. Daily departure from Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Pakse
Laos Highlights - 8 days
Itinerary Overview
DAY 1: VIENTIANE ARRIVAL
DAY 2: VIENTIANE / PAKSE / VAT PHOU / KHONG ISLAND
DAY 3 PAKSE / TADFANE / UBON RATCHATANI - PAKSE
DAY 4: PAKSE / LUANG PRABANG
DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG / KHOUANG SY / LUANG PRABANG
DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG / PAK OU / LUANG PRABANG
DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG - FREE AND EASY
DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE
Itinerary
. Daily departure from Vientiane, Pakse or Luang Prabang
Full Itinerary
DAY 1: VIENTIANE ARRIVAL
Meet upon arrival, transfer and check-in at your hotel.
In the afternoon, visit Vat Sisaket, the only original temple in Vientiane (built in 1818 - it is the sole survivor of a Thai invasion in 1828), the Ho Phrakeo, the former Royal Chapel where an Emerald Buddha at the early time of the Lane Xang Kingdom was enshrined, the Patouxai and That Luang stupa. Overnight in Vientiane.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
DAY 2: VIENTIANE / PAKSE / VAT PHOU / KHONG ISLAND
After breakfast, early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse. Meet upon arrival at Pakse airport, transfer to the pier and board a traditional riverboat for a 2-hour cruise downstream the Mekong River towards the former Royal capital of Champassak. En route, stop at Ban Houei Thomo village and walk to the nearby ruins of the Khmer temple of Oum Moung, which is hidden in a thick forest. Upon arrival in Champassak, continue by car to Vat Phou (8 km from the city), a pre-Angkorian temple dating from the 6-13th century, classified as a World Heritage Site since 2002. In the afternoon, drive to Ban Hatsai Khoune and cross the Mekong River to reach Khong Island.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Khong Island
DAY 3: KHONG ISLAND / KHONE ISLAND / KHONE PHAPENG / PAKSE
After breakfast, board a long-tail riverboat for a cruise through the maze of waterways into the tropical paradise of Siphandone “The 4,000 Islands”. During the rainy season, the Mekong River reaches a breadth of 14 km; when the water recedes, it leaves behind a myriad of islands and islets. Discover Khone Island’s colonial vestiges, including an old railway, which was built by the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids that disrupt the navigation along the Mekong River. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Ban Nakasang on the Eastern bank of the Mekong River and drive to the famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest cascade on the Mekong River along its 4,350 km journey. Drive back to Pakse.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse
Day 4: PAKSE / LUANG PRABANG
Free till airport transfer for flight to Luang Prabang. Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and check-in at your hotel.
In the afternoon, National Museum (former King’s Palace) displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family. Continue to visit the nearby Vat Mai temple, which was the residence of a Buddhist patriarch before 1975, before climbing Phousi Hill for an outstanding view over the former Royal capital and the Mekong.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 5: LUANG PRABANG / PAK OU / KHOUANGSY/ LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, excursion by car to the beautiful waterfalls of Khouang Sy nestled in the lush tropical vegetation. On the way, visit some hill tribes’ villages such as the H’Mong village of Ban Thinkeo, the Khmu village of Ban Thapaene and the Thai Lu village of Ban Phanom. Return to Luang Prabang and spend some time strolling through the H’Mong market.Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 6: LUANG PRABANG / PAK OU / LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, visit Vat Xieng Thong, considered as the most beautiful temple of Luang Prabang with roofs that sweep low to the ground. Then take a traditional riverboat for a 2-hour cruise upstream the Mekong River towards Pak Ou, at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers, to visit the sacred caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, home to hundreds of Buddha statues. Then stop at Ban Xang Hai village where sticky rice wine distillation can be seen. Return to Luang Prabang and continue by car to visit the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong, where traditional mulberry leaves paper is also produced
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG - FREE AND EASY
Today, you are free to explore Luang Prabang heritage site.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE
Free and easy till transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Inclusions
Laos Highlights
Tour Inclusions/Exclusions
Tour Inclusions
Overnights in selected hotel
Local English speaking guides
Entrance fees for sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
Tours and transfers as mentioned, by air-conditioned vehicles