Laos Experience

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. The guide may lead them to the riverbank, where locals watch the sun set across the Mekong.

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
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then head north to the sleepy riverside hamlet of Vang Vieng, a small town next to the Nam Song River that is surrounded by jagged limestone karsts. Upon arrival in Vang Vieng, take a short orientation tour of the city before you check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for them to relax or explore the town.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng.

After breakfast, the journey continues to Luang Prabang. The drive along Road 13, with stops at Sala Phoukhou to enjoy the mountain scenery and a local lunch. By afternoon, the travelers arrive in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage town surrounded by forested hills. Overnight in 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.

*An optional early start gives the guests the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

Breakfast at the hotel and then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River to see a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, as they also explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, they stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the locals make the rice wine. On return, visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village, and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall, where they can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. 

After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermaking. Return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

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

Meal: Breakfast.