to enjoy the atmosphere at Wat Mai, built in 1796 and sits at the foot of Mount Phousi.
Drive to Khuang Si Waterfall and the Bear Rescue Centre, 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. Return to Luang Prabang and be free at your leisure.
Accommodation: Luang Prabang Inn Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 7: Luang Prabang – Pakse – Bolaven – Tad Lo
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Pakse, on arrival in Pakse, you will meet your driver and head directly onto the Bolaven Plateau traveling on a circuit of the Bolaven Plateau. As soon as you depart Pakse the road climbs in elevation as you ascend onto the Plateau. The area of Volcanic Rock makes for suburb tea and coffee plantations which thrive on the rich soil and the cooler climate. Visit tea and coffee plantations and learn about their processing before carrying on to Tad Fane Waterfall.
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 is a lovely viewpoint, it is also possible to walk down to the waterfall and even take a dip!
Continue north along the Plateau traveling past Paksong and into Salavan Province. The next stop is the Katu Village of Kok Pung Thai. Here you can learn about this ethnic group and their tradition of building their coffins before they die. Continue north to Tad Lo arriving early afternoon. Spend the rest of the afternoon by the waterfall at your leisure or enjoy elephant riding in the tranquillity of the area. (~2 – 3 hours by road 125 km)
Accommodation: Tad Lo Lodge (Standard Room)
Day 8: Tad Lo – Champasak – 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 Phou, 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 by road 235 km)
Accommodation: Pon Arena Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 9: Don Khong – Don Khone – Don Khong
Enjoy a boat ride through the 4000 Islands passing Don Som and Don Det. The old railway line starts at Don Det and continues over the French railway bridge to Don Khone and all the way to Han Khone overlooking Cambodia. The idea was to have a trade route along the Mekong so the Railway line was built to bypass the waterfalls along the Mekong fault line. Stop at Don Khone and continue to visit Liphi waterfall by Tuk Tuk, after waterfall heading to the southern tip of Don Khone known as Hang Khone from here we will take a boat to see the Irrawaddy dolphins
Return to our boat in Don Khone and cross over to the mainland Ban Nakasang from here we continue your journey south to Khon Phapheng Waterfall known as the Niagara of South East Asia located near the Cambodian border. Relax by the waterfall before returning to Don Khong and be free at your leisure.
Accommodation: Pon Arena Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Day 10: Don Khong – Pakse – Departure
After breakfast transfer to Pakse airport for your flight to return home
Price Includes:
Accommodation by sharing Twin / Double Room
Transport via Air Con Vehicle
Entrance Fees
Boat trip/boat ticket
Flight Luang Prabang – Pakse
English Speaking Guide
Meals Breakfast only
Drinking water
Price Excludes:
Drinks / Alcohol
Visa fees/border fees
Internal flights
Personal expenses
Travel Insurance