Laos For Explorers - 10 days

Welcome to Luang Prabang, Laos. Your guide and driver will greet you at the airport for transfer to your hotel. After a chance to refresh yourself, you will begin your tour on a great note by participating in a Baci ceremony, a traditional Lao custom to strengthen the spirit and wish good luck on participants. After this browse the lively night market, packed with street food, hand-crafted textiles made by the region’s hill tribe people, and friendly chatter from the vendors.

Meals: Nil

Accommodation: There are 3 hotel ranges for your selection, please scroll down

Today explore Luang Prabang by bicycle, a fun eco-friendly way of getting around town which will help you see why it deserves the World Heritage title. Stop by some of the city’s most important temples; peaceful, sacred havens filled with iconic sights like the Watermelon Stupa and an expansive Tree of Life mural presenting the Buddhist story. At the National Museum, located in the former Royal Palace, view treasures of Laos’ royal past, as well as the Prabang, a sacred Buddha image which gives the town its name. Your ride now winds past wetlands and ancient temples to reach a traditional papermaking and silk weaving village, where you can meet the artisans and learn about the time-honored processes they employ. Back in town, climb the 328 steps up Mount Phousi, which dominates the Luang Prabang skyline and offers a panorama over the city and a spectacular sunset view.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: There are 3 hotel ranges for your selection, please scroll down
Note:

Cycling Distance: approx. 20 km

After breakfast, transfer out of town to Ban Long Lao, a Hmong minority village. After briefly exploring this community, set out on your 10km hike, first past paddy fields and then several hours through jungle trails, to reach Khuang Si Waterfalls. At this tiered falls in a lush forest setting, you can take a cooling swim or simply relax and enjoy the scenery before transferring back to Luang Prabang for overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: There are 3 hotel ranges for your selection, please scroll down

Note: Hiking Distance: 10km

Option:

Rise early to join the locals lining up to offer food to the Buddhist monks walking back from morning prayers. After this solemn ritual which is repeated daily, stroll through the morning market.

This morning cruise up the Mekong River to explore the mysteries of the Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues in all imaginable postures and sizes. Next, transfer by bus to the small town of Nong Kiaw on the Nam Ou River, featuring incredibly picturesque views in a landscape of imposing limestone mountains. From here, take a boat further off the grid to Muang Ngoi Village, in an idyllic location between towering mountains and the Nam Ou River, where you will stay for a memorably peaceful night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: There are 3 hotel ranges for your selection, please scroll down

After breakfast in Muang Ngoi, take a boat to reach the start point of your trek, passing through rainforest and offering expansive river views. Arriving at a traditional weaving village, you can explore the thatch and bamboo houses and learn about local weaving techniques. From here, kayak past gorgeous scenery, including dramatic limestone cliffs, as you head downstream on the Nam Ou River to return to Muang Ngoi for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: There are 3 hotel ranges for your selection, please scroll down

Note:
Hiking Distance: 5km
Kayaking Duration: approx. 1.5 hours

After breakfast take a boat back downstream to Nong Kiaw, taking in the riverside forests and rock formations along the way, then transfer back to Luang Prabang by vehicle. Take the rest of the day as the free time to further explore the charming streets of Luang Prabang, where you will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: There are 3 hotel ranges for your selection, please scroll down

This morning transfer to the airport to board your flight to Pakse, the capital of Champasak Province in Southern Laos, where the Mekong and Sedon rivers meet. On arrival, drive out to Bolaven Plateau which rises high above the Mekong River and is known for its moderate climate, coffee plantations, and mist-shrouded waterfalls. Take a 13-km jeep ride through rural villages to reach a secluded organic coffee farm and learn about the planting, growing, and roasting of the beans, and finally enjoy a tasting of different types of coffee. Explore a Laven ethnic minority village and then spend some time relaxing and swimming at a remote waterfall before driving back to Pakse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: There are 3 hotel ranges for your selection, please scroll down

Today, explore the ruins of Wat Phou, a temple complex built by the Khmer which dates back to the 5th century, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue southward to view the incredible Khone Phapheng Waterfall, Southeast Asia’s largest, which is known as the Niagara of the East. After this, take a boat to Don Khone Island in the 4,000 Islands region, where the river can reach up to 14km wide at flood season. This island, one of the region’s largest, can be explored by bicycle or by foot, and you’ll see its villages and have time for a relaxing swim if you wish. Spend the night at a guesthouse on Don Khone Island.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: There are 3 hotel ranges for your selection, please scroll down

This morning you will have free time to explore further and enjoy Don Khone Island until time for your transfer back to Pakse. After checking in to your hotel in Pakse you will have the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: There are 3 hotel ranges for your selection, please scroll down

After breakfast, you are free until time for your transfer to the airport to board your departing flight. We wish you a pleasant journey and hope to see you again soon!

Meals: Breakfast