Trip Type: Private Starts: Vientiane Ends: Luang Prabang Departs: Any day of the year Difficulty: Easy – Mid

Itinerary

Day 1 Vientiane Arrival

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You will be warmly welcomed at Wattay Airport – Laos’ international airport. You will also be escorted to your hotel in downtown Vientiane

Day 2 Vientiane Tour

You will be picked up at your hotel in Vientiane at 9:00 am for morning departure and begins at the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues.

Continue on 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. Also nearby is the Presidential Palace. Although you are not allowed to visit inside, it is a good glimpse in to the town’s colonial past as this building formerly served as the French governor’s palace. Visit COPE Visitor Centre, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexplored ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.

Continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof for sweeping panoramic views of the city. Next, your tour takes you to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire.
There is a lunch break for about an hour and a half. Your guide will take you to a restaurant of your choice for your lunch break. For large groups, we can arrange restaurants in advance.

In the afternoon, first visit the Lao Textile Museum. At this small museum of Lao-style wooden houses and beautiful flower gardens, you can learn about the history and culture of Lao traditional silk weaving. Followed by a visit to Buddha Park, famous for being home to more than 200 religious statues, including a huge 40-meter Reclining Buddha image.

End your full-day 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, if you like, before being transferred back to your hotel.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 Vientiane – Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw

After breakfast, drive to the railway station and take the train to Luang Prabang. Transfer to a minivan in Luang Prabang and drive to Nong Khiaw.

Travel about 3 hours by road from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw. On the way, stop at Ban Nayang, a village of the Lue people, for lunch. You’ll also have time to walk through a well-preserved village of beautiful traditional houses and see how textiles are made. Arrive at Nong Khiaw in the afternoon, then check-in at the hotel. We will hike to Pha Daeng Peak Viewpoint after (about 1.5 hours light climbing). (If climbing is difficult, we will guide you to another easily accessible viewpoint.)

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4 Nong Khiaw – Nam Ou River Cruise to Muang Ngoi

After breakfast, transfer by traditional boat up stream on Nam Ou river to Muang Ngoy. We then trek to the Tham Kang, where according to local legend, a Naga resides to the rear. We then continue through rice paddy fields onto the Lao Loum village of Ban Na, which is only accessible by foot, so retains much of its original character. After lunch, we continue to walk to Ban Houaysene or Ban Houaybor. Afterwards, return to Muang Ngoy and take a boat back to Nong Khiaw.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5 Nong Khiaw – Manifa Elephant Camp – Pak Ou Caves – Luang Prabang (Mekong river sunset cruise)

At 8:30, our minivan will pick you up and visit Phathok Caves. Pha Thok Cave is a series of caves in a limestone cliff where villagers and Pathet Lao eluded bombing during the Second Indochina War. Then you will depart from Nong Khiaw to Manifa Elephant Camp by a 2 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. Enjoy a two-hour sunset cruise on the Mekong River and return to Luang Prabang.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 Luang Prabang UNESCO World Heritage City Tour

This day 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 Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in the country. Learn from your guide the typical architecture of the Luang Prabang style temples with their spectacular low sweeping roofs. Join local pilgrims for a glimpse into the daily Buddhist beliefs of the people.

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.  Finally, we will visit the Royal Palace museum.  It houses a lot of interesting historical items. Every item tells a story…so you will learn quite a lot from your guide about Lao history and about Laos’ royal.

Lunch is at the Bio-Bamboo Restaurant, located in a small bamboo grove on the Nam Khan River, where you will enjoy delicious Luang Prabang cuisine served in unique bamboo bowls.

The afternoon begins with a visit to the papermaking village of Ban Xang Khong on the Mekong River just outside Luang Prabang; after learning about the history of the war at the UXO Lao Visitor Center, we will visit Wat Wisunarat, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang. The day ends with a climb up Phousi Hill. Rising 150m in the centre of town, you enjoy spectacular 360 degree sunset views across the city and its many temples, and over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance.

The dress code at the Royal Palace is strict and all visitors are asked to dress conservatively, with no exceptions. Both men and women wearing short skirts or shorts are kindly asked to cover up before entering.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7 Luang Prabang Kuang Si Waterfalls

Pick up from your hotel at 8:30, you will be transfered 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.

Enjoy lunch at the nearby private waterfall Carpe Diem Restaurant. We will spend time to explore the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall. On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will visit the village of the Hmong people.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 8 Luang Prabang

Participate in one of the workshops and experiences in Luang Prabang.

• Rice Farm Experience in Living Land (8:00-12:00, including lunch)
• Half Day Pottery Experience at Ban Chan Nua  (8:30am -1pm, including lunch)
• Day time Tamarind Cooking class (9:00-3:00, including lunch)
• Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center Workshop (Natural Dye, Bamboo, Cotton, Silk Weaving etc.. 1 Day, 1/2 Day)

You can also take part in adventure tours with Manifa Travel or elephant experiences with Manifa Elephant Camp.

• Half-day Glimpse Elephant Mahout Experience (8:30-14:00, including lunch)
• Full-Day Amazing Elephant Mahout Experience + Sunset Cruise (8:30-18:00, including lunch)
• Full-Day Glimpse Elephant Mahout Experience, Tad Sae Waterfalls (8:30-18:00, including lunch)
• Tad Sae Waterfall & Kayak (8:30-17:00, including lunch)

(Breakfast)

Day 9 Luang Prabang Departure

Have breakfast at the hotel then enjoy a free morning before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home. Meals on your own. End of services.

(Breakfast)

Reference Price

Accommodation prices are subject to change. See spreadsheet for all hotel options.

No accommodation