Laos from North to South 10 days / 9 nights

10 Days
TYPOLOGIES

Culture Tour

DIFFICULTY

MIN. AGE

Tour Overview:

Tour of Laos to discover the ancient Kingdom of the Million of Elephants: from the UNESCO site of Luang Prabang, to the deep south in the Province of Champasak with the nature of the Bolaven plateau and the area of the Four thousand Islands, its ancient temples, breathtaking landscapes and colorfully dressed tribes and the pleasant capital of Vientiane.

Itinerary

On arrival at Luang Prabang airport you will be met by your guide for the trip and transferred to the picturesque UNESCO city. Once the ancient capital of northern Laos, sleepy Luang Prabang has retained much of its majesty and tranquility and is now a UNESCO protected site. The town has more than 30 beautifully gilded temples and is a spiritual center for the entire country.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Breakfast, we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. The National Museum and the Central Market are not to be missed. We enjoy a short tour seeing the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and Wat Xieng Thong, a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art. Later we’ll visit the impressive Wat Visoun, the oldest temple that houses many Buddha images. Next is Wat Aham, the ‘Monastery of the Blossomed Heart’ exudes serenity, and Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in this city. We embark on a boat for a leisurely trip on the Mekong River, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai to see the production of and to sample the local rice wine. Upon leaving this village we pass through stunning mountain landscape to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These two linked caves are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, all brought there by devout villagers. After the river trip we drive toward Ban Phanom, a small village known for its hand weaving.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermaking. We return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we depart for the Elephant Village, a center with a focus on the protection and rehabilitation of elephants in Laos. Upon arrival, you will meet the camp manager and hear about the work carried out by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers in caring for the elephants. Next, climb aboard an elephant for a jungle walk (25mins, one person per elephant, on the neck of the elephant). Receive your basic mahout training on how to control an elephant just like a mahout! After lunch, Take your own elephant down to the Nam Khan river for an exhilarating and once in a lifetime bathing experience! After relaxing time at Tad Sea waterfall, transfer back in town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we take flight to Pakse. On arrival at Pakse, you will be met and transfer to boat pier down to Champassak along the Mekong to visit the fascinating pre-angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao. Wat Phu is one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001, this wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 5th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. We continue our journey by road to Ban Nakasang and taking a long-tailed boat to Donekhone island, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos.
Overnight in Don Khone.

After an early breakfast, we explore the local villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with it’s locomotive. We continue discover the 4000 islands area by boat at our leisure to visit the Liphi waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the end of Lao border to Cambodia, also known as the Samphamith. If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia, known as Niagara of the east.
Overnight in Don Khone.

After breakfast, we drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng on the journey. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in the South East Asia; this is really an impressive sight with marvelous nature near the Lao-Cambodian border, which is teeming with wildlife making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. We continue to Tadlo, past many charming villages and rolling hills. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible all along the way. We may stop at Pha Suam waterfall and to stroll around the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route. This trip gives visitors the chance to venture off the beaten track and to discover some of the lesser-known areas of Laos, exploring the wild beauty of this southern region. We will arrive at Tadlo by mid or late afternoon and spend time to relax at Tadlo waterfalls or simply stroll around a nearby charming village.
Overnight in Tadlo.

The Boloven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Rivers run off this high plateau in all directions and then plunge out to lush forests along in a series of spectacular surging waterfalls. The scenery around Tad Fan waterfall is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. Depend on flights, we transfer to Pakse airport for flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival at Vientiane, we meet our guide and transfer to hotel for check in.
Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, we depart 25km south east of the city, a visit to this Buddha Park where 200 Buddhist and religious images dating back over 500 years are worth for a visit, most of which were introduced from India. On the way short to visit Lao – Thai Friendship Bridge for photos shoot. We will visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop en route to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. We observe the sunset by the Mekong Riverside until the late evening and experience the city lifestyle of the local Lao people.
Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, there will be free for your own time to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after transfer to the airport for departure.

Services

What’s include :

TOUR COST INCLUDES:

TOUR COST NOT INCLUDES:

Accommodation with daily breakfast in double / twin shared room

Meal: as mention in program (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch and D: Dinner)

Airport transfers & Transport by air con. vehicles as per program

Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified

Local English speaking guide as per program

All boat trip as mentioned in program

Complementary local Sim Card

24hours supporting hotline

Cold water and towel during tours

Laos Visa stamp fee: 35$ (Passport valid more then 6 months, enough space for visa stamp (2 free spaces), 1 passport photo (4X6), cash 35$)

All International air ticket

Other meal, drink, personal expenses, tip, Travel insurance, all bank fees

Other thing not mentioned in included

    ” Possiamo dire che è stata la luna di miele perfetta. Abbiamo avuto la possibilità di entrare a stretto contatto con la gente locale, di vivere diverse esperienze molto interessanti e di visitare dei posti fantastici. Tutto era organizzato in maniera perfetta grazie anche al validissimo supporto del nostro corrispondente Roberto, che non ci ha mai lasciati soli. Da dietro le quinte ci ha assistito per tutta la durata del nostro magnifico viaggio di nozze, dandoci un valido supporto per qualsiasi cosa. Le guide e i drivers erano sempre puntuali, cordiali, molto disponibili e molto preparati. Difficile dire in una sola frase cosa ci sia piaciuto. In una sola parola: TUTTO. L’organizzazione pre e durante il nostro viaggio è stata ineccepibile. Non possiamo che ringraziare Roberto ed Eurasie per questa meravigliosa esperienza.”

    Erika e Andrea

    Tour Vietnam & Cambogia