Laos Active Honeymoon

After completing border formalities, our guide will pick you up and transfer you by tuk-tuk to the boat pier. 

Here, you board a ready traditional boat for the trip down the Mekong River. The scenery along this part of the Mekong is arguably at its most beautiful.  

As you journey downriver you will stop at some tribal minority villages such as the Hmong, Yao, and Khmu. 

Upon arrival in Pakbeng, we visit the local market and experience the daily lifestyle of colorful hill tribe traders exchanging their goods. 

Overnight in Pakbeng.

After breakfast, you will leave for Muang La. On the way, you can observe the local rural life, local markets on the side of the road, clear views of corn and banana plantations over the mountains.

Today, we will have a chance to visit the amazing Tad Talae Waterfall located in Ban Talae from Pakbeng 35 kilometers away.

The best time to visit this waterfall is from June to February of every year. A famous picnic place for the local people there. From there, you can also visit local ethnic hill tribe villages which are much less explored by the western tourists. (This tour might not be able to operate during the rainy season)

In the afternoon, we continue to Namkat Yorla Pa, passing through the provincial capital, Oudomxay. Once a very sleepy town, this has become an important trading hub and shows the changes that are happening rapidly in the region. 

This makes the final leg of the journey, away from the busy town and into unspoiled nature, all the more exciting. The contrast also highlights just how special the experiences are in the remaining wilderness.

Arrive at Namkat Yorla Pa in the late afternoon.

You set off to visit villages of the Ikho, H'mong & Khamu people; three of the many ethnic groups in Laos. 

Your route climbs to 1,300m above sea level and offers some magnificent views of the stunning mountain scenery. 

We will first visit a Khamu village before driving further into the mountains to an isolated Hmong village. 

This ethnic group originates from the high steppes of Tibet and you will learn about their way of life, the importance of their livestock (pigs, buffaloes...), and the care that they give to their animals. 

From the Hmong village, you can choose to do an optional short walk of 30 minutes which will bring you to the first Ikho village. 

This ethnic group originates from Tibet and Yunnan Province in China. You learn about the daily life of the village and how the villagers still follow customs passed down through the centuries.

You take your picnic lunch enjoy the amazing surroundings and continue to visit more Ikho villages along the way, before heading back down to the lodge.

You will return to the resort at the end of the afternoon.

Today, we will say goodbye to Muang La, and drive to Nong Khiaw, a small, beautiful town along the Nam Ou River. 

Along the way, we may visit the intriguing Pra Xing Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image.

Upon arrival in Nong Khiaw in mid-afternoon, we have time for a short walk to Tham Pha Thok, a limestone cave where villagers hide during the Indochina War. 

Late afternoon, trek to the top of Phadaeng Mountain to admire the sunset. The hike will take us around 2 hours to reach the peak however once there you are rewarded with some truly stunning views! We spend some time at the peak of the mountain to take in these amazing views and rest for a while before starting the descent back down to Nong Khiaw.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Start this day of adventure with a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou River where you will be able to explore a small Lao village along the riverside. 

Learn about the villagers and their way of life along this Northern Laos River before beginning the '100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail'!

Walking through small streams and rice paddies, you will arrive at the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls which were only first explored in October 2008! 

Your guide will lead you through the cascades and prepare a local-style lunch that you can enjoy on the falls surrounded by amazingly green nature. 

A small village trail on the top of the '100 Waterfalls' will lead us on our hike back down into the valley, offering wide views over the expansive Nam Ou valley.

Once back in the village, we will have some more time to experience the daily life of the Nam Ou riverside village before heading back to Nong Khiaw by boat.

After breakfast, we will transfer back to Luang Prabang. 

After about a 20-minute drive, we will take a right turn at Ban Bom onto the dirt road to Ban Na Yang (12 km from the main road), which is the Thai Lue minority village. This is a very unique village with a traditional house and hand-weaving technique. 

After that, we will transfer directly to Ban Pak Ou, where we will have lunch (your account) at the riverside restaurant overlooking the Nam Ou River, and Mekong River. 

After that, we will check into the nearby Heuan Phae Mekong, where we will spend the night. Heuan Phae Mekong is a special bamboo & wooden bungalow built on the Mekong River, which offers a unique experience on the Mekong River.

Free for the rest of the day to admire the view or walk to the nearby village.

Overnight at Heuan Phae Mekong.

After breakfast, visit the Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. 

Then take the boat downstream the Mekong River to the heritage city of Luang Prabang. Along the way, we visit some more villages at Ban Muangkeo, which is famous for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. 

In the afternoon, your city tour begins with a visit to the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday) to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures.

We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture before continuing further to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  

A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. 

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Luang Prabang Night Market. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Rise with the sun to participate in the sacred alms-giving ceremony, where hundreds of monks silently collect offerings from the townspeople, a profound cultural experience that connects you with the soul of Laos. Afterward, you visit the bustling morning market near the former Royal Palace.

After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. 

If time permits, we will visit the UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturday & Sunday), where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos.

Your journey continues to the breathtaking Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you can swim in the cool, turquoise pools or explore the surrounding nature trails.

There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene and explore the hidden waterfalls, which other tourists rarely visit

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, which offers free tours every half-hour.

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After departing at 8:30 am from your hotel, transfer to Nahm Dong Park located in Ban Xiengmouk, 10 km from the city center.

Arriving at the park, we will have a short welcome by the park manager before joining the morning activities here.

First, we will join the cooking class, by which you can discover Lao cuisine through several traditional dishes. Not only can you learn techniques and recipes, but you can visit the gardens of the park and pick your ingredients. The lunch will be served with what you have created.

In the afternoon, we will start exploring the beauties of the park with the Zipline flying over the jungle and the waterfalls admiring the amazing evergreen scenery in 1 hour. 

Then we will walk back via the jungle trail crossing some flying bridges, small streams, and clear natural pools, where you can take a refreshing splash if you wish.

You can either spend the rest of the afternoon strolling around the park, relax by one of the huts at the camp, or enjoy the fresh cool clear natural pools.

Late afternoon, we walk to the nearby Hillside Ecolodge, where we will spend the night

You are free before taking the early afternoon train to Vang Vieng. The train will take about 1 hour to reach Vang Vieng.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in town.

Free for the rest of the day for your own exploration.

Overnight in 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. 

Your tour continues by crossing the Nam Song River for a short drive to Tham Phou Kham (Golden Crab Cave). After passing through a small entrance hole you descend 100 meters into the ground. 

You have ample time to visit Blue Lagoon, which is a great spot to relax and cool off before transferring directly to Ban Thaheua located at the north side of Nam Ngum Lake, the “sea of Laos”.

Upon arrival, check in your lakeview bungalow. 

Overnight in Ban Thaheua.

Optional: Wake up early today, you never want to miss the serene sunrise over the peaceful lake. Our guide will escort you to the nearby area to watch the local villagers preparing for their busy day.

After breakfast, we will have a 2-hour kayaking around the Nam Ngum Lake to explore some islets and local fishing villages. We will stop at Huay Samom village, chat with the host family, and learn about the weaving techniques. Return to the resort before noon.

In the afternoon, we drive to the capital, Vientiane.

The road via the new expressway Vientiane – Vang Vieng will take about 2 hours.

Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Free for the rest of the day for your exploration. We recommend a sunset walk along the Mekong River whilst enjoying a cold bottle of BeerLao – A real Lao experience!

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Start your day by visiting Wat Si Muang, renowned for its reputed supernatural power. Next, we'll drive approximately 45 minutes to Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), home to over 200 unique Buddhist and Hindu statues.

Next, you will proceed to the Lao Disabled Women Development Center to learn about their efforts and purchase handcrafted items to support their cause.

In the afternoon, tourists are about to marvel at That Luang, Laos' holiest site with its stunning golden spire. Next, you can climb the steps of Patuxai for panoramic views of Vientiane.

Then, we'll troll down Lane Xang Avenue to visit Wat Sisaket, the only temple preserved after the 1828 Siamese invasion, and Wat Phra Keo, now a religious museum showcasing Lao and Khmer art.

End your day along the Mekong River, where you can enjoy a drink or snack from local stalls as the sun sets.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Our tuk-tuk driver (also our guide) will pick you up at your hotel after breakfast, and take you to an organic rice, fish, and vegetable farm on the outskirts of Vientiane. Here, you can try your hand at rice farming. The farmers will show you how to plant rice seedlings (during rainy season), or if it’s harvest season then cut and thresh your rice for lunch! 

Also, you can do a spot of fishing, collect fresh duck eggs, learn about organic fertilizer and how it is made, and harvest fresh seasonal organic vegetables and bamboo (if in season).

Once you’ve finished in the field, you’ll cook up a traditional Lao lunch. Learn how to cook sticky rice and make papaya salad and sit down to enjoy a picnic-style lunch and rest.

On the way back into town, we’ll take you to a local fresh food market to check out the amazing diversity of Lao food. Stop for a while in the market for a traditional Lao coffee or sample some delicious Lao sweets.

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, we take the flight to Pakse, the biggest city in southern Laos.

Upon arrival, we head east to Pakse and onto the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. 

Stop at a tea plantation, followed by a brief visit to Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin waterfall. 

We will also visit the local village at Ban Lak Sipchet, which makes iron knives; and Ban Lak Samsip, which makes bamboo baskets.

If time permits, we will also visit Tad Yeung and take a dip into the cool clear natural pool at the foot of the waterfall

The last stop is at a coffee plantation before arriving at your destination for the evening. Overnight in Bolaven Plateau

09:00 AM: We will meet the Jeep tour specialist at Chai Coffee, and have some discussion with him there when enjoying a cup of coffee.

After that, we will hop on the Jeep and drive 30 minutes to Tad Moun waterfalls, where we can enjoy the fresh cool water, and visit the nearby vegetable farm.

11:00 AM: We continue driving to the Coffee Farm of Mr. Khamsone via the 10 km bumpy and muddy road, which will take you 01 hour with your special Jeep car.

Upon arrival, Mr khamsone, the Coffee farm’s owner will take 1 hour to demonstrate coffee roasting steps and finish with a coffee cupping to Savor the different kinds of coffee (Robusta, Arabica, and Typica).  

We will have the picnic lunch on the farm at around 1:30 PM before continuing driving to Laven village to see their daily life and their paddy field.

From there, we will drive to Suay village, where we can find many traditional long houses made of bamboo, which is shared by some generations of 01 families.

Finally, we will drive back to your hotel. Free for the rest of the day. Overnight in Paksong.

After breakfast, visit Tha Teng colourful ethnic minority food market. Next, explore a couple of fascinating minority villages, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village that boasts a sacrificial altar, and Ban Kokphung, a Katu village where they keep coffins under their houses. 

In the afternoon visit Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th Century. 

The temple served as the most important economic and political center of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

After your visit, we continue into Champassak to see samples of French colonial architecture before driving to Done Khong where you have the rest of the day to relax or to explore the island. Overnight in Done Khong Island.

After breakfast, embark on a 1.5-hour-long tail boat for venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River, where during the dry season the waters recede and leave behind thousands of islets, Si Phan Don. 

Upon arrival, explore the local peaceful villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past. 

We continue to discover the 4000 islands area by tuk-tuk and visit the marvelous Liphi waterfall, also called the "Corridor of the Devil" one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the Lao border with Cambodia. 

Free for the rest of the day for your exploration of the island. We recommend you take a bike for a ride around the island to see the local life and admire the sunset along the Mekong riverbank.

Overnight on Khone Island.

After breakfast, return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng, which is considered the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia

Afterward, we drive back to Champasak and take the boat to the isolated island of Done Daeng. 

Done Daeng is the home to the charming La Folie Lodge, where we will spend the last 2 nights before concluding the trip in Laos.

Free to stroll around for your own exploration. There are some activities such as cooking class, cycling, or walking around the island.

Check with our guide or the lodge for further information.

Overnight at La Folie Lodge.

Free to stroll around for your own exploration. There are some activities such as cooking class, cycling, or walking around the island.

Check with our guide or the lodge for further information.

Overnight at La Folie Lodge

After breakfast, we will take the boat back to Champasak and transfer directly to Ubon Ratchathani (Thailand) via Chongmek Border to take the flight to Bangkok and connect with your departure flight back home.