Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. There will be to time to relax and refresh after your journey.

After a brief orientation tour of the spiritual capital, there is a chance to stretch your legs with a climb up the 328 steps to the Phou Si Temple. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers stunning views across Luang Prabang and is a very special place to be at sunset. If you still have the energy you can visit the local market, where you can glimpse a bit of ancient Laos : it has remained unchanged for centuries.
Dinner is served at a local restaurant - your first opportunity to sample some authentic Laos cuisine!

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of this stunning city. Your circuit begins at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, continuing on to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai (the Lao New Year celebrations in April), the Prabang - normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum - is put on public display in this temple. You will then continue on to the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang (quite an accolade!) - Wat Xieng Thong.

In the afternoon, visit Wat Visoun, entirely rebuilt after its destruction in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa, which is shaped like the fruit it takes its name from. You will also visit Wat Aham, where you will find the altar of the 'two geniuses of Luang Prabang' and Wat That, where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa.

We have left the late afternoon and evening at leisure, so you get to decide how to spend the remainder of your day. Wander the numerous streets, watch the world go by from one of the many cafes and restaurants in the centre, continue your tour of the temples, or watch the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers converge from this landlocked country's only beach.
There are plenty of great restaurants to choose from for your evening meal. We also recommend one of the local stalls to be found on the river bank for some truly authentic Lao flavours, washed down with the excellent Beer Lao!

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3

An option (although we highly recommend it; in fact, we almost insist) for early-risers (05h30) is a very special dawn visit to witness the long lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents. Ask your guide for how best to join in if you wish to. Return to your hotel for breakfast, or enjoy a pastry and coffee at one of the many stalls already doing a roaring trade (the cost of breakfast away from your hotel is not included).

After breakfast, it's time to put your cooking skills, or lack of them, to the test with a Lao cooking class under the instruction of Chef Chantanong from the Residence Phou Vao (a local hotel). Start with a visit to the local market, where you will learn about the local ingredients used and, more importantly, how to select the best varieties.
Returning to the Residence Phou Vao, your class begins - in the kitchen or by the poolside, in the shadow of Mount Phousi. Lunch is an opportunity to ‘enjoy' your morning's efforts!

After lunch it's a short journey out of town to the Kuang Si waterfall, situated south-west of Luang Prabang. You'll stop en route to visit some ethnic minority villages. Once at the falls, it's possible to walk to the top and, if the weather is good, swim in the clear water at the foot of the falls.

Dinner is served in a local restaurant in Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4

An early departure by boat takes you up the Mekong River to the Pak Ou caves, which house literally thousands of Buddha statues, hidden from the looting Chinese Haw in times gone by. The statues range from a few centimetres to the size of a human.
After a tour of the caves, continue to Kamu Eco Lodge on the banks of the river, arriving in time for lunch. The lodge features 20 canvas tents covered by a thatched roof, each styled in harmony with its surrounds and adapted to the local Lao style. Each tent has an attached private bathroom with shower, toilet, solar-powered warm water and electricity.
In the afternoon you can enjoy this unique setting in a variety of ways. Options include rice planting, gold-panning, jungle walks to search for medicinal plants, traditional fishing, a local village visit, an archery contest, or simply relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere. Supper is served at the camp.

Overnight in Kamu Lodge.

Day 5

After the short ride back to Luang Prabang, the morning and early afternoon are at leisure before a visit to the ‘weaving village' of Xang Khong. Here, traditional Lao textiles are woven and Sa paper is made. There is also time to visit the magnificent Wat Xieng Lek before transferring to the airport for your evening flight to the capital of Laos, Vientiane.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Vientiane is a compact city - small by most capital standards and easy to find your way around. Nestled on the Mekong River, it's just 10 minutes by boat to Nong Khia in Thailand.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 6

The entire day is dedicated to seeing the capital. First up is a visit to Wat Sisaket, the only temple to be left intact after the Siamese invasion in 1828. It's arguably the most beautiful temple in Vientiane and houses thousands of miniature Buddha statues within its walls.
Your next stop is Wat Phra Keo, which now operates as a religious museum, with many Lao and Khmer works of art on display, moving on to the Patuxai monument - also called Anousavari. Here, you can climb up on the roof for fantastic panoramic views. Also on the list for the morning is a stop at That Luang, the holiest place in Laos, and Wat Simuang, the most popular and venerated temple in Vientiane.
You can also visit Talat Sao, the morning market, for a bit of souvenir buying (silk and silver jewelry are good bets) and an insight into daily life for the people of Vientiane.

In the late afternoon, you'll be attending a baci ceremony. Its purpose is to call escaped spirits back to the body,a tradition that is very important for Lao people before major events such as weddings, births, travel or when welcoming friends.
The evening is at leisure - an ideal opportunity to write some emails or to head into the centre for an evening out around Manthatulat Street. If you need a break from the delicious Laos cuisine this is the place, there's everything from sushi to burgers.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 7

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to the southern town of Pakse. On arrival and transfer to your hotel, take a short tour of Pakse town before being driven out to the Tad Lo falls.

In the afternoon, you'll continue on to the Tad Fane falls, where you can also visit tea and coffee plantations on the Bolavens Plateau.

Returning to Pakse in the afternoon, the rest of the day will be at your leisure, allowing you to explore the town for yourself - a laid-back, some would say lethargic town that most visitors to the south of Laos pass through. A recently opened bridge spanning the Mekong has done little to awake Pakse from it's sleepy state!

Overnight in Pakse.

Day 8

A morning drive to Champassak before continuing on to Wat Phou, a pre-Angkorian Khmer temple and UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend the morning exploring this magnificent temple and its surroundings.
After a brief return to Champassak, and time to admire its wonderful French Colonial architecture, you will continue on to Ban Kiet Ngong, a small Lao village for an elephant ride through the forest and up to Mount Assa. Not only do these wonderful animals take the strain off your legs, you'll get to see the world go by from an amazing vantage point - up high on an elephant's back!
Continue by road to Khong Island, the biggest island in the southern Laos section of the Mekong.

Overnight in Khong.

Day 9

After breakfast, take a local boat to the peaceful islands of Done Det and Done Khone, sites of the only railway ever built in Laos, at the end of the 19th century.
After a stroll through the palm-fringed villages, continue to the southernmost part of Laos and the impressive Khone Papheng waterfalls, near the Cambodian border.
In the afternoon, return to Pakse, stopping at the exotic evening market.

Overnight in Pakse.

Day 10

Departure day. After breakfast, transfer either to the Thai border or to the airport for your onward flight.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

All accommodation Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles English speaking local guide All admission fees at attractions and activities as mentioned in the itinerary All meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: lunch, D: Dinner) Local flights as marked, please note these can change International flight tickets reconfirmation

Exclusions -

Exclusive: Flights to/from Asia. Flights information - click here Laos Visa Domestic airport tax (5 000 Kip) International airport tax ( 14 USD) Any other meals not mentioned above Drinks Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...) Travel insurance All other services which are not mentioned in 'inclusive'