Laos Deep Journey 12 Days

Greet you at the Luang Prabang International Airport, and then transfer you to a local hotel for check-in. Known among tourists, the UNESCO-listed city compound of Luang Prabang features cultural, historical, and religious landmarks for beautiful glimpses upon your arrival.
Take a good rest in the hotel, and then start a discovery of the city for some initial impression. By the afternoon, it will be an ideal time to experience a private Baci ceremony at a local house. As a traditional ritual of the Lao residents, the Baci provides unforgettable memory and deep insights into the local culture. The local hosts will tie a cotton string around a participant’s wrist, aiming to preserve good luck. After that, the host will serve you a home-cooked dinner, which embraces rich cultural and culinary experiences.
Sleep in Luang Prabang

Join a morning tour around the historical Royal Palace Museum, which was once built for King Sisavang Vong and his family in 1904, during the French colonial time. Leaving the museum, you will start embarking on a cruise to sail upstream on the mighty Mekong River. On the route to the mystic Pak Ou Caves, the scenery is breathtaking and serene. Upon arrival at the two linked caves, step inside to admire thousands of the ancient gold-lacquered Buddha statues which have been there for decades as being left by generations of pilgrims and townsfolks.
Next, the cruise itinerary will include a stop at Ban Xanghai Village, known for its local rice wine. On the route back to the city center, it will also stop at the ancient Wat Sene and the adjacent Wat Xieng Thong – a masterpiece of classical Laos architecture featuring a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics. If there is still time left, let’s move out of the city to approach the hidden Thai Lue village of Ban Xangkhong, known for Laos crafts and arts. An adjacent village covered in the program is Ban Xienglek, which specializes in the unique Saa paper. If you’re interested, join the “pétanque” game with the local teams.
The next attraction on the day’s agenda is Wat Prabath, which is ideal for sunset watching. Keep on the joy at the Night Market for some exciting shopping rounds of the handmade textiles sold by the hill tribes.
Sleep in Luang Prabang
TIP: If ethnic-cultural diversity is one of your interests, proceed to the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Mondays).

Make this morning in Luang Prabang memorable by getting up a bit early and attending a morning alms-giving ceremony. By offering alms to the Buddhist monks from various temples, you will receive blessings in return. The ceremony could be dated back to the 14th century. After that, go for a stroll around the temporary morning market next to the former Royal Palace. The local vendors are selling their day’s catch of fish, chicken, vegetables, fruits, rice, etc., on the ground.
Savor your breakfast at the hotel, and then get ready for an outdoor discovery of Phou Si Hill. It challenges your sports spirit to ascend 329 steps to reach the summit of the mountain, from which the view of the entire city and the mighty Mekong is awesome. If the time is right, you can visit UXO Visitor Center (which is closed on Saturday and Sunday) which stores the documentation about Laos Secret War.
The next attraction for your outdoor adventures is the gorgeous Kuang Si Falls. This is the largest and most impressive waterfall in Luang Prabang, known for three tiers of 50m cascading drops into a spectacular turquoise swimming pool. The pool urges you to get soaked and relax through free swimming. Near the waterfall is the village of Ban Thapene, which remains untouched. And if you are interested, go to the Bear Rescue Center, which is home to bears rescued from various dire circumstances.
On the transfer back to the city, let’s stop by the culturally rich attraction of Ock Pop Tock Living Crafts Center. Set in a quiet pretty location, the center is home to local weavers, spinners, and batik makers who are specialized in high-quality fabrics and woven items. There are free tours every half hour in this spot, from which sunset watching is also stunning.
By late afternoon, transfer back to your hotel in Luang Prabang. Have a good night’s rest.
TIPS:
– For families, take your kids to the Buffalo Dairy Farm on the trail to Kuang Si Falls, in which farming experiences are fun and inspiring.
– You can also visit the Butterflies Park near the Falls. The peaceful garden colored by the beautiful butterflies will cheer up your eyes and mind. Also, enjoy the afternoon tea and homemade cookies.

Around 08:30 AM, start a morning drive transfer to Nahm Dong Park in Ban Xiengmouk, through scenic forest scenery, which is 10km from the city center. Upon arrival, you’re inspired to join several ecotourism activities. First of all, take your courage to join the Zipline flying over the forest and the waterfalls for a panorama of the evergreen vista. The Zipline activity is around 1 hour. Next, boost up your sports spirit with a happy jungle trek crossing the flying bridges, streams, and natural pools where you can enjoy a refreshing splash if you like.
From an ideal viewpoint, a picnic lunch will be served. During mealtimes, you can also feast your eyes on the far-off view of Phousi Hill as well as the city center. For the remaining afternoon hours, you can take a good rest in the huts at the camp, walk around the park, or relish the cool vibe by the natural pools. Then, get yourself ready for a transfer to the train station for the afternoon express train to Vang Vieng.
Arriving at Vang Vieng, you will be transferred to a local hotel.
Sleep in Vang Vieng.
NOTE: Express Train is a new transport in Laos Tour Package.

Vang Vieng owns limestone cliffs and valleys which host various caverns and grottoes. And Tham Jang is among the most famous caves you must see in this poetic town. So, this morning, you will explore Tham Jang Cave, which was once used by the locals as a hideaway from Chinese invaders around 200 years ago. The outdoor adventure will go on to another natural attraction where you will cross the Nam Song River to reach the hidden Tham Pou Kham (Golden Crab Cave). You will need to pass a small entrance gate, and then descend 100 meters to reach the ground of the cave.
There will be plenty of time to relax at the spectacular Blue Lagoon – the most famous site for relaxation in Vang Vieng. After that, get on a transfer to Ban Thaheua nestled on the northern side of Nam Ngum Lake. Tonight, you will rest at a lakeside bungalow. Be free for ease during the rest of the day.
Sleep in Ban Thaheua.

A morning boat trip on the serene Nam Ngum Lake will cheer you up. The cruise will take around 4 hours around the lake and toward several islets plus fishing villages. Highlights of the day include the local fire ovens, a traditional farm, and a sandy island for free swimming. Next, you will head back to Tha Heua village for an understanding of the local fried fish preservation technique. The next destination is Ban Houay Phanom where you can sip good coffee/tea prior to a live demonstration of weaving traditions. On the way back to the resort, you will stop at a picturesque island on which a picnic lunch will be prepared to serve you. Refresh for a few next hours.
Get on a transfer to Vientiane via the Vang Vieng – Vientiane highway.
Sleep in Vientiane.

Spend your first morning in Vientiane to visit the significant Buddhist monument, Wat Si Muang, which hosts a fascinating legend. Next, get on a 45-minute drive to the Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), known for dozens of the unusual Hindu and Buddha statues of various poses. This is also a popular cycling and walking spot.
The tour will then take you to Lao Disable Women Development Center, where you can meet the inspiring disabled women who receive vocational training so that they can live independent lives. There will be opportunities to watch their educational videos and recordings about their life efforts. Buying small handicrafts at the shop is one of the good ways to assist women with disabilities.
Spend your afternoon visiting Pha That Luang (Great Stupa), a gold-covered immense Buddhist stupa in the center of Vientiane. The Great Stupa was erected in 1566 at the behest of King Setthathirat. It is luminous as the sun illuminates its towering golden spire. The excitement will go on when you observe a panoramic sightseeing of the city by ascending the stairs to the peak of Patuxai – Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe.”
The next Buddhist temple to see on Lane Xang Avenue is the peaceful Wat Sisaket, the only surviving monument from the dire Siamese invasion in 1828. Go on visiting the adjacent Wat Phra Keo which functions as a religious museum and displays collections of Lao and Khmer artworks.
When the daylight starts fading, enjoy a happy walk along the banks of the mighty Mekong River and cherish the scenic view. You can stop for a cold drink or snack to feel the world of Laos street food.
Sleep in Vientiane.
TIPS:
– If you’re fond of Laos coffee, go to Sinouk Coffee Pavilion where you find the mini coffee gallery and the in-house coffee roaster. Take the opportunity to savor a cup of coffee or tea and evaluate the taste together with the accompanying guide. You will pay an entrance fee and your coffee on the spot.
– If you’re keen on rural countryside life, go to Ban Hom to see how local farmers work on rice fields and discover their rural lifestyle. The site is around 12km from the old quarter.

Take a morning flight from Vientiane to Pakse – the biggest city in southern Laos. Upon arrival in Pakse, get on a drive transfer to the famous Bolaven Plateau, known for its cool temperature at the elevated location above the Mekong. The Laos tour package starts its adventure part from now then.
Take a break at a refreshing tea plantation, and then proceed to marvel at the stunning twin 120m Tad Fane Waterfalls.
The next attractions on the agenda are Ban Lak Sipchet village (known for making iron knives) and Ban Lak Samsip village (known for producing bamboo baskets). If time allows, you will also explore Tad Yeung which has a cool transparent natural pool at the base of the waterfall. The last stop of the day is a coffee plantation for eco-friendly experiences.
Sleep in Bolaven Plateau.

This morning, you will enjoy cultural experiences at an ethnic food market in Tha Teng. Also, there will be further cultural exploration at minority villages of Ban Bong Neua (an Alak village known for a sacrificial altar) and Ban Kokphung (a Katu village known for a tradition to keep coffins under their houses).
For the afternoon, a visit to Wat Phou – an antique Khmer religious complex of the 5th century will make you a real archaeologist. Wat Phou temple complex was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2001 as a remarkably well-preserved pre-Angkorian temple landscape of more than 1,000 years old, built by the Khmer empire prior to the construction of Angkor Wat.
After that, keep exploring Champassak highlights preserved in the French colonial buildings. Next, get on a drive transfer to Done Khong Island where you will spend the night.
Sleep in Done Khong Island.

Have your breakfast, and then be energetic to embark on a 1.5-hour long-tail boat ride to sail through the scenic wild reach of the mighty Mekong River. The water in this area will recede during the dry season, leaving thousands of islets visible, so it’s called “Si Phan Don” or Four Thousand Islands.
The voyage will stop at the quiet village of Ban Khone whose highlights are the French colonial buildings and the remnants of the 1st Laos railway with the age-old locomotive. The next experience is a tuk-tuk ride around the island area, and then admire the breathtaking Liphi Falls (the “Corridor of the Devil), which remains one of the best waterfalls in the borders between Laos and Cambodia.
Spend the rest of the day freely exploring the island. A good recommendation is to ride a bike around to meet the islanders and observe their life activities. The area is also ideal for watching the sunset along the riverbanks of the Mekong.
Sleep on Khone Island.

Enjoy a free and easy tour around the island and its natural highlights.
On the route back to the mainland, the itinerary will include a stop at a local fishing village named Ban Nakasang for cultural exchanges. Next, drive further south to admire the famous Khone Phapheng waterfalls – known as the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia, which is a must to see. Nestled near the land border between Lao and Cambodia, Khone Phapheng preserves a rich wildlife and scenic landscape for explorations.
Take a drive back to Pakse and sleep there.

Have your breakfast before being transferred to Ubon Ratchathani (Thailand) through Chongmek Border, from which you will take your departure flight to Bangkok.
NOTES:
– Transfer duration: 3 hours including time at the border.
– You can also take a flight from Pakse to Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, or Bangkok.
The 12 Days Laos Tour Package is concluded.