OVERVIEW:
Destination: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU – KUANG SI – VIENTIANE – PAKSE – TAD LO – CHAMPASSAK – KHONG ISLAND – 4,000 ISLANDS – KHONG ISLAND – KHONE PHAPHENG – PAKSE
Duration: 9 days 8 nights


Laos is a country that seduces visitors with its authenticity and its calm atmosphere. In the North, you will visit the ancient capital of Luang Prabang, home to major landmarks. In the South, where the Mekong River is flowing, you will go to Khmer temples hidden in deep jungles, and also escape to exotic islands for a relaxing time.


HIGHLIGHTS:

  • The amazing city of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Falls, and Pak Ou Caves
  • The surprising capital city of Laos, Vientiane
  • Pakse and the Bolaven Plateau with its fabulous landscapes and welcoming ethnic minorities
  • Champassak Province and Wat Phu, and the wonderful 4,000 Islands region

QUICK LOOK ON THE ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang (-)
Day 2: Luang Prabang – City Tour (B)
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou – Kuang Si falls – flight to Vientiane (B)
Day 4: Vientiane – City Tour (B, L)
Day 5: Vientiane – flight to Pakse – Bolaven Plateau – Tad Lo (B, L, D)
Day 6: Tad Lo – Paksong – Champasak Province (Wat Phu) – Khong Island (B, L, D)
Day 7: Khong Island – 4,000 Islands – Khong Island (B, L, D)
Day 8: Khong Island – Khone Phapheng – Pakse (B, L, D)
Day 9: Pakse – Departure (B)


TOUR IDENTIFICATION CODELCLT03

Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang (-)

You will be welcomed upon your arrival at the airport and driven downtown to Luang Prabang. Check-in at the hotel. Free time for the rest of the day.

Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang – City Tour (B)

You will have free time to visit Luang Prabang on your own. This town, the ancient capital of Xang Lane Kingdom, is today the religious center of the country. Today, Luang Prabang is listed as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

Interesting sites to discover in Luang Prabang include:

  • Wat Visoun (or Wat Wisunarat): this temple dates from the 16th century and is today acting as a museum where you can find a lot of religious items
  • Wat Aham: dating from the 19th century, this temple is guarded by two tigers and by statues representing Ravana and Hanuman.
  • Wat Xieng Thong: largely recognized as the most elegant temple in the city, this 16th-century edification is remarkable due to its original architecture.
  • National Musem: the old Royal Palace now houses a collection of precious items that include the famous Pha Bang statue, a flamboyant 83-cm gold-alloy Buddha representation. 
  • Phu Si (or Phou Si): you will have to climb 328 steps to get to the top of this hill, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view on Luang Prabang.

In the evening, you will discover the night market, where you will find beautiful artisanal fabrics.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou – Kuang Si falls – flight to Vientiane (B)

Wake up early in the morning if you want to see the Tak Baat ritual, the morning alms round occurring every morning at dawn. Every morning (between 5:30am and 7:00am), Luang Prabang monks, cladded in their orange robes, line up in the streets with their black alms bowls. Sitting on the sidewalks, followers wait for each monk to pass by and collect sticky rice or other foods, and even money. By giving to the monks, the local people earn merit and blessings.  

After this daily ritual, you will have breakfast. Then, you will cruise on Mekong River while enjoying the beautiful countryside, until reaching Pak Ou. There, you will visit the famous Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of different shapes and sizes. Then, you will board a boat for an excursion along the river, until reaching Ban Xang Hai, a village specializing in manufacturing a local rice whiskey.

In the afternoon, you will visit Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek, villages specializing in weaving crafts. You will then continue until reaching Kuang Si Falls. During this journey, you will also go to ethnic minority villages: Ban Na Ouan (a H’Mong village), Ban Ou (a Laoloum village) and Ban Thapene (a Khmu village).

Later, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Vientiane (QV 106: 5:05pm – 6:00pm). Upon arrival, you will be taken downtown.

Check-in at the hotel and overnight.

Day 4: Vientiane – City Tour (B, L)

After breakfast, you will meet the guide and start a city tour. First, you will visit Wat Si Saket, erected in 1818 by King Anouvong and designed according to the ancient Bangkok style. Then, you will go to Haw Pha Kaew, an old royal temple now acting as a museum, Wat Si Muang, the most revered temple in Laos, and Pha That Luang, the national monument of Laos symbolizing both Buddhism and Lao sovereignty. After that, you will discover the Central Market.

After your visit, you will be driven along the Mekong River until reaching Chao Anouvong Park, where you will enjoy a nice walk. A bronze statue of Chao Anouvong was installed in this park named after him. There, you will visit the night market, where you can shop for local snacks and products while also bargaining for other items such as wood sculptures or mountain clothes.

Overnight at the hotel in Vientiane.

Day 5: Vientiane – flight to Pakse – Bolaven Plateau – Tad Lo (B, L, D)

You will leave Vientiane early in the morning for your flight to Pakse. Upon arriving at Pakse Airport, you will be picked up by our driver and transported to Tad Lo (120 km from the airport), located at the northeastern part of Bolaven Plateau.

The Bolaven Plateau is a region where tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations are widespread, among many other vegetable and fruit crops. Before reaching Tad Lo, you will go to several villages inhabited by Alak, Lawe, Katu, and Ya Heune ethnic minorities. You will also visit Ban Kok Phoung and Ban Pong-Tai villages, inhabited by the Ta-Oi and K-Lac minorities, who live in stilt houses.

Later, you will visit Pha Xuam eco-tourist site. Upon reaching Tad Lo, you will check in a bungalow located in the forest and on Sexet River border.

Overnight at Tad Lo Lodge (www.tadlolodge.com).

Day 6: Tad Lo – Paksong – Champasak Province (Wat Phu) – Khong Island (B, L, D)

Today, you will go to Champasak Province, famous for being home to Wat Phu (also spelled Vat Phou), a pre-Angkorian site. Before getting to Wat Phu, you will stop at Paksong and visit several sites: coffee export center, Tad Fan Waterfall, and a traditional tea workshop at KM 33.

Later, you will finally arrive at Wat Phu, a structure that was assembled between the 9th and 13th centuries, before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. You will also explore the Champasak Historical Heritage Museum. After that, you will continue your road up until reaching Khong Island.

Overnight at Pon River Guesthouse on Khong Island (standard room – www.ponarenhotel.com).

Day 7: Khong Island – 4,000 Islands – Khong Island (B, L, D)

Have a nice breakfast before going for a cruise on the largest portion of the Mekong River, where nearly 4,000 islets emerge during the dry season. This explain why this region is called “Si Phan Don” which means 4,000 Islands.

During this cruise, you will stop at Don Khone Island to visit the remnants of the French Colonial Era (which include a bridge and a railway, built by the French in order to circumvent the waterfalls), Liphi Waterfalls, and the local village. Later, you will return on Khong Island.

Overnight at Pon River Guesthouse on Khong Island (standard room – www.ponarenhotel.com).

Day 8: Khong Island – Khone Phapheng – Pakse (B, L, D)

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Khone Papheng, located at the extreme south of the country and near the border of Cambodia. This place is home to the biggest waterfalls of the Mekong in Laos. You will have time to admire this magical natural sight. Have lunch during the visit.

In the afternoon, you will be driven back to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse.

Day 9: Pakse – Departure (B)

You will have free time in the evening until being taken to the airport for your departure flight.

Please contact us for more information about this tour or to customize this itinerary.

Included:

  • All transportation
  • Accommodation (twin room or double room)
  • All entrances fees
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B for breakfast, L for lunch, D for dinner)
  • English-speaking tourist guide
  • One small bottle of water on the bus everyday
  • Services fees
Excluded:

  • Personal expenses
  • Insurance
  • Drinks
  • Flight tickets
  • Visa for Laos



Other Tours:
LCLT04: All of Laos – 13 days