Impressions of Laos

DAY 1: Luang Prabang Arrival

Greetings and welcome to Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos!

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Luang Prabang stands as one of Southeast Asia’s most beautifully preserved traditional cities. Its serene atmosphere, breathtaking natural landscapes, and rich cultural heritage make it a truly enchanting destination in Laos, perhaps even in all of Indochina.

Upon arrival, you will be warmly greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in (check-in is available from 14:00). The rest of the day is yours to unwind or explore this charming town at your leisure.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Luang Prabang.

Summary of inclusions

• Private airport transfer
• Hotel in Luang Prabang

DAY 2: Luang Prabang explore

Wake up early to experience one of Luang Prabang’s most unique traditions: the morning alms-giving ceremony. You can join the locals along the roadside, offering food to the monks as they pass by in their saffron robes, walking slowly in a line with bowls in hand.

Afterward, return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, embark on a bicycle or green tuk-tuk tour to explore the ancient town of Luang Prabang, visiting some of its most iconic landmarks. These include Wat Visoun, known for the impressive Thad Makmo stupa with its rounded dome that reflects a Sinhalese rather than Lao style; Wat Aham and Wat Sene Temple; the renowned Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang’s most photographed temple, famous for its sweeping roof that nearly touches the ground, embodying the classical Luang Prabang style; the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, housing a vast collection of Laos’ historical and cultural artifacts; and Wat Mai, a temple celebrated for its exquisite golden bas-relief.

In the late afternoon, ascend Phousi Mountain to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and take in a breathtaking sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. Afterward, you can stroll through the Night Market, where you’ll find a charming array of handmade textiles crafted by the local and hill tribe people around Luang Prabang.

The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. Overnight stay in a hotel in Luang Prabang.

Note: if you do not like cycling, green tuk tuk or private car/van can be used instead.

Summary of inclusions

• Bicycle ride 
• Sightseeing Luang Prabang
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Luang Prabang

DAY 3: Mekong cruise & Pak Ou cave

After breakfast, head to the pier and embark on a cruise upstream along the Mekong River, offering picturesque views of the peaceful countryside. The journey includes a fascinating visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues in various shapes and sizes.

As you cruise back and forth, you’ll also stop to explore traditional local villages such as Ban Xang Hai, where you can observe and learn about the distillation of local rice wine. You’ll also visit Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, renowned for their traditional silk weaving and handmade flower paper.

The rest of the day is yours to explore the old quarter of Luang Prabang, where you can admire the beautiful colonial architecture. If you’re interested, an optional Laos cooking class is available.

The evening is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. Overnight stay in a hotel in Luang Prabang.

Summary of inclusions

• Mekong River cruise
• Pak Ou cave explore
• Traditional villages visit
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Luang Prabang

DAY 4: Kuang Si falls visit

After breakfast, set out on a drive to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall, a true gem of the Luang Prabang area. Along the way, you’ll stop at Hmong and Khmu hill tribe villages, where you can gain insight into the rich cultural diversity of Laos.

Upon arrival at Kuang Si Waterfall Park, you’ll visit the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary, where you’ll learn about the Asian sun and moon bears and the efforts of the Free the Bears Protection Program.

Kuang Si is often regarded as the most beautiful natural wonder in Luang Prabang and across Laos. From a height of 60 meters, vibrant waters cascade down limestone formations, creating a series of stunning turquoise pools. The combination of the white falls, crystal-clear ponds, intricate travertine formations, and the lush green jungle forms a breathtakingly picturesque landscape.

One of the best activities here is swimming in the turquoise pools and letting the refreshing waterfalls cascade over you. You can also hike along a jungle trail to the top of the falls for a panoramic view of the stunning water patterns below.

Take your time to explore and swim in the crystal-clear waters. Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon, with the evening free for you to enjoy at your leisure. Overnight stay in a hotel in Luang Prabang.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Kuang si falls discovery
• Breakfast
• Hotel in luang prabang

DAY 5: Discover Vang Vieng

After breakfast at the hotel, we embarked on our drive to Vang Vieng. The journey, though challenging, takes us along one of the most scenic yet rugged routes in Laos. Take your time to soak in the untouched beauty of Laos along the way, with stops at high viewpoints to admire the stunning tropical forest.

Situated on the banks of the Nam Song River and surrounded by striking karst landscapes, Vang Vieng is renowned for its natural beauty, which has remained unchanged for centuries. The town is home to several of Laos’s ethnic groups, including the Kmou and Hmong, each with their distinct cultures and traditions. While Vang Vieng has rapidly developed due to tourism, its serene scenery, marked by peaceful waters and limestone outcrops, has endured for centuries.

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a long-tail boat cruise along the Nam Song River, offering picturesque views of rural life set against the backdrop of limestone mountains. The evening is yours to explore at your own pace. Overnight at a hotel in Vang Vieng.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Nam Song river cruise
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Vang Vieng

DAY 6:  Vang Vieng – Vientiane

This morning, enjoy a short trek through rice paddies, stopping at a Hmong village in Ban Pha Thao before visiting the Tham Pha Thao cave. Continue on to Xang Cave, also known as Elephant Cave, which houses a few Buddha images, a Buddha footprint, and the elephant-shaped stalactites that give the cave its name.

Afterward, depart Vang Vieng and begin your drive southward through the rural landscapes toward Vientiane. Along the way, you’ll make several stops to sightsee and interact with locals, including a visit to the traditional salt-making village of Ban Keun, where you’ll learn how Laotian people produce their salt.

You’ll arrive in Vientiane in the late afternoon. The evening is yours to spend at your leisure. Overnight at a hotel in Vientiane.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Caves explore
• Sightseeing en route
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Vientiane

DAY 7: Vientiane Sightseeing

Today, you’ll spend the entire day exploring the highlights of Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.

Begin your tour with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the city, known for its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Next, visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which once housed the famous Emerald Buddha. On the way to the revered That Luang Stupa, stop to snap some photos of the impressive Patuxay Monument, often referred to as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe.

In the afternoon, continue your exploration of Vientiane’s mystical charm with visits to Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng, Wat Haisok, and the Buddha Park, an intriguing collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created by a mystical monk, situated along the Mekong River.

Cap off your day by enjoying a spectacular sunset over the Mekong River.

The evening is free for you to spend at your leisure. Overnight stay in a hotel in Vientiane.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Sightseeing Vientiane
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Vientiane

DAY 8: Pakse & Bolaven plateau

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, you will be met and greeted before we set off on a drive through rural landscapes, passing lush plantations, rolling hills, forests, and villages as we make our way to the Bolaven Plateau. The striking contrast between the vibrant green foliage and the red basaltic soil is remarkable throughout the journey.

Our first stop is the Tad Lo Waterfall, a breathtaking highlight of the Bolaven Plateau. From there, we visit tea and coffee plantations to learn about these prized products of the region. Next, we proceed to the stunning Tad Fane Waterfall, which cascades dramatically from a height of 120 meters, surrounded by dense jungle. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely walk (or drive) through coffee plantations to the Tad Yuang Waterfall, another picturesque spot on the plateau.

In the afternoon, we return to Pakse, where the remainder of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure. Overnight at a hotel in Pakse.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Internal flight
• Waterfalls visit
• Bolaven plateau explore
• Breakfast
• Hotel in pakse

DAY 9: Champasak & 4000 Islands

After breakfast, transfer by road to Wat Phou, a remarkable pre-Angkorian temple recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled in the stunning natural landscape of southern Laos, Wat Phou was constructed by the rulers of the Khmer Empire long before Angkor Wat was built.

Next, head to Khong Island, the largest island in southern Laos and the gateway to the 4000 Islands Region. Known as “Siphandon” in Lao, this area is where the Mekong River spans over 14 kilometers wide, flowing around thousands of islands and navigating through cascades and rapids.

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Ban Khong village and visiting Wat Phra Keo temple.

Overnight at a hotel in Don Khong.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Wat Phou explore
• Breakfast
• Hotel in

DAY 10: 4000 Islands Discovery

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Ban Nakasang village, where you’ll board a boat to explore the stunning landscapes of the 4000 Islands region. Here, the Mekong River reaches its widest point, spanning up to 12 kilometers during the rainy season. As the dry season sets in and the water recedes, numerous small islands emerge, giving the area its name.

Upon reaching Don Khone Island, visit the impressive Liphi Waterfalls, whose roaring sounds can be heard from a distance. This is the southernmost part of Laos, located near the Cambodian border. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore remnants of the colonial era, including an old railway built by the French in 1897 to bypass the powerful rapids that obstruct navigation along the Mekong River. Afterward, cruise back to Ban Nakasang village and transfer to the Khone Phapheng Waterfall, the largest in Southeast Asia, often referred to as the ‘Niagara of the East.’

Return to Pakse in the evening, where you can enjoy your time at leisure. Overnight at a hotel in Pakse.

Summary of inclusions

• Private vehicle
• Cruise 4000 islands
• Waterfalls visits
• Breakfast
• Hotel in Pakse