Laos Explorer

• Experience the French clonial charm of Lao’s capital, Viantiane.
• Soak up the green hills and sparkling gold temples of Luang Prabang.
• Cruise the rivers of Laos and discover the minority villages.

⇒ Tour grade: Morderate(custumizable)
⇒ Trip code: LA01 ()
⇒ Trip duration: 8 days/ 7 nites
⇒ Destinations: Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Pakse
⇒ Meals included: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners (Allow extra Meal budget minimum $20US/per day)
⇒ Transport: Private Car or Bus, Pak Ou Cave Mortor boat, What Phou Cruise
⇒ Accommodation: 5 night in hotels, 2 nights on What Phou Cruise
⇒ Tour guides: English speaking tour guides (other languages are available upon request with different service rates).

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Profestional English Speaking tour guide or other languages upon request.
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.
• Domestic flight tickets:  Vientiane – Luang Phabang / Vientiane – Pakse.
• Boat trip on the Mekong River at Luang Prabang as per itinerary.
• Twin-shared cabin on Wat Phou Cruise as per itinerary.
• Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver.
• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests' return to their hotel or reaching their destination). Free days or part days will not include the services of a guide unless requested and included in the final itinerary.
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Meals, drinks and other those mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).
• Luggage handling and drinking water.

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1 :   Arrival - Luang Prabang  
Day 2 :   Luang Prabang – Pak Ou - Luang Prabang
Day 3 :   Luang Prabang – Khouangsi Waterfalls – Hill Tribe Tour  
Day 4 :   Luang Prabang – Vientiane
Day 5 :   Vientiane – Pakse – Champassak – Wat Phou
Day 6 :   Huei Thamo - Oum Moung Temple - Khong Island
Day 7 :   Ban Veuthong – the “Niagara of the East – Xieng Di – Pakse
Day 8 :   Pakse – Departure


DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival - Luang Prabang  
Upon arrival at the airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Luang Prabang is considered the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of Luang Prabang of green natural scenery and rich cultural heritage make it one of the most attractive travel destinations in Laos.

After refreshment, we'll head out for a walking tour of Luang Prabang taking in the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai. In the end, we'll climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa and the stunning sunset over this lush countryside city and the Mekong River.  Enjoy leisure time for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou - Luang Prabang (B)
After breakfast, we enjoy a visit to the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong which is typical of the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temples. Then we board a little motorboat for a cruise upstream of the Mekong River which offers a fresh view of the tranquil countryside. Along the cruise, we'll stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, which is well known for the strong local rice wine. Our cruise brings us to Pak Ou Cave, a pilgrimage place for Laos Buddhists. The cave is home to thousands of lacquered Buddha statues of various sizes.  

On the back, we'll have a visit to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand made of Jute Sar paper. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi Waterfalls – Hill Tribe Tour  (B)
If you could wake up early in the morning, you could witness the daily early morning ritual with saffron-clad monks walking in line with bowl collecting Alms from the local people.
 
Later in the morning, we'll visit the morning Phosi Market where a wide range of exotic goods are for sales including dried buffalo skin, local tea, salt, chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings... Later in the morning, we'll visit Ban Ouay, Hmong Hilltribe, Ban Ou, Lowland Lao and Ban Thapene of the Khmu People. Then we'll continue onto to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can get splashed in the cool water or enjoy walk along the forest paths and a tour to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village. Travel back to Luang Prabang and enjoy the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vientiane (B)
In the morning, we check out of our hotel and enjoy a visit to the National Museum which was the  Royal Palace earlier which displays the full collection of artifacts showing the richness of Lao culture from the early days to the last royal families. Then we'll move onto the Central Market before transferred to the airport for the flight to Vientiane.

Arriving at Vientiane Airport, you'll be welcomed by our local team and transferred to the city. Enjoy a tour of Vientiane taking in the major sights of the capital city: the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Statue, the sacred structure of That Luang, and the Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s version l'Arc de Triumph. Overnight in Vientiane.  

Day 5:  Vientiane – Pakse – Champassak – Wat Phou (Wat Phou Cruise) (B, L, D)
Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, you are welcomed and transferred to Vat Phou Cruise departure pier at 10:00am. We'll arrive at Champassak in time for a riverside lunch, followed by a guided tour of the mysterious pre-Angkorian 10th century temple of Vat Phou.

In late afternoon, we board the Vat Phou Cruise for a relaxing cruise down the river, adoring the tropical sunset on the deck. Dinner is served on board while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village. Overnight on board Vat Phou Cruise.

Day 6: Huei Thamo - Oum Moung Temple - Khong Island (Wat Phou Cruise)  (B, L, D)
Breakfast on board as we set sail for the village of Huei Thamo, minutes walk away from the hidden forest temple of Oum Moung.  After the visit, our boat sets out for a cruise southwards while lunch is served on board.

In late afternoon, our cruise continues into the wild paradise of the “4,000 islands” and arrive at Khong Island. Then we'll visit a traditional Laotian Village where the way of life has not changed in centuries. Dinner is served on board. Overnight on board Vat Phou Cruise.

Day 7: Ban Veuthong – the “Niagara of the East – Xieng Di – Pakse (Wat Phou Cruise) (B, L)
Breakfast on the deck, while cruising to the small village of Ban Veuthong where we will board a small long-tail boat to Khone Island. After the visit, take a long tail boat back to the main land for lunch.

After lunch, take a minivan to the splendor of the Khong Pha Peng waterfall, “the Niagara of the East“, close to the Cambodian border. Then we'll drive for two hours to Pakse. We'll arrive in the afternoon and enjoy free time for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Pakse.  

Day 8: Pakse – Departure (B)
Breakfast, we transfer you to Airport or border for your departure. We trust you had a wonderful adventure with us in Laos.

Price per person based On 2-5 People - Just You! Private Car, Driver and Guide