Amazing Laos Tours 8 Days, 7 Nights

Upon arrival to Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you in private car to the hotel for check in. After checking in to the hotel, time to relax.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

(Check in time is 14.00 – Early check in is upon availability)

For early-risers (05:30) there is a very special dawn visit to witness the monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Lao people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, followed by Wat Aham and Wat That, where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa.

Continue then with a drive through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings or explore the surrounding dense jungle on foot. For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where beautiful views await.

These waterfalls cascade down a multilevel limestone formation creating a series of turquoise blue pools perfect for swimming on a hot day (if swimming, please dress modestly).

Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls.

On the route back, make an optional visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary, housing 23 Asiatic Bears which were rescued from poaching. Additionally, make a stop at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park where beautiful gardens are filled with hundreds of butterflies. (Note: closed on Tuesday)
Make it back to the city in time to climb the 328 steps of Mount Phousi. At the summit, enjoy a beautiful sunset and panoramic views of the city below. After descending, there is a chance to explore the nearby evening hill tribe market before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, start the morning with a visit to Wat Xieng Thong, the most photographed temple in the city. Afterwards, board a traditional wooden boat for a relaxing cruise along the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy the beautiful passing scenery before reaching the Pak Ou Caves.

Sitting at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers, these twin caves are carved into the surrounding limestone cliffs, filled with hundreds of ancient Buddha images and statues. After visiting the caves, moor near the cliffs for a local-style lunch, featuring a range of traditional Lao dishes. After lunch, cruise back to Luang Prabang.

As the day comes to a close, participate in a traditional Baci ceremony. These ceremonies are deeply rooted in Lao culture, and are used to celebrate a special occasion- whether a wedding, an annual festival, or as a welcome.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang, the capital of Laos. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport out of town for the morning tour, starting at Buddha Park. The drive takes around 45 minutes, along a road which serves as an important link between the Lao capital and Thailand.

Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around the park. Also known as Xieng Khuang, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by a Lao shaman.

After visiting Buddha Park, start the drive back to Vientiane.

En route, stop at the Lao Disabled Women Development Center. This center aims to bring knowledge and skills to disabled women so that they can become self-sufficient, confident members of the community. Speak with the women working here and observe their skills at creating handicrafts such as handmade paper.

Return to the city around lunch time and check in to the hotel (the room may not be ready until 14:00).

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Vientiane.

Overnight in Vientiane

Spend a day exploring the charming capital city of Vientiane.

The guide will provide a pickup around 09:00, heading first to the serene Wat Sisaket, one of the most beautiful temples in the capital. Continue to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, a religious museum displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Nearby is the Presidential Palace- a reflection of the colonial past of Vientiane.

Next make a visit to Wat Simuang, the most popular and venerated temple in Vientiane, considered as the guardian of the spirit of the city. Just nearby is the ‘Black Stupa’ of That Dam, a structure was once covered with a layer of gold which was stolen by the Thais during their invasion in 1828. From here, travel on to nearby Pangkham Street and Nam Phou Fountain where tradition and modernity coexist.

Lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.

Continue onwards to the holiest site in Laos, the 16th century temple of That Luang. Next is a visit to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where it is possible to climb to the peak offering panoramic views of the city.

Overnight in Vientiane

After breakfast, transport will be provided to the airport for the flight to Pakse.
Upon arrival, the guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to Pakse for lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch, drive 1 hour to Wat Phou. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level is focused on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary. The temple served as the most important economic and political center of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

Transfer to the nearby hotel in Champasak and check in before enjoying a beautiful sunset on the Mekong River.

Overnight in Champasak

Depart at 08:00 for a full day exploring the area known locally as Siphandon (‘4000 Islands’). In this beautiful area, the Mekong River reaches 14 kilometers wide and houses thousands of small islands.

Travel first by car (about 2 hours) to the village of Ban Nakasang. From here, take a local boat to the peaceful island of Done Khong, home to small villages and plantations. It’s recommended to explore the area either by bicycle or tuk tuk.

Begin the experience with a short boat trip, which provides the unique opportunity to spot the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin. Next, pay a visit to the impressive Lippi falls, on the west of Don Khone very close to the Cambodian border.

Afterwards, experience the remnants of French colonial rule with a visit to the existing railway and bridge built to span the islands’ waterfalls. While exploring the area, take note of the laid back atmosphere and local way of living that has changed very little over the years.
Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

Return to the mainland by boat and then return to the hotel by car, arriving back in time for sunset.

Overnight in Champasak

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport of Pakse then catch your flight home.