Quintessential Laos: 14 Days of Culture, Nature & Heritage

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Embark on an unforgettable 14-day "Quintessential Laos" tour, designed to blow your socks off with its famous ancient wonders, charming traditions, and breathtaking scenery. This meticulously crafted vacation takes you to some of the best parts of Laos, from the laid-back capital of Vientiane to the bizarre Plains of Jars, from the enchanting town of Luang Prabang to the exotic Nong Khiaw, and the sleepy region of the 4000 Islands. Throughout this journey, you'll enjoy a plethora of experiences that will bring you closer to Laotian life, culture, and its warm-hearted people. Let's start your best journey to "the land of a million elephants" now!

OVERVIEW ITINERARY

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

Day 1: Vientiane: Arrival & Capital Charm

Day 2: Vientiane: City Exploration & Buddha Park Wonders

Day 3: Vientiane → Xieng Khouang: Flight to the Land of Bombs

Day 4: Xieng Khouang: Plain of Jars & Ancient Remains

Day 5: Xieng Khouang → Luang Prabang: Scenic Overland Journey

Day 6: Luang Prabang: Heritage Town & Royal Splendors

Day 7: Luang Prabang: Alms Giving, Local Life & Kuang Si Falls

Day 8: Luang Prabang → Nong Khiaw → Muang Ngoi: River Caves & Northern Tranquility

Day 9: Muang Ngoi → Luang Prabang: Village Treks & Return South

Day 10: Luang Prabang → Pakse → Don Khong (4000 Islands): Flight to the South & Island Paradise

Day 11: Don Khong → Don Khon (4000 Islands): Island Hopping & Waterfalls

Day 12: Don Khon → Pakse: Mekong Falls & Southern City

Day 13: Pakse: Bolaven Plateau & Coffee Country Waterfalls

Day 14: Pakse: Departure

DETAIL PROGRAM:

Day 1: Vientiane: Arrival & Capital Charm

• Meals: None

• Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

• Activities:

  • Upon your arrival at Wattay International Airport (VTE), your friendly guide and driver will be waiting to warmly welcome you to Laos.

  • You will then be transferred directly to your hotel in Vientiane.

  • Take a well-deserved rest to refresh yourself before starting your grand adventure through Laos.

  • The rest of the day is at your leisure to settle in and perhaps take a stroll around your hotel's vicinity.

Day 2: Vientiane: City Exploration & Buddha Park Wonders

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

• Activities:

  • After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a comprehensive city tour of Vientiane.

  • Begin by visiting Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane, renowned for housing thousands of tiny Buddha images and rows of seated Buddhas.

  • Next, explore Haw Phra Kaew, the former royal temple that once enshrined the Emerald Buddha. Today, it serves as a museum, showcasing a tremendous collection of religious art.

  • Your tour continues to the svelte and golden Pha That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos. This magnificent stupa, standing 40m high and covered with gold, is a symbol of both Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty, visible from kilometers away.

  • Gain a deeper understanding of Laos's recent history with a visit to the COPE Museum, an informative center dedicated to assisting landmine victims.

  • Afternoon: Transfer to the amazing Buddha Park (also known as Wat Xieng Khouane), an open-air sculpture garden approximately 25km southeast of the city. This park is definitely worth a visit, offering a whimsical collection of more than 200 religious statues, including an enormous 40-meter-long reclining Buddha, inviting you to explore its unique blend of Buddhist and Hindu mythological figures.

  • Lunch and dinner are on your own, allowing flexibility for your culinary preferences.

Day 3: Vientiane → Xieng Khouang: Flight to the Land of Bombs

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Xieng Khouang

• Activities:

  • After breakfast, enjoy some free time until your driver picks you up for a transfer to Wattay International Airport (VTE) for your short domestic flight to Xieng Khouang (Flight QV401 VTEXKH, please note this is not a daily flight).

  • Xieng Khouang province is well-known for having been heavily bombed during the Indochina War, but it is also famous for its historic Plain of Jars.

  • Afternoon: Upon arrival in Xieng Khouang, you will be welcomed by your local guide and driver.

  • Begin your exploration with a visit to the Xieng Khouang UXO-Survivors' Information Centre (donations are encouraged). This center features displays including bomb parts, harrowing stories of recent victims, and a reading room with a wealth of information on the Secret War and the different kinds of UXO that still pose a danger in Laos today. It also includes a colorful shop selling handicrafts made by UXO survivors.

  • You will also visit the MAG (Mines Advisory Group) center, where you can learn more about UXO clearance efforts and the ongoing work to alleviate suffering from UXO accidents.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 4: Xieng Khouang: Plain of Jars & Ancient Remains

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Xieng Khouang

• Activities:

  • After breakfast, embark on a full-day journey through Phonsavanh and the mysterious Plain of Jars. This is a huge archaeological complex littered with thousands of enigmatic 2000-year-old stone jars, varying in size from 70cm to 3 or 4 meters. Their true origin remains a mystery, though theories suggest they could be ancient graves.

  • Your trip will enable you to visit three key sites of the Plain of Jars:

    • Site 1, the biggest site, located close to the town at Thong Hai Hin.

    • Site 2, found at Hai Hin on Phou Salator, a local "mountain."

    • Site 3, the most impressive site with over 150 jars, located in Hai Hin Lat Khai.

  • You will also have the opportunity to discover some local villages near the sites, observing traditional village life and interacting with local communities.

  • On the way back, you will pass through areas that were significant battlefields during the American Secret War, where you can still see bomb craters today, offering a stark reminder of the region's past.

  • Afternoon: Enjoy a trip to Muang Khoun, one of the few places in the old provincial capital that was not destroyed during the war. Muang Khoun is home to a unique sitting giant Buddha statue, as well as some old pagodas that now lie in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing, and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.

  • Finally, visit That Foun Pagoda and That Chonphet Pagoda before returning to Xieng Khouang.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 5: Xieng Khouang → Luang Prabang: Scenic Overland Journey

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  • After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a scenic overland transfer from Xieng Khouang to the enchanting city of Luang Prabang.

  • During your journey, you will observe examples of swidden agriculture (slash-and-burn farming) carved out of steep hillsides and the varying checkerboard patches of regrowth, providing insights into local farming practices and the diverse landscapes of Laos.

  • Afternoon/Evening: Arrive in Luang Prabang and check into your hotel.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 6: Luang Prabang: Heritage Town & Royal Splendors

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  • Morning: Begin your Luang Prabang city tour with a visit to Wat Visoun, the site of the impressive Thad Makmo stupa, whose rounded dome stylistically hints at Sinhalese influence.

  • Continue your exploration to Wat Aham, another significant temple.

  • Then, explore Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang’s most photographed temple. Located gracefully at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong River, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirate and represents classical Laotian architecture at its finest.

  • Afternoon: Continue your cultural journey to the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Here, you can discover a range of interesting artifacts and learn about the country's royal history.

  • Conclude your city tour with a visit to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the sacred Prabang Buddha statue normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 7: Luang Prabang: Alms Giving, Local Life & Kuang Si Falls

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  • Optional Early Morning: For a truly authentic experience, participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron-clad monks. This serene tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Afterward, enjoy a UNESCO morning walk to gain insight into this charming town.

  • Stop and visit a vibrant fresh local market to observe daily life before returning to your hotel for breakfast.

  • Morning: After breakfast, travel to the outskirts of Luang Prabang, driving through picturesque green rice paddies and farms.

  • Stop to visit a few villages of H'mong and Lao Loum people. Your guide will introduce you to local people, offering a great opportunity to learn about their daily activities such as wooden cotton spinning, weaving, rice harvesting, and green vegetable farming, providing a glimpse into authentic rural life.

  • Afternoon: Upon your arrival at the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls, enjoy the main waterfalls with their breathtaking views. The surrounding area features beautiful orchids, and the falls cascade over many calcified tiers, descending hundreds of feet into a series of cool, inviting turquoise pools where you can swim and relax.

  • On the way back to Luang Prabang, make a stop at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park (closed on Tuesdays), a delightful home to Laos' myriad butterflies in natural settings, offering an enchanting walk among colorful species.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 8: Luang Prabang → Nong Khiaw → Muang Ngoi: River Caves & Northern Tranquility

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Guesthouse in Muang Ngoi (simple comfort)

• Activities:

  • After breakfast, leave Luang Prabang for your journey north towards Nong Khiaw.

  • En route, you will reach the famous Pak Ou Caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. You'll take a short ferry ride to the other side of the Mekong to visit these sacred caves, which house hundreds of centuries-old Buddha images left by pilgrims.

  • After your visit, ferry back and continue your drive to Nong Khiaw.

  • Upon arrival in Nong Khiaw, proceed to the pier where you will embark on a scenic cruise upstream to Muang Ngoi, a remote and tranquil village nestled amidst stunning karst landscapes.

  • Arrive and check into your guesthouse for a well-deserved rest.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 9: Muang Ngoi → Luang Prabang: Village Treks & Return South

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  • After breakfast in Muang Ngoi, embark on a memorable cruise back to Nong Khiaw.

  • On the way, make a stop at Ban Sopkhone village. Upon arrival, begin a picturesque trek from there to Ban Houy Hoi village (approximately 2.5 hours). This trek offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with local people and learn about their daily life in these remote communities.

  • After your visit, cruise back to Nong Khiaw.

  • Then, transfer by car back to Luang Prabang, completing your northern Laos exploration.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 10: Luang Prabang → Pakse → Don Khong (4000 Islands): Flight to the South & Island Paradise

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Don Khong Island

• Activities:

  • After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ) for your domestic flight to Pakse (Flight QV 513 LPQPKZ, typically 10:40 - 12:20).

  • Mid-day: Upon your arrival in Pakse, you will be transferred to Wat Phou, a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple complex that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. This ancient Khmer temple, constructed on three levels, offers fascinating architecture, intricate carvings, and a rich history. It served as a significant economic and political center of the region and remains one of the Lao people's most revered temples.

  • Afternoon: Continue your journey by road until you reach Don Khong, the biggest island in the enchanting Si Phan Don (4000 Islands) area.

  • Transfer to your hotel for check-in, then enjoy free time for your own discovery of this amazing and laid-back island.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 11: Don Khong → Don Khon (4000 Islands): Island Hopping & Waterfalls

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Don Khon Island

• Activities:

  • After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the pier where you will embark on a scenic cruise through the 4000 Islands archipelago to Khone Island, a haven of peace and quiet where nature runs wild.

  • Upon arrival in Don Khon, you will explore the island by local tuk-tuk, discovering its rich nature, between lush rice fields, swaying coconut trees, and charming colonial vestiges.

  • Continue to the impressive Li Phi Waterfalls, located on the west of Don Khone, very close to the Cambodian border. Their original name, Tad Somphamit, means “trap spirit,” and locals believe these falls act as a trap for bad spirits. Enjoy the series of whitewater cascades and rapids.

  • Afterward, explore the authentic beauty of local life on Don Det, Don Khone’s neighboring island, accessible via an ancient bridge.

  • Finally, check into your hotel on Don Khon for overnight stay.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 12: Don Khon → Pakse: Mekong Falls & Southern City

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

• Activities:

  • After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a leisurely cruise back to Nakasang village from Don Khon.

  • From there, drive to the spectacular Khone Phapheng waterfalls, the largest in Southeast Asia, often referred to as the 'Niagara of the East'. Marvel at the immense power and beauty of these cascading falls on the Mekong River.

  • Afternoon: Head back to your hotel in Pakse.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 13: Pakse: Bolaven Plateau & Coffee Country Waterfalls

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

• Activities:

  • After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to visit the stunning Bolaven Plateau. As soon as you leave Pakse, the road climbs in elevation as you ascend onto the plateau. The area, formed by volcanic rock, is perfect for superb coffee plantations, which thrive on the rich soil and cooler climate. You'll have the chance to learn about coffee production.

  • Transfer to visit Tad Phasuam waterfalls, featuring a beautiful cascade and a nearby local village showcasing examples of traditional houses of different ethnic groups in Laos, offering cultural insights. This waterfall provides a unique natural shade where you can sit on a tree branch and relax amidst nature.

  • Continue to visit Tad Lo falls before carrying on to Tad Yuang Waterfall and the majestic Tad Fane Waterfall, a beautiful double cascade. Spend time enjoying the picturesque views and refreshing atmosphere of these natural wonders.

  • Meals for the day are on your own.

Day 14: Pakse: Departure

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: None (Departure Day)

• Activities:

  • Breakfast is served at the hotel.

  • Enjoy some free time until your scheduled transfer to Pakse International Airport (PKZ) for your onward international flight. Please note that this transfer will be without a guide.

  • Ends of services.