Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival (D)
We are greeted by our guide and driver at the airport for our transfer to the hotel.
Late afternoon, we can go for a stroll around this quaint town and have time to explore the Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local villagers and the hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang. Dinner is at a local house and is accompanied by a traditional Baci ceremony.
Overnight at Luang Prabang
Day 2: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves (B/L)
After breakfast we embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, a popular stop-over producing some special varieties of Laolao, the local rice wine. After we visit the caves we make another short stop at a smaller village named Ban Muangkeo. Here we have a stroll through town and get a glimpse of local village life along the Mekong River.
We have lunch at a local riverside restaurant with a stunning view of the Pak Ou Caves. On our return, we stop at the local villages of Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan then continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun.
The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang - Ancient Town & Arts (B)
Optional early wake-up call possible to join the locals giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from morning prayers. Take a stroll through Ban Pakham morning market and take part in this everyday ritual.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we explore Luang Prabang by bicycle, a fun and eco-friendly way of exploring the town. We visit Wat Visun, Wat Aham, beautiful Wat Xieng Thong, and the Luang Prabang Ethnology Centre.
After lunch, we're off to the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre, an organization that is offering the weavers in the area the chance to earn a decent income through their weaving skills. We also visit Ban Xang Khong village where we learn more about Saa paper.
On our way back to town we go up Phou Sy Mountain and enjoy the fantastic sunset view of Luang Prabang, and the Nam Kan River joining the Mekong.
After the sunset there's the option to enjoy a well-deserved and relaxing Traditional Lao Massage and Sauna at the one of the many massage centers in town.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 4: Luang Prabang Cooking & Flight to Vientiane (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel we go to Tamarind Cafe where our chef Joy Ngeuamboupha joins us for an introduction to real Lao cuisine. We tuk-tuk to Phou Sy market where we'll buy our ingredients for the cooking class. Joy shares his knowledge with us on this market tour and then takes us to his lakeside classroom outside of town where we will learn to prepare some local favourites such as khao niauw (sticky rice), oh paedek (soup with ground pork) and laarb kai (spicy Laotian chicken salad).
Afterwards, we have lunch with Joy and evaluate our creations.
Early afternoon we make our way to the famous Khouang Si waterfall. A short walk and visit to the Bear Sanctuary are on the menu first before we have time for a relaxing swim or some relaxing by the water's edge.
We then return to Luang Prabang and make our way to the airport for our flight to Vientiane (Suggested flight: QV104/ 1740-1820). Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 5: Vientiane Explored: Buddhas, Orchids & Tuk-Tuks (B)
After breakfast we explore COPE educational centre, a compelling place that teaches us about Laos' Hidden War. Afterwards we continue on to the surreal and unique Buddha Park or Xiang Khouan as it's known by the locals. A park filled with hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu statues that are definitely a world apart from your average temple visit.
On our way back to town we visit the Vientiane Orchid Centre, a truly unique place where passionate French orchid expert Bertrand Laville hosts one of the largest orchid collections in the world.
In the afternoon, we start our Vientiane tuk-tuk tour at Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao's national icon, That Luang Stupa, we will stop at the Patuxay Monument, known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 6: Flight to Pakse - Champasack & Khone Island (B)
After an early breakfast, we go hotel to Wattay airport for our flight to Pakse, the provincial capital of Champasack where the Mekong and Sedon rivers meet.
Upon arrival in Pakse we drive to Wat Phou, a site of ancient religious significance in one of the most spectacular regions of Laos. We drive to Wat Phou by car, but make our way back across the Mekong River by local transport before our van awaits us to take us to Khone Island, part of the 4,000 Islands region. Here the Mekong can get up to 14km wide during the rainy season and it is dotted with thousands of islands varying in size.
We take a small boat across the Mekong to Khone Island. After check-in to our hotel here, we have plenty of free time to explore this quaint island and its villages by bicycle or on foot. There are plenty of places to explore and there is time to relax, swim or discover the small island on your own.
Overnight on Don Khone Island.
Day 7: 4000 Islands Boat Ride & Back To Pakse (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning we go on a boat ride taking us around the 4000 Islands area, if we are lucky we might even spot the rare exotic Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin! We are transported into a different world, the river giving us the perfect vantage point for a look into the local people's lives.
After our boat ride we return to Pakse, along the way visiting the famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfalls in South East Asia, also known as the Niagara of the east.
Overnight in Pakse.
Day 8: Pakse Departure (B)
After breakfast there's free time for your own exploration of Pakse Town.
Airport transfer for connecting flight or return flight home.
