Classic Laos Tour – 8 days

Pickup at the airport. Transfer to the hotel for checkin. Enjoy free time to relax after long flight.

Meal: n/a
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

In the morning time, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane, to visit religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra
Keo from the early time of Lane Xang Kingdom until 18th century, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha, That Luang serves as the main and symbolic stupa in Laos. It’s also our national symbol and recognizable throughout the world, gathering place for national Buddhism ceremony. It’s also the biggest stupa in Laos; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane.
We have a lunch stop at a local restaurant.

Buddha Park

In the afternoon, we continue the sigthseeing tour to Carol Cassidy, a Gallery weaving Lao textiles and natural dye making process from A-Z; Buddha Park on the Mekong of which Buddha statues in modern style shapes. One of them is the largest Recling Buddha in Laos. They were built by a Lao man in order to teach following generations about religions worldwide after his study in India. A larger park was built in Nong Khai, Thailand and his body has been kept there.
We return to Vientiane in the late afternoon.
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Free in the morning to explore Vientiane.

At noon, pickup for early afternoon flight to Xieng Khouang. Transfer to the hotel upon arrival. Free to relax.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Xieng Khouang

After breakfast at hotel we drive over the plains to visit the Plain of Jars site 1 before continuing to drive to the Plain of Jars 2. Here we have time to find out more about the still unclear history of the stone Jars here which dated back to about 2000 years ago.

Plain of Jars

In the afternoon, we drive about 1 hour to visit Muang Khoun, the old capital of Xieng Khouang where we will see some ruins left over from the war.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, private transfer to Luang Prabang (no guide).
The long journey takes about 8 hours and we can make some stops at villages to observe the rural life of local people, including ethnic minorities such as the Hmong people.

Luang Prabang Town

Arrival in Luang Prabang, and check into your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

This morning we visit the former Royal Palace and the National Museum (closed on Tuesday and Sunday afternoon) and the famous Wat Xieng Thong Temple, the city’s most magnificent temple on the bank of the Mekong.

Pak Ou Cave

Then, we catch a traditional long boat trip up the Mekong River to visit the famous Pak Ou cave. The upper section of the cave is part of a limestone cave staffed with Buddha images of all styles and sizes. En route, we will also visit Ban Muangkeo, a village known for making Lao traditional rice whisky and Ban Xang Khong, known for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings and natural dyes. In the evening we suggest you trying some of the excellent Laos food prepared by local restaurants, ask your guide for a nice place to go.

Meal: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

We depart from Luang Prabang by minivan and drive to an ethnic Khmu village where we will start our adventure. We start by trekking to a nearby Hmong village. You will be able to learn about the lifestyles of Khmu and Hmong people, these two culturally very different minorities and see how, despite their differences, they work together on a daily basis and even share the same school.

Kuang Si waterfall

As we continue onwards the trail leads through rice paddies and vegetable fields before reaching the mountainous forest. Along the way we explore a cave which was used as a bomb shelter by the local villagers during the second Indochina War.
After visiting the cave we continue trekking to one of the many springs which feeds Kuang Si waterfalls, where we can see a beautiful pool full of sacred fish. After descending from the top of the waterfall we enjoy a Lao style lunch amongst some beautiful settings!

A local villager

After lunch we will relax by the waterfall with plenty of time for swimming and taking pictures of the magnificent falls and the turquoise pools.
Before leaving Kuang Si Waterfalls we will pass through a rescue and refuge centre for bears saved from the illegal wildlife trade. On our way back to Luang Prabang we will also have the opportunity to visit Lao’s only buffalo dairy and try some of their buffalo cheese. We will then drive back to Luang Prabang. Arrive the hotel in late afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Free and easy to explore Luang Prabang till airport transfer for departure flight. Trip ends.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: n/a