Laos Grand Tour

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.
You are free to stroll around the city for your own first impression of this ancient city. Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  
Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. 
We then visit Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas.
We then transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. 
You have the rest of the afternoon to refresh at the waterfalls. If you wish, we also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.
Transfer back to Luang Prabang, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. 
The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, transfer to the meeting point in town and take the boat at Ban Wat That and journey across the Mekong River to reach the 40 hectares of Pha Tad Ke. 
The garden staff will welcome you to the garden and ensure that you have maps and the information you need to make the most of your visit. 
Simply follow the map provided to embark on a self-guided stroll around the unique collection of the flora of Laos. 
Look out for gingers, orchids, ferns, bamboos and palms clustered around the limestone cliffs. There are plenty of signs provided to explain the medicinal, handicraft and spiritual significance of the plants on show. 
For those wanting a more challenging trek, take the path to the Buddha Cave (1 hour round trip). In addition to the flora, the Garden contains a Permaculture Demonstration Farm and a Slow Food Garden.
There are free workshops available on tea-tasting (all day at the Cafe), bamboo handicraft (10-11am and 2-3pm), a conservation talk (10am) and an orchid talk (3pm). 
For a cultural and artistic focus visit the exhibitions at Project Space - Pha Tad Ke. Exhibits here combine contemporary art, museum-quality textiles, photography, tribal sculpture and crafts.
After wandering around the gardens relax at the quiet cafe overlooking the lotus pond. Enjoy sipping tea and savouring the Lao dishes as part of your set lunch. This is an opportunity to sample some of Chef Chan’s classic Farm to Table Lao cuisine including Pomelo salad and pumpkin curry.
At the end enjoy a leisurely cruise back to the peninsula with drop off at Ban Wat That. 
From there, transfer back to your hotel. 
Free for the rest of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang

After departing at 8:30 am from your hotel, transfer to Nahm Dong park, which locates in Ban Xiengmouk, 10Km from city center.
Arriving at the park, we will have a short welcome by the park manager before joining the morning activities here.
We will first start with the Zipline flying over the jungle and the waterfalls admiring the amazing evergreen scenery. The zipline will take about 1 hour. 
Then we will walk back via the jungle trail crossing some flying bridges, small streams, and clear natural pools, where you can take a refresh splash if you wish so.
The picnic lunch will be served at the viewpoint where you can spread your view over the region, including the view of mount Phousi in the city center.
You can either spend the rest of the afternoon stroll around the park, relax by one of the huts at the camp, or enjoy the fresh cool clear natural pools.

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. 
8:00 am – 8:30 am:  Pick up by our English speaking guide from your hotel lobby within Luang Prabang, Laos
Arrive at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about Lao elephants and our special herd
Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants
Explore Elephant Village:  Visit our elephant hospital, museum, gallery and dung paper making facility!
One on One Experience: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a Mahout! 1 person per elephant
Trail of Falls Trek: Enjoy a 2 km trek on foot through the diverse jungle landscape of our exclusive Trail of Falls
Lunch: Dine in the forest surroundings with our freshly prepared picnic box lunch from our camp restaurant (vegetarian options available)
Continue the Trail of Falls: Enjoy another 1 km trek on foot along our exclusive Trail of Falls leading up to Tad Sae Waterfall where you can relax or swim in its cool natural pools  (water levels vary with seasonal conditions)
Boat trip back to camp:  Traverse the Nam Khan River in a traditional Lao long boat from the waterfall back to our Elephant Camp. You just might see traditional fishing methods and other various ways with which the local villagers make use of and enjoy the river.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Depart: Transfer back to your Hotel in Luang Prabang between 3 and 4:00 pm

Board on a traditional Long River boat at Kamu Lodge pier at 08:30am and take a leisurely cruise upstream while enjoying the refreshments served on the boat.
Marvel at the thousands of gold Buddha statues placed in sacred Pak Ou caves by devotees. Most people failed to marvel at Pak Ou towering limestone cliff.
Continue upriver and you would reach Kamu Lodge around noon. A Refreshing welcome drink is served. You can check into your super-size tents with attached modern bathroom amenities and facilities. You will enjoy lunch in an airy SALA settled in the middle of rice paddy fields.
After lunch, you can choose to either relax or to enjoy the traditional Kamu lifestyles and activities such as rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields, gold panning in the Mekong (anything you find is Yours!), traditional fishing techniques (you can sample your catch for dinner!), visit of the Kamu village, archery contest.
Dinner is a feast by Kamu tribe standards. We want you to see the world from the Kamu's eyes.
After dinner, retire to your tent.

Check out after breakfast around 09h00 the following morning. We then board on the long-tail boat again to Pakbeng, a small village located on the Mekong River. Along the way, we will stop at Ban Baw, which is famous for its traditional hand weaving. Arriving in Pakbeng at around mid-afternoon, you will check in your hotel before take an orientation walk around the town. Overnight in Pakbeng

After breakfast, transfer to Namkat Yorlapa.
You will pass through the provincial capital, Oudomxay. Once a very sleepy town, this has become an important trading hub and shows the changes which are happening rapidly in the region. This makes the final leg of the journey, away from the busy town and in to unspoiled nature, all the more exciting. Upon arrival in Oudomxay, we will transfer directly to Namkat Yola Pa Resort, which locates 30Km from Oudomxay center. The resort is famous for its pure natural surround with the thick jungle, and especially the amazing Namkat Waterfalls.
After check-in the hotel, we will start exploring the amazing Namkat waterfalls, which are hidden deep in the jungle.
We will first start by jumping on the local truck, which will bring us to the entrance of the jungle. From there we cross the jungle through small paths and flying bridges. Along the way, we will smell the scent of pure green nature. We will reach the waterfalls after an hour's walk. We have plenty of time to cool off at the waterfalls. If you wish, you can dive in cool water.
Night at Namkat Yorla Pa.

We will start our journey at 8 am towards Muang Khua via Muang La towards the Dien Bien Phu border road, we have the chance to visit the Pra Xing kham temple with its sacred 400-year-old Buddha statue; the legendary is said to have many supernatural powers, and is widely revered among local Buddhist worshipers.
Arrive Muang Khua, a small town on the banks of the Nam Ou River and have lunch at your expense. Afternoon, we will embark on a long tail boat down the Nam Ou River to Moung Ngoi, the charming village along the Nam Ou River. The landscape on the way is the most beautiful part of the Nam Ou River.
Arrive Ban Muang Ngoi the village overlooking the Nam Ou River, then transfer to your hotel.
Then we will take a walk in the village, see the peaceful village, rural life, admire the beautiful landscape and enjoy the sunset. Overnight in Moung Ngoi.
 

This morning stroll around the village of Muang Ngoi before starting a small hike through the magnificent landscapes consisting of rice fields. 
Here we visit the historic Tham Kang cave which was used as a shelter during the Indochina War, continue the walk to Ban Na crossing the green rice field (depends on the season)
Admire the beautiful landscape, Ban Na is the Thai Deang (Thai red) tribes who has a simple life, see the daily life of local people, lifestyle, learn culture ...
In the afternoon continue the walk to Ban Bor, a hill tribe village, and see the activity of the villagers, play with the children and visit a small local primary school. 
Then return to Moung Ngoi by boat. Relax in a restaurant by the river, drink cold drinks while admiring the beautiful karst landscape.
Settle into your bungalow. Free time to rest and admire the beauty of the karst landscape reminiscent of the Halong Bai land. Overnight in Muang Ngoi

After a local breakfast, time to explore the village. We also have time to take a walk to the nearby Tham Kaang, which is famous for its supernatural powers, the important worshipped place of the locals
We then take the cruise downstream to the nearby village. Here we take some time to look around and if during a weekday pay the local school a visit to see the charming children as they take part in their classes.
After this we continue onwards to Tad Mork which is located close to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Sop Kong, an hour trek from the river. At the waterfall we shall have time to swim and enjoy a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, we continue the cruise to Ban Sopvan, which is home to the Tai Lue people. The village is located right next to the river, opposite the village on the river bank is a farm which is home to many different types of animal including pigs, chickens, ducks, and buffalo. We pay them a visit so it is worthwhile bringing some food along if you would like to feed them and surely very appreciated by both the animals and the villagers.
The last part of today cruise is 30 minutes cruise down to Nong Khiaw. We arrive in Nong Khiaw by around 5:00pm just in time before darkness descends.

Start this day of adventure with a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou River where you will be able to explore a small Lao village along the riverside. 
Learn about the villagers and their way of life along this Northern Laos River before beginning the '100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail'!
Walking through small streams and rice paddies, you will arrive at the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls which were only first explored in October 2008! 
For the next few hours you will see only water and jungle and hear the constant sound of clear waterfall cascades. The pools around you are very inviting for a refreshing splash.
Your guide will lead you through the cascades and prepare a local style lunch that you can enjoy on the falls surrounded by amazingly green nature. 
A small village trail on the top of the '100 Waterfalls' will lead us on our hike back down into the valley, offering wide views over the expansive Nam Ou valley.
Once back in the village we will have some more time to experience the daily life of the Nam Ou riverside village before heading back to Nong Khiaw (Nong Khiau) by boat.
 

After breakfast, we will transfer back to Luang Prabang. After about 20 minute drive, we will take a right turn at Ban Bom onto the dirt road to Ban Na Yang (12km from the main road), which is the Thai Lue minority village. This is the very unique village with the traditional house and hand-weaving technique. 
After that, we will transfer directly to Luang Prabang. We arrive in Luang Prabang and free time for the rest of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang
 

After breakfast, we make our way over the mountains to Xieng Khuang, which is best-known for having been heavily bombed during Indochina War. But of course, it is also famous for the historic Plain of Jars. 
The journey takes about 8 hours and we can make some stops at villages to observe the rural life of local people, including ethnic minorities such as the Hmong people. 
Our first stop is at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view before continuing down to Ban Phoudam, where we can see the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony. 
After that we visit the H’Mong market at the junction of Phoukhoun. Arrival in Phonsavanh, the capital of Xieng Khouang province and check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in town!

Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribe people barter and exchange merchandises. 
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoune, the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. 
Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period. 
In the afternoon, visit the thought-provoking UXO Information Centre, run by British organisation MAG (Mines Advisory Group) that's been helping to clear Laos' unexploded ordnance since 1994. 
The centre's information displays underline the enormity of the bomb drops, and there are also examples of (defused) UXO to ponder.
Xieng Khuang is famous for its mysterious Plain of Jars, a huge archaeological complex littered with mysterious 2000 years old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters. 
You have time today to visit the plain of jars Site 1, the biggest and closest to town that opened for tourists.
Attention: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines. 
Spend the rest of the day wander around the small town of Xieng Khuang to admire the life of local people.
Then return to Xieng Khouang and overnight.

Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribe people barter and exchange merchandises. 
We leave Xieng Khuang for our scenic drive to Vang Vieng, a small town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. 
Its stunning scenery with its limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. 
Our first stop today is at Tham Pra, which served as the hospital for the army during Indochina Wars.
Then, drive to the T-junction at Phoukhoun to visit the colorful market of hill tribe people. 
The panoramic view at the peak of Phou Phiengpha is what we never want to miss today before continuing further to the Khmu village of Ban Phouhin Lekphay. 
Our next photo stop is Phatang Mountain viewpoint to admire the beautiful scenery before reaching Vang Vieng. 
Overnight in Vang Vieng

The limestone cliffs and valleys surrounding the resort complex of Vang Vieng are home to numerous caves and caverns. 
The most famous of these caves is Tham Jang, which was used by the local people as a refuge from Chinese invaders 200 years ago. 
Your tour continues by crossing the Nam Song River for a short drive to Tham Pou Kham (Golden Crab Cave). After passing through a small entrance hole you descend 100 meters into the ground. 
You have ample time to visit Blue Lagoon, which is a great spot to relax and cool off before transferring back to Vang Vieng
Take a local long tail boat (2 people per boat) to cruise for approximately 30 minutes upstream on the Nam Song River, enjoying the beautiful scenery as you go.
You will then be driven back to your hotel, with the option to stop at local villages and a market along the way.
Relax for the rest of the day and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the Nam Song River from your hotel. Overnight in Vang Vieng

After breakfast, transfer to Ban Tha Heua.
On arrival in Ban Tha Heua, we start the cycling tour exploring the nearby villages & the famous Nam Ngum dam.
We we will first pass through the local primary school, which is livelier during the school time. 
We then set-off toward Nam Ngum dam through the small village roads whilst admiring the life of local villagers.
Stop at one of the villages to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Relax and talk with the villagers about their daily life.
We will also make another stop at the viewpoint to enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding area.
We have ample time to relax at the dam before cycling back to the resort.
If time permits, we will stop at another village to watch the rooster fighting in around 30 minutes.
Arrive at the resort around noon time.
In the afternoon, we will have a 2-hour kayaking around the Nam Ngum lake to explore some islets, and local fishing villages. The kayaking is easy and fun, requiring no special skills. We will stop at Huay Samom village, chatting with the host family, and learning about the weaving techniques. 
Return to the resort.
Relax by the pool and admire the sun setting behind the mountains.
Overnight at Sanctuary Nam Ngum Beach Resort
 

Wake up early today, you never want to miss the serene sunrise over the peaceful lake. Our guide will escort you to the nearby area to watch the local villagers preparing for their busy day.
After breakfast, we will transfer to Vientiane. Along the way, visit Dong Makkhai Market, where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. We will arrive in Vientiane around noon.
In the afternoon, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.
On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. 
A spectacular view over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane 
 

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. 
We then transfer out to see Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. 
There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. 
A spectacular view over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane 

This morning you will be met by your driver and guide in Vientiane, to begin the journey south along route 13. 
This first leg of the journey takes around 3 hours and it is interesting to have a quick stop at Wat Prabath Phonsane (‘Temple of the footprint of Buddha’).
You will then leave the highway and enter the Phou Hin Poun NPA (National Protected Area). The scenery will become much more spectacular, featuring limestone karsts, forests and rice paddies.
From leaving the highway to reaching your destination will take approximately 2 hours.
Once you arrive in the small town of Ban Kong Lor the rest of the day is at leisure to admire the views. You might like to take a walk through the surrounding villages. If so then your guide will be happy to accompany you.
We recommend a simple local restaurant called Kounmee, which is a 2 minute walk from Chantha House (dinner not included).
Overnight in Ban Kong Lor

For early risers we recommend a walk at around 06:30 to explore the villages as they wake up and prepare for the day. Discuss this with your guide.
After breakfast, start your exploration of Kong Lor cave. You will be given life jackets and head torches before a short walk around to the main entrance of the cave. 
Upon entering the cave, you will board a long tail boat which will take you through the length of this spectacular cave along an underground section of the Hin Boun River - a length of 7.5km before you see daylight again! 
The river flows all year and reveals vast formations of stalactites and stalagmites, which you will explore partly on foot whilst inside the cave. In places the cave is up to 90m wide and 100m high. 
The cave is still used by local villagers as an access route to the region beyond. It is far quicker than climbing over the mountains which this cave cuts through!
Once out on the other side you can stop for refreshments and walk to local villages, enjoying the scenery and observing a simple way of life (discuss with your guide how far you would like to walk).
Return by boat, travelling ‘downstream’ through the cave, to Ban Kong Lor.
In the afternoon, take the 4-hour transfer to Thakhek, so you will hopefully arrive in time for a stroll along the Mekong at sunset. 
Thakhek is a very sleepy town with some very attractive colonial buildings. Enjoy a relaxing evening.
Overnight in Thakhek

After a leisurely breakfast, your guide will meet you around 09:30 to continue your journey south. The drive to Savannakhet takes approximately 1.5 hours. 
Along the way, make a stop at the beautiful 16th Century temple of That Ing Hang, which is among the most revered temples in Laos and many Buddhists will travel here during December for the annual ‘Boun Phathat’ ceremony. 
Continue in to Savannakhet. The city is most famous as the birthplace of the father of the Lao People’s Democratic Repulic (Lao PDR), Kaysone Phomvihane, who was born here in 1920. 
Take a short tour of the architectural highlights, which include various French villas and the striking St. Teresa Catholic Church. 
Visit the small but very interesting Dinosaur Museum. Dinosaur remains are being found nearby which are between 150,000,000 – 250,000,000 years old. 
In the afternoon, hit the road again for the drive to Pakse, which takes approximately 3.5 hours. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. 
On the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedone River, Pakse is the most important town in southern Laos, that has a mixture of Chinese and French architecture and some lively markets. 
Overnight in Pakse
 

Then depart for the Bolaven Plateau, a mountainous region home to dozens of hill tribes, waterfalls and coffee and tea plantations.
The first stop is the small village of Ban Houay Houn, famous for his Katu textiles. Here, you will have the chance to observe the women weaving without a traditional loom but using their legs to stretch the fabric. 
We then visit of Tad Lo waterfalls, a beautiful formation of three separate falls. From the bridge guests will first see Tad Hang and then Tad Lo in the distance. The most impressive of the three, Tad Suong, is located a further 10km upriver.
We continue our journey through the Paksong and Boloven Plateau. 
The Boloven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Rivers run off this high plateau in all directions and then plunge out to lush forests along in a series of spectacular surging waterfalls. 
The scenery around Tad Fan waterfall is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. 
A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to see the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that are grown in the area. 
This trip gives visitors the chance to venture off the beaten track and to discover some of the lesser-known areas of Laos, exploring the wild beauty of this southern region. 
We will spend the night in Bolaven Plateau

After breakfast, transfer by road to Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th Century. 
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos, which was built by the rulers of the Khmer empire before the construction of Angkor Wat. 
The temple served as the most important economic and political centre of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.
After your visit, we continue in to Champassak to see samples of French colonial architecture before driving to Done Khong where you have the rest of the day to relax or to explore the island. Overnight in Done Khong Island
 

After breakfast, embark on a 1.5 hour long tail boat for venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River, where during the dry season the waters recede and leave behind thousands of islets, giving this area a lovely name” Si Phan Done”. 
Upon arrival, explore the local peaceful villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with its locomotive. 
We continue to discover the 4000 islands area by tuktuk and visit the marvelous Liphi waterfall, also called the "Corridor of the Devil" one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking Lao border with Cambodia. 
If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. 
Free for the rest of the day for your own exploration of the island. We recommend you take a bike for a ride around the island to see the local life and admire the sunset along the Mekong riverbank.
Overnight in Khone Island.

After breakfast, return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng, which is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia
Khone Phapheng is an impressive spot near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. 
Afterwards we drive back to Pakse. 
Founded by the French in 1905 as an administrative post, the capital of Champasak Province is a relatively new town at the confluence of the Mekong and Se Don rivers. 
In the afternoon, we will first visit Ban Khoh, which specializes in stone carving, and walk to the nearby Wat Chomphet, which hosts the biggest sitting Buddha in Laos.
Late afternoon, we will ascend to the top of Wat Phou Salao to admire the panoramic view over the town of Pakse, and the nearby area, whilst the dark is falling over the city.
Overnight in Pakse
 

Transfer to the airport for departure flight.