Start City: Vientiane
Departure city: Pakse
Route: Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Phonsavan – Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khuang Si Waterfalls –Pakse – Champassak – Don Khong – Tadlo
Duration: 14 Days 13 Nights
Private Tour. Departure: Daily, upon your request.
– Extendable with optional tours
Please let us know your international arrival and departure flight time, so that we can adjust your itinerary much better.
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Vientiane Arrival
Day 2: Vientiane city tour
Day 3: Vientiane – Vang Vieng
Day 4: Kayak on Nam Song River
Day 5: Vang Vieng – Phonsavan
Day 6: Phonsavan – Plain of Jars
Day 7: Phonsavan – Luang Prabang
Day 8: Luang Prabang city tour
Day 9: Elephant Riding – Tad Sae Waterfall
Day 10: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khuang Si Waterfall
Day 11: Luang Prabang – Fly to Pakse – Champassak – Don Khong
Day 12: Khong Island – Surrounding (Boat)
Day 13: Khong Island – Tadlo – Pakse
Day 14: Pakse departure
COST: Price is quoted in US dollars per person based on double/twin room.
Group size | 2 persons | 4 pax | 6 pax | Single Supp |
Land Tour/pp | 1,794 | 1,385 | 1,295 | 478 |
4 domestic flights/pp | 185 | 185 | 185 | |
Total/pp | US $ 1,979 | 1,570 | 1,480 |
Tour Includes | Tour Excludes |
– 1 Domestic flight: Luang Prabang – Pakse – Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels – Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary – Services of a private driver and air-conditioned vehicle – Service of English speaking guides in every location – Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited – Meals as mentioned in the itinerary |
– International flights – Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary – Early check-in and late check-out at hotels. – Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.) – Tips for guides and drivers – Personal travel insurance – Visa fees (contact us for further information) |
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Vientiane Arrival
Welcome to Vientiane – the country’s charming capital, with its laidback riverside ambience, and alluring monuments. A guide and private car of Laos Tours Expert will meet you at Wattay Airport and transfer to your hotel in town for check-in. Free at your leisure to walk along Mekong River’s bank, especially enjoy a daily night market which offers both modern and traditional local products and some excellent local food stalls found nearby on Chao Anou Road. Elsewhere in the city you will discover a wide array of dining and entertainment opportunities, with something to suit every taste and budget.
Meal: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane city tour
Start your first impression of Laos by visiting Wat Sisaket – the oldest surviving monastery in Vientiane with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.
Next stop is Patuxai Monument (or also called Anusawali by Laotian) – the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, where you can climb up on the roof for fantastic panoramic views over the city. Then we move to the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol – Pha That Luang, and Wat Si Muang – the most popular and venerated temple in Vientiane.
On the way back to the town, enjoy some shopping in the biggest market in Laos – Talat Sao. You can buy some souvenirs such as silk and silver jewellery and get insight into daily life of the people of Vientiane.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
Day 3: Vientiane – Vang Vieng
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a scenic drive along route 13 to the sleepy riverside hamlet of Vang Vieng, a small town next to the Nam Song River that is surrounded by jagged limestone karsts.
En-route, we stop to visit Ban Keun, a village where natural salt is produced. Here you will learn about the daily working life of the local people. Continue on to Nam Ngum, a popular lakeside spot for people from Vientiane to visit, especially at the weekends.
Having taken a break for lunch if you wish, continue north to Vang Vieng, arriving by mid-afternoon.
In the afternoon, we will take a tuk tuk through the paddy fields to the Tham Jang caves with the beautiful and famous limestone caverns surrounded by forest. Along the way, you will experience the local life in the village and learn about their daily lifestyle. You will have chance to refresh with the small natural pool in front of the caves. Return to the town in the late afternoon.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng
Day 4: Kayak on Nam Song River
This morning you will be transferred for a short distance out of Vang Vieng then we paddle downstream the Nam Song River. On the way we stop to explore some stunning caves, take a short trek and visit to the Organic Farm, where mulberry tea and a variety of fruit wines are produced.
The trip offers a number of the regions cave sites and scenic areas. The day can easily be tailored to your preferences. Arriving the dock nearby your hotel in the late afternoon.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng
Day 5: Vang Vieng – Phonsavan
Today we embark on the 7 to 8 hour journey by car to Phonsavan. Along the way enjoy the beautiful scenery and see local village life. Xieng Khouang, the gateway to the Plain of Jars, is a town that has been totally rebuilt after it was destroyed during the secret war in Laos. Later in the afternoon, we arrive at Phonsavan, the capital of the Xieng Khoung province. Take a city tour and have the option of visiting MAG, a humanitarian organization clearing the remnants of conflict for the benefit of local communities worldwide (the Mines Advisory Group).
The evening is free for you to enjoy as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phonsavan
Day 6: Phonsavan – Plain of Jars
After breakfast, we will take a short trek to explore the mysterious Plain of Jars and the surrounding area. The jars are thought to be 2000 years old, although there is little proof to date them very accurately. Archaeologist still struggle to confirm the specific purpose of the jars. Were they used for funerary urns or to store rice wine? It remains a mystery until now. Observe local village life; visit a small monastery in Ban Xiengdi and pass areas that were important battlefields during the American war.
We continue on to Muang Khoun, the one place in the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by American bombings.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phonsavan
Day 7: Phonsavan – Luang Prabang
Following breakfast, drive to Luang Prabang (approx 6 or 7 hours) with a stopover for lunch at Sala Phoukhou. After lunch we continue on our way to Luang Prabang via Road 13 whilst enjoying the beautiful landscape.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 8: Luang Prabang city tour
This morning you are advised to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. Have a simple preparation by your own and show your respect to the monks and our people is highly appreciated.
After breakfast at your hotel, we will visit the former king’s palace, which is now a Royal Palace Museum. Many items nicely displayed include rare furniture, traditional costumes and arts, jewelry, ornaments as well as working tools and utensils of the early part of the 20th century. Continuing on to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs. Then we embark on a tour of this enthralling town to visit Wat Xieng Thong – the Golden City monastery, which dates back to the 16th century and is considered to be the finest in Laos. Furthermore, we visit Wat Visoun which entirely rebuilt after its destruction in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa, which is shaped like the fruit it takes its name from. Visit the nearby Wat Aham before continuing to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre for insight in to the countries various ethnic groups and traditional crafts.
Later that day, we adjourn to the Phousi Holy Hill to enjoy the marvelous panoramic views of the town at sunset.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 9: Elephant Riding – Tad Sae Waterfall
After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel then join a group tour of the Elephant Project.The “Elephant Village” is about 15 km out of town, Elephant Tour takes place in the middle of a green, natural surroundings, settled on the banks of the Nam Khan river. Here you will be introduced to the protected Asian Elephants and go out for a scenic ride in the beautiful settings along the river. Enjoy the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 1 hour Elephant ride through which you support the rescue of our former logging Elephants.A stunning landscape, tranquility and lush nature gives you a relaxed stay on the back of the Elephant. Lean back in your seat and enjoy.
Enjoy your lunch on the river view terrace overlooking the Nam Khan river and the surrounding landscapes.
A short boat ride will bring you to the amazing Tad Sae waterfalls (depends on the water level). Here you can hang out and relax for a while in the refreshing cascades. A short boat trip will bring you back to the Elephant Village. Transfer back to the town in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 10: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khuang Si Waterfall
After breakfast we take a stroll on the Phousi Market where you see many local products such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.
Then we board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves. En route, stop over to visit Ban Xang Hai where distillation sticky rice wine can be seen. Gently cruise up the Mekong River to admire the startling collection of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes nestled deep in the massive limestone caverns of the Pak Ou Cave. On the return cruise, stop at small villages to see the production of traditional Lao textiles and Sa paper by local artisans.
In the afternoon, enjoy a short drive through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. You will have a chance to make the most of beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages. After passing the entrance gate, you will visit the Bear Rescue Center where now cares for 23 bears. Most of the bears arrive at the rescue centre as very young cubs having been confiscated by the Lao Government from illegal poaching and trading. It is likely that they would otherwise have been destined for a life of torture in a “bile farm” outside of Laos.
Continue your steps up to the chain of falls to relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. Sitting under the shade of big trees and swimming or jumping up and down in the pools can be relaxing and enjoyable. The water tumbles down a large drop and cascades gently in to several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 11: Luang Prabang – Fly to Pakse – Champassak – Don Khong
After breakfast we’ll take an early flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, we’ll drive along the National Road No. 13, south toward Champassak and visit the ruins of Wat Phu, which is well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire (9th – 13th centuries). Visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines, after a short visit, we continue to Don Khong Island, by traditional local slow boat.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Don Khong.
Day 12: Khong Island – Surrounding (Boat)
Today, we enjoy a cruise venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islands jut out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name ‘Si Phan Don’ (Four Thousand Islands). Along the way, we’ll stop at the Liphi Waterfalls and the fisherman village of Ban Khone. On return, we take a short drive to the Lao-Cambodia border at Weukham and the sight of Khone Phapheng, which is South East Asia’s biggest water fall.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Don Khong.
Day 13: Khong Island – Tadlo – Pakse
Upon leaving Khong Island, we continue our journey towards Tadlo, through the Boloven Plateau where famous tea and coffee plantations, lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil are viewable along the way. En route, there are some opportunities to explore a part of Boloven Plateau and visit some hill tribe villages of the Katu, Alak, and Nge ethnic minority people. Return to Pakse late evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse.
Day 14: Pakse departure
Enjoy breakfast and free time for your own exploration of Pakse Town before your private transfer to Pakse Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A