Duration: 14 days 13 nights
Start: Vientiane / Finish: Luang Prabang
Destinations included: Four Thousand Islands, Luang Prabang, Plain of Jars, Southern Laos, Vientiane
Price from: $1,620/person
This tour combines all the south of Laos with the major destinations in the rest of the country. The south of Laos holds some of the most spectacular waterfalls and other natural sites of the country. Learn about the interesting tribal cultures in this area and visit the ancient Khmer temple complex of Wat Phu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deep in the south, the Four Thousand Islands provide an ideal place to relax. In central Laos you will visit the laidback capital Vientiane, the mysterious Plain of Jars and World Heritage city Luang Prabang. The trip also involves river cruises and including a visit to an elephant camp.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
Wandering the historical sites, pagodas in the laid back capital Vientiane
Visiting the minority villages for deeply local touch
Exploring the mysterious Plain of Jars
Cruising on the mighty Mekong River
Soaking up the Khmer ruins – Wat Phu
Enjoying peaceful countryside of Don Khong Island
Discovering the biggest waterfall of Southeast Asia
Visiting the amazing Kuang Si waterfall & elephant camp
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- Carefully selected accommodation with breakfast
- Other meals listed in the itinerary
- Expert English-speaking local guide
- Tours as mentioned and air-conditioned transfers
- Sightseeing and permit fees during guided times
- Boat cruises and rides while on tour
- Flights to tour destinations (Economy Class)
- Service charges and government VAT tax
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY BY DAY
Day 1: Vientiane arrival – City Tour
Upon arrival in Vientiane Capital, you are met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Overnight in Vientiane.
Explore Central & Southern Laos – Patuxay Monument
Day 2: Coffee Plantations on the Bolaven Plateau – Waterfalls – Minority Villages
Early morning take a flight to southern Laos. Upon arrival, you are met and drive ahead to Saravanh province via Tateng. The stumbling water and lush vegetation around Tad Fan waterfall of today’s Atacular. We make a stop en route observing the traditional local making tea and coffee, a cup its can be tasted prior exploring the local cultures and its way of life along the way to Boloven Plateau area, the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops are being seen along both side of our way. This is allowed time for visitors to venture off the beaten path and explore some of the lesser-known areas of Laos pointing for full exploration of the wild beauty of this southern region, Upon arrival at Tad Lo waterfall, we visit villages of Alak, Nge, Katu, the ethnic group of minority. Overnight at Tad Lo.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Minority Villages – Wat Phu World Heritage Site – Four Thousand Islands
Early bird breakfast, we are heading out toward Khong Island, en route making a short detour to visit Pha Suam waterfall and Lao Teung Villages and strolling around the ethnic minority villages. We continue traveling by road to Wat Phu via Pakse town, keep our way, crossing Mekong ferry to visit the pre-angkorian, ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia ‘s most dramatically situated temples. Explore these Khmer ruins, perched atop a nearby hill, which is one of Lao World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 2001, this wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dated back to the 9-12th centuris. We continue our way to 4000 islands region and catch a ferry motor boat to Don Khong. Overnight in DonKhong .
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Boat Trip to Don Khone Island – Visit Waterfall
Today, we enjoy a visit of the surrounding countryside, and board a long tail boat touring to Don Khone area. Taking you to visit the remains of French period, Liphi Waterfall or “the Corridor of the Devil”. After exploring around the isand, return to your hotel. Overnight in Khone island.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Biggest Waterfall of South-East Asia
After breakfast we take a boat trip to the mainland at Ban Nakasang, a fishery village. Then we drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng on the journey, the biggest waterfall in the South East Asia. It is really an impressive sight. After this we visit a lush vegetation area near the Lao-Cambodian border, which is teeming with wildlife and it is one of the loveliest destinations in Laos. Afterward we drive back to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6: Fly to Luang Prabang
After breakfast relax until your flight time to transfer you to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Discover World Heritage Sites
Today we enjoy a visit to the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Phousi Mountain for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handicrafts and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Mekong River Boat Experience – Pak Ou Buddha Caves
After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside. We make an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the distillation of local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9: Short Hike to Pottery Village – Boat Trip on Khong River
After breakfast at the hotel, we cross the Mekong River to the other side, where we arrive at Ban Xiengman. Then, we start walking along the village, about 50 minutes to Banchan Village, where people make pottery. About 40 families are potters. Their products are of high quality and are exported to Japan and western countries. All of the main hotels, guesthouses and restaurants in the Luang Prabang use those potteries to decorate. After this visit, we begin a boat trip along Khong river back to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Explore Central & Southern Laos – Kuangsi Water Fall
Day 10: Royal Palace – Kuang Si Waterfall
After breakfast enjoy a visit to the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Then we drive about 30 KM to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall, where you can splash around in the turquoise pools, swim and relax or walk along the forest paths. Return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11: Weavers Village – Elephant Camp
After breakfast, drive out of town and visit the elephant camp at Ban Noon. En route stop at famous and well-known village, Ban Phom Nom. Almost all of those villagers are weavers. They used to be servants and made handicraft souveniors for the last king of Laos. Another stop at Henrimouhot monument at Kang Noon, a french man, who discovered Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. He died at Kang Noon when he moved to Laos for his discovery as Malaria. We continue to the camp, where your guide will tell you about the elephants, where they are from and what their daily living conditions were. You can feed some vegetables to the elephants. After that we return to town and the rest of the day is free on your own.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Explore Central & Southern Laos – Elephant Camp
Day 12: Panoramic Ride to Phonsavan – Plain of Jars
Today, we are driving 306KM through a scenic mountain landscape to Xieng Khouang province, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. If time permits, we are seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Phonsavan.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13: Visit Market – Explore Around Town
After breakfast, visit the Central Market and then explore the town on your own, before we catch a flight back to Vientiane. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14: Vientiane Depature
After breakfast, relax before you transfer to the airport, or enjoy our optional program.
Meals included: breakfast
