5 Days / 4 Nights
A classic Laos itinerary covering the highlights of UNESCO World Heritage site Luang Prabang and the capital Vientiane. Perfect for first-time visitors to Laos.
Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw
Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang
Upon arrival, your guide and driver will be waiting at Luang Prabang International airport to transfer you to your hotel. As the sun sets over the majestic Mekong River, take a walking tour of Luang Prabang’s night market, that sells an eclectic mix of colourful fabrics, quilts, baskets, ceramics, clothing, and handmade paper, which make for great souvenirs. This market is open from sunset until 10pm.
Day 2: Luang Prabang Alms Giving and City Tour and Pak Ou Cave Tour
Wake up at the crack of dawn and visit a nearby temple to witness one of Luang Prabang’s most spiritual rituals. See the daily procession of close to 300 monks who walk by collecting alms (sticky rice and other food) from devotees to sustain them the entire day. The early morning is also the perfect time to stroll through Luang Prabang’s morning market where you will see the locals haggling for fresh meat, fruit and vegetables before exploring many of the former royal capital’s cultural highlights.
Visit Wat Xieng Thong, one of the largest and most important Lao temples, and Wat Mai, which stands out for its beautiful, gilded facade. Then continue to the former Royal Palace, which is now the National Museum, with its halls containing rare religious and cultural artefacts. Next, climb 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi and enjoy 360-degree views of the city.
In the afternoon travel by boat along the majestic Mekong River to visit the Pak Ou Caves. The caves are home to hundreds of statues of Buddha, that have been left there by devotees. On your way back have lunch and relax at a local restaurant on the banks of the river. Next, we stop at a riverside village to see weavers working on ancient looms before returning to town by the evening.
Day 3: Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw Transfer
Travel from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw which will take approximately three hours. Enroute visit Ban Na Yang, a Thai ethnic village outside Luang Prabang that specialises in cotton production and indigo natural dyeing. Explore the historic Tham Pha Tok Caves and check into your accommodation in Nong Khiaw.
Day 4: Sightseeing in Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi
After having breakfast at the hotel take a two-hour boat trip to Muang Ngoi. Muang Ngoi is a small peaceful village in the middle of a very beautiful landscape with impressive rock cliffs and caves, including the Tham Kang Cave which is a 40- minute walk away. Follow the dirt road from the riverbank and continue as it intersects the town’s main road and exits the town. Continue until you reach the Tham Kang caves, which served as bomb shelters during the Vietnam War era. Return to your Nong Khiaw accommodation for the night.
Day 5: Hike to Phou Pha Deng Viewpoint and Transfer to Luang Prabang
Following breakfast, we will hike to Phou Pha Deng Viewpoint, from which guests can see the incredible view of the city and surrounding valley. Once we complete the trek, the group will travel back from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang marking the end of this tour.
12 day / 11 night itinerary
Hanoi – Sapa – Mai Chau – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay
12 day / 11 night itinerary
Hanoi – Sapa – Mai Chau – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay
12 day / 11 night itinerary
Hanoi – Sapa – Mai Chau – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay
and stay at the forefront of new product offerings, Discova behind-the-scenes, destination news, travel trends and thought leadership articles from our on-the-ground experts.
© 2024 Discova. All rights reserved.
and stay at the forefront of new product offerings, Discova behind-the-scenes, destination news, travel trends and thought leadership articles from our on-the-ground experts.