Overview
This 12-day journey reveals the most captivating landscapes and cultural treasures of Laos—from its serene capital to the remote mountains, sacred rivers, and timeless river islands. Begin in Vientiane, exploring gilded stupas, colonial architecture, and peaceful Mekong sunsets. Fly north to the highlands of Muang La, where hot springs, hill-tribe villages, rice-farming communities, and spectacular 4×4 mountain routes immerse you in authentic rural life. Continue by river through the dramatic Nam Ou valley to Nong Khiaw and onward to the UNESCO city of Luang Prabang, home to golden temples, royal heritage, craft villages, and vibrant night markets. Fly south for a complete discovery of the 4000 Islands, the pre-Angkor temple of Vat Phou, Liphi Falls, and the mighty Mekong’s southern cascades, before finishing on the lush Bolaven Plateau, famous for waterfalls and coffee plantations.
A journey for travellers seeking culture, soft adventure, authentic encounters, and Laos’ most beautiful natural settings—all in one itinerary.
Highlights
- Complete discovery of Vientiane, Muang La, Nong Khiaw, Luang Prabang, Champasak, Pakse & 4000 Islands
- Immersive village experiences with Hmong, Ikho & Khamu communities
- Scenic journeys: Nam Ou River cruises, mountain 4×4 routes & Mekong island exploration
- UNESCO sites: Wat Phou and the capital Luang Prabang
- Natural wonders: Tad Fane, Tad Lo, Liphi Falls & the serene 4000 Islands region
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Vientiane
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Luang Prabang
Arrival in Vientiane. Welcome at the airport by our guide and driver, then transfer to the city.
Vientiane is the capital also largest city of Lao. We then go for a short city tour includes visiting Patuxai, Vientiane's triumphal arch. Then, the unmissable Pha That Luang, the emblem of Laos, featured on the national coat of arms and banknotes. The temple's 40-meter-high, gold-covered stupa can be seen for miles around.
End of the day with a walk along the banks of the Mekong for a fabulous sunset…
Free time for your relaxation.
Overnight: Vientiane
Breakfast at the hotel
Departure for a full day of discovery in Vientiane. The current capital of Laos, unlike its neighbours, Bangkok and Hanoi, has managed to retain its tranquil aspect and human scale.
You begin your visits with the Wat Sisaket temple, dating from 1818, one of the most beautiful and important in the capital. Then discover Wat Ho Phra Keo, where you can admire very beautiful pieces which are one of the main riches of Laotian art, and Wat Simuang, considered the lucky temple of the city.
Next, visit the Patuxai, a small triumphal arch that stands at the northern end of Lane Sang Street..
We will also have time to stop at the morning market, Talat Sao, for shopping opportunities: embroidered fabrics, silks, silver jewelry, carved wooden objects, and souvenirs of all kinds.
End the day on the banks of the Mekong for a fabulous sunset.
Overnight: Vientiane
Free time for your personal exploration until the transfer to Vientiane airport for your late morning flight to Oudomxay.
Upon arrival, you will discover the Pra Xack Kham Temple, home to a sacred Buddha. It is a well-known place of worship in Laos.
We will stop at Muang La, famous for its natural hot springs, for the night. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore on your own.
You can stroll through the village or simply relax by the river. Enjoy a massage or a bath in the hot spring.
Overnight: Muang La
After breakfast at the hotel
Travel in a 4x4 to discover Ikho Hill and the Hmong tribes.
The trip is truly off the beaten track and offers magnificent mountain views all along the way.
After arriving at a remote village in Ikho, we will discover and learn the essentials about the way of life of the inhabitants before beginning our 45-minute trek to the extremely isolated Hmong village of Ban Tauser, with superb views of the surrounding area. You will return to the station by 4x4 at the end of the day.
Overnight: Muang La
In the morning, walk for about thirty minutes along the Nampak River to Wang Wanh, a Khamu village where the locals make bags from plant fibres.
In the heart of a magnificent rice paddy surrounded by hills, you will be welcomed by a farming family. The immersion will be complete and conducive to a fascinating discovery of the different stages of rice cultivation and the inherent traditional way of life.
Then discover the work in the fields and the farmer's faithful friend: the buffalo. You will learn how to select seeds, plant them, and harvest them.
After lunch, you'll have plenty of time to observe the farmers and animals going about their daily lives. Finally, you'll share your experiences over a jar of local cider, Lao Hay.
Next, you will cross the Nam Pak River on a bamboo raft and discover the Khamu village of Vieng Kham. These inhabitants are known as master weavers, creating both sarongs and silk fabrics.
Walk to the village of Muang La, visit the primary school (if it is not a day off).
Overnight: Muang La
After breakfast, we will head to the river town of Muang Khua and board a private boat for an unforgettable cruise on the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw. Stop to explore a few sites before arriving at our accommodation in Nong Khiaw in the afternoon.
After settling into your hotel, you have the option of taking a short bike ride to the nearest cave in the area.
Overnight: Nong Khiaw
This morning, we will continue our journey leisurely downstream on the Nam Ou River, enjoying the green of the cool forests and the scenery.
Stop to visit the mysterious Pak Ou caves, two caves where thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes are piled up.
We will continue our journey along the river to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang.
You will be transferred to your hotel by private vehicle in the early evening.
Overnight: Luang Prabang
Breakfast at the hotel before visiting the city of Luang Prabang.
Discover the Wat Xieng Thong temple, the monastery of the Golden City, whose ornaments, mosaics, and stupas are among the most exquisite.
The tour of Luang Prabang continues with a visit to the city's historic temple: Vat Visoun, built in the early 16th century. It was partially destroyed by fire in 1887, and the architects responsible for its renovation chose to give it an architectural style inspired by the Khmer temple Vat Phou.
A short walk away, discover Wat Aham, then the city's first monastery, Wat Saen. Finally, visit Wat May, built in the typical Luang Prabang style.
In the afternoon, you will learn about the history of the region and the royal family at the Royal Palace, now a museum.
In the evening, stroll through the stalls of the vibrant night market. Every night, ethnic minorities gather along the main street to sell their local produce.
Overnight: Luang Prabang
In the morning, you will be met by your driver and transferred to Luang Prabang airport for your flight to Pakse.
Upon your arrival in Pakse, you will be met by your driver and guide and transferred to the province of Champasak, famous for the pre-Angkorian site of Wat Phou.
Visit to Wat Phou, which was built between the 9th and 13th centuries, before the construction of the Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap, and visit to the Champasak Historical Heritage Museum. We continue to Don Khong Island.
Overnight: Don Khong Island
After breakfast, departure by traditional boat to the 4000 Islands on the border of Laos and Cambodia, towards the tranquil islands of Don Det and Don Khone to do your (simple) bike tour with stops along the way to meet the local people.
Everything is truly peaceful here, and electricity is only available in the evenings.
In the northern part of Don Det Island, near the jetty, a "backpacker" spot has taken place, but the rest of the island, as well as Don Khone Island, has managed to keep their own face, centred on the cultivation of coconut, kapok trees and bamboo.
Also, visit the Lippi Falls. Impressive is the perfect word to describe these fantastic falls, which flow between Cambodia and Don Khone Island, right in the middle of the rocks.
The Tad Somphamit Falls, locally known as Lippi Falls, are sacred to local communities and mean "spirit trap" because they are believed to act in this way to capture evil spirits.
Overnight: Don Khong Island
In the morning, transfer to the Bolaven Plateau with a visit to coffee and green tea plantations and Tad Fane waterfalls.
Possibility of stopping in minority villages.
Then we continued towards Tad Lo, arriving in the afternoon at the Tad Lo Falls. The Tad Lo Falls are actually three waterfalls. The closest is Tad Hang, near the bridge. Tad Lo is the second. But the most impressive is the third, Tad Suong, with its stunning waterfall located 10 km upstream.
Overnight: Pakse
Free time until your transfer to Pakse airport for your return flight back to Luang Prabang and depart for your international flight.
