Laos Discovery

On arrival in Vientiane – the country’s charming capital, a local guide greets the guests at the airport and transfers them to the hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, free to relax and enjoy an orientation walk around the hotel area. 

Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Today, guests have a full day to explore Vientiane – the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indo-Chinese cities that conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American, and Soviet influences.

After breakfast, the group explores the highlights of Vientiane: the National Museum, Wat Sisaket, and Haw Phra Kaeo. 

*Wat Sisaket, the city‘s oldest surviving temple, with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past.

Haw Phra Kaeo, the large temple, was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees.*

In the afternoon, they stroll through the old section of the Morning Market, where stalls are filled with textiles, jewelry, and spices. Later, they visit Pha That Luang, a golden stupa that glows brightly against the clear sky. Next, guests will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling, and once at the top, they can see for miles around Vientiane.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Vientiane

After breakfast, leave Vientiane for a northbound journey toward Vang Vieng. Along the way, stop at Vang Xang, a beautiful archeological site near an elephant cemetery. This site was a Buddhist sanctuary during the 11th century when the Hindu Khmer and the Buddhist Monks administered the Southeast Asia regions. 

In the afternoon, they’ll reach the small and tranquil village of Vang Vieng. The surrounding mountains and rivers remain largely unspoiled, thus making Vang Vieng a perfect spot to stop and relax. Later, they visit the Tham Jang caves and then enjoy a short trek to the Tam Nong Cave and some villages. The day ends with a superb sunset panorama reflecting over the Nam Song River.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Vang Vieng

Today, guests take a seven to eight-hour drive to Phonsavan – the capital of the Xieng Khoung province. 

*Xieng Khouang, the gateway to the Plain of Jars, is a town that has been totally rebuilt after it was destroyed during the secret war in Laos.

Along the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery and see local village life. In the afternoon, they arrive at Phonsavan. Take a city tour and have the option of visiting MAG, a humanitarian organization clearing the remnants of conflict for the benefit of local communities worldwide (the Mines Advisory Group).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Xieng Khuang

After breakfast, guests will take a short trek to explore the mysterious Plain of Jars and the surrounding area. The jars are thought to be 2000 years old, although there is little proof to date them very accurately. Archaeologists still struggle to confirm the specific purpose of the jars; they were used for funerary urns or to store rice wine, and the mystery remains. The visit also includes a stop at Ban Xiengdi to see a small monastery, and a drive through former battlefields from the American War.

In the afternoon, continue a half-day trip to Muang Khoun, a place in the old provincial capital that was not destroyed by the American bombings during the war.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Xieng Khuang

The day begins early with a drive north to Luang Prabang. The roads are well-paved along the way and make for a smooth journey; the scenery is a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages, allowing for plenty of photo ops. Then, spend a short amount of time observing the local lifestyle in the Muang Xieng Nguen village before reaching Luang Prabang. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, the day begins with a visit to the former Royal Palace. In here, many items are nicely displayed, including rare furniture, traditional costumes and arts, jewelry, ornaments, as well as working tools and utensils of the early part of the 20th century. Later, guests embark on a tour of this enthralling town to visit Wat Xieng Thong, the Golden City monastery, which dates back to the 16th century and is considered to be the finest in Laos. The tour also includes Wat Mai, Wat Vixoun, and That Luang Stupa. In the late afternoon, the group climbs Phousi Hill to see the marvelous panoramic views of the town at sunset over the Mekong River.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

In the morning, guests board a boat upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. 

After lunch, they will visit Phosi Market, with diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea, saltpeter, among the chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe weaving. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and next guests will visit the Ban Ouay, Hmong Hill tribe, Ban Ou, Lowland Lao, and Ban Thapene of the Khmu village. Continue driving to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall, where they can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Return to Luang Prabang and we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand-made Jute Sar paper.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Enjoy breakfast, and then guests will be transferred to the airport for their flight to Pakse. Arrival at Pakse airport, our guide and driver will welcome them at the entrance gate and transfer them to the hotel in town.

Next, an excursion by car to visit the highlights of the fascinating Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau, which was formed by an ancient volcano, is famous for its agricultural products, including many coffee and tea plantations. The plateau has a number of tribal villages, some of them still practicing Stone Age culture. This region is also known for coffee and tea plantations and diverse ethnic villages. The first stop in the Bolaven Plateau is at the Tribal Villages Museum to learn about the tribal vernacular architecture and the life of the Southern Laos tribes. Continue to Tad Lo, on the Northern edge of the Bolaven Plateau. Tad Lo is touted as an eco-friendly resort near the Xeset waterfall. After lunch at the resort, continue to visit Alack and Nge tribal villages. Overnight in Tadlo,

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Tadlo

After breakfast, guests will take the van to the airport for their flight to Pakse and Champassak. Next stop is Wat Phou, the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire, then continue to Nagasang, for a boat cruise to the beautiful Island of Ban Khone, where they can sometimes see Irrawaddy dolphins. Overnight in Ban Khone.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ban Khone

The falls surge with power during the rainy season, creating an impressive sight. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before cruising by boat to Khone Phapeng Waterfall, which stretches across the Mekong River for 14 kilometers. This waterfall is listed as the world’s widest waterfall. More akin to tumbling rapids than a waterfall from a Western perspective, it is still quite impressive, especially during the rainy season when the water is running fast and furious.

In the afternoon, they transfer to Don Daeng, a peaceful island in the Mekong, to check in at their hotel and relax.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Don Daeng

Have breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy a free morning before driving to the Airport to catch their departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: N/A