Laos Expedition

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, guests are greeted and transferred to the hotel. After a short rest, they visit Wat Visoun, one of the oldest temples in the city, with its impressive stupa. The tour continues to Wat Aham and Wat Mai, both important religious sites that highlight the history of Buddhism in Laos. 

In the late afternoon, they climb Phousi Mount. From the summit, they can see the gilded stupa glowing in the soft light and enjoy wide views of the Mekong River and the city below. 

In the evening, they walk through the Night Market, where guests can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, start the day with a guided tour to visit the city’s oldest temple – Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang’s temples. Later, they board a cruise and travel upstream on the Mekong River. The cruise offers calm views of forested hills, sandy riverbanks, and small villages along the water. They stop at the Pak Ou Caves, a sacred site filled with thousands of Buddha images in different shapes and sizes. On the return journey, they visit Ban Xanghai, where villagers produce traditional rice wine. In the afternoon, they stop at Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for handmade Jute Sar paper.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

The day begins early with the experience of watching or joining the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. 

After breakfast, they will visit Phosi Market, with diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea, saltpeter, among the chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe weaving. The journey continues with visits to hill tribe villages, including the Hmong community in Ban Ouay, the Lao Loum in Ban Ou, and the Khmu in Ban Thapene.

In the afternoon, continue driving to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall, where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a well-known weaving village, return to the city by late evening in time for sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, guests visit the National Museum, located in the former Royal Palace. Exhibits include royal artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture, dating back to the days of the early kings, right through the last sovereign. Then, they spend time at the Central Market before taking a short flight to Vientiane. 

After checking into the hotel, they will be met by our guide to continue exploring this capital city. We begin visiting the major sights, including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which 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 Triomphe.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane.

Early in the morning, guests board the flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, they transfer to the Vat Phou Cruise boat and begin a river journey at 10:00 am. They board a local long-tail riverboat, zigzagging through mild rapids and sand banks, arriving at Champassak for a guided tour of the mysterious pre-Angkorian 10th-century temple of Wat Phou, the boat’s namesake. As dusk falls aboard the Vat Phou, enjoy a relaxing cruise downriver, the tropical sunset, and dinner on board, while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight on the Wat Phou Long Tail River Boat.

Breakfast is served on board when guests set sail for the village of HueiThamo, only a few minutes’ walk away from the Atacular hidden forest temple of OumMoung. After some exploring, board the boat for a cruise southwards and lunch on the deck, then continue leisurely sailing to the wild paradise of the “Four Thousand Islands”. They arrive near Khong Island (the birthplace of the President of the People’s Republic of Laos) at Ban Dua Tae and visit this Laotian Village where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries.

Dinner is served on board, with the boat moored for the night under a sky filled with stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: Overnight on the Wat Phou Long Tail River Boat.

Breakfast is served on the deck while cruising to the small village of Ban Veuthong, where guests will board a small long-tail boat to Khone Island. They walk through the village and see French colonial houses, an old customs post, and remnants of a stone quay. From here, a minivan takes them to Khong Pha Peng Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, stretching across the Mekong River. The powerful current and wide cascades are most dramatic during the rainy season. In the afternoon, they continue by road back to Pakse.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse.

Have breakfast at the hotel, then enjoy a free morning before driving to the airport to catch their departure flight home.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A