Best of Laos

Upon arrival, meet our driver/tour guide and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure

After breakfast, meet our guide at the hotel lobby and start Vientiane discovery. Firstly, we transfer to visit Buddha Park – famous for being home to more than 200 religious statues, including a huge 40-meter Reclining Buddha image. And then, we visit Pha That Luang with its golden stupa – sympol of Laos.

After lunch time at local restaurant. We continue our trip to Wat Si Saket – which features remarkable frescoes and more than 6,000 Buddha images. Then steps to Wat Ho Phra Keo and Presidential Palace. After next stops at Wat Si Muang and That Dam – an old stupa whose gold covering was stolen by the Thai army during their 1828 invasion, we stop at the last site: Patuxai Victory Monument.

Transfer back to the hotel around 4:00 pm

After breakfast, say farewell with Vientiane people. We set the capital of Laos for transfer to Vang Vieng – a beautiful small town in the north of Laos, beside Nam Song river. The trip take around 4 hours driving with 160 km. Stop en route at the archaeological site of Vang Xang, with Buddha sculptures dating back to the 11th century during the Mon-Khmer period. Visit a Hmong village before you reach Vang Vieng.

Late afternoon, we start the trip for sunset view in Vang Vieng. Kayaking or boating down the Nam Song River to watch the sun setting behind. During tour leisurely ride on the river you might also see the local fishermen with their nets and spears, villagers preparing for the evening or water buffalo soaking in the cool waters. Then, before it gets dark, you’ll be dropped on an isolated riverbank where you have relax time before back to hotel.

Around 8:00 am, we depart from your hotel. After 14 km transfer to the north of Vang Vieng, we visit the first cave, Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) lies on the opposite banks of the Nam Song. It is an important Buddhist temple and owes its name to a remarkable limestone formation.

The nearby Tham Hoi cave (Snail cave) winds its way deep into the mountain. 45min of exploration through numerous long corridors with wonderful limestone formations. Another cool pool of spring water lies at the mouth of Tham Nam (Water cave), also a good place for a swim.

After a picnic lunch, the trek to the Hmong village of Phathao passes through rice paddy fields and vegetable gardens. The trip back to Vang Vieng varies according to the level of the Nam Song. Descending the Nam Song by kayak leads us through idyllic scenes of rural life: a unique sight with the limestone mountains in the background.

After breakfast, leave beautiful Vang Vieng town to transfer to Plain of Jars area. The trip take around 6 hours with 240 km. Stop en route for short break and lunch. Upon arrival in Phonsavang, check in hotel and leisure.

After breakfast, we start the day to to discover mysterious Plain of Jars – UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Driving 20 km approximately, we will reach to the monolithic site 2, located on two hill tops before we move on to a site that lies right in the rice paddy fields (referred to as site 3).

After that, we drive on to Muang Khoun, the ancient Tai Phouan Capital that was destroyed during the second Indochina War. The ruins of Vat Piavat and That Foun are the only remains of a significant past.

After lunch time, we return to the main town of Phonsavan, passing numerous large Hmong settlements. The region has quite a few Hmong villages which can be visited upon request and when time / weather permit this. We end the day at yet another and the most expansive site of the Plain of Jars – site number 1 – featuring the greatest number of jars and the largest monoliths in size.

Today, we spend the whole day for transfer from Phonsavang to Luang Prabang. The trip take around 7 hours with 260 km not including lunch time and short break. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, check in hotel and take a leisure.

Wake up early before dawn (around 5:00 am) to catch up with traditional alms giving ceremony. The unique and must-see activities in Laos.

In the early hours of the morning each day, as the sun is rising, the local Buddhist monks pad softly around the streets barefoot in single file, accepting gifts from the locals. All around the town, locals kneel down on the street, offering the monks gifts of rice, fresh fruit and sweets to contribute to their one meal of the day.

Transfer back to hotel for breakfast. And then, we start to visit most of famous sites in Luang Prabang including Wat Visoun (known as the ‘Watermelon Stupa’ on account of its spherical shape), Wat Mai and Wat Xieng Thong, which epitomizes all the elegance and grace of the city’s architecture. Next stop is Royal Palace and National Museum.

After lunch by your own expense, we take one hour journey by private car (~30 km) to beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall. Enjoy landscape and swimming on natural and clean small lakes there before back to Luang Prabang center. The tour end with sunset view on Phousi moutain before drive to hotel.

After breakfast, we start exciting day by enjoy a 3-hour morning boat trip from Luang Prabang center to Pak Ou Caves. After discovery of Pak Ou Caves, cruise back and stop at “Ban Xang Hai” local village for tasting their unique homemade local rice whisky and rice wine before reach to Luang Prabang center.

Have a lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, we transfer to Elephant Camp. When arrival, welcome greeting from camp manager and learn short story about elephants. Enjoy the impressive experience of elephant ride on the howdah (elephant seat) or on your elephant’s neck. Back to Luang Prabang town.

Day at leisure until to transfer to the airport to take the flight to next destination.