The Lost Cities of Laos

Pakse – Khone Island (L/D)

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred directly to a traditional boat for a 2-hour cruise to Champassak.

Disembark in this ancient city, known as the Kingdom of Champa.

Continue by car to Wat Phou, another World Heritage site in Laos, which was recognized by UNESCO in 2002.

Wat Phou is the site of ruins that were once part of a temple built sometime before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It contains some of the oldest Khmer architecture dating back to the 7th and 11th centuries.

In the afternoon you will head to Don Khone, an area of 4000 islands which is the widest point of the Mekong River during the rainy season, although during the dry months the river recedes, leaving behind thousands of islands and islets.

This area of the river is also famous for being home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.

En route, we stop to visit the Khmer temple ruins of Oup Mong in Ban Houei Tomo and continue driving to Don Khone Island.

At Ban Nakasung we board a long-tail motorboat for the peaceful Don Khone Island.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight on Don Khone Island.

Khone Island - Phou Asa - Pakse (B/L/D)

Early breakfast.

We begin our visit by tracing the French colonial past in Ban Khone, where some colonial houses are still standing and we get a glimpse of Laos' first railway with its own locomotive.

We continue our exploration of the tranquil 4000 Islands region by boat and visit the most beautiful waterfall, Liphi, also known as Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Laos and Cambodia.

If we are lucky, we might spot the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins of the Mekong.

We return to Ban Nakasang and go to the famous Khone Phapeng waterfall - the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, also known as the "Niagara of the East".

In the afternoon we will head to Pakse and on the way, stop at Phou Asa to visit the remains of the temple dating from the 18th century. We may have a chance to experience a 2-hour elephant ride through forest paths. (If time permits and elephants are available)

We arrive in Pakse before sunset, where you will be transferred to the hotel.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Pakse.

Pakse – Bolovens Plateau – Tadlo Waterfalls (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

We take a trip to Tadlo via the Bolovens Plateau, where tea and coffee plantations produce the famous Lao coffee.

You should have the chance to observe the coffee making process and see tea boiling in the traditional way.

En route, we visit ethnic villages such as Ban Tateng and discover their traditional ways of life.

We continue to visit the charming village of Tadlo where you will be transferred to the Tadlo resort. You can swim in the Tadlo waterfall pool which is located near the resort.

Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Tadlo.

Tadlo Waterfalls – Pakse – Vientiane – City Tour (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Direct transfer to Pakse.

In the early morning, we depart from Pakse on a flight to Vientiane.

Upon arrival, you are greeted by your driver and guide and transferred to the centrally located hotel.

The Vientiane city tour begins with Wat Sisaket temple, erected in 1818 by King Anouvong in the Bangkok style, the Ho Pha Keo former royal temple converted into a museum.

The visit continues to the Patuxai (The Ancient Arch of Triumph of Laos), also called Anousavari. From its terrace, don't miss the panoramic view.

The tour then reaches the That Luang built by King Setthathirat, the most important holy place in Laos where the sun's rays make the golden facade shine brightly.

End of the day on the banks of the Mekong for a fabulous sunset… Stroll along the river, enjoy a cool drink and some local appetizers.

Lunch and dinner at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane

Vientiane – Luang Prabang – City Tour (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel then transfer to Vientiane airport.

Head to Luang Prabang.

Upon your arrival in Luang Prabang, you will meet your guide and be transferred to the hotel.

Luang Prabang is a small, peaceful provincial town that retains its status as the spiritual capital of Laos. The road traffic is so calm that one can see monks in their orange robes, sheltering from the sun under their umbrellas, strolling through the city.

Luang Prabang has been designated by UNESCO as "the best-preserved city in Southeast Asia."

The city tour will begin with a visit to Wat Visoun and its famous watermelon-shaped stupa, the fruit that gave it its name. This temple was destroyed in 1887 by the Black Flags from China and restored in 1930 by Buddhist monks and locals.

You will also visit Wat Aham where you will discover the spirit of the two guardians of Luang Prabang.

And finally, continue your tour with Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs.

You will continue your quest with Mount Phousi located in the center of the city.

Climb the 328 steps that will lead you to the top of the hill where a splendid view of the Mekong, the Nam Khan, the surrounding mountains, and the city will reward your efforts. Sunsets are breathtaking when the sun casts all its colors on the wild landscape of Luang Prabang. Descend the steps on the other side of the hill and stroll through the stalls of the very colorful night market.

Every evening, ethnic minorities gather along the main street to sell their local produce. The calm and tranquil atmosphere of the evenings and the subdued lights of the stalls give a magical character to this market where it is pleasant to browse for souvenirs.

Lunch and dinner at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

The excursion begins with a visit to the Phousi market where you can observe local life or buy some fresh fruits.

Your guide will also be there to encourage you to try new flavors.

This morning, venture to the Luang Prabang peninsula, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River, to board a private long-tail boat for a 2-hour cruise on the Mekong to the famous Pak Ou Caves.

Located 2 hours upstream from Luang Prabang, the Pak Ou Caves, locally called Tam Ting, contain several hundred lacquered gold Buddha statues piled up on 2 sites located in an impressive cliff.

Their size varies from a few centimeters to the size of a human being.

You will be amazed by the viewpoint that the caves offer over the Mekong and the Nam Ou.

The caves are also an important pilgrimage destination, especially for Lao New Year, Pii Mai.

Two stops are planned before reaching the famous caves: one at the village of Ban Xang Hai and the other at Ban Xieng Khong, which has become expert in the manufacture and sale of products made from silk and Saa paper (paper made from mulberry bark).

Return to Luang Prabang with a short visit to Ban Phanom, a town known for hand weaving.

And we continue the visit of the villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xieng.

Lunch and dinner at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang – Departure (B)

After breakfast, the city tour will begin with a visit to the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum.

The Royal Palace was built in 1904 for King Sisavang Vong and his family, during the French colonial era. It now houses art and jewelry exhibitions as well as the residence itself.

Afterwards, you are free, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.