Laos Discovery - 9 days

We visit the vegetable market and the former King's Palace in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang learning about today's life and history.
Enjoy a short drive to visit Vat Xieng Thong or Temple of the Royal City- one of the most important of Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art.
Then continue to Wat Visoun - an unusual structure which represents the earliest Lao style.

Afterwards, pay a visit to Wat Mai, a beautiful temple located nearby Royal Palace and built in the 18th century. It is the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang.
Take a cruise along the Mekong about two hours upstream from the centre of Luang Prabang, and discover the numerous Buddha images at Pak Ou Caves.

Pak Ou (mouth of the Ou river) the Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) are caves overlooking the founder name Mekong River. They are a group of caves on the right side of the Mekong river, It is then only a short distance from the caves to the village of Ban Xang Hai. Stop here to learn about LauLao (Lao whisky) and LauHai (Lao wine), before continuing down the Mekong to Luang Prabang. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand- made of Jute Sar paper.

In the evening go to Phousi Mount where you also can have a nice panorama of the city.
The balance of day is free at leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Factsheet for this day
Route: transfer by private car
Luang Prabang City tour: around the city with short distance
Luang Prabang hotel - pier: 3 mins
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Local Guide: Private local English Speaking Guide

For early risers, alms giving ceremony is good chance to learn about local culture. We suggest you enjoy the sunrise at the crossroads in town around 05.00 when you will also see monks in saffron robes from Luang Prabang’s many temples walking in long silent processions searching for offerings left to them by the faithful.

After breakfast, our tour guide and driver will come to your hotel, you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings 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 of Jute Sar paper. Rest of the time at leisure.

Free time at your leisure in the rest of day. Dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Factsheet for this day
Route: by private tuk tuk and boat
Luang Prabang - Kuang Sy waterfall: 45 mins/way
Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch on boat
Local Guide: Joint local English Speaking Guide

In this morning, you will pass the Mekong river by a local ferry towards Khmu village. make a short visit to Ban Chan pottery village if time allows. It is a rare chance to try your hand on creating beautiful pots from clay.

Along the way, you will pass by rustic villages, children playing together or farmers doing their work. Visit Ban Boum Xieng and observe the ethnic tradition and daily life. Continue drive to a Khmu family  and enjoy lunch with them.

In the afternoon, drive back to the Mekong river. Pay a visit to a less-visited site Wat Long Khun to explore its nice decorations. From here, taka a short transfer to Wat Tham Xieng Maen located in a limestone cave. Take your time to discover its Buddha images. You could also visit Wat Chom phet - This is an excellent spot for a panoramic view of the area as well as an excellent photo opportunity for a sunset shot.
Later today, you will be transferred to the airport for your Fly to Vientiane. Upon arrival, check in and free to relax. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Factsheet for this day
Route: by private car, local ferry and plane
Luang Prabang City - Khmu Village: 10 - 20 mins depending on availability of local ferry. Luang Prabang - Vientiane : 50 minute flying
Vientiane Airport - hotel: 8 km - 20 minute drive
Meals: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at local house
Local Guide: Private local English Speaking Guide

Today is devoted to explore the peaceful city of Vientiane, highlights included :

Vat Phra Keo - which was built in 1565 is one of the most impressive and interesting temples in Vientiane. It previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image.

Vat Sisaket - which is famous for not only its cloister wall storing thousands of tiny Buddha images but also its beautiful architecture and layout with history dated back to 1818.

Pha That Louang (built 1566, reconstructed 1930). It is the most important Laotian religious and national monument. The temple has an unique architecture reflecting Lao culture and identity, becoming a symbol of Lao nationalism.

Patuxay - The memorial monument -was built in 1957 and is the most prominent landmark in the city. The architecture of the monument was inspired by the architecture of Triomphe in Paris and combined with typical Lao motifs. From the top of the monument, you can see an excellent panoramic view of the city.

Talat Sao market where you can do some shopping.

In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to the famous Buddha Park, located 25km from the city. The park is home for over 200 statues of Buddha and characters of Hinduism made by concrete, especially the enormous Buddhist statue which is 40m in length propping its arm. Furthermore, there are many other statues in shapes of human, Godheads, animals and Lucifer. Visitors can get inside the enormous monuments in shape of a pumpkin through a monster’s mount which is 3 meters high. You can also visit all floors symbolizing for Hell, Underworld, and Heaven.
Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Factsheet for this day
Route: by private car
Vientiane City tour: around the city with short distance
Vientiane - Buddha Park: 35 km -45 minute drive
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Local Guide: Private local English Speaking Guide

In the early morning, we drive to the airport without guide to catch your short flight to Pakse. Upon arrival at Pakse airport, our guide and driver will pick you up and continue the trip to Bolaven Plateau, an area of highlands situated to the east of Pakse, home to various hilltribes, such as Lavens from which the region gets its name.

Stop at Tad Lo, home to three separate waterfalls featuring stunning drops of crystalline water. In the afternoon, continue to Tad Yuang& Tad Fane waterfalls, stopping en-route to visit a coffee and/or tea plantation. Overnight in Bolaven Plateau.

Factsheet for this day
Route: by private car and plane
Vientiane - Pakse: 1 hour 15 minute flying
Pakse - Bolaven: 120 km - 2.5 hour drive
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Local Guide: No guide in Vientiane. Private local English Speaking Guide in Pakse

This morning, leave Bolaven for 4000 islands. On the way, stop to visit Vat Phou Temple. Recorded on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Wat Phou is a stunning pre-angkorian temple built upon three levels.
You have some time to explore Ou Mong Ruins before drive to Khone Papheng - one of the most significant attractions of the 4000 islands. This 10 kilometer waterfall becomes the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia and considered the jewel of Laos.

Heading to the biggest island of Si Phan Done area - Don Khong. Enjoy the stunning views of water while relaxing at the pool of the hotel. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Factsheet for this day
Route: by private car
Bolaven - Khong Island: 250 km - 4-4.5 hour drive
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Local Guide: Private local English Speaking Guide

Today is devoted to explore the Don Det and Don Khone, two smaller islands which are considered the heaven of backpacker. Enjoy a boat trip along Mekong river, on the way you can see children of Mekong playing under water or the fishermen in their daily lives.

Take a bike to visit these two islands, which are linked by a bridge. Visit Ban Khone fishing village - where you could explore the ruins of French railway tracks and the beautiful Liphi Waterfall. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere in the islands and take awesome photos of the local life and natural beauty.

In the afternoon, we embark the motor boat again to visit Cambodian border where the famous Irrawaddy dolphins live. If you are lucky, you can see them playing and swim on the river.
Then return to Pakse for leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Factsheet for this day
Route: by private car and boat
Khong Island - Hotel in Pakse: 130 km - 2.5 - 3 hour drive
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Local Guide: Private local English Speaking Guide

Have breakfast at the hotel then enjoy a free morning before driving to the airport without guide to catch your departure flight home. Room is your disposal until noon only. Meals on your own. End of services.

Factsheet for this day
Route: by private car
Hotel - Pakse Airport: 6 km - 15 minute drive
Meals: Breakfast at hotel
Local Guide: No guide, only driver