Best Of Laos - 10 days

At 8:30am, the boat leaves Pakbeng. On the way, one lunch served on board and 2 stops: visit first Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its thousands of Buddha images, go then to Ban Xang Hai, a lao lao whiskey village.
Arrive in Luang Prabang boat pier at Ban Don Mai around 4:30pm, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to your hotel in town.

Route: transfer by Boat: 140Km in 5 hours Join in Boat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

We visit the former King's Palace in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang learning about today's life and history. Luang Prabang is maybe the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights, like the Wat Xieng Thong, make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos.

Later in the day we'll visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

In the evening, ready for sunset, climb up to the top of Phu Si Mountain for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa. From this awe-inspiring vista, take in the beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. At the Night Market, you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles crafted by local and hill-tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Route: transfer by private car (Luang Prabang city tour: around the city with short distance).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in 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.

You will visit the Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit the Ban Ouay, Hmong Hill tribe, Ban Ou, Lowland Lao and Ban Thapene of Khmu village. 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 and we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand- made Jute Sar paper.

Route: transfer by private car (Luang Prabang - Kuang Sy fall: 45 mins/way).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

Breakfast at the hotel, depart for Vang Vieng through an astonishing landscape of limestone karsts. Visit a few villages along the road before reaching Vang Vieng.
We explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. We also cross the river to Ban Huai Ngai, a very pleasant village where we can explore the different lifestyles of the locals.

Route: transfer by private car (Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng: 250 km, 5 hours)
Meals: Breakfast
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide

Breakfast at the hotel and free to relax, afternoon today drive to Vientiane (about 3 hours). On the way, we will see some breathtaking scenery en route as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. Along the way we visit the busy and colourful market of Thalat where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions.

Route: transfer by private car (Vang Vieng - Vientiane: 180 km, 3 hours).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

Today we have a full day to explore Vientiane- the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indo Chinese cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Our visit will take you to the key sites: National Museum, 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, the next stop is  Haw Phra Kaeo. This large temple is beautiful both interiorl and exterior, it was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees.

In the afternoon a stop at the older part of Morning market is recommended before the visit Pha That Luang. The giant golden stupa is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Next you 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 you can see for miles around Vientiane.

Route: transfer by private car (city tour: short distance).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

After breakfast, we will take the van to the airport for your flight to Pakse and Champassak. On the way, visit Wat Phou, the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire then continue on to Nagasang, for a boat cruise to the beautiful Island of Ban Khone where you can sometimes see Irrawadee dolphins. Overnight in Ban Khone.

Route: Transfer by plane and private car (Vientiane - Pakse: 1 hour 20 mins, Pakse - Khong island: 130 kms, 2 hours)
Meals: Breakfast
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before cruising by boat to Khone Phapeng Waterfall, which spans 14km in width of the mighty Mekong River. This waterall 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.
Drive back to Pakse in the late afternoon.

Route: transfer by private car (Khong island - Pakse: 130 km, 2 hours, boat: 1.5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

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

Route: transfer by private car (Pakse - airport: 10 km, 20 minutes)
Meals: Breakfast
Local guide: no guide, driver only