With 9 Days you can visit all famous beauty spots from North to South of Laos. Visiting the major sights; 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, to the south to Done Khone Island and Don Khong Island, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands and it is one of the most scenic areas in Laos.
Destination
- Vientiane – Vang Vieng
- Xiengkhouang – Luang Prabang
- Ou cave – Khouangsi waterfall
- Pakse – Khong Island
Hightlight
- Visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau.
- The impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai
- The Khouangsi Waterfall setting really illustrates paradise
- Don Khone Island , one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the end of Lao border to Cambodia, also known as the Samphamith
Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B) (by road)
Day 3: Vang Vieng – Xieng Khuang (B) (by road)
Day 4: Xiengkhouang – Luang Prabang (B) (by road)
Day 5: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave – Khouangsi waterfall (B)
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Pakse – Khong Island (B) (by flight)
Day 7: Don Khone Island – Surrounding (B) (Boat)
Day 8: Don Khone Island - Tadlo – Pakse (B)
Day 9: Pakse – Departure (B)
Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane
On arrival at Wattay Airport, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. A city tour acquaints us with the capital and after a short rest, we start visiting the major sights; 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. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s ownArc de Triumph. Overnight in Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B) (by road)
We leave this wonderful town after breakfast for our journey northbound on route no. 13. We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. We make a stop along the way at Vang Xang, a famous archeological site dating back to the 11th century. We reach our final destination in the afternoon, the small and tranquil village of Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. On arrival at Vang Vieng, we cross the Nam Song River to Tham Jang caves and then enjoy a short trek through breathtaking mountain landscape to explore the Tam None Cave and some hill villages. Today ends with a superb panorama of the sunset reflecting over the Nam Song River. Overnight in Vang Vieng
Day 3: Vang Vieng – Xieng Khuang (B) (by road)
Today we will set off early driving up route 7TH north to Xieng Khuangg, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. We also have time, this afternoon seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Xieng Khaung
Day 4: Xiengkhouang – Luang Prabang (B) (by road)
Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hilltribe people barter and exchange merchandises. We then head out this small town towards Luang Prabang, enroute we stop off to see the Buddha images in Thampra, a site more than 200 years old, and various Hmong and hilltribe minority villages along the way. Really nice and friendly people welcome you to their villages. After a photo stop, we continue driving uphill, enjoying thesplendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape. After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, where the borders of Vientiane-Xiengkhouang-Luang Prabang meet as a TJunction. The journey will take us over mountainous regions until we approach Luang Prabang. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After checking into hotel, if time permits, we
visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles, made by the local people and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight at Luang Prabang
Day 5: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave – Khouangsi waterfall (B)
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.
AM: After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Seneand the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panaromic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk handweaving and for traditional Saa Paper making.
PM: We continue our excursion toward Khouangsi Waterfall, en route, we visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. The Khouangsi Waterfall setti really illustrates paradise. We return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Pakse – Khong Island (B) (by flight)
Today we visit The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating back from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. The National Museum and the Central Market are not to be missed. After visit these sights in the morning, we catch a flight to Pakse. On arrival at Pakse, we drive on the National Road No. 13th south to Done Khone Island and Don Khong Island. the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands and it is one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight in Don Khong Island
Day 7: Don Khone Island – Surrounding (B) (Boat)
After an early breakfast, we explore the local villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with it’s locomotive. We continue
discover the 4000 islands area by boat at our leisure to visit the Liphi waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the end of Lao border to Cambodia, also known as the Samphamith. If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia, known as Niagara of the east. Overnight in Don Khong Island
Day 8: Don Khone Island - Tadlo – Pakse (B)
Upon leaving Done Khong Island, we continue our journey towards Tadlo, through Boloven plateau. The Boloven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Rivers run off this high plateau in all directions and then plunge out to lush forests along in a series of spectacular surging waterfalls. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route. This trip gives visitors the chance to venture off the beaten track and to discover some of the lesser-known areas of Laos, exploring the wild beauty of this southern region. Upon arrival at Tad Lo waterfall, we visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu, populated by ethnic minority groups. We return to Pakse by late evening. Overnight in Pakse
Day 9: Pakse – Departure (B)
After breakfast; there will be free time for your own exploration of Pakse Town before catching a flight.
Trip Included:
- Private transportation in private air-conditioned
- Accommodation in twin shared
- Private boat trip as stated in above sights
- English speaking guide
- Admission fee to indicated sights
- Meals: daily breakfast at hotel
- Gov’t tax and service charge
- Luggage handling
- 2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour
- 2 cold tower per day during the tour
Trip excluded
- Visa stamping fee
- Domestic air ticket with airport tax
- Int’l air tickets to / from Laos
- Travel Insurance in all kinds
- Meals: lunch or dinner where not stated
- Single room (quoted separately)
- Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others
