Classic Laos
14 nights / 15 Days
AsktheTraveller local Partner
Over 10 years of organising Travel
Seeing locals, authentic culture , landscapes and everyday life are the key secret ingredients used by this partner in designing the perfect adventure in Laos. Our local partners in Laos are perfectly placed to offer the best travel experience, options and infrastructure to our clients. You know your in safe hands, a personal touch backed up by the strongest team in the region. We at AsktheTraveller are delighted to work with them.
Hi, I'm Vithaya
Trip highlights
-
Vientiane
-
Vat Phou
-
Khong Island
-
Luang Prabang
-
First night in Thailand
-
Mekong River
-
Phonsavan
-
Vang Vieng
-
Pakse
Day 1
Arrive (Chiang Rai)
Arrival - Welcome to Thailand !
Welcomed by your English speaking tour guide & driver in the arrival hall and transfer to hotel in Chiang Khong for check-in
Dinner and watch traditional Hmong performance
Overnight in Chiang Khong :
Lanjia Lodge
Meals : Dinner
Day 2
Chiang Khong- Houay Xia - Pakbeng by Luang say Cruise (Welcome to Laos)
After an early breakfast, Transfer yourself to Chiang Khong border at The 4th Thai – Lao Friendship bridge. Please arrive at the border no later than 0830am.
Cross the bridge by yourself on a shuttle bus to the Lao side. Welcome to Laos!
Welcome by your tour guide in the arrival hall and assist with your transfer to your Luang Say Boat for your 2 days cruise down on Mekong River to Luang Prabang.
Luang Say boat leaves slow boat pier at 9a.m. for cruising down the Mekong River to Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng. One stop is made en route to Pakbeng to observe a rural life along the Mekong River at Ban Houy Phalam; a Kamu village. Buffet lunch on board. Arrival at Luang Say Lodge before sunset for an overnight stay and a dinner is served on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River.
Note:
From 1 November - 31 March and 1 – 31 October, the cruise departs every Monday, Thursday and Friday. Every Sunday, the cruise departs with Pak Ou I boat (white metal boat).From 1 April - 31 May and 1 July - 30 September, the cruise departs every Monday and Friday.
Overnight in Pakbeng:
Luang Say Lodge
Meals : Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
Pakbeng - Luang Prabang by Luang Say Cruise
A continental breakfast is served on the terrace from 7a.m. The boat leaves Luang Say Lodge at 8a.m. and the first stop is at Ban Baw village to observe the process of making traditional rice alcohol. A buffet lunch is served on board. The boat stops again opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River to visit Pak Ou caves where there are two caves ‘Tham Ting’ and ‘Tham Phoum’ and thousands of Buddha images. The boat arrives in Luang Prabang pier (a UNESCO world heritage city) before sunset.
On arrival, met by our local guide from Luang Prabang and transfer you to your hotel for check in.
Recommended your dinner at the hotel (on your own expense)
Overnight in Luang Prabang:
Maison Dalabua
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Day 4
Luang Prabang - Full day city tour
Today we explore the historic town of Luang Prabang. We walk along Sisavangvong St, the heart of the old quarter and explore the National Museum , set in the former Royal Palace. Built in 1904, the palace is a blend of Laotian and French influences and houses many royal treasures. The most important item is the solid gold Pha Bang Buddha, a gift from the Khmer King to his son-in-law, Fa Ngum, founder of the Lao Kingdom. We then continue into the center of Luang Prabang, exploring the narrow alleys that criss-cross the town, stopping to enjoy some views over the mighty Mekong River. We wind up at the beautiful temple of Vat Saen, originally built in 1718 and under the guidance of Ajahn Khamjan, one of the most revered abbots in Laos.
Our final visit of the day is the magnificent Vat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style.
There is the option of climbing Mt Phousi to explore the small temple here and enjoy sunset over this charming town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang :
Maison Dalabua
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Luang Prabang - Hiking to Kuang Si Waterfall
After breakfast, we visit the local market and the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre before we head out to Ban Thinkeo, a Hmong village and begin a moderate trek with our village guide, who will introduce local customs and foodstuffs to you.
We continue to Kuang Si Waterfall, where a picnic lunch awaits overlooking the beautiful multi-tiered falls. We return to Luang Prabang in time to catch the sun setting over the Mekong.
Overnight in Luang Prabang :
Maison Dalabua
Meals : Breakfast & Lunch
Day 6
Luang Prabang - overland to Phonsavan
An early start to Phonsavan, the main base for the famous ‘Plain of Jars’. We make some stops en route, at Hou Hei for the views and at Ban Kiu Kam Pone, a Khmu tribe village
Lunch at Phou Khoun, We reach an altitude of 1500m above sea level, just after Phou Khoun. We call into a Hmong village at Ban Son Boom, and then we visit the hidden Buddha Cave, that served as an army hospital during the Vietnam War, before reaching Phonsavan.
Overnight in Phonsavan :
Vansana Plain of Jars
Meals : Breakfast & Lunch
Day 7
Phonsavan - full day visit to Plain of Jars
We visit the offices of the Mines Action Group to learn about their work in clearing land mines and unexploded ordnance in the area. Then we head out to the picturesque Jar Site 2, and begin a one-hour trek along the ridge to the impressive Jar Site 3, consisting over around 150 jars located on top of a hill, offering great views over the surrounding countryside.
In the afternoon we visit Jar Site 1, the largest site, containing over 300 jars, before returning to town. The biggest jar is known as Hai Jeuam and weighs around six tones.
Overnight in Phonsavan :
Vansana Plain of Jars
Meals : Breakfast
Day 8
Phonsavan - Overland to Vang Vieng
Another early start to visit the market and if time permits, the ancient former provincial capital of Muang Khoun, the site of a number of ruined pagodas. We then travel by road to Vang Vieng.
Lunch in Phou Phieng Fa restaurant and including a few stops en route at ethnic villages and markets as well as a scenery stop at Doi Pha tang Mountain view point
Timings are a guide only
Overnight in Vang Vieng :
Riverside Boutique Hotel
Meals : Breakfast & Lunch
Day 9
Vang Vieng overland to Vientiane
This morning we visit the picturesque Tham Jang cave that offers stunning views of over the Nam Song River and surrounding karst scenery. Then we head towards Vientiane, stopping a few times at places like Tha Heua, a small village that specializes in dried fish, and at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt mine. In between we’ll take lunch at the Nam Ngum Lake. Just outside of Vientiane, we make a final stop at the Don Makai market, an insect market of all places.
Overnight in Vientiane :
Ansara Hotel
Meals : Breakfast
Day 10
Vientiane - City tour
We spend part of our day on a city tour. We visit the historic temple of Wat Si Saket, the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane. Inside are 6840 Buddhas, surely a record for a Lao temple. We cross the road and enter Haw Pha Kaew, more a museum than temple today, there is some impressive Buddhist sculpture here. Then it’s time for us to view the striking golden stupa of Pha That Luang, the most sacred temple in the city. We continue to the 'Arc de Triomphe' of Vientiane, or Patuxai as it is known locally. A visit to the COPE exhibition centre is also recommended.
You may wish to end your day with a stroll along the Mekong riverfront and take in the sunset over the Mother of all Rivers.
Overnight in Vientiane :
Ansara Hotel
Meals : Breakfast
Day 11
Vientiane - fly to Pakse - Bolaven Loop
04h00: You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Pakse
Meet your guide at the arrival hall and transfer to Bolaven Plateau located high above the Mekong Valley. During the day we will make various stops at the beautiful Tadlo Waterfall and at minority villages, visit a tea plantation and a coffee plantation, and see Tha Teng Market, a colourful food produce market.
We then transfer to hotel and free time at your leisure
Overnight in LakKhao Village :
Sinouk Coffee Resort
Meals : Breakfast
Day 12
Paksong - Visit Vat Phou and khong Island
After breakfast, we head to the Paxuam Waterfall before moving onto Champassak to visit Vat Phou. The second UNESCO World Heritage site of Laos. Vat Phou is one of the best preserved examples of major Khmer architecture, some 200 years older than Angkor Wat. The core monument of this site consists of a main temple on the upper terrace, six shrines on the middle terrace and two palaces and Nandin Hall on the lower terrace. There are also other associated ruins surrounding the temple complex.
We then drive to Khong Island.
Overnight in Muang Khong :
Pon Arena
Meals : Breakfast
Day 13
Khong - 4000 Island Tour - Don Daeng
After breakfast at your hotel our guide and driver pick you up at the hotel reception at 8:00 AM then drive to Ban Mouang Sen to visit the Local Market where you can see more farmers and Fisherman who come to exchange their own fishes and Vegetables after visit interesting local Market then take a boat cruise to explore 4000 islands Don Kha Mao, visit local village on the island at Don Than that traditional style’s life who are work at the rice farm and fishing with fishing net or bamboo fish trap tradition technique nearby the biggest Waterfall in South East Asia on the Mekong river. After continue to Don Som where you will start cycling to explore Don Khone. Here you will see some French colonial building the old locomotive of the Train Bridge for French rail way to visit Lii Phii waterfall and return by sun set cruise to Don Daeng
Overnight in Don Daeng :
La Folie Lodge
Meals : Breakfast & Lunch
Day 14
Don Daeng - free Day
Enjoy your penultament day at leisure relaxing and taking in the sites.
Overnight in Don Daeng :
La Folie Lodge
Meals : Breakfast
Day 15
Last day & transfer to Airport
Transfer to the Airport for your return flight home.
Departure - We recommend that you arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to your international departure flight (or 2 hours if travelling business class). Your departure time will be given to you by your guide. It is recommended that you check in online for your departure flight so that you can avoid long queues at the airport check in counters. On line check in is available for most airlines 24 hours before your flight. Your hotel will be able to help you with this if necessary. We wish you a pleasant journey back home or to your next destination.
International flights home
Trip details
Price from £ 2285 Per person based on twin share basis.
With all domestic & international flights to/from Uk,
approx price from £ 3195 per person
Price includes
-
Private tours and transfers
-
All site entrance fees on tours
-
English speaking guides
-
Hotels as shown or similar
-
Private Boat cruise
-
Luang Say Cruise 2D/1N
-
Meal plans as show day by day
-
ATOL protection (When taking international flights)
Additional Extra's
-
Domestic & International Flights
-
Additional unscheduled excursions / activities
-
Early check-in, late check-outs
-
Drinks during meals
-
Immunisations
-
Visa's
-
Personal travel insurance
-
local gratuaties / tips