Laos Packages: Embark on a Grand Tour of Charming Laos

Itinerary

Day 1: Luang Prabang – Discover the National Museum.

Upon arriving at the airport, transfer and check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, take a trip to the National Museum (formerly the Royal Palace) and browse its collection of personal artifacts from the Lao Royal Family. Then, head on over to Vat Mai Temple, which was home to a Buddhist patriarch before 1975. Lastly, make your way up Phousi Hill to witness the spectacular sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Welcome a day full of Culture.

After a delicious breakfast, tour Vat Xieng Thong. This temple is known to be the prettiest temple in Luang Prabang, showcasing majestic, low sweeping roofs. Climb aboard a conventional riverboat for a two-hour journey up the Mekong River until you reach Pak Ou, where the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers join. Visit the esteemed Tham Ting and Tham Phum caves, which house hundreds of Buddha statues. Make a stop at Ban Xang Hai village en route to sample some homemade sticky rice wine. After the tour, take the road back to Luang Prabang, stopping at Ban Xang Khong weaving village to observe the production of traditional mulberry leaf paper. Make sure to admire the beautiful sunset on the Mekong River at Vat Prabath Tai.

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Day 3: Luang Prabang – Uncover the Khouang Sy Waterfalls.

After a tasty breakfast, explore the breath-taking Khouang Sy Waterfalls, hidden deep in a lavish tropical forest. Along the way, there will be stops at different hill tribe villages, like the H’Mong community at Ban Thinkeo, the Khmu village of Ban Thapaene, and the Lao Loum village of Ban Xom, which is renowned for its cotton production. After embracing the mesmerising waterfalls, return to Luang Prabang and wander around the bustling H’Mong market.

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Day 4: Discover Vang Vien

Depart for Vang Vieng after breakfast and enjoy the amazing views of limestone karsts. Make a few stops at villages on the way and reach Vang Vieng for lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring the Vang Vieng Caves. Vang Vieng Caves are a network of more than 20 caves hidden in the hills of central Laos. These amazing underground caverns offer an exciting and unique experience for tourists in search of adventure! Visiting the caves is a great way to explore the rural and mountainous terrain of the area, and to explore the unique culture and history of Laos.

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Day 5: Uncover Vientiane

After enjoying your breakfast, embark on a 3-hour drive to Vientiane. This destination sits along the banks of the Mekong River, the largest river in Southeast Asia, and is the capital of one of the least visited countries in the world. The city is filled with colonial-style buildings, a mix of traditional Lao and Chinese-Vietnamese architecture, and plenty of interesting sights and activities. Once at the Laotian capital, take the afternoon to explore the sites including the Vat Sisaket temple which dates to 1818 and is the only remaining temple from the 1828 Thai invasion, the Ho Phrakeo Chapel, home to the Emerald Buddha from the time of the Lane Xang Kingdom, and the Patouxai and That Luang stupa.

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Day 6: Embrace a boat cruise along the Hinboun River.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, travel South of Laos and explore the untouched natural areas of Laos. Make a stop at Pakxan to take in the views before continuing to the Sala Hinboun hotel near the river, surrounded by limestone cliffs. Spend the rest of the afternoon taking a boat cruise on the Hinboun river to the Kong Lor cave, a 7.5km long impressive river cave. This cave is perhaps one of the most exciting and beautiful places to visit in the country. The cave is positioned between lush limestone mountains, between two small villages of Ban Na Hin and Ban Kong Lo.

Kong Lor cave is also very important to the local people who inhabit the area due to its significance in their spiritual life. It is believed to be the home of a spirit or ‘Naga’ that protects the people from floods and other natural disasters.

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Day 7: Explore Savannakhet.

Start by heading south to Savannakhet. You will drive next to the Mekong and find yourself weaving between plantations and hills. On your journey to Savannakhet, you will stop by the historic Thakhek, a border town with Thailand, to view the ramparts and French-built houses. Here you can discover the 9th century Sikhotang Stupa. After, discover Pha Tha Inghang, commissioned by King Sumihatham 200 years ago and take some time to explore Savannakhet’s villas and colonial atmosphere.

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Day 8: Uncover Phu Xieng Thong National Park.

After a filling breakfast, keep heading south through Laos until you arrive at Phu Xieng Thong National Park. Phu Xieng Thong National Park is a jewel of northern Laos, known for its unique plant life, diverse wildlife, and rare bird species. The most remarkable feature of the park is the dreamlike landscape of rugged mountains, dense forests, and spectacular waterfalls. The atmosphere and silence make it a perfect spot for relaxation and rejuvenation. Take a gentle walk in the woodland here, before arriving in Pakse in the later part of the afternoon.

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Day 9: Visit villages of the Yaheune ethnic groups.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, explore the morning market of Pakse – one of Laos’ largest markets. After, start your drive to gorgeous Bolovens Plateau. Along the journey, take the chance to explore the unique Yaheune, Lavai, and Katu communities, where you can witness the inhabitants’ deepest ancestral traditions and animist beliefs. Then, visit a coffee plantation which supplies the area with freshly roasted coffee beans. After, you will discover Tad Fan waterfalls, one of the area’s greatest attractions. Complete your journey by checking in at the Tad Fane resort and spend the night in a bungalow situated on a hill, with magnificent views of the bellowing waterfalls below.

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Day 10: Travel to Don Khong – Embrace a local Ferry Ride.

Start your journey after breakfast by driving back to Road 13 and heading South to Champassak. Before reaching this destination, you can experience a local ferry boat ride across the beautiful Mekong to uncover the iconic Vat Phou Temple. Constructed during the 9th and 12th centuries, this temple served as the origin of Khmer civilization, which preceded Angkor Wat. First a Hindu site, it boasts sculptures of Shiva, known as lingam, and harboured a library. As it underwent a transition from Hinduism to Buddhism in the 16th century, a picturesque pond with a walkway leading to the palace with its lingam structures was added. Climb the steep stairs for an incredible view of the valley before heading back to the pier and crossing the Mekong to Si Phan Done, the “4000 Islands” region. Finally, hop on a ferry boat to Don Khong to conclude your memorable journey.

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Day 11: A Long-Tail Riverboat cruise to Khone Phapeng.

Board a long-tail riverboat after breakfast and take a cruise through Siphandone ‘The 4,000 Islands,’ a tropical paradise. Amazingly, during the rainy season, the Mekong River can become a staggering 14km wide. When the waters recede, they leave behind a wealth of islands and islets. Today you can explore Khone Island and unlock its colonial past. Discover the old French railway from 1897 designed to detour the impassable rapids obstructing the Mekong River. After, visit the Liphi Waterfall where an endangered colony of Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins reside. Then, before the evening, drive back to the mainland and check in at the Khone Phapheng Resort.

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Day 12: Discover the Khone Phapeng Waterfalls.

Today you will uncover the serene Khone Phapeng Waterfalls – the largest cascade on the Mekong River. The waterfalls are a popular tourist attraction and it is home to many species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Visitors can take day trips to this stunning location for breath-taking views and a chance to explore nature. A hike along the trails is a great way to get a closer look at the beauty and serenity of the waterfalls.

After exploring this serene destination, travel onwards to Ban Khiet Ngong village, populated by the Suay ethnic group. Here you can take an elephant ride through the primitive jungle and explore the mysterious ruins of Phou Asa Temple. After, make your way to Pakse airport for your departure flight.

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