Laos Discovery Tour

Day 1: Luang Prabang

You will be collected by a driver from the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you can check in and spend the rest of your day relaxing before your full day tour on day two.

You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang - City Tour

After breakfast, you’ll set off for your full day tour of Luang Prabang city and the fascinating sites that surround it. Your first stop is the Royal Palace Museum. The palace is a stunning combination of French and Traditional Laotian architecture, richly decorated with intricate god reliefs, and is most famous for being the home of Pha Bang, a gold-alloy Buddha statue that the city was named after. From the palace, you’ll make your way to Wat Xieng Thong, the oldest monastery in the city. You’ll be in awe of its tiered, low sweeping roofs and beautiful reliefs. Your next stop is the Arts and Ethnology Centre, where you can learn about Laos’ variety of ethnic cultures and their traditional ways of life. We then leave the city and visit two villages which are renowned for their hand weaving; Ban Xieng Khong and Ban Xieng Lek. The tour then returns to the city for a visit to Wat Mai, the largest temple in Luang Prabang. Later in the afternoon, you’ll be able to climb to the top of Mount Phousi and explore the sacred gilded temple and enjoy the dramatic sunset over the city and the Mekong River beyond. The last stop on your full day tour is the Night Market, which is famous for its collection of handmade textiles and crafts.

Breakfast included.
You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave - Khuang Si Fall

Once you have enjoyed breakfast, you’ll embark on a cruise up the Mekong River, offering you stunning views of the waterside villages and unspoiled countryside beyond. The cruise takes you the Pak Ou Caves, which sink into the limestone cliffs on the river’s edge. Historically, the caves were a popular pilgrimage, and visitors have left thousands of wooden and gold lacquered Buddha statues, which line every surface. Another stop along your cruise is the village of Ban Xang Hai, where villagers make the traditional laos-Laos rice wine used in ceremonies and celebrations. As we cruise back towards the city, we’ll stop to visit some riverside villages where life is still lived very much traditionally. From here, a short drive takes you Ban Phanom, a village famous for its woven silk and cotton, which was once the choice of the royal family.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the villages of three of Laos’ ethnic minorities; the Hmong, Laoloum and Khmu before we continue to the Khuang Si Waterfall. The breath-taking waterfall has three tiers and several large turquoise pools where you can swim and relax. There are many forest paths nearby to explore too.

Breakfast included.
We then return to Luang Prabang, where you’ll spend the night.

Day 4: Luang Prabang-Half Day living land farm

Your tour of the countryside begins after breakfast. We head off to a local farm where you’ll see how rice is grown in the scenic rice paddies. The farmers will show you how to steer a water buffalo and how to grow organic vegetables, which you can try yourself if you’re feeling adventurous, or rather watch from the farm house balcony above. You’ll be treated to a magnificent lunch made entirely from ingredients grown on the farm. Depending on the season, you may even be able to participate in harvesting the vegetables or catching a few fish. After lunch, we return to Luang Prabang where you can relax for the rest of the day.

Breakfast and lunch is included.
Please note that rice farm activities are dependent on the time of year.

Day 5: Luang Prabang- Xieng Khuang (plain of jars)

After breakfast, we set off on a 306km drive through the stunning hills and mountains to Xieng Khouang Province. From here, you’ll be transferred to the fascinating ‘Plain of Jars’; an archaeological site where thousands of giant stone jars are scattered across the landscape. Their history; and that of whoever created them remains a mystery, which adds to the wonder of the site. If there’s time, you’ll also be able to visit Muang Khoun, the former capital, and its neighbouring Hmong hill tribe villages, who have a colourful history and unique culture.

Breakfast is included.
You will spend the night in Phonsavanh

Day 6: Xieng Khuang - Vientiane (Flight)

Today, we’ll stop at a local market in the morning and then visit the MAG exhibition, where you’ll learn about the UXO (unexploded ordinance) problem that Laos faces, and how the MAG team is dealing with it. From there, you’ll be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Vientiane. A driver will be waiting for you when you land, who will transfer you to your hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to explore Vientiane or relax ahead of tomorrow’s tour.

Breakfast is included.
You will spend the night in Vientiane

Day 7:  Vientiane - Full Day City Tour

After breakfast, your tour will take you through the most select sites in the city. You’ll visit Wat Si Saket, the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, which is home to almost 7000 Buddha statues. If you arrive early, you’ll see locals praying and giving offerings to the monks. En route to your next stop, we’ll take a break to see the Patuxay Monument, dedicated to those who fought for independence from French rule. The giant arch is often referred to as Vientiane’s Arc de Triumph. Your next stop is the awe-inspiring That Luang Stupa, Laos’ most important national and spiritual symbol. The sacred stupa is said to have been built to enshrine one of Buddha’s bones. In the afternoon, your tour takes you to the amazing Buddha Park; a meadow along the Mekong River with over 200 religious statues, including a 120 metre long reclining Buddha that dates back over 500 years. You then finish your tour by enjoying the spectacular views of sunset on the Mekong River.

Breakfast is included.
You will spend the night in Vientiane

Day 8: Vientiane - Departure

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to begin your journey home.

• English speaking local guides (one place = one guide)
• Accommodation as listed above.
• Meals as listed in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• All airport transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles
• Flight ticket = XiengKhuang – Vientiane

EXCLUSIONS

• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Visas – Visa on arrival can be arranged
• Spending money
• Tips & gratuities
• Activities not listed
• Meals not listed
• All drinks
• International flights & departure taxes