With the Grand Tour of Laos including the most important sights and activities the country has to offer, you will experience two unforgettable weeks in this enchanting country. From a luxury Mekong cruise, to traditional H’mong villages, mysterious archaeological sites, ornate temples and stunning waterfalls, this tour has it all.
Inclusions:
- 14 nights hotel accommodation as below listed or similar.
- 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 1 dinner.
- Modern, comfortable transportation in private vehicle.
- Entrance fees as stated in the tour program.
- Boat cruise in Huay Xai, Luang Prabang.
- Local English or French speaking guide.
Exclusions:
-International flights.
-Domestic ticket Vientiane - Pakse.
- Any meals and drinks other than specified.
- Tips and individual expenses.
Day 1 Chiang Rai
Arrive Chiang Rai and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 Huay Xai - Pakbeng
Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
We transfer early this morning to the border town of Huay Xay. The Luang Say Cruise boat leaves Huay Xay pier for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong River and to visit minority ethnic groups. A buffet lunch will be served on board. We arrive in Pakbeng before sunset and check-in at Luang Say Lodge. We can then enjoy dinner on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng.
Day 3 Pakbeng - Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang
Breakfast - Lunch
Breakfast at the lodge or chose the option of walking to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding minority villages exchange their goods. At 8.30 am, we board the boat for the second leg on the cruise. There is a short stop to discover an H’mong village before our a buffet lunch on board. We then continue to Pak-Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River and then visit Pak Ou Caves or the cave of a thousand Buddha statues. On the way to Luang Prabang a brief stop is made to observe traditional manufacturing of local rice alcohol. We arrive at Luang Prabang before sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4 Luang Prabang - Full day city tour
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning we begin our walking tour by taking in some of the city’s most beautiful temples. Depending on the rest of our programme, this may include the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style as well as the Wat Mai and Wat Sene, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang. We also stop by at Kinnaly Gallery, where our guide will identify the different ethnic minorities living in Laos. We end the tour with a climb to the summit of Mount Phousi, which offers a spectacular panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 5 Luang Prabang - Hmong Experience and Kuang Si Waterfall
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning, we visit the local Phosi market, the place where all the locals shop for a diverse array of products. We also stop at Ock Pop Tok, a silk weaving centre and a guided tour of the silk weaving process. We then drive to Ban Thinkeo, an H’mong village, for our trek with the villagers. Our guide will explain the common use of the plants for the H’mong community. We will have the opportunity to visit a village garden and collect some vegetables and herbs with the local people and learn to cook some local dishes in a traditional house. Lunch will be the product of your collective efforts. The villagers will demonstrate H’mong, Khene and other local games. In the afternoon, drive to Kuang Si and relax at this magnificent multi tiered waterfall. We then return by road to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Note: During the rainy season, the itinerary may be subject to change depending on the weather conditions; an alternative programme will be offered.
Day 6 Luang Prabang - Xiengkhuang
Breakfast - Lunch
Today, we drive through the natural scenery to Xiengkhuang. The journey will also include visits to hill tribe villages. On arrival, we visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered across the plateau. Overnight in Xiengkhuang.
Day 7 Xieng Khuang - Plain of Jars and Muang Khoun
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning, before transferring to jar site 2, we visit the interesting central market in Phonsavan, and the MAGUXO information centre, which outlines the clearance of unexploded ordnance, particularly anti-personnel mines in the area. From area 2, we inspect site 3 via the Pathet Lao camp. We then arrive in Ban Xieng Di village to watch broom making and then walk jar site 4. In the afternoon we drive to Muang Khoun, the former capital of the Phuan Kingdomand the remains of the stupas and temples. We then return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 8 Xieng Khoang - Vang Vieng
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning, we visit Mulberries Silk Farm, a Lao sericulture company specializing in fair trade silk production. We then travel to Vang Vieng, a small, tranquil town, nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery, with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops, remains unspoiled. On arrival we check into your hotel.
Day 9 Vang Vieng -Vientiane
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning, we have time for a short walk and a visit to the impressive Tham Jang caves as well as a boat ride on the Nam Song River to admire the impressive limestone karst scenery. In the afternoon, we drive south to the Lao capital of Vientiane. En route we stop at the salt mines of Ban Kheun, for a fascinating tour on salt is production. We arrive in Vientiane in the afternoon.
Day 10 Vientiane
Breakfast - Lunch
Our half day city tour offers us a chance to explore Vientiane and its major sights. These include the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues together with the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddhaimage. En route to Lao’s heritage structure, the sacred That Luang Stupa, we will have the opportunity to view the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s Arc de Triomphe. To conclude the day you might like to include an optional trip to the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major danger for many locals, in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 11 Vientiane - Pakse - Tadlo
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning we fly to Pakse and then by road east into the Boloven Plateau, known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. The area is famous for its coffee plantations and numerous waterfalls, the most beautiful being Tad Fan waterfall, with its twin falls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. In the afternoon we arrive at Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall and numerous ethnic minority groups including the Alak, Nge, and Katu. We overnight at Tad Lo Lodge, uniquely located, right next to the beautiful waterfall.
Day 12 Tadlo - Pakse - Wat Phou - Khong Island
Breakfast - Lunch
After an early breakfast, we travel towards Khong Island and a short tour to visit Pha Suam waterfall. We also explore the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung. Crossing the Mekong by ferry we visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated temples. Wat Phu is one of the Lao UNESCO World Heritage sites. This fascinating Khmer archeological site dates back to the 5th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. We continue our journey to Don Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight on Khong Island.
Day 13 Khong Island - Khone Island - Don Daeng
Breakfast - Lunch
Today, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside and later embark on a long boat tour of the Don Khone area, an exploration of the remains of the French colonial period and Liphi Waterfall or the Corridor of the Devil. We return to the mainland fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to t Khone Phapheng, which is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia. This is a very impressive site near the Lao-Cambodian border, with its teeming wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Afterwards we drive back north, then we take a boat to the delightful island of Don Daeng. Overnight on Don Daeng.
Day 14 Don Daeng - free day
Breakfast
A free day to relax by the pool or hire bicycles and explore the island and its enchanting little villages. Overnighton Don Daeng
Day 15 Depart Don Daeng
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to Pakse airport for our departure flight.