The Charms of Laos

Arrival at Chiang Mai Airport (Thailand). You are met by your guide who will transfer you to the hotel in the border town of Chiang Khong (approximately 4.5 hours drive).

Overnight: Chiang Khong

Early departure from the hotel with your local guide and transfer to the Chiang Khong border crossing. 

Upon arrival, customs and immigration formalities on the Thailand side, then a canoe crossing of the Mekong River to reach Ban Houeisay in Laos around 8:00 AM. Your Lao guide will be waiting for you at the border crossing.

Boarding a traditional boat for an approximately 6-hour cruise to Pakbeng (private boat).

The main thoroughfare between the north of the country and Luang Prabang, it's a busy road lined with villages of wooden and bamboo houses, some built on stilts, others not, depending on the ethnic group. We'll stop in two villages along the way. 

Lunch will be served on board.

Stops along the riverbanks in small villages allow you to meet local ethnic minorities (Hmong, Khamu, Lu, etc.). The cruise ends with your disembarkation at the end of the day in Pakbeng, a large town located at the confluence of the Mekong and the smaller Beng River, in a breathtakingly beautiful setting.

Overnight: Pakbeng (Hotel)

In the morning, your Mekong River cruise continues towards Luang Prabang, located 165 kilometres downstream, a journey of approximately 7.5 hours. 

The cruise continues towards Luang Prabang with a stop at the famous Pak Ou caves, named after the Mekong tributary, known as "the mouth of Ou." You will visit the Tham Ting and Tham Phun caves. These caves were carved by natural erosion into limestone cliffs and are now dedicated to Buddhist worship. Many families make pilgrimages here, which is why you can see approximately 4,000 Buddha statues placed there by the Laotian people as a sign of devotion. 

Arrival in Luang Prabang and check-in at the hotel.

In the evening, enjoy a free stroll through the night market, where you can browse a beautiful selection of handmade textiles.

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

Optional visit: Around 5 a.m., monks parade through the streets of Luang Prabang seeking alms. If you wish, you can get up early and witness this beautiful spiritual spectacle in Luang Prabang. Afterward, you can visit the local market.

Breakfast at the hotel

This morning, we invite you to participate in the Bamboo Experience. You will learn about bamboo processing and its significant role in Lao culture. Your guide will demonstrate the techniques and uses of various bamboo products, such as fishing tools and musical instruments.

Participate in a bamboo weaving workshop led by an expert instructor. Then, enjoy a bamboo cooking demonstration, including bamboo shoot soup and bamboo shoots wrapped in banana leaves with sticky rice. 

Savour your creations in a traditional Laotian pavilion-style house overlooking stunning landscapes and rice paddies.

In the afternoon, transfer to Kuang Si. Upon arrival, take a short walk to visit the bear sanctuary. Kuang Si will amaze you with its beauty. It's a collection of natural pools with turquoise water where you can swim. 

Return to Luang Prabang by vehicle in the late afternoon. 

Overnight: Luang Prabang

Free day for personal exploration of the city.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

In the morning, climb Mount Phousi for a pleasant exploration of the sacred golden stupa as well as a breathtaking view of the city and the Mekong River.

Departure towards Vang Vieng, perhaps the best-preserved traditional town in Southeast Asia. The road is well-paved. The landscapes are a mix of steep terraced fields and mountain villages, allowing for several stops for photos and to discover local life in the villages.

Arrival in Vang Vieng in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight: Vang Vieng

(25-minute transfer, 1.5 hours for trekking, 2 hours for kayaking, 2 hours to visit the caves)

Breakfast and departure (approximately 14 km) north of Vang Vieng.

You visit the first cave, Tham Xang (the Elephant Cave) on the opposite banks of the Chanson Nam, a Buddhist temple.

Then visit the Tham Hoi and Tham Nam caves. After a picnic lunch, trek to the Hmong village of Pathao through rice paddies and vegetable gardens.

Next, a kayak trip down the Nam Song River takes us through idyllic scenes of rural life: a unique view with limestone mountains in the background.

Return to your hotel in Vang Vieng.

Overnight: Vang Vieng

After breakfast, drive to Vientiane. Stop at the Talat Dong Ma Khai insect market, a very typical and local market, and visit a salt production facility in the village of Ban Kheune.

A stop en route for a boat trip on Nam Ngum Lake holds a few surprises. Located amidst the mountains, in a calm and relaxing setting, visitors will have ample opportunity to appreciate this site where nature has gradually reclaimed its territory, offering a complete change of scenery! We make a stop along the way at Vang Xang, a famous archaeological site dating back to the 11th century.

Arrival and check-in in Vientiane in the afternoon.

Overnight: Vientiane

After breakfast, your day begins with the discovery of Vat Sisaket, probably the oldest temple in the capital.

Wat Phra Keo, the temple that was intended to house the most famous of Buddhas, the Emerald Buddha. Restored at the beginning of the 20th century, it is now a museum with a superb collection of religious art.

A visit to 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 stupa, covered in gold, can be seen for miles around.

A detour to visit Vat Si Muang, the Laotian people's favourite active temple. They come to leave offerings in the "sim" after one of their wishes has been granted.

Finally, stroll through Talat Sao, the largest market in the country, which is full of traditional objects, tasty food, and souvenirs to bring back to your loved ones.

Overnight: Vientiane

Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and transfer to Luang Prabang Airport for your flight to Pakse. 

Upon arrival in Pakse, you will depart for Tad Fane Waterfall, located 38km from Pakse, at the gateway to the Bolaven Plateau and within the Dong Hua Sao Protected Area. Next, you will visit Tad Ngern Waterfall, nestled in the heart of a lush forest. These waterfalls are equally spectacular, with two torrents cascading over 40 meters. You can swim at the base of the falls, but please be mindful of the strong current.

Along the way, you will visit a tea or coffee plantation on the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau, or simply Bolaven, is a gently rolling mountainous region east of Pakse. The plateau is also home to ethnic minorities such as the Laven, the Mom-Khmer Alak, and the Katu. 

The Katu are renowned for the intricate carving of their coffins, which they keep beneath their houses. It is a truly remarkable craft to behold. Among the women, traditional facial tattoos can still be seen, although this practice is fading over time.

Return to Pakse.

Overnight: Pakse

In the morning, we will head to Champasack to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruin of Vat Phu, the most dramatic of the temples and one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001. This magnificent archaeological site of Khmer civilization dates back 5 centuries, before the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Stop at Ban Khiet Ngong village for an elephant ride to the summit of Phou Asa, topped by the ancient citadel. From there, enjoy panoramic views over the Dong Houasao protected area and the Mekong Valley.

We will continue our journey by car to Don Khong Island, the largest island in the southern Mekong region known as the 4000 Islands, one of the most scenic areas of Laos.

Overnight: Don Khong Island

Transfer to the fishing village of Nakasang, from where you begin your excursion by local boat through the 4000 Islands to Don Khone and Don Det. The two islands are connected by a bridge, making it very easy to walk between them.

Next, we discovered another marvel of the 4000 Islands region: the Liphi Falls. These falls form churning rapids that the Laotians refuse to approach too closely because spirits are said to have taken refuge there.

Return to Nakasang village by boat, where a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to visit the other Mekong waterfall – Khone Phapheng, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia (the Niagara of the East). Return to Khong Island for the night.

Overnight: Don Khong Island

Free time for your relaxation or personal exploration.

Transfer to Pakse airport to catch the return flight.