Grand Tour of Laos – 12 days

From North to South, this 12 day itinerary will show you the very best that Laos has to offer, from its friendly people and intriguing spiritual culture to its diverse landscapes and magic natural wonders. Travelling beyond the touristy areas, you will discover many untold experiences.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A calming boat ride along the Mekong River from Pakbeng to Luang Prabang
• Traditional Baci welcome dinner and dance performance.
• A beautiful scenic drive through some of  Laos’ most stunning landscapes
• Explore the mysterious ‘Plain of Jars’
• Meet and interact with local ethnic minorities and catch a glimpse of their daily routine

ITINERARY

Day 1:  Huay Xay Arrival – Pakbeng by Luang Say Cruise
Day 2:  Pakbeng – Luang Prabang by Luang Say Cruise
Day 3:  Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves – Kuang Si Waterfall – Luang Prabang
Day 4:  Luang Prabang Walking Tour
Day 5:  Luang Prabang – Phonsavan
Day 6:  Plain of Jars
Day 7:  Xieng Khoang – Vientiane
Day 8:  Vientiane City Tour – Buddha Park
Day 9:  Vientiane – Pakse – Tad Lo
Day 10: Tad Lo – Champasak – Wat Phou – 4000 Islands
Day 11: 4000 Islands – Khone Bapheng Waterfall- 4000 Islands
Day 12: 4000 Islands – Pakse Departure

DAY 1:             HUAY XAY ARRIVAL – PAKBENG BY LUANG SAY CRUISE (D)

You’ll transfer this morning to the border crossing at Huay Xay, here you board the Luang Say boat for your cruise down the Mekong.  

Today the day is spent cruising through beautiful scenery with a couple of stops made to visit ethnic hilltribe villages. Lunch is served on board. Just before sunset you arrive in Pakbeng and check into Luang Say Lodge. Dinner is served on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River.

Overnight in Luang Say Lodge.

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DAY 2:            PAKBENG – LUANG PRABANG BY LUANG SAY CRUISE (B, L, D)

Breakfast is included at the lodge and there is an optional early visit to Pakbeng market where people from the surrounding minority villages exchange their wares.
At 8.30 you board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. Today there is more time to enjoy the beautiful scenery and a stop to visit the Pak Ou Caves “Cave of a Thousand Buddha’s”. There may be time for a visit to a Hmong village and a brief stop to observe the traditional process of manufacturing local rice alcohol.
You arrive into Luang Prabang in the afternoon. Check in hotel & relax. 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.

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DAY 3:            LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATERFALL – LUANG PRABANG (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.

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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.

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Day 5:             LUANG PRABANG – PHONSAVAN (B, L)

An early start today for the journey to Xiengkhuang, famous for the “Plain of Jars”. The road follows a twisty mountain route and you get to stop at some fantastic viewpoints with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Throughout the day you’ll stop at local villages to explore and to have lunch. The last stop of the day is a reminder of the significance of this region in the Vietnam War, a hidden Buddha cave that served as an army hospital during the war.
 
Upon arrival Phosavan, check in hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
 
Overnight in Phonsavan.

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DAY 6:             PLAIN OF JARS (B, L)

This morning you visit the Mines Action Group (MAG) office to learn about the important work they do clearing landmines. You then drive out to the picturesque “Plain of Jars”, the impressive archaeological sites are covered with hundreds of mysterious jars, scattered across the surrounding plateau. The biggest jar measures over three meters in height and many are believed to be more than 2500 years old.
 
Continue on to Muang Khoune, the old capital of Xieng Houang. This area was heavily bombed during the Indochina War and the more recent Vietnam War from across the border. Take time to visit former French settlements and the temple of Wat Phia Wat.
 
Overnight in Phonsavan.

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DAY 7:             XIENG KHOUANG – VIENTIANE (B)

This morning there is time to visit the local market in town, where ethnic minorities (including Thai Dam, Hmong, and Phuan) from the surrounding villages usually gather.

In the afternoon transfer to the airport for your short flight to Vientiane. Alternatively if you have the time and would like to explore a little more we can add an extra night or two  into the itinerary and you can travel to Vientiane by road with an overnight stop in Vang Vieng with its stunning limestone karst scenery.

Arrive in Vientiane, check in hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Vientiane.

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DAY 8:             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.

This afternoon is free at leisure.

Overnight in Vientiane.

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DAY 9:             VIENIANE – PAKSE – TAD LO

Take an early morning flight to Pakse. Upon arrival in Pakse your guide will meet you for your transfer to the Bolaven Plateau know for its cool temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. You’ll stop at a village specializing in knife-making, a tea plantation and then at Tad Fan, a picturesque twin shute waterfall.

Continue to Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall as well as numerous ethnic minority groups. Having visited the villages of Alak, Nge and Katu return to your lodge where you can enjoy a sunset swim in the waterfalls.

Overnight in Tad Lo.

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DAY 10:           TAD LO – CHAMPASAK – WAT PHOU – 4000 ISLAND (SI PHAN DONE) (B, L)

After breakfast, you head out to the plateau, stopping first at the attractive Paxuam Waterfall. You then drive to Champassak and onto Wat Phou, one of South-East Asia’s most dramatically situated temple sites with superb views across the Mekong River.
 
Return to Champasak to explore the French colonial architecture town before take the boat across the Mekong and drive to Done Khong. The rest of your day is at leisure to explore the island by foot or bike.

Overnight in the 4000 Islands.

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DAY 11:           4000 ISLANDS – KHONE PAPHENG WATERFALL (B)

After breakfast, take a local boat to the peaceful islands of Done Det and Done Khone, sites of the only railway ever built in Laos at the end of the 19th century.

After a stroll through the palm-fringed villages, continue to the southernmost part of Laos and the impressive Khone Papheng waterfalls, just a few miles from the Cambodian border.

In the afternoon return to your hotel, stopping en route at a location where you have a good chance of spotting the region’s rare Irrawaddy dolphins. The remainder of your day is at leisure to relax or explore the island further.

Overnight in Khone Island.

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DAY 12:           4000 ISLANDS – PAKSE DEPARTURE (B)

Your day is at leisure until transfer to Pakse 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