Highlight of Laos

7 days 6 nights

Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane

Day 2: Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B/L)

Day 3: Vang Vieng – Xieng Khouang (B/L)

Day 4: Xieng Khouang (B/L)

Day 5: Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang (B/L)

Day 6: Luang Prabang (B/L)

Day 7: 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 – Vang Vieng (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, be ready for a four-hour drive north to Vang Vieng through the spectacular countryside. Along the way, visit the busy and colorful market of Thalat where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. The next stop is the archeological site of Vang Xang dating back to the 11th century. Arrive in Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. After checking into your hotel,  take a local longtail boat cruise upstream on the Nam Song River to the Organic Farm, which specializes in refreshing mulberry tea and houses a wide range of livestock and organic crops. Take a short tour of the Organic Farm. Return to Vang Vieng by long tail boat by sunset.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 3. Vang Vieng – Xieng Khouang (Breakfast/Lunch)

Heading 2km out of Vang Vieng town to explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. Then cross the river to Ban Huai Ngai, a very pleasant village where you can explore the different lifestyles of the locals.

Leave for a long journey to Xieng Khuang. Upon arrival in the evening, check-in and relax.

Overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Day 4. Xieng Khouang (Breakfast/Lunch)

In the morning, journey from Phonsavan to the Plain of Jars, a huge archaeological complex filled with 2500-year-old stone jars sized from 70cm up to four meters. The trip includes visits to the three major sites. Begin at Site 1, the closest site to the town and the largest, before visiting Site 2 at Hai Hin on Phou Salator. The tour ends at Site 3 in Hai Hin Lat Khai, which is the most impressive site with over 150 jars.

Nearby the site, pay a visit to Ban Xiengdi, where there is a small monastery known for its Buddha images.

Attention: The Plain of Jars was heavily bombed during the war; it is imperative to respect all signage and to stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Phonsavan.

In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day trip to Muang Khoun, home to a unique sitting giant Buddha as well as some old pagodas that remain in ruins. Then return to Xieng Khuang.

Overnight in Xieng Khouang

Day 5. Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang (Breakfast/Lunch)

Early in the morning, visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh then head out towards Luang Prabang.  Enroute stop off to see the Buddha images in Thampra, a site more than 200 years old, and various Hmong and hilltribe minority villages along the way. Continue driving uphill, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape. The journey will take you over mountainous regions until we approach Luang Prabang, one of the most beautiful towns in Asia.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6. Luang Prabang (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the enchanting World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang.

The tour starts at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, to learn about the history of Laos, continues on foot to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief and then visit Wat Xieng Thong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Continue to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre (closed on Monday) to explore the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities.

In the afternoon, 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.

Just before sunset, climb the 328 steps leading to the top of Mount Phousi. Upon reaching the peak, enjoy a beautiful sunset and panoramic views of the city below. After sunset, descend the steps and pay a visit to the nearby evening market, filled with beautiful hill tribe souvenirs and handicrafts.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7. Luang Prabang – Departure (Breakfast)

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.  

Return to town and enjoy some free time until your transfer to Luang Prabang airport for your departing flight.

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.