CHARMING LAOS (8 DAYS)
Duration
8 days/ 7 nightsMin Age
2 year-oldTour Type
EasyLocation
Luang Prabang - Vientiane - Pakse - 4000 islandsDay 1: Arrive at Luang Prabang
Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and then transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free.
Late afternoon, we will climb up 328 steps of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as get a breathtaking sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. We then will wander around the Night Market, where you can by a ton of unique handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Morning Alms Giving – Pak Ou Caves (B)
Get up early to take part in Alms Giving Ceremony with hundreds of saffron-robed monks. If you wish to make an offering can prepare some food to hand over to the monks. Morning Alms Giving is a ritual dating back generations in Laos. Note that, you should dress appropriately, keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Then, we will return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest, and legs should be covered).
After breakfast, we will soak into the Morning Market. You will see a lot of offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea, and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe weavings.
The next destination is the National Museum at the former Royal Palace. It is famous for a huge collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. You also have a chance to visit the Wat Xiengthong which is a symbol of classical Laotian architecture with the roofs sweeping low to the ground. Then we will start a scenic boat trip up on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These caves are renowned for thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years.
Returning to Luang Prabang we will take a short drive to Ban Phanom village which is famous for its hand weaving. If you are not interested in this activity, we will return to the hotel to relax. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Kuangsi Waterfall – Fly to Vientiane (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to explore the Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can stop by Ban Ouay Village – the village of Lao ethnic minority group. To get to the Khouang Si waterfalls, you have to hike through the national park and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You can appreciate its magnificent beauty and swim in cool and turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Then, we will transfer back to Luang Prabang airport to catch a flight to Vientiane Capital.
Upon arrival at Vientiane, transfer to hotel for checking in. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 4: Vientiane City Tour (B)
After breakfast, we will go to visit Buddha Park.
In the afternoon, we will start your Vientiane city tours by visiting some famous highlights of the capital such as the oldest Wat Sisaket and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. We also visit Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 5: Vientiane – Fly to Pakse – Don Kho – Wat Phou – Pakse (B)
After breakfast, you will move to the airport for the flight to Pakse at 08:50. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for checking in. Then we head out to Ban Sapai and take a short boat ride to Don Kho, the small village specialized in weaving. This village produces a ton of high-quality silk products for domestic and international markets. You can see the whole process of weaving and buy many unique souvenirs for your family members and friend. After that, we come back to Pakse to visit Wat Phou which is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002. Wat Phou is the site of ruins where you can appreciate the most Ancient Khmer architectures which date back to between the 7-11th centuries. Overnight in Pakse.
Day 6: Pakse – 4000 Islands (B)
After breakfast, you will drive to Don Khong to visit 4000 islands in Mekong River. This area of the river also is the home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
Upon arrival, we will sightsee the surrounding countryside, visit some old colonial houses in Ban Khone. You also have a chance to get a glimpse of the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. After embarking on a boat to Don Khone, we visit the remains of the French period as well as admire the magnificent beauty of Liphi Waterfall or “the Corridor of the Devil”. Overnight in 4000 Island.
Day 7: Four Thousand Islands – Back to Pakse (B)
After breakfast, we drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. As the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia, Khone Phapheng is a really impressive site near the Lao – Cambodian border. With diverse wildlife, this area is one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. We will visit the 4000 Islands before returning to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse.
Day 8: Pakse Departure (B)
After having breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. Tour ends.
Include / Exclude
- Private air-conditioned transportation
- Private air-conditioned transportation
- Private boat trip as stated in above sights
- Accommodation based on Twin share
- English speaking guide
- Admission fee to indicated sights
- Meals as mentioned
- Government tax and service charge
- Visa fee
- International & domestic flights
- Travel Insurance
- Other meals not stated in the program
- Drinks
- Tip and personal expenses