Laos 13 nights 14 days Classic Tour Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw, Pakse, Wat Phou, 4000 Islands

You will be warmly welcomed at Wattay Airport – Laos’ international airport. You will be escorted to your hotel in Vientiane. After lunch we will have an afternoon city tour of Vientiane. We visit major attractions such as Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and Wat Phra Keo, the former royal temple where the famous Emerald Buddha statue was located. On the way to the famous sacred structure, the That Luang Stupa, a national treasure of Laos, we will also have the opportunity to photograph the imposing Patuxai Monument, known as the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane. End your tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River. When the tour ends, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

(Lunch)

Leaving Vientiane  early in the morning, we will take the 8:05 am Lao Airline QV305 from Vientiane Airport to Pakse. You will be warmly welcomed at Pakse Airport. Your guide will meet you at the airport. We will take a minivan at the airport, visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao.  In the afternoon, we will be transfered to a hotel in Done Daeng Island and spend some free time exploring the surroundings.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

After spending a relaxing morning in Don Daeng, We will head to the 4000 islands.  On the way, visit the pre-Angkorian site named Wat Tomo (Uo Moung). Get on board a traditional boat to the peaceful islands of Don Khon and Don Det. Following lunch, we continue our journey to the extreme south of Laos in the area of the 4000 islands. It dues its name because the Mekong becomes extremely wide and hosts many islands.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning, we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands by boat and visit the beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng – the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the ‘Niagara of the east’.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Upon leaving Khong Island we continue our journey towards the Bolaven Plateau, located in the Annamite Mountain Range, which runs along Laos’ eastern border with Vietnam. The renowned coffee of Lao PDR is produced in this region. The climate of the plateau, with its cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall, make it the perfect place for coffee production. After viewing several cascading waterfalls — including the famous Tad Lo and Tad Fan Waterfalls — we’ll return to Pakse for an afternoon walk or visit to its local market. Transfer to your hotel in Pakse.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

In the morning you will be transferred to Pakse airport to catch a domestic flight to Vientiane (QV306 9:50-10:50). Your guide will meet you at Vientiane airport. We will stop at the Buddha Park in Vientiane and then head to Vang Vieng.  Upon arrival in Vang Vieng, we will check into our hotel, rest, and then take a one-hour boat ride to admire the sunset on the Nam Xong River that flows through town.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

[Optional $130 per person] Early in the morning you will be pick up at 6 am, take an early morning hot air balloon ride to see the spectacular views of Vang Vieng in the morning sun rise (Offered by Above Laos. balloon ride over Vang Vieng around 800 meter high and around 40 minutes in the air!)

Pick you up from your hotel and drive to the train station. Enjoy the approximately one-hour journey to Vang Vieng on Laos’ new high-speed train. Check in your hotel in Vang Vieng, your Vang Vieng trip starts with an awe-inspiring visit to Tham Xang, a cave naturally carved in the shape of an elephant where a sleeping Buddha is resting. Then, out in the sun, you’ll enjoy the mesmerizing landscape of rural Laos by walking along karstic cliffs and through villages and rice fields. You’ll stop at a large village of Hmong minority, the opportunity to learn about the local rich ethnicities before heading back to Vang Vieng.

After lunch, visit Tham Jang, one of the most impressive caves of Vang Vieng accessible by a staircase of 138 steps! The sight is worth the climb as the view inside the cave is spectacular.

Then, the journey carries on with a short pirogue ride on the beautiful jade-colored Nam Song River. It’s possible for those who would like to take a swim in one of the crystal clear water lagoons to enjoy the warm weather of Laos.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Pickup from a hotel in Vang Vieng  at 7:20 am. We will travel by train to Luang Prabang and in Luang Prabang we will board a minivan and drive to Nong Khiaw. Around noon, stopping at Ban Nayang village for lunch break. Stroll through a well-preserved Lu village of traditional houses and see handmade textile making.  Arriving at Nong Khiaw in the afternoon, we will hike to Pha Som Nang View Point (about 30 min light climbing). Take in views of the town on the Nam Ou River surrounded by karst mountains and a picturesque sunset. Transfer to your hotel in Nong Khiaw.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Transfer by traditional boat up stream on Nam Ou river to Muang Ngoy. We then walk 30 min to the Tham Kang, where according to local legend, a Naga resides to the rear. We then continue an hour through rice paddy fields onto the Lao Loum village of Ban Na, which is a typical village in the countryside where pigs and chickens roam freely. After lunch there, we can continue to walk to Ban Houaysene or Ban Houaybor. Afterwards, return to Muang Ngoy and take a boat back to Nong Khiaw.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

At 9:30, our minivan will pick you up and leave Nong Khiaw for Manifa Elephant Camp by a 2.5 hour drive. You will be offered a delicious buffet lunch at the restaurant overlooking the Mekong river and meet elephants roaming free. In the afternoon we will visit Pak Ou Caves by boat. We will see 4000 Buddha icons in the caves overlooking the Mekong River. After visiting Ban Xang Hai, which is known for making Laotian rice whiskey, enjoy a two-hour sunset cruise on the Mekong River and return to Luang Prabang.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

The tour begins early in the morning (5:15 am in March to October and 05:45 in November to February. There is also an option without Alms giving). We pick you up from your hotel and you have a fantastic opportunity together with the locals to witness the captivating centuries old daily tradition of the alms giving ceremony. Following that, we visit local morning market.

You return to your hotel for breakfast around 7;00. We will pick you up again at 8:30 and take you to  a small park on the peninsula tip. You will have a brief introduction to Luang Prabang, standing where the Nam Khan River meets the Mekong River. From there, walk to the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple. For centuries, the temple was considered the ceremonial gateway to the city and was the arrival and departure point for foreign dignitaries. We will walk up the stairs to the main gate and enter the temple like ancient dignitaries.

Next, we will go temple hopping in the neighborhood. At Wat Sene, where there is a school for novice monks, you may meet again with novice monks you met on the morning alms. We will drive to Heuan Chan Heritage. There we will see a well preserved traditional Lao house and take a short break in their gardens. Finally, we will visit the Royal Palace museum as well as Wat Mai.

Visit the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre, run by an organization that offers local weavers the chance to earn a decent income with their weaving skills.

Lunch at Ock Pop Tok Silk Road Café (lunch not included. Laotian or Western set menu $15, deluxe lunch $18 upon advance reservation request. If you have a request, we can move to other restaurants and make reservations.)

Then visit Wat Wisunarat to see the oldest Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang, and then the UXO Center for those who want to learn more about war history. Then visit either Wat Pa Phon Phao or the Laos Traditional handicraft village Ban Xang Khong well knowned as paper village along the Mekong River.

Finish your day by climbing up Phousi Mountain. Rising 150m in the centre of town, Mount Phousi cuts a distinctive figure on the Luang Prabang skyline. The hill is a popular as a place to watch the sunset. From the summit you enjoy spectacular 360 degree views across the city and its many temples, and over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Pickup from your hotel at 9 am amand the transfer to Ban Nong Heo, we will have some time to discover the charming Khmu village, with its traditional houses, its water buffalo and free-range ducks walking around, and even the farmers and master blacksmiths dealing with their daily tasks. Then, we will have the chance to join in an easy hike in the countryside, pass over hills, and through forests and plantations, with nice viewpoints to stop at along the way. You can refresh yourself with some fresh sugar cane that can be picked directly from the field to taste the juice. After a 2-hour walk in the beautiful natural environment, we will arrive at Ban Thapene, a village which sits at the foot of the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls. Upon arrival, enjoy a lunch break at waterfall park. You will have time to enjoy magnificent waterfalls as well as bear rescue center.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Free time in Luang Prabang. Stroll around the world heritage temples and buildings, or spend some time along the Mekong River.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Departure from Luang Prabang. Your guide will pick you up and take you to the airport.

(Breakfast, Lunch)