Laos Essential

Day 1: Vientiane

Welcome to Laos! Airport arrival transfer and hotel check in. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight: Vientiane

What’s included: Transfer, guide, bottle drinking water & accommodation

Accommodation:

3*

4*

5*

Day 2: Vientiane city tour

After breakfast we explore the charming and laid-back capital of Laos with a city tour. We visit the oldest Buddhist monastery temple in the country – Wat Si Saket – and the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaeo, built to house the famed Emerald Buddha. Today it serves as the national museum of religious art. Learn about Laos’ tragic past and present suffering at the COPE Centre, an organization that works with victims of unexploded bombs and mines. Next visit Pha That Luang, the most important monument in Laos and a symbol of both Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty.

We also stop to view the imposing Patuxay monument – Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe. Later in the afternoon enjoy time exploring the hundreds of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures scattered throughout Buddha Park. End the day with a sunset dinner besides the Mekong River.

What’s included: Transfer, guide, bottle drinking water, entrance fee, breakfast & accommodation

Accommodation:

3*

4*

5*

Day 3: Vang Vieng

Vientiane – Vang Vieng. We leave the capital early and journey north through lush countryside to Vang Vieng. Along the way we visit Ban Keun, famous for its salt extraction plant and a village of local Lao rice wine whiskey distillation. A next stop is the busy and colourful market of Thalat, where local hill tribes come to trade and shop and also visit the archaeological site of Vang Xang that dates back to the 11th century. Arriving at Vang Vieng, nestled on the banks of the Nam Song River is our delightfully rustic and rural hotel. The remainder of the day offers free time, perhaps opt to explore the local caves or take a bicycle ride through the surrounding countryside. Overnight in Vang Vieng

What’s included: Transfer, guide, bottle drinking water, entrance fee, breakfast, dinner & accommodation

Accommodation:

3*

4*

5*

Day 4: Tham Jang Caves

Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang. This morning we explore the famous caves of Tham Jang once used by the local people as a hideout during Chinese invasions. We observe the lifestyles of the local people at Ban Huai Ngai village before making our way further north to the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

What’s included: Transfer, guide, bottle drinking water, entrance fee, breakfast & accommodation

Accommodation:

3*

4*

5*

Day 5: Temples of Luang Prabang

Consider rising early this morning to view the daily ritual of saffron-clad monks and their procession down the streets of Luang Prabang collecting alms from the residents. After we commence our sightseeing tour of this enchanting city, starting with a visit to the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun, and the banyan tree graced grounds of Wat Aham, we stop at the Ock Pop Tok weaving centre. Later we marvel at the former Royal Palace, now a national museum and home to gilded rooms and Buddha artifacts.

In the afternoon we stop at ethnic minority villages before arriving at the beautiful Khouangsi waterfall. Dip in the turquoise pools or take a walk along the forest trails. Tonight there is the option to learn to cook tasty local cuisine at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

What’s included: Transfer, guide, bottle drinking water, entrance fee, breakfast, dinner & accommodation

Accommodation:

3*

4*

5*

Day 6: Cruise the Mekong, Pak Ou Caves

Discover more of Luang Prabang’s holy sites with a morning visit to Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong. Sit back and enjoy the views of tranquil countryside as we cruise upstream on the Mekong River to reach the mysterious Pak Ou caves. Crammed with Buddha images of all shapes and sizes, these two caves stand in the lower part of a limestone cliff overlooking the river. Along the way sample local rice wine at the village of Ban Xanghai and shop for local handicrafts at the village of Ban Phanom, known for its hand weaving.

What’s included: Transfer, boat trip, guide, bottle drinking water, entrance fee, breakfast, dinner & accommodation

Accommodation:

3*

4*

5*

Day 7: Free time – Luang Prabang

Today is a free day for you to enjoy Luang Prabang at leisure. For the adventurous, we can help organize elephant rides, cycling and kayaking.

What’s included: Breakfast & accommodation

Accommodation:

3*

4*

5*

Day 8: Farewell Laos

Spend the morning further exploring this delightful city before hotel check out and included departure transfer to the airport.

Breakfast

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Although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as detailed in the proposal, we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes made as a result of climatic conditions, alterations to flight schedules or other operational factors.