Trip Overview
Laos Discovery tour will take you from the alluring sunset cruise in Luang Prabang, to the timeless natural beauties of Nong Khiaw. From the amazing cruise along the Nam Ou River from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw, which is no doubt the most beautiful part of the lazy Nam Ou River to the cruise exploring the mysteries of 4000 Island area. From Muang La to Done Daeng are the two most beautiful resorts of Laos. All makes your unique tour unforgettable!
Group Tour: Yes!
Dates: As you wish
Starts/Ends: Luang Prabang – Pakse (or overland to Cambodia)
Tour Type: Landscape & Adventure
Tour Tailor-Made: Absolutely Yes!
Itinerary
Day 01: Welcome to Luang Prabang - Laos
Day 02: Luang Prabang – City Tour
Day 03: Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfall
Day 04: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Pakbeng
Day 05: Pakbeng – Oudomxay – Luang Namtha
Day 06: Luang Namtha - Muang Sing
Day 07: Muang Sing - Muang La
Day 08: Muang La - Trekking Pak Khai and Ban Phavie
Day 09: Muang La - Muang Khua – Muang Ngoy
Day 10: Muang Ngoy - Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang
Day 11: Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang - Plain of Jars
Day 12: Phonsavan - Vang Vieng
Day 13: Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Day 14: Vientiane - Kong Lor Cave
Day 15: Kong Lor Cave – Pakse
Day 16: Pakse – Wat Phou – 4000 Islands
Day 17: 4000 Islands – Bolaven Plateau – Paksong
Day 18: Paksong - Departure
Day 01: Welcome to Luang Prabang - Laos
Sabaidee!
Welcome to the beautiful country of Laos! On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel. You are free before transferring to a local family to enjoy a private Baci ceremony after sunset. The Baci ceremony as a traditional ritual of the Lao people expresses the spirituality of the country and is a highly memorable experience and a deep insight into Lao culture for the participants.
We then transfer back to the city center to have the first taste of Lao foods at one of the best restaurants in Luang Prabang. The tour ends here and you go for a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight at Houny Vilai Hotel 4* in Luang Prabang
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: dinner
Day 02: Luang Prabang – City Tour
After breakfast walking to Morning Market, a bustling thoroughfare where you can buy anything from fresh frogs to brightly colored vegetables...
From the busy market, you can go to Wat Mai, one of the city most ornate monasteries, and Wat Visoun, a temple dating back to the 16th century famous for its large stupa and its collection of antique gilded Buddhas.
Next destination is the former King Palace, where you can learn about Luang Prabang past and present. The old Wat Xieng Thong temple is close by. It has a beautiful low, sweeping roof. It is the most famous and well-known monastery in Luang Prabang.
After lunch at a local restaurant, drive out of the city to visit Ban Xang khong, the Thai Lue village known for its arts and crafts. We also go to Ban Xieng lek, a nearby village that is known for making traditional Sa paper.
Go back to the city and take a short walk around the small roads to see the traditional wooden house of Heuan Chan, which is 100 years old and is called the Chantal wooden house.
Visit the Traditional Art and Ethnology Centre (TAEC), which is the only independent resource center in Laos that is focused on the many different ethnic groups that live there. If you have time, you can visit the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center. It is near the Mekong and has a beautiful, traditional style. Weavers, spinners, and batik makers work there to make high-quality fabrics. Free tours are given every half hour. In the following, we climb to the top of Mount Phousi, the highest point in the city, where you can see the city and the Mekong River over the city.
Overnight at Houny Vilai Hotel 4* in Luang Prabang
o Assistance: private guide and driver
o Meals included: dinner
Day 03: Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfall
After breakfast, we leave Luang Prabang and head to the valley just to the southeast of the city. Following our drive, we reach Long Lao Village, the starting point of our hike. 9 km trekking, it is taking about 4-5 hour. This village is home to both Khmu and Hmong, and we may learn about their cultures and ways of life before setting off on our trip.
Get on your feet and keep exploring the Lao countryside outside of Luang Prabang, which is surrounded by mountains. Before reaching the wooded mountains with rather wild jungle scenery and some graded climbs, hikers will pass through a variety of agricultural landscapes, such as orchards, rice farms, and vegetable gardens.
After the lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall in the afternoon. After a thrilling hike through the forest, well reach our destination: the cool waters of Kuang Si Waterfall, where we may swim and relax.
There is a bear rescue center at the Kuang Si Waterfall park that you should check out. Learn more about the Asian sun and moon bears and the Free the Bears initiative. When the afternoon is passed, we drive back. In the late afternoon, you arrive at Luang Prabang.
Overnight at Houny Vilai Hotel 4* in Luang Prabang
o Assistance: private guide and driver
o Meals included: dinner
Day 04: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Pakbeng
After breakfast, we make our way to the pier. We will visit Pak Ou Caves, commonly known as the Thousand Buddha Caves. They are a popular tourist destination in Laos because of their convenient location at the meeting point of the Mekong and Ou rivers.
Each of the two massive limestone caverns that make up the sanctuary has its own set of stairs leading to it: Tham Ting, the bottom cavity, and Tham Theung, the upper cavity.
People from all over the world have been making the trek to the Pak Ou caves for hundreds of years to worship and leave behind a gift of a Buddha picture as a token of their devotion. As a result of this custom, thousands of Buddha statues ranging in size from a few centimeters to nearly 2 meters and depicting the Buddha in a wide variety of styles and spiritual poses (mudras), from meditation to ascent to nirvana, may be found today in both cavities. Throughout the way, we get a glimpse of the traditional rural environment and way of life in Laos.
The next stop is Ban Baw and on the ways be long the Mekong River we will visit Khmu minority tribe transfer to Slow boat on the Mekong River to Pakbeng lunch in the boat it is take about 8 hour travel on boat in plenty of time to check into your accommodation before nightfall.
Overnight at Le grand hotel 4* in Pak Beng
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 05: Pakbeng – Oudomxay – Luang Namtha
Enjoy your breakfast, and start your day with a trip to the Pakbeng market, where a fascinating look into the lives of the hill tribes.
After that, we take a different route to Luang Namtha through the northern mountains and jungles of Laos.
The villages of Oudomxay province, home to 23 ethnic groups including the Hmong and Khmu, will be our frequent stops along the trip. Further travel to Luang Namtha resumes. Get your hotel and relax.
Overnight at Pou Villa Resort in Luang Namtha
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 06: Luang Namtha - Muang Sing
Transfer in the morning to Muang Sing, the district namesake, and the border between Laos, Myanmar, and China.
People from the Tai Lue and Tai Neua minorities live in the valley, while the Akha populate the surrounding hills. The elevation of the surrounding mountains ranges from 500 to 2000 meters.
Several hill tribe settlements, the stupa Chieng Tung, and visits of the towns of Ban Nam Ded and Ban Nam Mai are on the itinerary for after lunch.
After that, you be transferred to your guesthouse in Muang Sing for the night.
Overnight at Houn Meun hotel in Muang Sing.
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 07: Muang Sing - Muang La
The trip to Muang Sing village follows breakfast.
Soon after, we start making our way to Muang La, the rural community where the Pha Chiao Sing Kham temple stands as the undisputed center of village life. When you get to Muang La in the afternoon, head straight to the inn. After that, we go sightseeing in the neighborhood to learn more about the customs of the local Khmu people. The next stop will be the Phra Chao Song Kham shrine, a popular destination for local worshippers.
Overnight at Muang La Loge in Muang La.
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 08: Muang La - Trekking Pak Khai and Ban Phavie
Early in the morning, we head to Pak Khai following a route that offers beautiful views of the Pak Nam River, terraced rice paddies, and small riverside villages. We begin our trek following the stream through the lush vegetation. During the hike, we meet local people engaged in typical local activities: working in the rice fields, hunting, and fishing in the stream. We continue into the rainforest and after approximately 1h30′ we reach the hilltop village of Ban Phavie, inhabited by the Khmu tribe.
In the afternoon we visit the waterfalls in the surrounding area where we enjoy a refreshing swim, weather permitting, lulled by the gentle breeze and the peaceful natural setting.
In the mid-afternoon, let’s start the journey back to Muang La.
Overnight at Muang La Loge in Muang La.
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 09: Muang La - Muang Khua – Muang Ngoy
We board a traditional boat at the pier in Muang Khua after breakfast and travel down the river to Muang Ngoy. As we make our way slowly down the Nam Ou River, we get to take in the breathtaking landscape of this relatively undiscovered region of Laos and observe the tranquility with which the villagers go about their daily routines.
We get to Ban Sop jam, a little town, around the afternoon.
After settling at the inn, we go explore the nearby community.
Overnight at Bungalow in Moung Ngoy.
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 10: Muang Ngoy - Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang
We will travel to Nong Khiaw by local boat, we continue on the gorgeous journey to Luang Prabang. We detour to see the Thai Lui minority village of Ban Na Yang on the way there.
Checking into our accommodation in the afternoon upon our arrival in Luang Prabang.
Overnight at Houy Vilai hotel 4* in Luang Prabang
o Assistance: private guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 11: Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang - Plain of Jars
We move to Xieng Khouang, where the fabled plain of jars is located. The trail is beautiful and true to the natural beauty of Laos. This is a somewhat undiscovered destination, so you won’t often see other travelers. The transfer takes a little longer than necessary because there are a few pauses along the way for tourists to take pictures.
We arrived at the Plain of Jars, a massive archaeological site where hundreds of huge jars are strewn across the plateau. This is an intriguing archaeological site that we plan to explore. A huge region stretching from the southwest to the northeast around Phonsavanh. Around 300 enormous stone jars, seemingly carved out of solid rock, are strewn about the plateau, adding to the plateau mystique and apparent antiquity. The Plain of Jars may weigh up to six tons and measure 1.25 meters in height. The jars are thought to be between two and three thousand years old, and their function has been the subject of much speculation. US bombings from 1964–1973 left scars on the plateau.
Before checking into your Phonsavanh hotel, let visit Ban Na Pia (War Spoon Village). Relax
for the rest of the day.
Overnight at Vansana hotel in Phonsavan.
o Assistance: private guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 12: Phonsavan - Vang Vieng
After a full breakfast, we go to Phonsavan vibrant market to mingle with residents of the area many tribal communities. Vang Vieng is our next stop. Vang Vieng is more of a huge village than a town, and its main attractions are the stunning karst terrain and the mysterious caves, some of which have names that appear again in local mythology and are said to be home to spirits. The transfer takes us through some stunning scenery that provides a glimpse into the hill tribes way of existence. Stop at Thampra to see a Buddha picture that was erected over 200 years ago, as well as some Hmong minority settlements. As soon as we get to Vang Vieng, we head straight to Tham Chang Cave, the most well-known and storied of all the caves in the area. In the past, it served as an unassailable safe haven from the terrible attacks of northern Chinese predators. Now that the upper cave has electricity, visitors can glimpse the breathtaking scenery and the Nam Song River via a crack in the limestone wall.
Overnight at Amari hotel 4* in Vang Vieng
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 13: Vang Vieng - Vientiane
We depart for Laos tranquil capital of Vientiane on the Mekong River in the early morning.
As soon as we arrive in Vientiane, we set out to see the city top attractions, including Wat Si Saket, which is famous for its thousands of pictures of Buddha and which, locals believe, safeguarded the temple from the Siamese invasion in 1828.
The next stops are the That Luang Stupa, considered the most important landmark in Laos, and the ancient temple of Wat Haw Phrakeo, which was constructed in 1865 to hold the famous Emerald Buddha. Locals believe that a relic of the Buddha was transported to the area in the third century BC, and it is kept in the latter.
We conclude our visits to Vientiane in the day at the Patuxay or ‘Laotian Gate of Triumph ‘the monument dedicated to the fallen of all wars.
Overnight at Sure stay hotel 4* in Vientiane
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 14: Vientiane - Kong Lor Cave
We go to Khammouane, a province in the heart of Laos, in the morning after breakfast. On the route, we stop by the fascinating Ban Ton Na Mae Hmong market.
For the entire ride, picturesque limestone mountains, little towns, and fields of rice serve as a backdrop. We pull over at the Khoun Kham viewpoint so that you can take in the breathtaking views.
After arriving in Ban Kong Lor, we take a small boat over the 7-kilometer-long river into the amazing Kong Lor cave. The roughly 100-meter-high cave gradually engulfs us in its pitch- blackness.
As we quietly make our way inside the cave, we can see the walls that the water has carved over millions of years thanks to the beacon on our boat. This is just a glimpse of the spectacular and massive stalactites and stalagmites we be able to view on foot halfway through our journey.
Overnight at SpringRiver Resort in Kong Lor
o Assistance: private tour guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 15: Kong Lor Cave – Pakse
The trip to the southern Laotian provinces will resume after breakfast.
After arriving in Savanakhet, we take in the sights of the French Quarter, the stupa That Inhang, and the Soundra Salt Factory. We spend the afternoon in Don Khor, a village famous for its exquisite Buddhist temple carvings. You should then proceed to Bolaven Plateau
Overnight at Champassak grand hotel 4* in Pakse
o Assistance: private guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 16: Pakse – Wat Phou – 4000 Islands
After you breakfast in the hotel than we will drive to visit Wat Phou on the way we will visit some remote minority tribes.
Wat Phou was a part of the Khmer Empire centered on Angkor to the Southwest, at least as early as the reign of Yasovarman in the early 10th century.
During the decline of the Khmer empire in the 14th century, its people migrated to the river and around various sacred natural sites such as mountains. Springs or rivers that are of a religions and mystical symbolism still today.
Khone Phapheng waterfall is the great sightseeing in southern of Laos. It is high for an attraction in Laos, absolutely fantastic experience visiting Khone Phapheng falls, the sheer power and beauty of the falls surrounding lush greenery added to the magical atmosphere. The amount of water moving through rapids is amazing and the history connected to the falls is also interesting.
Then we will take a slow boat across the Mekong River to Don Det is an island in the Mekong River (Four Thousand islands) archipelago in Champasak Province of southern of Laos.
Our afternoon excursion takes us to Li Phi Falls, also called Samphamith Falls, which serves as a de facto border between Laos and Cambodia.
The remains of the day are at your leisure to further explore around Don Det.
Overnight at Seng Ahloune Resort in Don Det
o Assistance: private guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel, lunch, dinner
Day 17: 4000 Islands – Bolaven Plateau – Pakson
The next destination of our trip will be Bolaven Plateau. After your meal in the hotel starting our journey at 09:00am, enjoy your wonderful drive and safety to visit minority groups. This will give you a great opportunity to see all of Bolaven Plateau is famous and coffee plantations, exploring waterfalls and ethnic tribes. Learn about the history and culture from people who live there, while exploring one of the most beautiful areas southern of Laos.
On our way we pass many lush plantations, hills, forests and villages. Part of our pleasure of travelling in this region is to observe the beautiful countryside and meet local people. We stop over at some of the nearby villages, home of the Kato hilltribe group. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly; welcoming you with waving hands and smiling faces. These ethnic minorities still retain their age and old cultural traditions and are recognizably distinct from each other by their dress. We continue our journey through the Paksong and 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. The scenery around Tad Fan waterfall is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to see the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that are grown in the area. 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.
Overnight at Sabaidee Valley Resort in Pak Song
o Assistance: private guide and driver
o Meals included: breakfast in hotel
Day 18: Pak Song - Departure
Start your day with a tasty breakfast at your hotel.
Free time to do some shopping and explore around before transferring to Pakse airport in time for your departure flight.
END OF TRIP
Tour includes:
• Tours and transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
• 2 mineral water/ day/ pax
• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• Private English-speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary with local foods (B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral Water and towel
• Government taxes & Service charges
Tour excludes:
• International airfare and airport tax
• Visa in Laos (available at the airport at 30 USD)
• Personal travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills.
• Tips and gratuities