Charming Laos

8 days 7 nights

Vientiane – Pakse – Khong island – Luang Prabang

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane

Day 2: Vientiane – Flight to Pakse (B)

Day 3: Pakse – Don Khong (B/L)

Day 4: Don Khong – Pakse (B/L)

Day 5: Pakse – Flight to Luang Prabang (B/L)

Day 6: Luang Prabang (B/L)

Day 7: Luang Prabang (B/L)

Day 8: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)

Day 1. Arrival in Vientiane 

Upon arrival at Vientiane airport, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to your hotel for check in.

In the afternoon, explore the capital of Laos with the first stop at Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital.

Continue to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, a religious museum displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Nearby is the Presidential Palace, a unique glimpse into the colonial history of Vientiane (viewed from the outside).

Continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where beautiful city views await from the accessible roof. Next, your tour takes you to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos.

Take a leisurely walk along the banks of the Mekong River before heading back to your hotel.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2. Vientiane – Flight to Pakse (Breakfast)

Transfer to the airport to catch a short flight to Pakse, the most important city of Southern Laos. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in.

In the afternoon depart for a short orientation tour of Pakse. Explore its colonial and Chinese-style buildings, in addition to its huge local market. Afterward, depart for the Bolaven Plateau, a mountainous region home to dozens of hill tribes, waterfalls and coffee and tea plantations.

Visit the  impressive waterfalls Tad Fane and Tad Yuang situated on the edge of Dong Hua Sao protected area, 38km from Pakse.

Note: water levels may vary according to the previous rainy season.

Make a short stop in Paksong before continuing east to reach the Sinouk Coffee Resort. An expert in coffee will lead a visit through the coffee plantation, explaining all about the indigenous coffee trees and different processing stages.

On the drive back to Pakse, stop at the small village of Ban Houay Houn, famous for its Katu textiles. Observe the village’s women weaving without a traditional loom, using their legs to stretch the fabric.

Return to Pakse in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at Pakse

Day 3. Pakse – Don Khong (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, transfer to Wat Phou. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple served as the most important economic and political centre of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

Stop for lunch in a local restaurant in Champasak before continuing to Khong Island, the biggest island in Southern Laos and the start of the 4,000 Islands Region. Called “Siphandon” in Lao language, this area is where the Mekong stretches over 14 km wide and houses thousands of islands between its cascades and rapids.

Overnight in Khong Island

Day 4. Don Khong – Pakse (Breakfast/Lunch)

Depart for a full day exploring the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don)

Travel to the village of Ban Nakasan where you will take a local boat to the peaceful island of Don Khone, home to plantations and simple villages.

Visit the impressive Lippi falls, which are on the west of Don Khone, very close to the Cambodian border. Their original name, Tad Somphamit, means “trap spirit” and the locals revere these falls as they believe they act as a trap for bad spirits.

The islands played an important role during the French colonial rule as they linked Laos to Cambodia and southern Vietnam. To cross the waterfalls, a railway bridge was built, which now provides an excellent viewpoint for visitors. Follow up with a short boat trip, offering the chance to spot the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. After relaxing on the boat ride, enjoy a local-style lunch served in a nearby restaurant.

Return to Ban Nakasan by boat and then transfer to the hotel in Pakse by car, arriving back in time for sunset.

Overnight in Pakse

Day 5. Pakse – Flight to Luang Prabang (Breakfast/Lunch)

Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Luang Prabang.

On arrival, begin your exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site with a visit to Wat Xieng Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country. The main sanctuary represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. Then, visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family, The Royal Palace is now home to exhibits of art and jewels as well as the residence itself. Continue on foot to visit Wat Mai, with its unique 5 tiered roof and golden bas-reliefs.

Pay a visit to Ock Pop Tok living Craft Centre to learn about the creation of traditional Laos art forms like weaving, dyeing, silk worms and batik from Laos artisans themselves. Enjoy the sunset over the Mekong river before heading back to town.

Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6. Luang Prabang (Breakfast/Lunch)

Wake up early in the morning to witness the Tak Bat ceremony, you will have the chance to witness the monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents. Continue to visit the morning market before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, followed by Wat Aham and Wat That, where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa.

Leave the city behind and head to the peaceful countryside. The drive ends at a beautiful destination – The Kuang Si Waterfalls. The falls are a series of cascading turquoise pools, surrounded by lush forest. Spend time exploring the falls and enjoying the pristine nature. Take a challenging, but rewarding hike to the top of the highest point or simply relax on the rocks of the lower pools.  

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7. Luang Prabang (Breakfast/Lunch)

Take a cruise upstream on a traditional Long River boat to Kamu Lodge. Marvel at the thousands of gold Buddha statues placed in sacred Pak Ou caves then Continue upriver for another hour to reach the Kamu Lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy the traditional Kamu lifestyle and their activities: Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields, gold panning (January to June) in the Mekong, traditional fishing techniques in the Mekong or Local village visit and encounters

Dinner and overnight at the Lodge

Day 8. Luang Prabang – Departure (Breakfast)

Enjoy breakfast and some free time before getting back to Luang Prabang and take a flight back home.

End of all your services.

Inclusions services: 

• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
• Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
• Experienced and skilled English-Speaking Guide
• All admission fee at attractions as mentioned in the itinerary.
• All meals as mentioned in the itinerary.

Exclusions services: 

• Visa handling fee,visa stamping fee.
• Internal airfares in the tour (please refer to the airfare supplement)
• International airfare from/to Vietnam
• Any other meals not mentioned above.
• Any kind of drinks in meals
• All other services which are not mentioned in INCLUSIONS
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Travel insurance in all kinds
• Personal expenses such as Bar, telephone, Laundry bills …
• Tipping/ Gratuities Guideline
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (Typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.
• Surcharge for peak season/public holidays if any.