Laos highlights & hidden gems

Sa-bai-dee! Welcome to Laos PDR!
Met and greeted at the Huay Xai pier - Lao border checkpoint and transfer you to hotel for check-in. The remainder of your day is free at leisure to enjoy your own exploring of the laidback Huay Xai town.
Overnight in hotel in Huay Xai.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Hotel in huay xai

After an early breakfast at hotel, leave Huay Xai for Luang Namtha by car.
Driving pass spectacular landscapes of mountains and hills and enjoy some stops to visit to local hill tribe villages along the way.
Arrive in Luang Namtha in the mid-afternoon and spend your time to wander around for sightseeing of the town.

Lies on the bank of the Tha River, Luang Nam Tha is the provincial capital of the same name province. The town itself is a place of charm with the laidback atmosphere of a mountain town and is a base for trekking and biking to the surrounding hill tribe villages.

Overnight in hotel in Luang Namtha.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

visit hill tribe villages

Breakfast

Hotel in luang nam tha

After breakfast, take a short drive to Ban Chalernsuk, a Khmu minority village about 20km away from Luang Namtha. From there you will take the truly off the beaten track trek up and down hills into this beautiful mountain region. The journey brings you past verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes for an unforgettable experience.
Finish our trekking day at Ban Nalan where you check in homestay at a local house of a Khmu family. It is the chance for firsthand local experience.  
Our accommodation tonight is simple and dormitory style, no western facilities.  
Spend the rest of the day to wander around the village for sightseeing around and enjoy local interaction.
Overnight in hotel in Ban Nalan.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

trekking luang nam tha

visit hill tribe villages

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

homestay local house

After breakfast, you will trek along the bank of river to Ban Namkoy, passing the picturesque landscape of forests and rice fields.
After a short break you will continue with another three-hour trek uphill. This trek can be a challenge but enable you to maximize enjoyment of the spectacular landscapes. Along the way you pass through several hamlets where local life style and traditions are remain intact.
Finish our trek at the small village of Ban Namlu where you will meet our truck for a drive back to Luang Namtha. 
Evening is at your leisure. Overnight in hotel in Luang Namtha.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

visit hill tribe villages

trekking luang nam tha

Breakfast & lunch

Hotel in luang nam tha

After breakfast, you will depart Luang Namtha for our drive towards the border areas around Muang Sing which is home to some to some most colorful hill tribes in Laos and is a place that known for its spectacular highland natural beauties.
Along the way you will have some stop to visit to some hill tribe villages including one of the Akha, the hill tribes originally from China, which is known for their typical culture and colorful costume. From Muang Sing you will drive further west, traveling by bumpy roads to Xieng Kok, a border town near the Golden Triangle for an interesting visit before getting back to Muang Sing with another stop to visit Lantan (Lanetene) minority village.  
Rest of the day to enjoy your explore of the laidback Muang Sing. Overnight in hotel in Muang Sing. Overnight in hotel in Muang Sing.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

hill tribe villages visit

Breakfast

Hotel in muang sing

Get up early for a visit to a very colorful and bustling local morning market where the local hill tribes from surrounding mountains and valleys gather to barter and trade their goods, a fascinating and photogenic scene that should not be missed. Join with locals, try some local food and get for you some stunning shots.
Following, spend time to visit the impressive Ethnology Museum that contains a great display and information about the region’s ethnic minorities
Drive back to Luang Namtha and set off for our journey on the bumpy mountain road along verdant landscapes towards Oudomxay.
Arrive in Oudomxay in the late afternoon and spend the remainder of the day to explore the town at your own pace.

Oudomxay (Muang Xay), the provincial capital of the Oudomxay Province, lies in the Nam Ko River Basin and surrounded by scenic mountains. Because of the relatively high elevation that the town located on, the climate here is rather moderate and the town sometime also called the city of clouds.
This town is home to different groups including Lao Lum, Khmu and Hmong people who occupy the first, second and largest number. Being the main town of the area, this is also a gathering place for other ethnic groups from the surrounding villages who come to sell their products, waking and enjoying time around making the town a unique multicultural atmosphere.
Overnight in hotel in Oudomxay.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Sightseeing muang sing

Breakfast

Hotel in oudomxay

After breakfast, depart Oudomxay for Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos and the World Heritage Site.
The ride is a great chance for us to discover the real Laos country and local life. The drive is difficult sometimes however, the verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes it a memorable experience.
Along the way you can make stop some time to visit to local villages or take picture of landscapes as well as local activities.

Check in hotel upon arrival in Luang Prabang. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or wander around on foot to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of this charming town.

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.
Overnight in hotel in Luang Prabang.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Sightseeing en route

Breakfast

Hotel in luang prabang

Get up early if you wish to join and enjoy the special scene of Luang Prabang: Morning alms giving. You may love to sit along with locals by the road side and offer food to monks who are in yellow robe walking slowly in line with bowls in their hand.

Back to hotel for breakfast.
Later, take a bicycle/green tuk tuck tour to sightseeing the ancient Luang Prabang with visits to some featured sights of the town including: Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa with the rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao; Wat Aham and Wat Sene Temple; the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang - Wat Xiang Thong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style; the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, with a huge collections of Laos historical and cultural artifacts; the Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief.

Late afternoon, take a 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

bicycle ride

Sightseeing luang prabang

Breakfast

Hotel in luang prabang

After breakfast, 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 explore

Breakfast

Hotel in luang prabang

After breakfast, depart Luang Prabang for Xieng Khouang which is home to the famous archeological site of Plain of Jars.
This long drive provide us with chance to enjoy the spectacular mountains and rural landscapes of Laos. Along the way you will make several stops for photos of nature beauties, local village visits and local interaction.  Stop on the way at some high viewpoints to complete the beauty of nature.
Check in hotel upon arrival in Phonsavan, the provincial capital of Xiang Khouang province then enjoy a trip to Muang Khoun, once the royal seat of the minor kingdom of Muang Phuan dated back from 16 centuries, heavily ruined by bombs during the American War.
Explore the remains of the place including the unique sitting giant Buddha standing over columns of the Wat Pia Wat as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. There is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period. Then visit That Foun Pagoda and That Chonphet pagoda before returning to Xieng Khouang.

Evening is at your leisure. Overnight in hotel in Phonsavan.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

xiang khouang touring

Breakfast

Hotel in xiang khouang

After breakfast, spend our time to explore the famous archeological site Plain of Jars a mysterious and ancient site that contain over 300 huge stone jars apparently carved out of solid rock are scattered around the plateau.
The jars vary in size from 1 to 3.25 meters high and weigh up to six tons each. There are several different theories as to the purpose of the jars, which are estimated to be 2,500 to 3,000 years old. Their true origin remains a mystery. It seems that they were carved into boulders. Several researches lead by the French archaeologist Madeleine Colani in the 1930’s suggested that they could be old graves, but to this day they remain an enigma.
Your trip will enable you to visit the 3 sites and also discover some local villages where you can observe local village life.
Later, embark on our drive along scenic road to Vang Vieng.

Lies on the Nam Song river bank with the most notable feature of surrounding karst landscape, Vang Vieng is known for its natural beauties that is unchanged overs centuries. This place is also home to many of Laos’s ethnic groups including Kmou, Hmong…with their typical culture and tradition. This tranquil town is rapidly developed with the advent of tourist, but the beautiful scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops is unchanged for century.

Check in hotel and the rest of the day is free at your own pace. Overnight in hotel in Vang Vieng.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

explore the plain of jars

Breakfast

Hotel in vang vieng

After breakfast, start your day touring with a walk around bustling local market then take an enjoyable long tail boat ride along the Nam Song River and visit to the cave of Tham Jang, a beautiful cave with lots of stalagmites and stalactites and was used as a hideout for the locals during the war.
Also you will spend some time to visit to the local village of Ban Huai Ngai, a very pleasant community where you can explore the different local lifestyle.

Depart Vang Vieng for our drive southwards along rural landscapes to Vientiane.
On the way, you will make some stops to sightsee and interact with locals, including a visit to the traditional salt making village of Ban Keun where you learn the way Laos people make their salt.

Arrive in Vientiane in the late afternoon.
Evening is at your leisure. Overnight in hotel in Vientiane.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Boat ride on nam song river

caves explore

village Sightseeing

Breakfast

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

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 airport transfer

Breakfast