Explore the Beauty of Laos
Vientiane - Xieng Khuang - Luang Prabang
9 Days/8 Nights
9 Days/8 Nights
My first visit to Laos was in 2010 and for 10 days. I travelled by bus from Vientiane to Xieng Khuang and then by bus from Xieng Khuang to Luang Prabang. I really felt in love with the friendly Lao people, their slow-paced life style, their small traditional houses with bonsais in the front yard, their misty plain of jars, their early holy but charming alms-giving ceremony, sunset view from Phousi Mount, quiet golden temples with monks wearing yellowing robe, sitting above pagoda’s opening window and reading books, purple Luang Prabang town by sunset when I rode a bike along Mekong River Bank. All these small things sketched a peaceful and unforgettable picture in my mind! Here, I re-create that same experience for you.
Day 1: Vientiane - Arrival
Upon arrival at the international airport in Vientiane, you’re welcomed by our guide and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 2: Vientiane’s highlights (B)
After breakfast, you will start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket 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 the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. Visit Talat Sao Morning Market where you can practice your bargaining skill and find Lao pattern style fabric and skillful handicrafts. View sunset by the Mekong Riverside and enjoy a bottle of Beerlao before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 3: Vientiane - Xieng Khuang by flight (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be free in Vientiane for relaxing at your hotel or leisurely strolling along quiet streets lined with small and old half-brick / half-wooden houses.
Check out of your hotel by noon time and transfer to the airport for a flight to Xieng Khuang, the plain of jars. Xieng Khuang was devastated heavily by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. War remnants can be seen on the plains of jars and at a local bomb exhibition room. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.
Day 4: Xieng Khuang – Plain of Jars & other local highlights (B)
Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch different Hill Tribes bartering and exchanging merchandise. Stop for a visit to the UXO MAG Museum (bomb exhibition room). Then we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars 1, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. Continue with Plain of Jars 2 before heading to the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.
Day 5: Xieng Khuang – Luang Prabang by road [7 hours – 336km] (B)
After breakfast, you will travel by road to Luang Prabang along winding roads. Enjoy the splendid natural scenery of lush green mountains dotted with white and pink color of wild flowers. After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, a T-junction meeting point of roads leading to Vang Vieng, Vientiane, Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang, the journey will continue uphill to Luang Prabang. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After checking into hotel, you will be free for refreshment. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Charming town of Golden Temples (B)
There is a very special dawn ceremony that you must see - monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk on barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people.
Return to your hotel for breakfast and then we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a precious collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, and the Morning Market where you can find all kinds of ingredients for Lao cuisine. Continue our city tour with the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.
In the afternoon, we visit the oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classic architecture of Luang Prabang temples. Then we climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)
After breakfast, we take an excursion by boat upstream on the Mekong river to visit Pak Ou cave nested inside a limestone cliff and overlooking the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height. En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Our first stop will be at Ban Xang Khai, a well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky, namely Lao-Khao, to be distilled. We are welcome to taste the wine or buy some to cheers with friends at home.
Back to Luang Prabang by noon time and the remainder of the day is free to chill out by the pool at your hotel or walk to the Mekong River for sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 8: Luangprabang – Kuangsi Waterfall (B)
After breakfast, we take a drive of 30km out of Luang Prabang to visit Kuangsi Waterfall, which, though not very high, is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National park. We stop en-route to visit a fresh produce market namely Talad Phosi, and also visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of a hill-tribe group “Hmong”, probably the best-known minority group in Laos. Just before arriving at Kuangsi waterfall, there is another village of Khmu minority group, namely Ban Tha Pane that we will visit. If you are insect lovers, also stop at a butterfly garden, enjoy beautiful butterflies and a coffee before cooling off in blue, crystal water of Kuangsi (don’t forget to bring your swimming suit!).
Relax and enjoy swimming as much as you want at the falls before going back to your hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 9: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)
After breakfast, you will be free in Luang Prabang to visit more ancient temples on foot, or relax at a coffee shop by the Mekong river bank, or unwind with Lao Massage before being driven to the airport for your departure flight. Goodbye to Laos!
:>> Our prices include:
> Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room
> Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver
> The services of an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination)
> Where necessary, entry fees and permission to enter border areas for all visits mentioned in the program
> Domestic flight Vientiane to Xieng Khuang, including airport tax, with Laos airlines, economy class> Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available
> VAT and other taxes
:>> Our prices do not include:
> International flight tickets and airport tax
> Visa handling and stamp fee
> Dinners, except as specified above
> Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
> Camera fees (if any)
> Insurance
Upon arrival at the international airport in Vientiane, you’re welcomed by our guide and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 2: Vientiane’s highlights (B)
After breakfast, you will start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket 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 the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. Visit Talat Sao Morning Market where you can practice your bargaining skill and find Lao pattern style fabric and skillful handicrafts. View sunset by the Mekong Riverside and enjoy a bottle of Beerlao before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 3: Vientiane - Xieng Khuang by flight (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be free in Vientiane for relaxing at your hotel or leisurely strolling along quiet streets lined with small and old half-brick / half-wooden houses.
Check out of your hotel by noon time and transfer to the airport for a flight to Xieng Khuang, the plain of jars. Xieng Khuang was devastated heavily by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. War remnants can be seen on the plains of jars and at a local bomb exhibition room. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.
Day 4: Xieng Khuang – Plain of Jars & other local highlights (B)
Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch different Hill Tribes bartering and exchanging merchandise. Stop for a visit to the UXO MAG Museum (bomb exhibition room). Then we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars 1, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. Continue with Plain of Jars 2 before heading to the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.
Day 5: Xieng Khuang – Luang Prabang by road [7 hours – 336km] (B)
After breakfast, you will travel by road to Luang Prabang along winding roads. Enjoy the splendid natural scenery of lush green mountains dotted with white and pink color of wild flowers. After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, a T-junction meeting point of roads leading to Vang Vieng, Vientiane, Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang, the journey will continue uphill to Luang Prabang. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After checking into hotel, you will be free for refreshment. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Charming town of Golden Temples (B)
There is a very special dawn ceremony that you must see - monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk on barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people.
Return to your hotel for breakfast and then we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a precious collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, and the Morning Market where you can find all kinds of ingredients for Lao cuisine. Continue our city tour with the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.
In the afternoon, we visit the oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classic architecture of Luang Prabang temples. Then we climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)
After breakfast, we take an excursion by boat upstream on the Mekong river to visit Pak Ou cave nested inside a limestone cliff and overlooking the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height. En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Our first stop will be at Ban Xang Khai, a well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky, namely Lao-Khao, to be distilled. We are welcome to taste the wine or buy some to cheers with friends at home.
Back to Luang Prabang by noon time and the remainder of the day is free to chill out by the pool at your hotel or walk to the Mekong River for sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 8: Luangprabang – Kuangsi Waterfall (B)
After breakfast, we take a drive of 30km out of Luang Prabang to visit Kuangsi Waterfall, which, though not very high, is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National park. We stop en-route to visit a fresh produce market namely Talad Phosi, and also visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of a hill-tribe group “Hmong”, probably the best-known minority group in Laos. Just before arriving at Kuangsi waterfall, there is another village of Khmu minority group, namely Ban Tha Pane that we will visit. If you are insect lovers, also stop at a butterfly garden, enjoy beautiful butterflies and a coffee before cooling off in blue, crystal water of Kuangsi (don’t forget to bring your swimming suit!).
Relax and enjoy swimming as much as you want at the falls before going back to your hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 9: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)
After breakfast, you will be free in Luang Prabang to visit more ancient temples on foot, or relax at a coffee shop by the Mekong river bank, or unwind with Lao Massage before being driven to the airport for your departure flight. Goodbye to Laos!
:>> Our prices include:
> Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room
> Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver
> The services of an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination)
> Where necessary, entry fees and permission to enter border areas for all visits mentioned in the program
> Domestic flight Vientiane to Xieng Khuang, including airport tax, with Laos airlines, economy class> Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available
> VAT and other taxes
:>> Our prices do not include:
> International flight tickets and airport tax
> Visa handling and stamp fee
> Dinners, except as specified above
> Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
> Camera fees (if any)
> Insurance
