Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane (Dinner)
Welcome to Vientiane
Upon arrival at Vientiane airport, our local representative will meet and welcome you. After check-in at your hotel, you can spend some time at your own leisure, such as taking a stroll and explore the city center, watching the locals go about their life. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant with traditional dance and folk songs, the best way to experience Lao culture.
Day 2: Vientiane (Breakfast, Lunch)
Vientiane's Highlights Tour
Start your day with a visit to Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. Proceed to Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. In the afternoon, see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop by to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well-known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. End the day with a spectacular sunset view over the Mekong River.
Day 3: Vientiane - Vang Vieng (Breakfast, Lunch)
Vang Vieng Nature Experience
Marvel at the breathtaking scenery as you pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. En route, visit the busy and colorful market of KM52 where various hill tribes gather to trade goods and buy provisions. If time permits, make a short photo stop at Hin Heup bridge and the fish market in Ban Tha Heua. Upon arrival at Vang Vieng, nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River, be amazed at its stunning scenery with limestone outcrops remaining unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. In the afternoon, pass through paddy field areas to head to Tham Phoukham caves, where you will be greeted by the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, explore the local cultures by greeting the villagers and learning about their lifestyle. You can take a refreshing swim in the natural pool in front of the caves or explore the nearby area, before transferring back to town via a leisurely boat ride along the Nam Song River while admiring the sun setting behind the mountains.
Day 4: Vang Vieng - Phonsavanh (Breakfast, Lunch)
Vang Vieng Scenic Experience
Explore the cave of Tham Jang, which was used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders, and now the most famous attraction in Vang Vieng. Cross the river to Ban Phathau, a pleasant village where you will discover the different local lifestyles. Start your expedition to Xieng Khuang, of which the roads are well-paved along the way for a smooth journey. Pass through stunning landscape with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages and make a few photo stops at some small hill tribe villages en route. Each hill tribe village in Laos has a different vibe; some are more prosperous than others, but all have plenty of life. Along the way, stop by the peak of Phou Phiengpha to admire the panoramic view over the mountainous area. Take a drive a little further to the T-Junction in Phoukhoun, before taking the right turn onto Xieng Khuang province. From there, the road will get a bit harder as it includes zigzagging mountain paths. Make some stops along the way to visit the local hill tribe villages or to stretch your legs.
Day 5: Phonsavanh - Xieng Khuang (Breakfast, Lunch)
Plain of Jars and Muang Khoun Experience
Explore Plain of Jars, a huge archaeological complex littered with 2000-year-old stone jars that are up to 3 or 4m tall. While it seems that they were carved into boulders, their true origin remains a mystery. Discover the 3 sites of Plain of Jars and some villages where you can observe village life. Close to Site 3 which is the most impressive with over 150 jars, you will visit Ban Xiengdi where there is a small monastery with Buddha images. On the way back, you will pass by areas that were important battlefields during the American secret war. Today, you can still see bomb craters from that time. Plain of Jars had been heavily bombed during the war, so you need to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines. In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day trip to Muang Khoun, one place in the old provincial capital that was not destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is also home to the unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lie in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.
Day 6: Xieng Khuang - Luang Prabang (Breakfast, Lunch)
Xieng Khuang Village Experience
Rise early to visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribe people barter and exchange merchandise. After breakfast at the hotel, take the direct transfer to Luang Prabang. Along the way, make numerous photo stops and enjoy the splendid scenery of mountains and forest. Drop by Tham Pra, which served as a hospital during the Indochina War before arriving in Phonsavanh. Visit Ban Phoudam village, where you can see the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony, before driving to the photo stop at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view prior to reaching Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Luang Prabang (Breakfast, Lunch)
Luang Prabang's Highlights Experience
Begin the day at the Royal Palace Museum, a royal palace that was the residence of the Laos royal family and now a museum that hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Take a leisurely cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, and head to Ban Xang Hai, a village famous for lao-lao, the traditional distilled rice whiskey. Continue to the mysteriousPak Ou Caves, two linked caves set high above the river and crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Upon return to the city, pay a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground representing classical Laotian architecture. Learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures at Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center (closed on Mondays). Admire the sunset at the peaceful Wat Prabath before immersing in the bustling atmosphere of the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people.
Day 8: Luang Prabang (Breakfast, Lunch)
Luang Prabang's Nature Experience
Join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alm-giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temples to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets. Following that, experience local life by visiting the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. The locals gather to barter their day’s catch from rice and vegetable to fish and chicken. After breakfast at the hotel, ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. If time permits, visit UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturdays and Sundays) where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos. Transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls, the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals. Spend the rest of the afternoon having a refreshing dip in the cool clear water or hiking to the top of the waterfalls. If time allows, walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls which are rarely visited by other tourists, and make a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers. End your day at Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center to admire top-quality fabrics produced by weavers, spinners and batik makers, and hopefully catch the sunset as this is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang.
Day 9: Departure from Luang Prabang (Breakfast, Lunch)
Elephant Experience
After breakfast at the hotel, your car and guide will take you to Elephant Village. On arrival, you will be welcome and greeting by the Camp Manager and participate in short briefing. After enjoying the impressive experience of approx. 30-minute elephant ride on the neck; take a return boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall and enjoy some time in the clear water. Have buffet lunch (served with coffee or tea and drinking water) at the Elephant Village Restaurant before proceeding to pay a visit to the tomb of the 19th century French explorer, Henri Mouhot; the first European to rediscover Angkor Wat and the Royal Kingdom of Luang Prabang. Take the departure transfer to Luang Prabang airport for homebound flight.
