Uncover The Hidden Charms Of Laos

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel (early check-in upon availability).

Situated in the center of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic, and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment.

There are no activities planned for today, so you may stroll around for the first impression of this ancient city. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, our guide will take you on an in-depth walking tour of the city. The walk is oriented towards the lesser-known parts of the town including charming lanes showing the more traditional atmosphere of the heritage town.

Along the way, we will see the four different types of buildings categorized by UNESCO including the traditional Lao house which is made from tropical hardwood or bamboo and built on stilts, a half-wood and half-cement house built after the arrival of the French, the traditional French colonial buildings that are similar to those found in Vietnam and Cambodia and the old Chinese shophouses that were built to be used for both commercial and residential purposes.

In the afternoon, we will visit some famous attractions inside the city center including the oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We then continue with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. From there, we walk to the nearby Wat Mai, which is one of Luang Prabang’s largest and most richly decorated temples.

Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

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

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Wake up as the sun rises, we prepare to join the tradition of Laos, the daily morning almsgiving, which dates back to the 14th century.

We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer directly to the Buffalo Dairy Farm on the way to Kuang Si waterfalls, which offer a fun and interesting experience, and learn more about the way to make dairy products from buffalo milk.

Continue to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream.

There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene and explore the hidden waterfalls.

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

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, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners, and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang.

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

Ou Caves, a 16th-century cave monastery filled with thousands of Buddha images, is located 25 Kilometers North of Luang Prabang on the limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong River.

En route, you will stop at Ban Muang Keo, a well-known village for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. You will arrive back in Luang Prabang.

Arriving back in town, we have ample time to relax before transferring to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center, the collection of diverse Lao ethnic groups. We will stroll around to visit the center to understand more about the Lao ethnic culture.

After that, we will join the seminars on “Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos”.

This fascinating 60-minute presentation and question-and-answer session gives background on Laos’ ethnic communities, their history, and their cultural practices, including livelihoods and crafts. Guests can learn about lifestyles in ethnic villages and are shown unique artifacts from TAEC’s collection that are not accessible to the general public.

Then transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we make our way over the mountains to Xieng Khuang, which is best known for having been heavily bombed during the Indochina War. But of course, it is also famous for the historic Plain of Jars.

The journey takes about 8 hours and we can make some stops at villages to observe the rural life of local people, including ethnic minorities such as the Hmong people.

Our first stop is at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view before continuing down to Ban Phoudam, where we can see the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony.

After that, we visit the H’Mong market at the junction of Phoukhoun. From there, we will drive further to visit Tham Pra, which served as the hospital for the army during the Indochina Wars.

Arrive in Phonsavanh, the capital of Xieng Khouang province, and check into your hotel. Overnight at a hotel in town!

Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribe people barter and exchange merchandise.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a half-day trip to Muang Khoune, the old provincial capital that had not been destroyed by the American bombings during the Secret War.

The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.

In the afternoon, visit the UXO Information Centre, run by the British organization MAG (Mines Advisory Group) that's been helping to clear Laos' unexploded ordnance since 1994.

Xieng Khuang is famous for its mysterious Plain of Jars, a huge archaeological complex littered with mysterious 2000-year-old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters. You have time today to visit the Plain of Jars Site 1, the biggest and closest town that is open to tourists.

Spend the rest of the day wandering around the small town of Xieng Khuang to admire the life of local people.

Then return to Xieng Khouang overnight.

After breakfast, we leave Xieng Khuang for our scenic drive to Vang Vieng, a small town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River.

Its stunning scenery with its limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism.

Our first stop today is at Tham Pra, which served as the hospital for the army during the Indochina Wars.

Then, drive to the T-junction at Phoukhoun to visit the colorful market of the hill tribe people.

The panoramic view at the peak of Phou Phiengpha is what we never want to miss today before continuing further to the Khmu village of Ban Phouhin Lekphay.

Our next photo stop is Phatang Mountain View Point to admire the beautiful scenery before reaching Vang Vieng.

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 Blue Lagoon, which is a great spot to relax and cool off before transferring back to Vang Vieng.

We bid farewell to Vang Vieng and drive to Vientiane via the highway Vang Vieng - Vientiane. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, this capital conjures up exotic images, with a curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French influences. Overnight in Vientiane.

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power.

After that drive to Buddha Park which is around 45 minutes away. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues.

We then visit Lao Disable Women Development Center, where you can support them by buying some small handicrafts at the shop.

Start the afternoon with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos.

Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.

Continue down Lane Xang Avenue to the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828.

Continue to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.

End your tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls.

Overnight in Vientiane.

We take the morning flight from Vientiane to Savannakhet. Upon arrival, a road trip to Champhone District.

Visit That Kou, the pre-Angkorian shrine of Champhone.

Observe the endangered soft-shell turtles at the peaceful Turtles Lake in Ban Done Daeng.

Join the Traditional Phoutai indigo fabric workshop in Ban Done Daeng: Natural dying and weaving.

Lunch at one of the huts on Turtle Lake.

Visit Taleo Old Temple and its museum, and find out more about the impact of the American Secret War on this historic site of Phoutai village through the museum.

Listen to the tales and traditions of the Phoutai ethnic group at the foot of the biggest tree which hosts the protective spirit of the village

Walk through the charming village of Taleo and meet Meetao Bouali to learn how cotton thread was produced with the wooden tools of the 1970s

Visit the Lao Lao distillery and taste samples of different durations of fermentation. Share the dinner with the host and spend the night at Taleo Village (Homestay).

Departure from Taleo Village at around 08:00-08:30 AM.

Join the Banana Leaf offering workshop in Ban Nonglamchan, which will be used for your offering at the Namlamchan Library.

Walk through the forest of Ban Dongmouang, feed the monkey, and learn about the cooking and medicine plants.

The lunch can be served either with a local family at Ban Donyeng or on a boat along Soui Lake.

Either way, you will still have the boat trip on Soui Lake whilst listening to the legends of the serpent spirit and the golden boat.

Walk through the forest of Phoukor Temple to learn about the theory of life and the punishment for bad behaviors in your afterlife.

You can choose to spend the night at another homestay in Champhone Loop or take the road trip back to Savannakhet.

In the morning, hit the road again for the drive further south, which takes approximately 3.5 hours.

We will take a left turn at Muang Khong Sedone to Bolaven Plateau on the way to Salavan.

We will arrive at Fandee Island on Bolaven Plateau around noon time, check in your treehouse to have some rest.

The afternoon is free for your own exploration of Fandee Island with plenty of activities on the spot at the Fandee Waterpark or Fandee Adventure Park.

The activities range from ziplining, swimming, or flying bridge.

Overnight on a treehouse at Fandee Island.

Bolaven Plateau is a mountainous region home to dozens of hill tribes, waterfalls, and coffee and tea plantations. We will spend a full day to explore this area.

The first stop is the small village of Ban Houay Houn, famous for its Katu textiles. Here, you will have the chance to observe the women weaving without a traditional loom but using their legs to stretch the fabric.

We then visit Tad Lo Waterfalls, a beautiful formation of three separate falls. From the bridge, guests will first see Tad Hang and then Tad Lo in the distance. The most impressive of the three, Tad Suong, is located a further 10km upriver.

We continue our journey through the Paksong and Boloven Plateau.

The scenery around Tad Fan waterfall is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation.

A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to see the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that are grown in the area.

We then transfer directly to Champasak via Pakse, where we will spend the night

After breakfast, 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 Champasak to see samples of French colonial architecture before driving to Done Khong.

Upon arrival, we have ample time to stroll around the island to admire the local life before embarking on a 1.5-hour-long tail boat to venture into the widest reach of the Mekong River, where during the dry season the waters recede and leave behind thousands of islets, Si Phan Done.

We arrive in Khone Island just in time to catch the sunset.

Overnight on Khone Island.

After breakfast, 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, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with its locomotive.

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.

In the afternoon, 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

Afterwards, we drive back to Pakse.

If time permits, we will ascend to the top of Wat Phou Salao to admire the panoramic view over the town of Pakse, and the nearby area, whilst the dark is falling over the city.

Overnight in Pakse.

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