7 Days Classic Laos: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane

Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival 

Upon arrival Luang Prabang airport, meet with guide and transfer to Hotel Afternoon: rest and free time. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Full Day City Tour (B/-/-)

(~08:30 – 11:30)
The UNESCO protected city centre to appreciate its unspoiled Laotian-colonial fusion architecture, visit the former Royal Palace, now a National Museum where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as artefacts including the Prabang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum. and taking in notable Buddhist temples: Wat Xiengthong, with its traditional roofs sweeping low to the ground, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, Wat Sene, the city’s oldest temple, and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.

Afternoon,We then enjoy a director tour at the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center Returning in the late afternoon, you may opt to finish the day by climbing the over 300 steps to the top of Mount
Phousi with its gilded stupa, to be rewarded by a dazzling sunset from atop this iconic hill in the center of the city.
Perhaps choose to (re)visit the night market at its base after your descent. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Caves – Kuangsi Falls (B/-/-)

AM: Meander the Mekong
(~08.30 – 13:00)

After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, cruise away from the city with a boat trip on the mighty Mekong. Meander up the Mekong to the junction with the Nam Ou river, and the site of the Pak Ou caves. Explore these shrines carved into the cliff face before returning by road at Ban Xanhg Hai village. Along the way, visit the typical Lao villages at Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand-made Jute Sar paper.

PM: Khouangsi Falls
(~14:00 – 17:30)

After lunch at a local restaurant (included) drive to the beautiful waterfalls of Tat Khouangsi. Below the 90m drop ofthe main cascade are a series of pools, connected by smaller falls and cascades. At low water levels the water is an unbelievable turquoise, and swimming in the lower pools is a great way to cool off in the afternoon. On the walk through the forest to the falls, you will also pass the Free the Bears project – home to a group of rescued Asiatic Black (Moon) Bears and one Malayan Sun Bear. In the early afternoon they are often searching for food hidden in their enriched environment enclosures. Or they may just be sleeping! The route home gives the opportunity to stop at the villages of some of the (over 100) different Lao ethnic groups at Ban Ou, Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 4: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng by train (B/-/-)

Train C91 12:22-13:28

AM: Early Morning Devotions
(~05.30 – 07:00)
Rise early to witness one of the most magical and timeless scenes of Southeast Asia: hundreds of monks processing through the streets of Luang Prabang accepting offerings of food from the local residents and businesses. Rising early also gives the chance to wander through the fresh market on the way back to the hotel for breakfast.

Transfer to the train station

Upon arrival, meet a with local guide at the Vang Vieng Train station and transfer to hotel. As part of our half day tour of Vang Vieng, we explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

Day 5: Vang Vieng – Explore (B/-/-)

After breakfast, we drive through paddy field areas heading to Tham Phoukham caves, where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, you have chance to explore the local cultures by greeting the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyle.

There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can take a swim to refresh yourself from the hot climate or you could explore the nearby area.. After spending the day at the caves and its surrounding areas, we make our return to the Vang Vieng town. En route, we visit the ethnic minority villages of Hmong, Souay and Taidam villages meeting the warm and friendly hill tribe people and observing their traditional tribal costumes. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 6: Vang Vieng – Drive to Vientiane (B/-/-)

After breakfast, we drive on Express road to the capital city Vientiane, which is located on the banks of the Mekong River. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. Along the way we make a stop to visit the local food market, where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions.

PM: Highlights of Vientiane

This afternoon, we visit the oldest landmark in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket, which escaped looting by invading Siamese in the 19th century. We also visit the former royal temple of Wat Phra Keo, original home to the emerald buddha now housed in Bangkok. Continue on to the national icon That Luang stupa and Laos’ very own Arc de Triomphe the Patuxai monument, offering views over the city. Overnight in Vientiane

Day 7: Vientiane – Departure (B/-/-)

After breakfast, free and easy at own leisure until time to transfer to the airport for your outbound flight to the next destination. End tour in Laos!