Highlights of Laos
12 nights / 13 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
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Vientiane
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Buddha Park
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Hin Boun
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Tham khong Lo Cave
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Paseum & Buddha caves
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Pakse
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Bolaven Loop
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Vat Phou
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khong Island
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Khone Phapeng waterfalls
Day 1
Arrive (Laos)
Arrival - Welcome to Cambodia !
Transfer to Vientiane
Welcomed by your Lao / English speaking tour guide in the arrival hall and transfer to hotel
Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight in Vientiane :
Ansara Hotel B&B
Day 2
Vientiane - city Tour & Buddha Park
We begin our tour with a visit to a local market before heading to the city’s major landmarks, including the historic temple of Vat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Vat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We continue to the 'Arc de Triomphe' of Vientiane, or Patuxai as it is known locally. Built in the 1960s, the US-supplied cement was originally earmarked for a runway extension at the airport, but the Laotians found a much more creative use for it. We ascend the monument for some great views over this low-rise garden city. We end our morning with a visit to the COPE Centre to learn about the scourge of unexploded ordnance in Laos.
Recommend your lunch can be taken at the local restaurant (on your own expense)
This afternoon we take a trip to the quirky yet impressive Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures along the Mekong River. We can call into the Lao Disabled Women’s Centre, or head straight for a sunset view across the Mekong.
Overnight in Vientiane:
Ansara Hotel - B&B
Day 3
Vientiane - overland to Hin Boun
This morning we head eastwards to the central Lao province of Khammouane. En route we stop at Prabhat Ponsan, a stupa dating back to the 15th Century, which with its Budhha footprint, makes it an important religious site.
Recommend your lunch at local restaurant (on your own expense)
After lunch and a market stop, we carry on into the mountainous surrounding area, stopping at Khoun Kham to admire the views. We also take a break at Ban Thabuk, the ‘bomb boat village’ where they use old bomb casings as boats, before reaching Hin Boun area by late afternoon.
Overnight in Ban Tiou:
Spring River Resort - B&B
Day 4
Hin Boun - Kong Lor Cave - overland to Thakek
After breakfast, we drive to Kong Lor village and board a small local boat into the famous Tham Kong Lo Cave. We navigate through the cave, which is over 7km long and includes a spectacular cavern over 100m high, as well as a breathtaking stalagmite gallery which you can explore on foot. On the other side of the cave, we take a short walk past some tobacco drying huts to Ban Pon Ngam, a remote village, where you can enjoy your picnic lunch.
Afterwards, we return through the cave by boat, and head for Thakhek by car, in time for a stroll along the riverfront.
Overnight in Thakhek :
Le Bounton D'or - B&B
Meals today - breakfast & lunch
Day 5
Thakhek - Nakasang Village - Pasuem Cave - Buddha Cave
Departing from Thakhek, we will follow the old French railway track that was headed for Vietnam but has never been completed. Continuing through pleasant country scenery, we arrive in the village of Ban Nakhang Xang to meet with the village guides for our trip. In the forest, our guide will point out forest products which are important food sources for the local people. We then continue to Tham Nong Paseum Cave. The cave is 400 meters long and contains remarkable stalactites and stalagmites. We will swim inside the cave to visit it.
After emerging from the darkness, we have a picnic lunch and we head toward the famous Buddha Cave, which has been rediscovered only in April 2004. The cave contains 229 bronze Buddhas that are said to be over 300 years old. We then return to Thakhek through the magnificent road N12 in the middle of wonderful scenery.
Approximately: 1.5 hours transfer, 3 hours caving, 2 hour trekking, 1 hour sightseeing
Overnight in Thakhek :
Le Bounton D'or - B&B
Meals today - breakfast & Lunch
Day 6
Thakhek - Overland to Pakse
We visit a 19th Century monastery and stupa at Pha That Sikhottabong as we head south to Savannakhet.
Lunch at local restaurant.
This afternoon, we admire the old French Quarter of Savannakhet as well as the sacred That Ing hang stupa, before heading to the Soundra Salt Factory to learn about the local working conditions. We then continue on, stopping to visit Don Khor, a village specializing in Buddha carvings for temples, before arriving in Pakse in early evening.
Overnight in Pakse :
Residence Sisouk - B&B
Meals today - breakfast & lunch
Day 7
Pakse - Bolaven Loop
This morning, transfer to Boloven 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 colorful food produce market.
We then transfer to hotel and free time at your leisure
Overnight in LakKhao Village :
Sinouk Coffee Resort - B&B
Day 8
Full Day Jeep Tour
9h.00 am:
Arrival at Paksong. Change from your minivan to the Jeep! Then take the road to khamsone Coffee farm: 13km by bumpy + muddy road (in rainy season)
9h.30 am:
Arrival at khamsone coffee farm where you can see Mr. khamsone an English speaking guide and the coffee farm owner will take 1hr to demonstrate coffee planting to roasting steps, finishing by a coffee tasting to savor the different kind of coffee (Robusta, Arabica and Typica)
10h.30 am:
Trekking along the coffee plantations to the top of Volcano mountain named (Phu Sanak) and enjoy taking photos of the panoramic view of Bolaven plateau before continuing the trek to Phu Katok. Where the Americans engaged the Vietcong 1965 – 1973.
11h.30 pm:
Continue your trek to Tad Moun waterfall 2 km, on the way you can see many vegetable fields with ginger, cucumbers, cabbages, lettuces,chili ...etc.
12h.30 pm:
Arrival Tad Moun waterfalls then take a picnic & enjoy your time swimming or relaxing for 2hrs. (Fruits and beverages be provided).
14h.30 pm:
Depart Tad Moun waterfall then continue your trek to Tad Mearlouk waterfall before transfer to B. Beng
16h.30 pm:
Arrival at B. Beng and transfer to Don Daeng
Timings are a guide only
Overnight in Don Daeng :
La Folie lodge - B&B
Meals today - breakfast & lunch
Day 9
Don Daeng - visit vat Phou - Khong Island
After breakfast, we head out to stop at 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 - B&B
Day 10
Khong Islands - 4000 Islands Tour - Don Khone
After breakfast at your hotel, your guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel reception at 8:00 AM then drive to Ban Mouang Sen to visit a Local Market where you can see local farmers and Fisherman. After, visit another interesting local Market then take a boat cruise to explore 4000 islands Don Kha Mao, visit a local village on the island at Don Than That. Nearby, visit the biggest Waterfall in Southeast 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 buildings. See an old locomotive train built for the French railway and visit Lii Phii waterfall. Return by sunset cruise to Don Khone.
Overnight in Don Khone :
Sala Don Khone Boutique - B&B
Meals today - breakfast & lunch
Day 11
Don Khone - visit Khone Phapeng & Vat Tomo - Don Daeng
This morning, cross by boat to Nakasang to visit Khone Phapheng waterfalls, they are part of the most impressive waterfalls in this region of Asia.
We then drive to vat Tomo and enjoy lunch at a Village.
This afternoon, embark on your boat and cruise to your hotel at La Folie Lodge
Overnight in Don Daeng :
La Folie Lodge - B&B
Meals today - breakfast & lunch
Day 12
Don Daeng
Free Day at leisure
Overnight in Don Daeng :
La Folie lodge - B&B
Day 13
Last day & transfer to Pakse Airport
Transfer to Pakse 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 £ 1955 Per person based on twin share basis.
With all domestic & international flights to/from Uk,
approx price from £ 2745 per person
Price includes
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Private tours and transfers
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All site entrance fees on tours
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English speaking guides
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Hotels as shown or similar
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Private Boat cruise
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Meal plans as show day by day
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ATOL protection (When taking international flights)
Additional Extra's
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Domestic & International Flights
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Additional unscheduled excursions / activities
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Early check-in, late check-outs
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Drinks during meals
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Camera & Video fees - some sites ask for small fees for taking photographs and video recordings
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Immunisations
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Visa's
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Personal travel insurance
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local gratuaties / tips