OVERVIEW

The Mystery Of Laos

Discover both culture and nature of Laos on various activities including guided tours of the main cities, a discovery of the best natural sites: Pak Ou Cave and Kuang Sy Waterfall, an exploration of the mysterious Plain of Jars, hikes passing through typical Lao villages and relaxing days in 4000 Islands area.

ITINERARY

Luang Prabang | Pak Ou Caves | Kuang Si Waterfalls | Xieng Khouang | Vang Vieng | Vientiane | Pakse

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Day 01

Arrival Luang Prabang

Meet your guide at Luang Prabang International Airport and head to your hotel

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals: Not included

On arrival at Luang Prabang airport, you will be met by Asia Top Travel guide and then go to your hotel in Luang Prabang. The balance of the day is free at your leisure.
Day 02

Luang Prabang Sightseeing - Pak Ou Cave

Immerse yourself in the Lao culture and discover typical villages along the river

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a short drive to visit Vat Xieng Thong or Temple of the Royal City - one of the most important of Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art.

Then continue to Wat Visoun – an unusual structure which represents the earliest Lao style and Wat Mai, a beautiful temple located nearby Royal Palace and built in the 18th century. It is the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang.

Afterwards, transfer to the pier and take a long-tailed boat for an upstream cruise. During the cruise, you will be treated a stunning of nature along the river. From the distance you can see limestone cliffs where the hidden Pak Ou Caves are located. The cave is home to thousands of Buddha statues which make the region a revered one. Take your time to explore numerous images hidden in the cave.

Then, make your way back to the city. En-route, stop to visit Ban Xang Hai village to learn more about the making process of the traditional Lao rice whisky. It is a great chance to taste its unique flavor. Move onto Ban Xang Khong village - famous for its wood paper and Lao silk weaving.

Return to your hotel for a relaxing time.
Day 03

Luang Prabang Sightseeing - Kuang Sy Waterfall

Enjoy a swim in a turquoise pool surrounded by a stunning nature

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast

If you wish, get an early start and participate in the traditional Lao rite of giving alms to the monks. Every morning, some 300 monks file through the city silently collecting offerings.

After breakfast, drive to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. You can cool off with a swim before returning to Luang Prabang.
Day 04

Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang

Leave Luang Prabang and head to the mysterious Plain of Jars

Accommodation: Hotel in Phonsavanh

Meals: Breakfast

Today leave Luang Prabang for Xieng Khouang (306 km – about 5h drive), associated with the historic war between 1964 and 1973.

Upon arrival, head to the Plain of Jars, home of giant stone jars dated back at least 2000 years. The plain contains thousands of big and small jars, the biggest one is 2.5m in diameter and weigh tens of tons. The others are in numerous different shapes, sizes and no one is alike. Most of them have no lid except one. Specially, its lid was carved with strange patterns which no expert can explain. There are many mysterious stories behind this famous destination. Some people say it used to be the accommodation of giants but some others consider it a historic cemetery and each jar is a funeral urn. 

Transfer back to your hotel.
Day 05

Phonsavanh - Muang Khoun

Continue your cultural immersion with a visit of Muang Khoun and Mulberry Farm

Accommodation: Hotel in Phonsavanh

Meals: Breakfast

Waking up early in the tranquil ambiance in Xieng Khouang, enjoy your breakfast and visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh where you can see many different hill tribe people and their daily activities.
 
Afterwards continue to Muang Khoun, an ancient capital and stronghold for the Xieng Khuang royal family was destroyed during the Indochina War. The town was rebuilt after 1975 with rows of wooden Lao houses and a market area and is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Visit Wat Phia That and That Foun. 
 
Return to city center and then go to Mulberry Farm. Here you can see all the 26 steps of silk making, starting with the silkworm through to the actual finished handicraft products. Walk around the area and look over the shoulder of the various producers involved in the process. You’ll discover the silkworm breeding, the natural dying process, as well as the actual weaving.
 
The balance of the day is free at your leisure.
Day 06

Xieng Khouang - Vang Vieng

Leave Xieng Khouang and head to Vang Vieng, enjoy a free afternoon

Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng

Meals: Breakfast

Take a six-hour drive along picturesque winding roads to Vang Vieng. There are stunning vistas of towering limestone karst hills around every turn.

Enjoy lunch along the way (not included).

The afternoon is free for you to relax on the scenic banks of the Song River or explore the lovely town.
Day 07

Vang Vieng

Enjoy a day trip through the countryside discovering many caves

Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng

Meals: Breakfast

Today, spend time discovering further Vang Vieng - a riverside town in Central Laos.

In the morning, transfer by car to Ban Pha Thao - about 15 km from North of Vang Vieng. From here, you will start your 2 hours hike and make 2 stops to visit  2 caves. The first stop is Tham Hoi cave (also known as Snail cave). The entrance to Tham Hoi is guarded by a large Buddha figure. The cave is said to be some four kilometers long. The next stop is Tham Xang cave (also known as Elephant cave). Located in a scenic karst area to the northeast of Thakaek, Tham Xang is one of the many famous caves known for its remarkable limestone formation. The area surrounding offers beautiful scenery and from the top of the cave entrance you can admire the stretching Mekong River. Then, continue your trip to Lao Loum village - where you will take a vehicle to the town.
 
In the afternoon, you'll have chance to visit Tham Chang cave - one of the most important caves of Vang Vieng. It is situated on the Southern side of Vang Vieng. Tham Chang (or Jang) became the home for migrating people, who settled near the town’s southern Meuang Xong Village to rise vegetables. At the foot of the cave crystal clear water runs out of the mountain into the river. From this cave, you can see beautiful views of the village and rice fields.
 
Return to your hotel to relax.
Day 08

Vang Vieng - Vientiane

Leave Vang Vieng an get an overview of the beautiful city of Vientiane

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave your hotel to Vientiane (3 hour drive).
Upon arrival, you will discover the beauty of Vientiane – a quiet capital in Laos, including:
  • Vat Sisaket: which is famous for not only its cloister wall storing thousands of tiny Buddha images but also its beautiful architecture and layout with history dated back to 1818.
  • Vat PhraKeo: which was built in 1565 is one of the most impressive and interesting temples in Vientiane. It previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image.
  • Pha That Louang (built 1566, reconstructed 1930). It is the most important Laotian religious and national monument. The temple has an unique architecture reflecting Lao culture and identity, becoming a symbol of Lao nationalism.
  • Patuxay: the memorial monument –was built in 1957 and is the most prominent landmark in the city. The architecture of the monument was inspired by the architecture of Triomphe in Paris and combined with typical Lao motifs. From the top of the monument, you can see an excellent panoramic view of the city.
Transfer back to your hotel.
Day 09

Vientiane - Pakse

Fly to Pakse and hike up to the Bolaven Plateau through a local village

Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

Meals: Breakfast

After a very early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse.

Your first adventure here is an easy four-hour hike up to the Bolaven Plateau. This hike goes through a local village, coffee plantations, over a hanging bridge, and on to the plains. Huge boulders, pine trees, epiphytes and wild orchids abound.

Return to the hotel for lunch.

The afternoon is free for you to explore Pakse or relax.
Day 10

Pakse - 4000 Islands

Discover the UNESCO site of Wat Phou, ride a friendly Elephant and explore 4000 Island by boat

Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

Meals: Breakfast

Drive south to the famous Khmer Temple complex of Wat Phou. This UNESCO World Heritage Site represents the easternmost border of the Khmer empire.

Continue on to an Elephant Camp to see how handlers (“mahouts”) train these giants, friendly beasts! Ride one of the friendly pachyderms to the top of Phou Asa to see mysterious ruins there.

After lunch, continue to 4000 Islands by van and boat. 
Day 11

4000 islands sightseeing - Pakse

Ride a bike to explore 2 Islands, embark on a boat to reach Irrawaddy River and the dolphins

Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

Meals: Breakfast

Today is devoted to explore Don Det and Don Khone, two smaller islands which are considered as the heaven of backpackers. Enjoy a boat trip along Mekong river, on the way you can see children of Mekong playing under water or the fishermen in their daily lives.
 
Take a bike to visit these two islands, which are linked by a bridge. Visit Ban Khone fishing village - where you can explore the ruins of French railway tracks and the beautiful Liphi Waterfall. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere in the islands and take awesome photos of the local life and natural beauty.

In the afternoon, embark the motor boat again to visit the Cambodian border where the famous Irrawaddy dolphins live. If you are lucky, you can see them playing and swim on the river.
 
Then return to Pakse for a leisure time.
Day 12

Pakse - Departure

Say goodbye to our team at Pakse airport

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive north to Pakse airport for your departure flight.

Room is at your disposal until noon only.

Price

Start price per person based on hotel standard. The price is subject to change depending upon availability and high or low season. We would like to give you a rough quote as below for your preference. Feel free to send us an enquiry. We commit to give you a competitive quote.

Price Per Person In USD

Category 2 People 4 People 6 People Others
3 Star $ $ $ On Request
4 Star $ $ $ On Request
5 Star $ $ $ On Request


Remark: 
We can tailor-make this tour to meet your specific needs. Chat with us now!

TOUR INCLUSIONS

For your peace of mind, our tours are designed to include as much as possible in the price, but also to give you the freedom to find a special place to eat or to seek out an independent adventure that especially appeals to you.
Trip Inclusions
  • Local Experienced English speaking guide
  • All land Transports
  • Entry fees
  • Private Boat trip to Ou Cave
  • Private boat trip Khong-Khone island-Naksang village
  • Kayaking in Vang Vieng
  • Mineral drinking water
  • Accommodations with daily breakfast for 11 nights
  • Laos Government Tax
Trip Exclusions
  • Meals not mentioned in program
  • Visa fee upon arrival
  • Personal expense does not include in program
  • Flight Vientiane-Pakse
  • International flight tickets

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