Easy Pace Laos – 9 days

Ideal for travelers who like to mix their adventure with an comfort and relaxation, this Laos tour offers an authentic and in-depth experience of this beautiful country showing you around its main attractions whilst still breaking into a sweat from time to time. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience the charm of slow-paced Laos
• Immerse yourself in Buddhist culture
• Explore life along the vibrant Mekong River
• Shang-ri Lao Elephant Camp
• Discover local villages and get in touch with the Kamu Tribe 

ITINERARY

Day 1:  Vientiane Arrival
Day 2:  Vientiane City Tour – Buddha Park
Day 3:  Vientiane – Luang Prabang – Baci Ceremony
Day 4:  Luang Prabang Walking Tour
Day 5:  Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfall – Luang Prabang
Day 6:  Luang Prabang – Shangri Lao Elephant Camp
Day 7:  Shangri Lao – Luang Prabang
Day 8:  Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves – Kamu Lodge
Day 9:  Kamu Lodge – Luang Prabang Departure

Day 1:             VIENTIANE ARRIVAL

Upon arrival in Vientiane, you will be met by local guide transferred to your hotel.
 
Overnight in Vientiane.

DAY 2:             VIENTIANE CITY TOUR – BUDDHA PARK (B, L)

In the morning, we start our Vientiane tuk-tuk tour at Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao’s national icon, That Luang Stupa, we will stop at the Patuxay Monument, known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
 
In the afternoon visit the quirky Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures situated on a Mekong Riverside meadow outside of the city centre. The statues were created by a mysterious monk by way of spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe.

Overnight in Vientiane.

DAY 3:             VIENTIANE – LUANG PRABANG – BACI CEREMONY & DINNER (B, D)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be met by local guide transferred to your hotel.
 
Late afternoon, we can go for a stroll around this quaint town and have time to explore the Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local villagers and the hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang. Dinner is at a local house and is accompanied by a traditional Baci ceremony.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 4:             LUANG PRABANG WALKING TOUR (B, L)

Optional early wake-up call possible to join the locals giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from morning prayers. Take a stroll through Ban Pakham morning market and take part in this everyday ritual.
 
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, enjoy a tour of the city. Your circuit begins at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, continuing on to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai (the Lao New Year celebrations in April), the Kingdoms Palladium – known as Prabang and normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum – is put on public display in this temple. Continue on to Wat Xieng Thong, perhaps the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang.

In the late morning visit the unique Wat Visoun, entirely rebuilt after its destruction in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa, which is shaped like the fruit it takes its name from.

In the afternoon start with the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which will give you further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. There is also time to visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek before returning to the Old Town to climb Mount Phousi and enjoy the fantastic sunset view of Luang Prabang, and the Nam Kan River joining the Mekong.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

DAY 5:             LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATERFALL (B, L)

After breakfast we make our way to the famous Kuang Si Waterfalls. Along the way, you will drive through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages. Stop en-route to visit a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries.

Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The water tumbles down a large drop and cascades gently in to several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim (please dress modestly).
Return to Luang Prabang, stop to visit the nearby Bear Rescue Centre that does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
 
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 6:             LUANG PRABANG – SHANGRI LAO ELEPHANT CAMP (B, L, D)

After breakfast, transfer to the Shangri-Lao Elephant Camp which is located on the banks of the Nam Khan River, approximately 15 km outside Luang Prabang (shared transfer). Upon arrival, after an introductory tour of the camp, your expedition starts with an elephant ride lasting approximately 1.5 hours through forests and over hills to the protected Huay Sae hidden valley.

After lunch, continue with an approximately 1.5 hours trekking on foot along the marvelous Huay Sae mountain stream. The adventurous trail crosses bamboo bridges and passes waterfalls, fantastic limestone formations and turquoise blue pools in the dense jungle.

Board a simple raft, typical of those used by the hill tribe people across the region, and float gently downstream for around an hour and half, with an optional additional 30 minutes at the Tad Sae Waterfalls if you wish. Arriving back at the camp, your safari tent will be ready for check-in. Time to relax or enjoy walking to a nearby village. In the evening a barbeque dinner will be served on the terrace.

Overnight in Shangri Lao.

DAY 7:             SHANGRI LAO – LUANG PRABANG (B, L)

After breakfast we spend some time learning how the mahouts train and work with their elephant. It’s very much hands on experience and you will be involved with loading up the howdah and practicing how to climb onto your elephant and ride it bare back. Together with the mahouts make your way to the nearby river to give the heard their daily bath. If you haven’t bathed an elephant before, it’s a moment you will never forget.

Return to the camp to check-out of your tent. After lunch, there is plenty of time to relax, enjoy a swim or enjoy a walk through the nearby village to visit a small temple. Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon (shared transfer).

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 8:             LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES – KAMU LODGE (B, L, D)

After breakfast we embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, a popular stop-over producing some special varieties of Laolao, the local rice wine. After we visit the caves we make another short stop at a smaller village named Ban Muangkeo. Here we have a stroll through town and get a glimpse of local village life along the Mekong River.

Continue upriver for another hour to reach the Kamu Lodge for lunch time. The Kamu Lodge features 20 private canvas tents, each one of which is protected from the elements by a thatched roof. The tents are also decorated with bamboo and wooden furniture allowing the Lodges’ grounds to harmoniously blend with the surrounding nature. They each feature a private attached bathroom and toilet with solar powered hot water and lighting.

This afternoon you may choose to participate in a variety of different activities. You will be rewarded with a very original Lao experience: rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields, gold panning in the Mekong, traditional fishing techniques in the Mekong, local village visit and encounters, archery contest.

Overnight in Kamu Lodge.

DAY 9              KAMU LODGE – LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE (B)

Breakfast at the Lodge. The boat departs around 0900 for the cruise down to Luang Prabang, arriving around 1200. Your day is at leisure until transfer to Luang Prabang for your departure flight.

SERVICE INCLUDED

• Shared accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast
• Tours as per itinerar with local speaking guide
• All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles
• All entrance fees as program
• Meals (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner) as indicated in the program
• A bottle of mineral water per day tour

SERVICE EXCLUDED 

• Drinks
• Mineral water beyond that supplied
• Tips
• Personal expenses and tips
• Visa to Laos
• Airfares (international and domestic)
• Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
• Airport taxes  
• Early check in or late check out
• Insurances
• Optional excursions and activities
• Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
• Items of a personal nature (Phone calls, laundry, beverages…)
• Peak season surcharges if any
• All not mentioned above