North to South of Laos

Program Title: All Around Laos: North to South of Laos
Duration: 10 days 9 nights

Highlights

See the whole of Laos from North to South!
Discover the quiet beauty of Laos nature
Experience tea tasting and other unique Laos traditions
Wander through the relaxing streets of Luang Prabang
Enjoy many, many delicious local Laotian meals!

Included in package

All meals (local food)
English or Chinese speaking guide(s) / translator(s)
3 star hotel or similar accomodation
All entrance fees for activities
Transfers and transportation
Government Taxes and VAT

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Bor Tene – Luang Prabang (L,D)

Start the day off at Boten, near the border between Laos and China. Travel to Oudomxay for a nice local lunch, and enjoy strolling through the peaceful Mouang Xay city. Next, see the hill tribe villages and interact with local farmers while breathing in the beautiful views of Northern Laos.

Day 2: Luang Prabang highlight (B,L,D)

Rise early for a morning trip to the Wat Visounnarat temple. Built by King Visounnarat in 1512, the temple boasts the biggest Buddha statue in Luang Prabang and with over 400 wooden Buddha statues of different ages. Continue your cultural exploration with the royal temple of Wat Xieng Thong, significant in showcasing the architectural style of Laos. See the mosaic mirrors in temples and chapels that describes the Laos life, history, and religious culture.

Enjoy a local lunch, and start your next journey to the National Museum which was previously the Royal Palace of Laos. Built in 1904 by the French as a present for the Royal family, the structure perfectly highlights the Laos Royal history. Next, hike up 328 steps to the Chomsy mountain where you can enjoy the stunning view of Luang Prabang. End the day making great deals shopping at the Luang Prabang Night Market, all under the moonlight.

Day 3: Pak Ou cave – Khuangxi waterfall or elephant riding – Khuangxi waterfall (B,L,D)

This morning, travel to the Old Quarter, the UNESCO World Heritage part of Luang Prabang, for a Buddhist fruit offering experience to local monks. A tradition that started thousands of years ago, locals believe that offering food to monks is the chance to pass food to their ancestors, relatives, and friends that have passed.

Two routes are offered this day:

* Option One: Boat trip to Pak Ou cave – Whisky village – Paper village
Cruise down Mekong River to Pak Ou Cave, a majestic limestone cliff that contains thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. Following the sightseeing, enjoy a relaxing lunch by the river. Then, prepare for a visit to the Ban Xang Kong “paper village” known for traditional paper making with a diverse variety of barks and leafs, weaving with natural dyes, and the production of silk cotton and natural paper products. This is an authentic and fun filled shopping opportunity with the wonderful array of high quality textiles, dresses, bags, and scarves!

* Option Two: Elephant riding – Khuangsi waterfall
Have a close encounter with elephants at an elephant conservation. You will be able to ride and feed the elephant, as well as watch it bathe. Then, after a local lunch, move to Khuangsi waterfall. Feel the turquoise blue water created by the multiple layers of limestone as you swim. Enjoy the afternoon swimming and exploring the big forest surrounding the waterfall. After the swim, walk to the Bear Rescue Center where you can learn and discover more about the endangered Asian Black Moon Bears.

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vangvieng (B,L,D)

Today, you will travel from Luang Prabang to Vangvieng, a small riverside town in Central Laos. Learn about Lao minorities and lifestyle all the while enjoying the nice views. See the Khmu and Hmong ethnic minority villages on the way, where you will interact with locals and learn about the agriculture industry. End the day dining at a local restaurant by the Namsong river.

Day 5 : Vangvieng Highlight (B,L,)

Spend the day seeing the highlights of Vangvieng. Surrounded by high limestone mountains and by the Namsong river, the town is home to many exciting restaurants, bars, pubs, and night clubs. There are also many outdoor activities to do including kayaking, rafting, tubing, trekking, caving, rock climbing, biking, and ziplining as well.

Today, you can zipline in the morning, and spend the afternoon kayaking and swimming. The day is yours to relax by the Namsong river bank!

Day 6: Vangvieng – Nam Ngeum dam – Vientiane (B,L)

Continue your adventure travelling to the Nam Gneum dam, the largest dam in Laos. A crucial source of energy in Laos, it is now also a big tourist attraction for water activities. Take a cruise around the reservoir where you will enjoy fresh river fish food for lunch. Next, prepare for the Ban Kern Lao National Zoo to see a variety of Southeast Asian animals. End the day at Vientiane, also known as the sleepiest city in Asia.

Day 7: Visit mirror Buddha hall – Wat Sisaket – Patuxay – Thad Luang Sptupa and Wat Xieng khuan (B,L,D)

Begin the day visiting the Wat Sisaket Temple, one with over 4000 small Buddha statues. Stroll through the temple and take in the spiritual energy of Buddhism. Then, see the Hor Phakeo Hall (Mirror Buddha Hall) and the magnificent Patuxay war monument where independence celebrations are held. Climb to the top of the monument, you will be able to soak in the Vientiane capital in 360 degrees. Move on to the Thad Luang Stupa. At 45 meters high, it is the largest stupa in Laos and a place for Laotian ceremonies.

Enjoy a local lunch and head to Wat Xieng Khuan, next to the Laos-Thai friendship bridge.

Day 8: Vientiane – Pakse (B,L)

Today, you will travel by car to the South of Laos. Stopping occasionally for sceneries and lunch at a local Thakaek restaurant. You will arrive at Pakse, the main city of Champasak province, famous for the ancient Wat Phou archaelogical site, waterfalls, and coffee!

By Phillip Maiwald (Nikopol) [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Day 9: Pakse highlight (B,L,D)

After breakfast, you will travel Southwest to visit Wat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Champasak. Built in the 7th-12th century by King Xayvoramane, it is designed in both Khmer and Hinduism style. Spend some time here to give your offerings to angels, and enjoy the ancient beauty of the temples. Following the stroll, go to Borliven plateau, home to many ethnic minority cultures, for tea and coffee tasting. Enjoy a local lunch, and continue travelling to Nyuang waterfall for a laid-back afternoon swim near the Tad Fan waterfall – the highest in Laos.

Spend your last evening exploring the unique city of Pakse!

Day 10: Pakse – Airport (B)

Your guide and driver will transfer you to the Pakse International Airport for your flight forward. Safe flight and wish you a happy journey home!

Interested? Send us an enquiry!