Essentials of Laos

Sa-bai-dee! Welcome to Vientiane, the capital city of Lao PDR.

Lies on the bank of the Mekong River, this capital city of Laos studded with gilded Buddhist shrines and monuments, faded French colonial buildings, little café and steaming noodle stalls, bustling sidewalk markets and quiet medieval shady streets, is somewhere between a laidback city and a lively township; a place of charms that you might not find anywhere else around Asia.

Met and greeted by our guide and driver at the airport and take a short transfer to hotel to check in. (Check in time is 14.00)
Remainder of the day is free to relax or wander around exploring the town at your own pace.
Overnight in hotel in Vientiane.

Summary of inclusions

Private airport transfer

Hotel in vientiane

Today you will spend full day to explore highlights of the Vientiane capital city.
Start the tour with visit to the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph.

The afternoon you continue to explore the rest of mystical Vientiane with visits to the Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng, Wat Haisok and the Buddha Park, a display of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created by mystical monk on parkland located by the Mekong River.
Enjoy the spectacular sunset over the Mekong.

Evening is free at your own pace. Overnight in hotel in Vientiane.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Sightseeing vientiane

Breakfast

Hotel in vientiane

Get transferred to the airport for morning flight to Luang Prabang.
The UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos, maybe in Indochina.

This afternoon you have a bicycle/green tuk tuck tour to sightseeing the Luang Prabang ancient town with visits to some featured sights such as the most photographed Wat Xieng Thong with its several roofs sweeping low to the ground, the former Royal Palace today is the National Museum that houses rare religious and cultural artefacts.
Then visit Wat Mai built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style.
In the evening you climb up to the top of Phousi Mountain for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Evening is at your leisure. Overnight in hotel in Luang Prabang

Summary of inclusions

Private airport transfers

green tuk tuk

Sightseeing luang prabang

Breakfast

Hotel in luang prabang

Get up early in the morning if you wish to participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people.

Breakfast at the hotel and get transferred to the pier where you board a cruise upstream of the Mekong River along a beautiful landscapes of the tranquil countryside to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves which is crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, a holy place for Laos pilgrims.
Along the cruise forth and back, you will also make some stops to explore traditional local villages such as Ban Xanghai where you can see and learn about the distillation of local rice wine, the Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for traditional silk weaving and handmade flower paper.
Remainder of the day is at your leisure to wander around the old quarter of Luang Prabang, sightseeing the colonial area with beautiful colonial architecture.
Optional Laos cooking class is available at your disposal.
Evening is free at your own pace. Overnight in hotel in Luang Prabang

Summary of inclusions

Boat

pak ou cave explore

traditional villages visit

Breakfast

Hotel in luang prabang

After breakfast, you will take a drive to the Kuang Si waterfall, a jade of Luang Prabang area. Along the way you will make stop to visit to local hill tribe villages of Hmong and Khmu to learn more about Laos’s culture colors and diversity.

At the Kuang Si Waterfall Park, you will have a visit to the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary where you can find great information about Asian sun and moon bears and the Free the Bears Protection Program.

Considered the most beautiful masterpiece of nature in Luang Prabang and the whole country of Laos, from the level of 60 meters high, the vibrant water of Kuang Si tumbles down, cascading over limestone tiers creating a series of wonderful turquoise natural swimming pools. The harmony between the white falls, crystal blue color ponds, fascinating travertine patterns and the green of lush tropical jungle surrounding makes make the place a dreaming picturesque landscape. 
The wonderful activity here is absolutely to take a swim in the turquoise ponds and let the torrents shower your body. You can also take a hike along jungle trail up to the top where the stream feeding into the falls to get a great overview of the stunning water patchwork below. 

Enjoy your time exploring and swimming in crystal clear water.
Back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and evening is at your leisure.
Overnight in hotel in Luang Prabang.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

hill tribe villages visit

kuang si fall discovery

Breakfast

Hotel in luang prabang

Breakfast is at the hotel. Free at leisure until check out time.
Get a private transfer to the airport for flight home or to onward destination.
Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions

Private aiport transfer

Breakfast