Laos in depth

9 days 8 nights

Vientiane – Kong Lor – Savannakhet – Pakse – Khong Island – Luang Prabang

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane

Day 2: Vientiane – Kong Lor (B/L)

Day 3: Kong Lor – Savannakhet (B/L)

Day 4: Savannakhet – Pakse (B/L)

Day 5: Pakse – Khong Island (B/L)

Day 6: Khong Island – Pakse (B/L)

Day 7: Pakse – flight to Luang Prabang (B)

Day 8: Luang Prabang (B/L)

Day 9: 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 – Kong Lor (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, meet with the guide for a long drive toward Ban Kong Lor. Along the way, make a first quick stop to visit Wat Prabath Phonsane (‘Temple of the footprint of Buddha’) then leave the main road and enter the Phou Hin Poun NPA (National Protected Area). The scenery quickly becomes much more spectacular, featuring limestone karsts, forests and rice paddies. Enjoy a picnic lunch brought by the guide from Vientiane.

On arrival to the small town of Ban Kong Lor, check in to the hotel, freshen up and depart for the famous Kong Lor Caves.

Upon entering the cave, board a longtail boat, which will provide transport through the length of this spectacular cavern along an underground section of the Hin Boun River – a length of 7.5km without daylight! The river flows all year and reveals vast formations of stalactites and stalagmites, some of which may be seen from the boat, others which can be explored on foot.

Upon reaching the other side of the cave, stop for refreshments and walk to local villages, enjoying the scenery and observing a more simple way of life.

Return by boat, travelling ‘downstream’ through the cave, to Ban Kong Lor.

Overnight in Ban Kong Lor.

Day 3. Kong Lor – Savannakhet (Breakfast/Lunch)

Early in the morning, take a walk to explore the surrounding villages. Continue with a drive to Thakhek, a sleepy town with some attractive colonial buildings. Have lunch then drive to Savannakhet. Before entering Savannakhet, stop at the beautiful 16th Century temple of That Ing Hang.

Continue on to Savannakhet. The city is most famous as the birthplace of the father of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Kaysone Phomvihane. Take a short tour of the architectural highlights, which include various French villas and the striking St. Teresa Catholic Church. Visit the small but very interesting Dinosaur Museum.

The remainder of the day is free at leisure to enjoy a swim and take a stroll along the Mekong.

Overnight in Savannakhet.

Day 4. Savannakhet – Pakse (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, set off early this morning for the drive to Pakse. After lunch at a local restaurant, depart for the Bolaven Plateau, an area of highlands sitting just east of Pakse,  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.

En route, stop to visit a coffee and/or tea plantation. The beans grown in this region produce some of the most famous coffees in the world, which is sometimes called the “Champagne of coffee”. Lao coffee is cultivated almost exclusively in the cool fresh air of the Bolaven Plateau by the families who live in its 250 villages.

Overnight in Pakse.

Day 5. Pakse – Khong Island (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 is still one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

Pass through the small town of Champasak, where French colonial buildings offer a great contrast to Wat Phou, and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

Continue south to the 4,000 Islands Region. Locally known as “Siphandon”, this area is where the Mekong stretches to over 14km wide. The river flows between a large number of islands, creating waterfalls and rapids.

Overnight on Khong Island.

Day 6. Khong Island – Pakse (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, depart this morning to explore the peaceful islands of Don Det and Don Khone. The islands are home to plantations and simple villages; the best way to explore the area is either via bicycle or hired tuk tuk.

Begin the visit at the impressive Lippi falls, which are on the west of Don Khone. Very close to the Cambodian border,  the locals revere these falls as they believe they act as a trap for bad spirits.

Afterwards, take a short boat trip with the chance of spotting the elusive Irrawaddy Dolphin.

Lunch today will be served in a local restaurant.

The final highlight of this area are the imposing Khone Phapheng waterfalls. Late this afternoon, return to Pakse by land.

Overnight in Pakse.

Day 7. Pakse – flight to Luang Prabang (Breakfast)

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 8. 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.

Afterwards, board a private longtail boat for the Mekong River cruise to the famous Pak Ou Caves. Locally called Tam Ting, the caves are filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues, coming in a wide range of sizes. After visiting the caves, cruise back to Luang Prabang. Along the way back, make a stop at Ban Xang Hay, a village specialising in making rice wine.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 9. Luang Prabang – Departure (Breakfast)

This morning, 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.  

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.