Laos Discovery North to South - 17 Days
This is the tour for travellers who want to explore all of Laos in one complete trip, from north to south. In Luang Prabang you visit ancient and beautiful temples, and take a boat along the Mekong River to see the Pak Ou Caves. You also visit ethnic villages, and browse the Luang Prabang Night Market for bargains. Tour the city to learn about its historical importance, then see the forest waterfall of Kuangsi. You depart Luang Prabang for Xieng Khouang Province, where you explore the amazing and mysterious Plain of Jars. You also visit the bombed out ancient capital of Muang Khoun, and see the devastation of the war. Then in Vang Vieng, you explore the spectacular limestone cliffs and caves, and witness magnificent sunsets. You can cycling through the beautiful countryside, or float leisurely down the Nam Song River on an inner tube.
Next on the itinerary is Vientiane, the capital of Laos. You see the sights of the capital, and go shopping for silver, silk and handicrafts, then take a stroll along the banks of the Mekong River at sunset.
From Vientiane you travel to the valley of the Nam Hinboun River in Khammouane Province, famous for its rugged limestone mountains, caves, underground rivers, and traditional villages. You glide through Kong Lor Cave, and soak-in the rural life of Hinboun. You visit Tha Khek, and then on to Pakse. On the Bolaven Plateau, we see the spectacular Tad Fan Waterfall, and stay in wood bungalows at a beautiful resort overlooking the falls. You also see the waters of Tad Yeung Falls plunging into lush jungle, and then take a boat to the ancient Khmer temple complex of Wat Phu. At Don Khong Island, you board a boat to see the endangered Irrawady dolphins, and view some of the four thousand islands. Your adventure ends back in Pakse, where you depart the land of a million elephants.
Tour brief
Day 02: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves
Day 03: Luang Prabang City Tour
Day 04: Luang Prabang - Phonsavan
Day 05: Phonsavan - Plain of Jars - Muang Khoun
Day 06: Phonsavan - Vang Vieng
Day 07: Vang Vieng Free Day
Day 08: Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Day 09: Vientiane City Tour
Day 10: Vientiane - Hinboun
Day 11: Hinboun - Kong Lor Cave
Day 12: Hinboun - Tha Khek
Day 13: Tha Khek - Pakse
Day 14: Pakse - Bolaven Plateau (Tad Fan Waterfall)
Day 15: Tad Fan Waterfall - Wat Phu Temple
Day 16: Don Khone Island - Four Thousand Islands - Pakse
Day 17: Pakse Departure
PRICE AND BOOKING
Tours & Packages | 2 pax | 3-4 pax | 5-6 pax | From 7 pax | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Private Tour | 2 pax$2195 | 3-4 pax$1765 | 5-6 pax$1420 | From 7 pax$1290 | Tour Enquiry |
Itinerary
Trip Grade:
It is a moderate suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and mobility. However, some walking and climbing of stairs is required.
This itinerary is based on medium level accommodation. At WaytoVietnam Travel, we design tours to suit your schedule and travel requirements. Just send an E-mail and let us arrange a tour for you.
Day 01: Luang Prabang Arrival
When you arrive in Luang Prabang you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Luang Prabang is known for its many ancient and beautiful temples, and after and a short rest, we visit some of the best examples of these temples. Two of these magnificent temples are Wat Visoun and Wat Xienthong, the city's oldest temple and one of the best examples of Luang Prabang classical architecture. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner at a restaurant.
Overnight is in Luang Prabang hotel.
Dinner included.
Day 02: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves
After breakfast, we board a long-tail boat on the Mekong River for a trip to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. On the way to the caves, we stop at Ban Xanghai Village. Known for the production of traditional Lao rice wine, you see the distillation process, and sample some of the product. After visiting the Pak Ou Caves, with its thousand Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes, we visit the two Lao-Loum villages of Ban Chan and Ban Xiengmene. We return to Luang Prabang and explore the Night Market where you can hunt for bargains on locally made handicrafts.
Overnight is in Luang Prabang hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 03: Luang Prabang City Tour
In the morning after breakfast in the hotel, we visit the National Museum which was once the Royal Palace. The museum has displays of famous Lao historical leaders and fighters from ancient times to the present day revolutionary period. Then we visit some of Luang Prabang's beautiful and magnificent temples. After lunch in a famous restaurant, we take a drive to the Kuangsi Waterfall in the green surroundings of a National Conservation Area. En route, we stop at two small villages; the Hmong village of Ban Na Oune, and Ban Tha Pane, a Khmu village. Here we learn about their culture and way of life. We return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon, and visit the weaving village of Ban Xangkhong on the way back. We end the day with a visit to Wat Siphouthabath to see the footprints of the Buddha.
Overnight is in Luang Prabang hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 04: Luang Prabang - Phonsavan
This morning we depart for Xieng Khouang Province, site of the amazing Plain of Jars. We drive through high mountains and a landscape of karst formations, and stop at remote ethnic villages. You will see the looms beneath the houses that are used to make the family's clothes, bags and accessories. In the late afternoon, we arrive at Phonsavan, the capital of the war-torn province of Xieng Khoung, and check in to the hotel.
Overnight is in Phonsavan hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 05: Phonsavan - Plain of Jars - Muang Khoun
Breakfast in the hotel is followed by a visit to the morning market where a variety of local food items, and wild animals are on sale. We also see hill tribe people making rice noodles. Then we set out to explore the three main sites of the mysterious Plain of Jars. This is a remarkable archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars lie scattered over the plateau. It is estimated that the huge jars are some 1,500 to 2,000 years old, but it is still a mystery as to what they were actually used for, and how they got to their final resting places. Next is a visit to the ancient capital of this war-torn province, Muang Khoun (old Xieng Khuang). It was once a beautiful and lively French colonial town something like Luang Prabang, but years of war and heavy bombing have reduced it into a shell. We will visit the only house remaining from this period, the ruins of Wat Phia Wat, and That Chom Phet.
Overnight is in Phonsavan hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 06: Phonsavan - Vang Vieng
In the morning, we start for Vang Vieng, and en-route we have time to stop to admire the scenery from several scenic viewpoints. Vang Vieng is a small village situated between spectacular limestone cliffs and surrounded by green rice fields dotted with traditional houses. The balcony of your hotel affords a splendid view of the beautiful countryside and the magnificent natural formation, as well as magnificent sunsets.
Overnight is in Vang Vieng hotel.
Breakfast included.
Day 07: Vang Vieng Free Day
After breakfast, today you have a free day to relax and explore the town. Vang Vieng is known for its famous limestone cliffs and you can visit the caves in the area, or cycle through the nearby countryside. You can also float down the Nam Song River on an inner tube. Vang Vieng is a great place to relax and unwind.
Overnight is in Vang Vieng hotel.
Breakfast included.
Day 08: Vang Vieng - Vientiane
This morning after breakfast, we drive approx. three hours to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Vientiane, situated on the Mekong River, has a somewhat small-town feel to it, rather than the capital of a country. You check into your hotel, and in the afternoon, we also visit a large market where you can browse among silver, silk and many other items. In the late afternoon and evening, you can take a relaxing stroll along the banks of the Mekong River.
Overnight is at Vientiane hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 09: Vientiane City Tour
After breakfast, we go on a sightseeing tour of the city. We see Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, the That Luang Stupa, the country's most important monument, the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha statue, and the imposing Patuxay Monument, the Victory Gate (Arc de Triumph) of Vientiane.
Overnight is in Vientiane hotel.
Breakfast included.
Day 10: Vientiane - Hinboun
Today we head out of Vientiane into the country, and drive to the valley of the Nam Hinboun River in Khammouane Province. This province is famous for its magnificent rugged limestone mountains, many caves, underground rivers, and traditional villages. Depending on the time of year, in the evening you may be pleasantly serenaded by the & ldquo; singing & rdquo; of the cicadas.
Overnight is at Hinboun hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 11: Hinboun - Kong Lor Cave
After breakfast we take a boat ride on a trip to Kong Lor Cave. As we cruise along you see the towering sheer limestone cliffs along the river, and at every bend in the river there is an amazing new vista. The Nam Hinboun River flows through the Kong Lor Cave which is actually a limestone tunnel over 8 km long. The Cave is home to many rare birds that appear in the late afternoon. We also explore surrounding villages on foot, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of rural life in Hinboun.
Overnight is in Hinboun hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 12: Hinboun - Tha Khek
After breakfast in the hotel, we take a boat from Sala Hinboun to Ban Na Pouak. We stop on the way to visit a local village, and then drive to the town of Tha Khek, with a detour to see the Pra Pafha Cave in beautiful natural surroundings.
Overnight is in Tha Khek hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 13: Tha Khek - Pakse
Today after breakfast, we take a quick look around the city. Then we are off on a seven-hour drive to Pakse. On the way, we stop to visit an ethnic village.
Overnight is in Pakse hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 14: Pakse - Bolaven Plateau (Tad Fan Waterfall)
After breakfast, we drive out to the Bolaven Plateau to the Tad Fan Waterfall, and along the way we see tea & coffee plantations, as well as visit ethnic villages. Tonight you stay at the famous Tad Fan Waterfall Resort in wood bungalows.
This resort is in a beautiful location at the top of the spectacular falls, and the wood bungalows are designed to harmonize with the surrounding forest.
Overnight is at Tad Fan Waterfall Resort.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 15: Tad Fan Waterfall - Wat Phu Temple
After breakfast we take a walk from the resort to the nearby waterfall of Tad Yeung. This waterfall is very impressive with twin falls plunging and flowing into lush jungle. Then we drive back to Pakse. From Pakse we take a boat trip to visit the ancient Khmer temple complex of Wat Phu. This World Heritage Site, is estimated to have been active from the 5th century to the late Angkorian period, and is believed to be the origin of the Khmer Empire. Later in the afternoon we take a scenic drive to Don Khong Island.
Overnight is at Don Khong Island hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 16: Don Khone Island - Four Thousand Islands - Pakse
After breakfast we drive to Nakasang, where first we take a private boat trip to see the endangered Irrawady dolphins. Then we cruise back to Nakasang, and drive to Pakse. Along the way we view some of the four thousand islands as we drive.
Overnight is at Pakse hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 17: Pakse Departure
After breakfast in the hotel, there will be free time for leisure activities until it is time for your departure transfer.
Breakfast included.
This is a suggested adventure itinerary. At WaytoVietnam Travel we specialize in custom tours designed to fit your needs and requirements. Please let us know the type of individual, customized tour you would like, and we can arrange it for you.
Inclusions
- English speaking guide (Other languages available on request)
- Private transfer and transport in safe, clean, well maintained vehicles
- Breakfast is in hotel, and other meals as noted in the itinerary in restaurant
- All entrance fees & permits during guided tours
- Accommodation in 2 or 3 star hotel 2 person room share. Tax included.
- Private boat trips as indicated in itinerary
- Arrival and Departure transfers
Exclusions
- Airfare and taxes not included in tour
- Food and drink not noted in the itinerary
- Visa fees (all visas must be obtained before the tour)
- Entrance fees and permits not part of itinerary
- Personal travel insurance (Compulsory for all travellers)
- Personal expenses (ex. telephone, laundry charges, souvenirs, etc.)
- Tips and gratuities
Hotels
- Luang Prabang : Sala Prabang Hotel
- Phonsavan :Vansana Plain of Jars
- Vang Vieng : Vansana Vang Vieng Hotel
- Vientiane : Lao Orchid Hotel
- Hin Boun : Le Bouton D'or Boutique Hotel
- Tha Khek : Le Bouton d'Or Hotel
- Pakse : Athena Hotel
- Tad Fan : Tad Fan Resort
- Don Khong : Pon Arena Hotel
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