11 Days of Timeless Laos: The Signature Experience

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Embark on an incredible 11-day Signature tour that promises to reveal the diverse and alluring facets of Laos, a captivating landlocked nation. This meticulously crafted journey invites you to experience some of the best the country has to offer, combining cultural immersion, historical exploration, and natural wonders, all while providing ample time for relaxation. From witnessing the moving silent almsgiving ceremony in the spiritual heart of Luang Prabang to exploring the ancient temples of Vientiane, trekking through the verdant coffee plantations of the Bolaven Plateau, or simply soaking in the charming, laid-back vibe of the 4000 Islands, this tour is designed to leave you with unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for the tranquility and richness of Laotian life.

OVERVIEW ITINERARY

Here is overview itinerary. Please contact for more details and better offers. 

Day 1: Luang Prabang: Arrival, City Highlights & Baci Ceremony

Day 2: Luang Prabang: Almsgiving, Mekong Cruise & Cultural Learning

Day 3: Luang Prabang: Rural Life, Organic Gardens & Kuang Si Waterfalls

Day 4: Luang Prabang: Elephant Interaction & Tad Sae Waterfall

Day 5: Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng → Ban Tha Heua: Scenic Drive & Lakeside Stay

Day 6: Ban Tha Heua → Vientiane: Kayaking on Nam Ngum & Capital Charm

Day 7: Vientiane: Capital's Sacred Sites & Unique Sculptures

Day 8: Vientiane → Pakse: Flight South & Bolaven Plateau Expedition

Day 9: Pakse → Don Khong: Ancient Wonders & Island Tranquility

Day 10: Don Khong → Champasak: 4000 Islands Exploration & Mekong Falls

Day 11: Champasak → Pakse: Departure

DETAIL PROGRAM:

Day 1: Luang Prabang: Arrival, City Highlights & Baci Ceremony

• Meals: Dinner (D)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  • Upon arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ), you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

  • After a brief rest, begin your exploration with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of artifacts showcasing Laos's royal history.

  • Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its intricate golden bas-relief, considered one of the most beautiful temples in town. If time permits, take a leisurely stroll through the charming small streets of the city center, observing local life.

  • Late afternoon, ascend to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of its sacred, gilded stupa. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to a panoramic sunset view of the city and the majestic Mekong River.

  • Following the sunset, participate in a private Baci ceremony at a local family's home. This traditional Lao ritual expresses the country's spirituality and is a deeply memorable experience, offering a profound insight into local culture.

  • A welcome dinner will be served after the ceremony, allowing you to share a meal with the host family and experience authentic local life and culture.

Day 2: Luang Prabang: Almsgiving, Mekong Cruise & Cultural Learning

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  • Wake up before sunrise to prepare for the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving ceremony, a ritual dating back to the 14th century. Witness over 200 Buddhist monks silently departing from various temples to collect their daily meal from devout residents kneeling quietly on the streets.

  • Afterward, visit the vibrant temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Here, local people barter their daily catch, from rice and vegetables to fish and chicken, offering a vivid experience of local life.

  • After breakfast at the hotel, visit the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene.

  • Then, embark on a leisurely upstream cruise on the Mekong River, enjoying breathtaking views of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. This 16th-century cave monastery is filled with thousands of Buddha images and is located approximately 25 kilometers north of Luang Prabang, nestled in limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong River.

  • En route, stop at Ban Muang Keo, a village well-known for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. You will then return to Luang Prabang.

  • Upon arrival back in the city, revisit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a superb example of Lao temple architecture, featuring a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics, including a beautiful ‘tree of life’ glass montage on the rear temple wall.

  • Your final stop today is the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Mondays), where you can delve deeper into Laos’s many diverse ethnic cultures.

Day 3: Luang Prabang: Rural Life, Organic Gardens & Kuang Si Waterfalls

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  • Begin your day with a close-up look at daily Laotian life by heading out for a morning at a community-based living rice farm in the idyllic countryside outside Luang Prabang. Surrounded by mountains and rice paddies, you'll have the opportunity to experience rural life as a Laotian farmer would, trying various farm activities or simply observing them from a traditional Lao rice house balcony amidst rice terraces and an organic vegetable farm.

  • You'll also have time to explore nearby workshops where local bamboo weavers, blacksmiths, and sugar cane processors practice their crafts. Then, take a tour of the organic garden to learn how natural herbs are used in traditional medicine.

  • Afterward, transfer directly to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you'll enjoy lunch at Carpe Diem Restaurant, nestled within a tropical green garden.

  • The afternoon is dedicated to refreshing yourself at the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, the largest in the Luang Prabang area, featuring three tiers leading to a 50-meter drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools are perfect for swimming and are popular with both tourists and locals. You will also make a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses dozens of animals rescued from poachers and traffickers.

  • On the way back to Luang Prabang, make a brief stop at the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center. Serene and located near the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop showcases weavers, spinners, and batik makers producing top-quality fabrics. They offer free tours every half-hour. This is also an ideal spot to enjoy a drink as the sun sets behind the mountains. Afterward, transfer back to your hotel.

Day 4: Luang Prabang: Elephant Interaction & Tad Sae Waterfall

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L)

• Accommodation: Lao Spirit Resort

• Activities:

  • After breakfast, transfer directly to the Elephant Village (starting at 8:00 AM). Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed by the camp manager and participate in various activities with elephants.

  • These activities include taking your own elephant down to the Nam Khan River for an exhilarating bathing experience, feeding elephants, or exploring the elephant hospital to learn about their care.

  • Enjoy lunch at the Elephant Restaurant.

  • Next, take a boat trip to Tad Sae Waterfall, where you can relax in its clear waters and stroll around.

  • Afterward, enjoy some free time to stroll around the Elephant Village before transferring directly to the nearby Lao Spirit Resort, a lovely resort nestled within the virgin forest, overlooking the gentle Nam Khan River, where you will spend the night.

Day 5: Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng → Ban Tha Heua: Scenic Drive & Lakeside Stay

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Ban Tha Heua

• Activities:

  • In the morning, travel by road south to Vang Vieng. This intrepid journey will be strenuous but rewarding, as you drive along one of the most scenic regions of Laos. The road condition is now good for your drive.

  • After about an hour of driving, you'll have the chance to enjoy a panoramic view from the highest peak of the area, which stands over 2000 meters high.

  • From there, drive to visit Pha Hom market, where you can find various local products.

  • You will also stop at Ban Phouhin Lekphay to observe the daily life of the Khmu hill-tribe.

  • Make a final photo stop at Phatang Mountain view point to admire the beautiful scenery before reaching Vang Vieng.

  • Upon arrival, transfer to visit Tham Chang Cave, historically used in the early 19th century for defense against Chinese invaders.

  • From there, transfer directly to Ban Tha Heua, where you will spend the night at a lovely resort overlooking Nam Ngum Lake, often referred to as the 'sea of Laos'.

Day 6: Ban Tha Heua → Vientiane: Kayaking on Nam Ngum & Capital Charm

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

• Activities:

  • Wake up early today to witness the serene sunrise over the peaceful Nam Ngum Lake. Your guide will escort you to a nearby area to observe local villagers preparing for their busy day.

  • After breakfast, embark on a 2-hour kayaking excursion around Nam Ngum Lake, paddling to nearby islets or local villages, enjoying the tranquil waters and scenic surroundings.

  • In the afternoon, bid farewell to the lake and drive to Vientiane. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, this capital city evokes exotic images with its unique blend of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French influences.

  • Upon arrival, check into your hotel in town. The rest of the day is free for you to stroll around this charming city, often considered the most laid-back capital in Asia.

Day 7: Vientiane: Capital's Sacred Sites & Unique Sculptures

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

• Activities:

  • In the morning, your tour of Vientiane begins with a visit to Wat Si Muang, a temple highly revered for its spiritual power.

  • Then, transfer out to see Buddha Park (also known as Xieng Khuan), an enchanting open-air collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures located on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. The park features approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe.

  • In the afternoon, discover the major sights of the capital, including the oldest temple, Wat Sisaket, known for its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. You'll also visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which once housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.

  • En route to Laos’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will stop to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, famously known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe.

  • A spectacular view over the Mekong River at sunset offers a perfect way to conclude the day's sightseeing.

Day 8: Vientiane → Pakse: Flight South & Bolaven Plateau Expedition

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Sinouk Coffee Resort

• Activities:

  • Enjoy some free time to stroll around Vientiane before taking your flight to Pakse, the largest city in Southern Laos.

  • Upon arrival, drive to Tad Phaseum Waterfalls, where you'll enjoy an easy trek to nearby ethnic minority villages such as Laven, Alak, and Taoy.

  • From there, drive further to Tadlo Waterfalls. Upon arrival, you will trek to visit the waterfall and other nearby minority villages in the Tadlo area, including Ban Kiengtanglae and Ban Nanong.

  • Continue driving over the plateau to Paksong. Along the way, stop at Tha Teng Market, a colorful ethnic minority food market.

  • Next, explore a couple of fascinating minority villages: Ban Pong (an Alak village boasting a sacrificial altar) and Ban Kokphung (a Katu village where they keep coffins under their houses).

  • Your last stop for the day is the beautiful Sinouk Coffee Resort, where you will spend the night.

Day 9: Pakse → Don Khong: Ancient Wonders & Island Tranquility

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Don Khong Island

• Activities:

  • After breakfast, depart for Champasak. Along the way, you'll have the chance to enjoy the scenic beauty around Tad Fane Waterfall, which is spectacular with its twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. You will also see the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops grown in the area.

  • Arriving in Champasak, visit Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th Century. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple complex that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level focuses on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features quadrangular pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary itself. The temple served as the most important economic and political center of the region during the rule of the Khmer empire before the construction of Angkor Wat and still remains one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

  • After your visit, continue into Champasak to see samples of French colonial architecture before driving to Don Khong, where you will have the rest of the day to relax or explore the island at your leisure.

Day 10: Don Khong → Champasak: 4000 Islands Exploration & Mekong Falls

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L)

• Accommodation: The River Resort (in Champasak)

• Activities:

  • Heading out from Don Khong, you'll embark on a long-tail boat to venture into the widest reach of the Mekong River, where during the dry season, the waters recede, leaving behind thousands of islets, giving this area its lovely name, "Si Phan Done" (4000 Islands).

  • Upon arrival, explore the peaceful local villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with its locomotive.

  • Continue to discover the 4000 islands area by tuk-tuk and visit the marvelous Liphi Waterfall, also called the "Corridor of the Devil," one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the Lao border with Cambodia.

  • If you are lucky, you may even spot the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone.

  • Return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng Waterfall. Considered the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia, this is an impressive spot near the Lao-Cambodian border, teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos.

  • Afterward, drive back to Champasak and spend the night at the lovely The River Resort.

Day 11: Champasak → Pakse: Departure

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: None (Departure Day)

• Activities:

  • You are free to relax by the hotel pool or stroll around the nearby villages.

  • At a scheduled time, you will be transferred back to Pakse International Airport (PKZ) to take your departure flight.

  • Ends of services.

Important Notes