7 Days / 6 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 – Pakse
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 one-hour 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. End the evening by enjoying an authentic Lao dinner while listening to the gentle sounds of traditional Lao music in a cozy indoor bistro or al fresco courtyard at the 3 Nagas Restaurant in the city centre.
Day 2: Luang Prabang City and Kuang Si Waterfall Tour
Spend your first morning in Luang Prabang 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 panoramic views of the city.
To cool down after the brisk hike, travel a short distance to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls where you can swim in its pristine emerald pools. On the way to the falls, we will stop at the Living Craft Center to learn about the most popular weaving techniques in Laos. At the waterfalls, the conservation centre named Sun Bear Reserve, will also grab your attention for their impressive efforts in rescuing these furry creatures from the wildlife trade. On the way back stop at H’mong local village to observe their simple and traditional lifestyle.
Day 3: Luang Prabang Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves
Hop aboard your boat for a comfortable ride to the Pak Ou Caves which sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. Make a short stop on the way to a local village to see weaving still being practised on ancient wooden looms. The Pak Ou Caves consist of two limestone caves that are also revered Buddhist shrines, where locals come to pray and make merit, by leaving behind a statue of Buddha. Take a short walk from the caves to a nearby village where we will enjoy a simple lunch, before cruising downstream back to Luang Prabang early in the afternoon.
Day 4: Fly to Pakse, Visit Bolaven Plateau
After breakfast at the hotel, avail our airport transfer to catch a flight to Pakse. In this laid-back provincial capital of Champasack province, you can still see traces of colonial French architecture.
On the way to Pakse from the local airport, visit the Bolaven Plateau that boasts some of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls and grows its best coffee. The plateau is in an ancient volcano which erupted a millennia ago and is full of lush vegetation, rich soil and a year-round temperate climate that is the perfect for growing Arabica and Robusta coffee. See magnificent waterfalls, ethnic villages and enjoy the area’s refreshingly cool climate – a rarity in Southeast Asia!
Day 5: Pakse-Wat Phou Ruins Full Day Tour
Travel to the ancient ruins of Wat Phou temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that pre-dates Cambodia’s famous Angkor Wat by a couple of hundred years. Although it is a smaller site in comparison, climbing Vat Phou’s stairs in the shade of frangipani trees, while gazing down on a landscape of undisturbed nature and pristine forests gives the place a mystical aura and makes it a worthwhile visit. According to historians, Wat Phou is also one of the world’s best examples of the planning and engineering of a landscape that reflects the religious Hindu beliefs and economic approaches of an ancient Khmer kingdom.
Day 6: 4,000 Islands Full Day Tour
After your breakfast, cruise down past the tiny islands dotted throughout the Si Phan Don Archipelago to feast your eyes at the mammoth Khone Phapeng and Li Phi Falls, the largest waterfalls in Asia, situated on the very southern tip of Laos.
Day 7: Pakse – Departure
Once you finish breakfast, our driver and guide will drop you off at Pakse airport for your onward journey.
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
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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.