Laos is for many travelers still an unexplored country as it just opened up to worldwide tourism after years of isolation and war. That is the reason it has still preserved its unspoiled nature and authenticity. We start in the capital city Vientiane but away from the cities there is also a lot to see like the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang Province, the gothic limestone karsts around Vang Vieng and the mighty Mekong River. The hospitality and friendliness of the Laotian people and the stunning sceneries will sweep you right away on this journey!

TOUR SUMMARY

Day 1: Vientiane

Day 2: Vientiane

Day 3: Vientiane - Vang Vieng

Day 4: Vang Vieng

Day 5: Vang Vieng - Xieng Khuang

Day 6: Xieng Khuang - Muang Khoun

Day 7: Xieng Khuang - Luang Prabang

Day 8: Luang Prabang

Day 9: Luang Prabang

Day 10: Luang Prabang

Day 11: Luang Prabang

DAY 1: VIENTIANE

On arrival in Vientiane you will be picked up at the airport and brought to your hotel. Please remember that hotel check-in times are after midday - unless the hotel has some rooms already available. If you do arrive earlier you can leave your luggage at the reception and we would encourage you to get out and explore Vientiane - but please take a hotel business card so that you will be able to find your way back. Before leaving the hotel, please look in the reception area for a notice advising your tour leader’s name, mobile phone number and other helpful local information. There are no activities planned until your 6 pm tour briefing. It is important you attend the tour briefing and afterwards, for those interested, your leader will be happy to escort you to a local restaurant to sample the delights of Laotian cuisine and toast the start of what will be an unforgettable journey.

Overnight in VIENTIANE. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 2: VIENTIANE

After breakfast at the hotel, we start for a full day sightseeing tour. We will visit Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the Lao national icon, the That Luang Stupa, and we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is built after the Arc de Triumph in Paris.

Overnight in VIENTIANE. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 3: VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG

After breakfast, we leave the capital early for our journey northbound. We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. Along the way we visit the busy and colorful market of KM 52 where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. A next stop of our trip is Vang Xang, famous for its archeological site dating back to the 11th century. We reach our final destination Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. After our arrival we explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which were once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders.

Overnight in VANG VIENG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 4: VANG VIENG

The limestone cliffs and valleys surrounding the resort complex of Vang Vieng are home to numerous caves and caverns. The most famous of these caves is Tham Jang, which was used by the local people as a refuge from Chinese invaders 200 years ago. We visit the beautiful caves this morning before taking a walk to the Tai Deang and the Souay hill tribe villages. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly; welcoming you with waving hands and smiling faces. The remainder of the day is free for your own exploration of the town and relaxation.

Overnight in VANG VIENG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 5: VANG VIENG - XIENG KHUANG

Today we leave Vang Vieng and drive to Xieng Khuang, an area famous for the mysterious Plain of Jars. These back roads are a great way to explore the real original Laos. We see very few other travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as much as we do the other way around. The drive is very long, but we can make many stops at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. In the afternoon we transfer out to visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. Afterwards we will bring you to your hotel for the night.

Overnight in XIENG KHUANG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 6: XIENG KHUANG - MUANG KHOUN - XIENG KHUANG

This morning we have time to visit the interesting Central Market in Phonsavan, visit the MAG exhibition and Site 2 of the Plain of Jars before taking a short scenic trek to Site 3 via a Tai Dam and Lao Leum village. Following lunch we have a half day morning tour seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people.

Overnight in XIENG KHUANG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 7: XIENG KHUANG - LUANG PRABANG

Early in the morning after breakfast, we will visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribe people barter and exchange merchandises. Then we head out towards Luang Prabang. Enroute we stop off to see the Buddha images at Thampra, a site more than 200 years old, and various Hmong and hill tribe minority villages along the way. After numerous photo stops, we continue driving, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape. The journey will take us over mountainous regions until we approach Luang Prabang where we will check in to our hotel for the night.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG

Today, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. They are two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.

In the afternoon your half day city tour begins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Then we head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We also have time to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Then we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 9: LUANG PRABANG

After breakfast we are starting for a full day tour around the wonderful UNESO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. It includes a motorboat trip on the Mekong River to Tad Sae waterfall, the visit of the Elephant and Adventure Camp as well as some sightseeing along the way. You will enjoy 1-hour elephant riding. This trip brings you with little effort out of the city life. Discover small villages and some great nature. Pass the Tiger Trail Adventure Camp and experience the wonderful cascades of the Tad Sae waterfall. This trip is perfect for beginners. We will return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon just in time for some shopping.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 10: LUANG PRABANG

An early start today gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual. From there you will visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, all Khmu villages. This takes us then to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we return to the city by late evening to admire the sunset at Watthabath Tai.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 11: DON KHON ISLAND - PAKSE

Today is the last day of your tour. After breakfast at the hotel we will bring you back to the international airport in Luang Prabang to catch your flight home. We wish you a comfortable journey home and we are sure you will take some wonderful memories of Laos with you.

When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (Day 11) is not included.

 * Hotel check-out times are midday. Late check-out is not included.

PRIVATE TOUR

*Accommodation & Transportation is subject to availability at booking moment & Tour price is subject to seasonal fluctuations

Included:

• Tours and transfers with air conditioned vehicles as specified in our itinerary
• Private Slow Boat trip to Pak Ou caves
• 1-hour elephant riding
• All entrance fees to the sites mentioned in the itinerary
• English Speaking stationed guide (different guide in each region)
• Accommodation with breakfast as specified in the itinerary
• Mineral water serve during sight seeing

Excluded:

• International flights to and from Laos
• Travel & Health Insurance
• Gratitude for driver and guide
• Personal expenses are such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc….
• Any other meals not mentioned above as included
• Visa fees
• Drinks during meals, hotel extras and personal spending
• Early check-in, late check-out