Highlights of Laos

Experience the old-fashioned charm of Laos, exploring untouched landscapes and meeting incredibly friendly people.

Day 1: Arrival into Vientiane (D)

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and tour briefing. If time permits we’ll take an orientation walk around the colonial quarter and the riverfront tourist area. Enjoy dinner at a Laotian restaurant.
Day 2: Vientiane (B)

Our full day tour of Vientiane starts with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest standing temple in Vientiane. The temple is renowned for its remarkable fresco and many hundreds of Buddha statuette. Continue to Haw Prakeo, the former royal temple which ever housed the famous Emerald Buddha statue being worshipped in Thailand now. Pose in front of Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph called Patuxay for pictures before touring That Luang Stupa – the symbol of Laos. Delve into the daily life of the locals at the Central Market before a break. Afternoon we tour the Buddha Park to see hundreds of Buddha statues on a riverside meadow.
Day 3: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B)

We transfer to the airport for a short morning flight to Luang Prabang. Meet up with our local guide at Luang Prabang airport and visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, conquer Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view. Later we explore the iridescent Night Market and admire a lovely selection of handicrafts.
Day 4: Luang Prabang (B)

Early rise to take the fantastic opportunity to watch or participate in the unique daily morning ritual, where hundreds of saffron-clad monks walk in procession collecting offerings of sticky rice from devout residents along the roadside. With interest, you can visit the Morning Market to learn about local produces and trading practice.

This morning we tour the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping down to the ground. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. We also visit Ban Phanom village of skilled hand-weaving women. Return to town and visit the Royal Museum which houses beautiful objects from the very first kings of Pha Ngum dynasty till the last sovereign.
Day 5: Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast we’ll visit some villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Ban Ou and Ban Thapene. Continue to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where there’s a chance to cool off in the turquoise pools or to walk along the forest trails. One our way back to town, call at Ban Xangkhong to see jute paper production.
Day 6: Luang Prabang (B)

Today we drive to Lao Spirit Resort to see the protected Elephants at the “Elephant Park Project” along the Nam Khan riverbanks. Enjoy a ride through the jungle on the back of an Asian Elephant before a trek to the Fair Trek project area to visit a small Khmu village community living at the foot of a high mountain range. The fair trek project enables remote villagers to benefit directly from tourism. After lunch at Ban Houay Fai we return to Tad Sae waterfall and take a boat back to Lao Spirit Resort and drive back to town.
Day 7: Departure from Luang Prabang (B)

Transfer to the airport for your departure journey