Laos from North to South

Huayxai – Pakbeng (D)

Arrival in Huay Xai.

The Luang Say cruise departs from Huay Xai, beginning the journey along the Mekong River toward Pakbeng.

Along the way, stop to observe rural life along the Mekong River and visit ethnic minority communities, followed by a buffet lunch on board.

Arrival in Pakbeng before sunset and check-in at the hotel.

Enjoy dinner on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng.

Pakbeng – Pak Ou Cave – Luang Prabang (B/L/D)

(Optional: walk through Pakbeng Market, where ethnic minorities come to trade their goods.)

Full breakfast.

At 8:30 AM, board the boat for the cruise.

A short stop will be made to discover a Hmong village before enjoying a buffet lunch on board.

Then continue to Pak Ou Village, located at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, and visit Pak Ou Cave, known as the “Cave of a Thousand Buddhas.”

On the way to Luang Prabang, make a brief stop to observe the traditional production of local rice alcohol.

Arrival in Luang Prabang before sunset. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang - Visit (B/L)

In the morning, after breakfast, begin a walking tour of some of the most beautiful temples.

Depending on the rest of your program, the visits may include Wat Sene, the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, with its sweeping roofs reaching toward the ground, typical of classical Luang Prabang architecture, as well as Wat Mai.

Stop at Kinnaly Gallery, where your guide will introduce you to the different ethnic groups living in Laos.

End the visit with an ascent of Mount Phousi, offering spectacular panoramic views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner on your own and overnight in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfalls (B/L)

After breakfast, visit the Phousi local market, where local residents come to shop and where you can discover the wide variety of goods on offer.

Stop at Ock Pop Tok, a silk weaving center. A guided visit will explain the silk production process.

Then continue to Ban Thinkeo, a Hmong village, where you will go hiking with the villagers. Your guide will explain how the Hmong people use different plants.

Visit the garden to pick vegetables and herbs together with the villagers.

When you arrive at the village, learn how to prepare several local dishes in a traditional house. Lunch will be the result of your collective efforts.

Afterwards, the villagers will present a Hmong Khene performance and traditional local games.

In the afternoon, continue to Kuang Si Waterfalls to relax beside the magnificent multi-tiered waterfalls.

Return to Luang Prabang at the end of the day.

Dinner on your own and overnight in Luang Prabang.

Note: During the rainy season, the itinerary may be changed due to weather conditions. An alternative program is available.

Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang (B/L/D)

Today, after breakfast, travel through the magnificent landscapes of Xieng Khouang.

You will have opportunities to take photos and visit hill tribe villages along the way.

Upon arrival, visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered across the plateau.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

Xieng Khouang – Plain of Jars and Muang Khoun (B/L/D)

This morning, after breakfast, visit the interesting Phonsavan Central Market and the MAG UXO Information Centre, where you will learn about the work of unexploded ordnance clearance teams, before transferring to Site 2 of the Plain of Jars.

Then walk toward Site 3 via the former Pathet Lao camp. Arrive at Ban Xieng Di to observe traditional broom making, then continue walking to Site 3 of the Plain of Jars.

In the afternoon, continue to Muang Khoun, the former capital of the Phuan Kingdom, where you can walk around the remaining stupas and temples.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Muang Khoun.

Muang Khoun - Vang Vieng (B/L)

After breakfast, visit Mulberries Silk Farm, a Lao sericulture company specializing in fair-trade silk production.

Continue toward Vang Vieng.

In the afternoon, arrive in Vang Vieng, a peaceful small town nestled in a bend of the Nam Song River.

With its incredible scenery, calm waters, and limestone outcrops, the town has retained much of its charm despite recent development brought by tourism.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner on your own and overnight in Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng – Vientiane (B/L)

This morning, after breakfast, enjoy a short hike and visit the impressive Tham Jang Cave. You will also take a boat trip along the Nam Song River to admire the spectacular karst landscapes.

In the afternoon, continue south toward the capital, Vientiane.

On the way, stop at the salt mines of Ban Kheun to see how salt is produced.

Arrive in Vientiane in the late afternoon, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner on your own and overnight in Vientiane.

Vientiane - City Tour (B/L)

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day tour exploring the capital city of Vientiane and its major monuments, including the oldest temple, Wat Sisaket, with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which once housed the famous Emerald Buddha image.

On the way to one of Laos’ most treasured national monuments, the sacred That Luang, you will have the opportunity to take photos of the Patuxai Monument, also known as the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane.

The final visit of the day will be the COPE Visitor Centre, which presents information about Laos and the major problems faced by local communities as a result of bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War.

The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Vientiane.

Vientiane – Pakse - Tadlo (B/L/D)

This morning, after breakfast, transfer early to the airport for your flight to Pakse.

Welcome upon arrival in Pakse, then travel east toward the Bolaven Plateau.

The Bolaven Plateau, located above the Mekong Valley, is known for its cooler temperatures.

The region is famous for its many waterfalls, and you will visit one of the most beautiful, Tad Fane Waterfall. This spectacular double waterfall plunges into a deep gorge surrounded by lush vegetation.

The journey across the plateau offers a refreshing break and allows you to observe plantations of coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops along the way.

This journey offers visitors the opportunity to venture off the beaten track, discover some of the lesser-known regions of Laos, and experience the wild beauty of the south.

In the afternoon, arrive at Tad Lo, another picturesque waterfall area inhabited by several ethnic groups, including the Alak, Nge, and Katu.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Tad Lo.

Tadlo – Pakse – Wat Phou – Khong Island (B/L/D)

After breakfast, head toward Khong Island.

On the way, make a short detour to visit Pha Suam Waterfall and explore Lao Theung ethnic villages.

Continue the journey through Pakse, crossing the Mekong by ferry to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phou. Wat Phou is one of Laos’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recognized in 2001. This magnificent Khmer archaeological site dates back to the 5th century, before the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Continue the journey by road and then take the Don Khong ferry to Khong Island, the largest island in the southern Mekong region known as the 4000 Islands, one of the most spectacular areas of Laos.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight on Khong Island.

Khong Island – Khone Island – Don Daeng (B/L/D)

After breakfast, enjoy a visit through the countryside and take a long-tail boat ride through the Don Khone area, taking you to remains from the French colonial period and to Liphi Waterfall, also known as the “Devil’s Corridor.”

Return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and continue south to visit Khone Phapheng.

Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. Located near the Laos–Cambodia border, it is truly impressive and lies in an area rich in wildlife, making it one of the most remarkable destinations in Laos.

Then head north and take a boat to the beautiful Don Daeng Island.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Don Daeng.

Don Daeng - Free Day (B/L/D)

After breakfast, enjoy a free day at leisure to relax by the swimming pool or explore the island and its charming small villages by bicycle.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Don Daeng.

Don Daeng – Pakse - Departure (B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Pakse and to the airport for your departure.