Day 1 – Arrival at Luang Prabang
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. the rest of the day is at leisure and Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 2 – Luang Prabang
For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents.Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the historical old town where the tour begins at the fresh market. Accompanied by the guide, walk through rows of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to local specialties. Next, visit the former Royal Palace. Today housing the National Museum, this site is filled with art, artifacts, and jewels offering some insight into the history and rich culture of the country. After this, continue the tour of Luang Prabang by visiting some of the city’s most important temples. Start at Wat Visoun, home to the famous ‘watermelon’ stupa, before visiting Wat Aham, housing an altar dedicated to the 2 guardian spirits This afternoon head to Ock Pop Tok to discover more about textiles in Laos- including their history, production, and cultural significance . At sunset, climb the nearby temple-topped hill of Mount Phousi where you will catch a spectacular view out over the town and the river. From there, explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3 – Pakou Cves & Kangsi Waterfall
We enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Mai and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panaromic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, 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 small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon by car then continue our excursion toward Khouangsi Waterfall, en route, we visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk handweaving and for traditional Saa Paper making. We return to the city by late evening . the rest of your day is free at leisure and overnight in Lauang Prabang.
Day 4 – Luang Prabang – Vientiane
After breakfast, transport will be provided to the airport for the flight to the capital or by train rides to the Capital Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport out of town for the morning tour, starting at Buddha Park. The drive takes around 45 minutes, along a road which serves as an important link between the Lao capital and Thailand. Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around the park. Also known as Xieng Khuang, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by a Lao shaman. After visiting Buddha Park, start the drive back to Vientiane. En route, stop at the Lao Disabled Women Development Center. This center aims to bring knowledge and skills to disabled women so that they can become self-sufficient, confident members of the community. Speak with the women working here and observe their skills at creating handicrafts such as handmade paper. Return to the city and check in to the hotel (the room may not be ready until 14:00). The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Vientiane. We recommend ending the day along the riverside promenade sampling snacks, picking up some unique souvenirs or just soaking in the local scene. Overnight in Vientiane
Day 5 – Vientiane City Tour
This morning , embark on a half-day discovery tour of Vientiane’s hidden gems. After breakfast at the hotel , Begin the tour at the serene Wat Sisaket, one of the most beautiful temples in the capital. Continue onwards to visit the nearby Wat Phra Keo, which is used as a religious museum, displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby, take note of the Presidential Palace (from the outside), which reflects the city’s colonial history. Next, visit COPE, 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 unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them. Continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top for some sweeping panoramic views of the city below. The final stop of the tour will be the 16th century That Luang, the holiest site in Laos and Overnight in Vientiane .
Day 6 – Vientiane to Pakse by flight
After an early breakfast, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the airport for the departing flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, transport will be provided to the hotel for check in and to drop off luggage. Begin the day with a short tour of the city, and follow it up with a drive east to the Bolaven Plateau, a mountainous region home to dozens of hill tribes, waterfalls and coffee and tea plantations. The first stops are at Tad Fane and Tad Yuang waterfalls. Tad Fane is a set of twin 120-meter-high waterfalls formed by the merging waters of the Champy and Pak Koot rivers. These impressive falls are situated on the edge of Dong Hua Sao protected area, 38km from Pakse (Note: water levels may vary accordingly to the previous rainy season). Make a short stop in Paksong, the ‘capital of coffee’ before continuing east to the Sinouk Coffee Resort. An expert in coffee will provide a tour through the site, explaining the different aspects of the planation, its unique coffee trees and what the different processing stages are. After a delicious local lunch (featuring vegetables from the site’s organic garden), there will be a sample session of the resort’s best coffee. On the drive back to Pakse, two stops will be made. The first stop will be to the Tad Lo waterfalls, a beautiful formation of three separate falls. The second stop is to the small village of Ban Houay Houn, famous for its Katu textiles. Enjoy the chance to observe local women weaving without a traditional loom, using their legs to stretch the fabric. Return to Pakse in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel and Overnight in Pakse
Day 7 – Pakse Kohng Islands
After breakfast, transfer by road to Wat Phou. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level is focused on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary. The temple served as the most important economic and political centre of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples. Pass through Champasak, driving through streets lined with French colonial buildings, and continue on to Khong Island, the biggest island in southern Laos and the start of the 4,000 Islands Region. Called “Siphandon” in Lao, this area of the Mekong stretches over 14km wide and is dotted with thousands of islands, cascades and rapids. Overnight in Khong Island
Day 8 – Khong Islands – Pakse
In the morning visit Don Det and Don Khong, two peaceful islands housing mostly plantations and simple villages. We recommend bicycles as the best way to explore.The islands played an important role during the French Colonial rule as they linked Laos to Cambodia and Southern Vietnam. To overpass the waterfalls, a railway and bridge were built, which today are the perfect place to soak in the surrounding views. Next, pay a visit to the impressive Lippi falls, which are wedged between Don Khong Island and the Cambodian border. After the visit, a short boat trip will be made, which will offer the unique chance to spot the elusive Irrawaddy Dolphins. In the afternoon, return back to Pakse and Overnight in Pakse
Day 9 – Pakse – Departure
After breakfast , free time at leisure until transfer to the International Pakse Airport for your departure flight to Bangkok or Siem Reap .