ITINERARY
DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL
On arrival you will be met by our guide and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a local lunch and continue the day with a visit to Wat Xiengthong the most beautiful temple of the city dating from the 16th century temple. We will stop at Wat Visoun and Melon stupa, then next to Wat Aham then climb to the top of Mount Phou Si to catch the sunset on the way back, visit famous local arts and night market of crafts.
Overnight in hotel in Luang prabang.
DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES (B)
After breakfast, we embark on a boat trip to the Pak Ou cave which is located 32 km upstream of the river and along the way stop to visit the village of whiskey and watch the villagers use to process to Lau Lao (rice wine) and continue the cave where more than one thousand Buddha images are retained.
After visiting the cave, navigate downstream to Luang Prabang for lunch and then take the short trip to Ban Xang Khong (weaving village and Mulberry paper-based village).
Return to Luang Prabang for the hotel night.
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG – KUANGSI WATERFALL (B)
Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace where the local people barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken, just set on the ground. Then return to your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, visit the Royal Palace then transfer by car for a distance of 29 km to the Kuangsi Waterfall through a lush unspoilt countryside which is considered the most beautiful in the area. Kuangsi 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. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals.
There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists. 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, 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.
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG – XIENG KHOUANG (B)
You start early this morning (around 8 am) for the drive to Xiengkhuang, famous for the ‘Plain of Jars’ – a world heritage by Unesco in 2019. The road follows a twisty mountain route, and you will make your first stop at Houi Hei, offering great views of the surrounding mountains. you will continue to explore Ban Kiu Kam Pone, a Khmu village, before arriving in Phou Khoun for lunch. You will continue on the road into Xiengkhuang Province, reaching the highest altitude of the day (1,500 m above sea level) just after Phou Khoun. You can stop at Ban Son Boom, a Hmong village before your final stop of the day at the hidden Buddha Cave. The cave and region played a major part during the Vietnam War, as the cave served as an army hospital. You will arrive at your hotel by early evening. and have an overnight stay at Auberge de la Plaine des Jarres.
DAY 5: XIENG KHOUANG – PLAIN OF JARS – FLIGHT TO VIENTIANE (B)
You will take a morning visit to the Mines Action Group or MAG office, to learn about the work they do in clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance in the area. You will then transfer out to Jar Site 1, the largest site, located on top of a hill offering great views of the surrounding countryside. You will return back to Phonesavan town for lunch and then go to the airport for your flight to Vientiane (QV402 Xieng Khouang – Vientiane 15:05-15:40).
Car pick you up at the airport then transfer to the hotel, overnight in Vientiane.
DAY 6: VIENTIANE CITY TOUR (B)
After breakfast visit the most important temples of the city such Wat Sisaket, Vat Phrakeo, Wat That Luang, Patuxay Monument and Historic victory. After lunch, we visit the famous Buddha Park located 27 km from the city. If it remains time in the afternoon, visit the main market then back to the hotel, free at night in Vientiane.
DAY 7: VIENTIANE – PAKSE, TADLO (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Pakse on flight QV305 Vientiane – Pakse 11:55-12:55. On arrival met our guide, then excursion by road (known as the road of the old coffee) to Tadlo on the Bolaven Plateau. Stop at Km 35 to visit the famous waterfalls of Tad Fane and ethnic villages (Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village ) in the surrounding countryside. Overnight at Tadlo.
DAY 8: TADLO – CHAMPASAK – KHONG ISLAND (B)
After breakfast, transfer to visit Wat Phousalao, tourist highlight of Pakse city with a big golden Buddha statue overlooking the city and Mekong River on the top of Phou Salao (Salao Mountain).
Next, visit Wat Phou Temple – one of World Heritages by Unessco (Kmer ruins dating tray 11th century and is considered the largest site of its kind after Angkor), then take the road to Khong Island. Continue our journey through the Mekong Delta to the island of Khong Island. Overnight in Khong Island in typical colonial lodge, where you will have the afternoon free to explore the island by bicycle, or just relax. Overnight in Khong island.
DAY 9: KHONG ISLAND – PAKSE (B)
After an early breakfast, we explore the local 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 discover the 4000 islands area by Tuk Tuk at our leisure to visit the Liphi waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the end of Lao border to Cambodia, also known as the Samphamith, If we are lucky we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia, known as Niagara of the east. Overnight in Don Khong. You will then go back to Pakse late at night. Overnight in Pakse.
DAY 10: PAKSE – DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast, free at leisure. Exploring and shopping until time transfer to the airport.
Inclusion
- Accommodation on a twin/double shared basis.
- Private, Air-conditioned Transport (5-seat / 7-sear car)
- Boat trips as stated in the itinerary.
- English speaking guide.
- Admission fees to sites stated in the itinerary.
- Drinking water
Exclusion
- Visas and Immigration fees on arrival.
- Domestic air ticket (Xieng Khouang – Vientiane // Vientiane – Pakse)
- Int’l air tickets to/from Laos.
- Travel and/or Medical Insurance.
- Meals: B=breakfast (hotel standard), L=lunch & D=Dinner option haft board / full board, set menu $8-10/person, no drinks.
- Single suppl. room accommodation (quoted separately)
- Child or adult in triple share accommodation
- Foreign language guides other than mentioned.
- Peak Season or Special Events Surcharges
- Tip, drinks, and other personal expenses
