Upon arrival, you start visiting the major city sights: Wat Sisaket, the country’s oldest temple and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. En route, visit the famous That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos and the imposing Patuxay Monument. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 02
Vientiane – Express Train to Vang Vieng (B, L)
Transfer to see Buddha Park, a scattered and enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures near the Friendship Bridge. If time permits, you will visit the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong before catching a train to Vang Vieng, a tranquil town nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Today ends with a superb sunset panorama reflecting over the Nam Song River.
Day 03
Vang Vieng – Tham Jang Caves (B, L)
Visit the caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. Next, we take a drive through paddy fields to the Tham Phoukham, the limestone caverns surrounded by forest. Along the way, you will meet local villagers and learn about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can swim and refresh yourself from the heat.
Day 04
Vang Vieng – Express Train to Luang Prabang (B, L)
Free to relax until transfer to the train station to take a train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to visit the stupa of Wat Visoun, Wat Aham & Wat Mai and the National Museum at the Royal Palace.
Day 05
Luang Prabang – Pakou Caves (B, L)
Visit the city’s oldest temples: Wat Sene & Wat Xieng Thong then take a boat trip along the Mekong river to the Pak Ou Caves where there are thousands of Buddha images. Stop to visit the two small villages then climb up to Wat Chomphet for the best view of Luang Prabang. Later, take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban XiengLek, small villages well known for silk weaving and Saa paper making, then return to the city and observe the sunset at Wat Phabath.
Day 06
Luang Prabang – Ban Long Lao – Kuang Si Waterfalls (B, L)
Transfer to the Khmu village of Ban Long Lao Nong & the Hmong village of Ban Long Lao Song. Here, you will observe the lifestyles of these two culturally very different minority groups. Afterward, visit other ethnic minority villages and see how these colorful people live. Next, stop at the Kuang Si Waterfalls where you can swim in the turquoise pools or walk along forest paths then climb up to Mount Phousi for an exploration of the sacred stupa and a panoramic view of the city at sunset.
Day 07
Luang Prabang – Flight to Pakse – Bolaven (B)
Take a flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, transfer to Bolaven Plateau and our first stop is to visit Houey Ten, a Katu village specializing in knifemaking. We then stop at the tea & coffee plantation, followed by a stop at Tad Fane Waterfall. Next, visit the Tad Lo waterfall and explore Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village that boasts a sacrificial altar. Later, transfer to Bolaven Plateau and visit the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung.
Day 08
Bolaven – Champasak – Khong Island (B, L)
Transfer to Champasak then visit Wat Phou, the original temple was built by the Khmer Hindus at the top of a hill. The temple is stunning, and very remote, with superb views of the Mekong valley. At the top of the temple site are a number of carved rocks, resembling a crocodile, a naga and an elephant. Afterwards, continue our journey by road to Khong Island, a region of 4000 small islands.
Day 09
Khong Island – Pakse (B, L)
Continue our exploration of Khong island by boat. Here we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We also visit the beautiful Liphi waterfall, which forms a border between Laos and Cambodia. Return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapheng - the largest waterfall in ASEAN. Then, take the way back to your hotel in Pakse.
Day 10
Pakse – Flight to Vientiane (B)
Free at leisure at your own exploration until transfer to the airport for a flight back to Vientiane. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to the hotel for check in. Free at leisure.
Day 11
Vientiane Departure (B)
Depending on your departure time, you will have some free time to relax or further explore Vientiane on your own before a transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
