Arrival in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos with its laid-back charm, tree-lined boulevards, interesting wats and colourful markets. Discover the city by touring different highlights, such as PHA THAT LUANG, the most important national monument of Laos and a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty.

Then proceed to HO PHA KEO, the former royal temple, WAT SI SAKET and PATUXAI, a monumental arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Overnight in Vientiane

Take a flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, a city known for its beautiful setting surrounded by mountains and relaxed atmosphere. Set between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting town filled with historic temples and colonial style buildings. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

After check-in start exploring this fascinating town beginning with WAT VISOUN (Wat Wisunalat), the oldest living temple in Luang Prabang. Visit the nearby WAT AHAM before continuing to WAT XIENG THONG, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in typical Lao art style. From there, stroll down the main street (Wat Street) of Luang Prabang. If time permits, stop at some of the many temples that line its sides, including WAT SIBOUNHEUANG, WAT SI MOUNGKHOUN, WAT SOP and WAT SENE. In the evening climb the hillside stairs to the small temples atop PHOU SI and enjoy a beautiful view over the temples and river, a nice way to round up an exciting day.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Begin the day with a visit to a LOCAL MARKET and observe the bustle and activity of the early morning.

Continue the sightseeing program with a visit of the NATIONAL MUSEUM, formally known as the “ROYAL PALACE”, a modest but graceful building which has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here. After having visited WAT MAI, a typical Lao style temple, drive by vehicle to the KUANG SI Waterfalls in the afternoon. This multi-tier waterfall is tumbling over limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools. Enjoy swimming in the clear water or just relax in the natural environment. On the way back take the chance to visit BAN THA PENE, a nearby traditional weaving Khmu village.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Today’s journey will lead through the scenic Laos countryside from Luang Prabang to Oudomxai (Muang Xai). Take the chance on this enjoyable trip to visit The TAD LAK SIP-ET WATERFALL, which cascades in a narrow stream over a limestone cliff. Moreover visit the minority village of Ban Song Cha and get some insight into the rural lifestyle before arrival.

Overnight in Oudomxai

Travel from Oudomxai (Muang Xai) to Muang Sing, a scenic town, home to the THAI LUE people and draws all kind of locals from around the region for trading.

Tour the town, by visiting the LOCAL MARKET, the main Buddhist Temples, WAT XIENG JAI and WAT NAM KAEW LUANG. Later on, strike out into the countryside and take the opportunity to visit some of the different minority villages in the area.

Overnight in Muang Sing

After an enjoyable trip from Muang Sing to Luang Nam Tha, along winding roads through beautiful tropical forests, passing hill tribe villages en route, begin to discover the provincial capital of the Luang Nam Tha Province. This rapidly expanding town plays an important role as a centre for commerce between China, Thailand and Laos. Begin the sightseeing program by visiting the LOCAL MARKET and PHOUM POUK PAGODA, first built in 1624, now in ruins after the Indochina War. Continue to the LUANG NAM THA MUSEUM for an overview of the different ethnic minorities that inhabit the area. In the afternoon, explore the many minority villages in the area, including a BLACK TAI VILLAGE.

These tribes are known for their silk production and weaving. Continue to a 200 year old LENTEN village, whose inhabitants are known for paper making and indigo dyes; and a KHMU VILLAGE known for basketry and water gourds.

If time permits, visits can be arranged to a HMONG VILLAGE with a handicrafts cooperative, which has a selection of handicrafts from surrounding ethnic groups and/or another LENTEN VILLAGE near a nice waterfall.

After an eventful day retire to the hotel and overnight in Luang Nam Tha

The first part of the journey from Luang Nam Tha to Nong Khiaw will offer the opportunity for sightseeing in Ban Na Yang. After proceeding southwards through the scenic countryside, visit the village of the THAI Lue is known for their cotton weaving skills.

Arrival and overnight in Nong Khiaw

Another exciting day will begin by a boat trip from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang. Cruising downstream the Mekong River, passing steep limestone cliffs, enjoy a wonderful view over the Mekong and the Nam Ou rivers, home to the THAM PAK OU CAVES. These extraordinary caves are filled with Buddha images, of every style and material imaginable. On the return journey, stop at BAN XANG HAI VILLAGE, a local village famous for the production of láo-láo, the local

rice wine whisky.

Retire back and overnight in Luang Prabang

Travel from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng and visit local villages on the way. Another highlight of the day is the visit of the THAM XANG CAVE, also called Elephant Cave. It contains a few Buddha images, footprints and elephant shaped stalactites which gave the cave its name.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

Begin the day by visiting the extraordinary TAM CHANG CAVE which in the past was used as a bunker against the Chinese and is nowadays a place to admire the stunning stalactites and stalagmites.

On the route to Vientiane, stop for a visit to the TALAT FISH MARKET in Huay Mor and continue to Vang Xang, an 11th century Buddhist archaeological site where primitive Buddha images are carved on the cliff.

Finally arrive and overnight in Vientiane

Take a flight from Vientiane to Pakse and continue east across the BOLAVEN PLATEAU, a fertile coffee and tea growing area, rich in ethnic groups, predominantly Laven. The journey through the pleasantly cool climate will include several visits of different waterfalls in the region and gives the opportunity to admire and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. Along the way between Pakse and Paksong, on the western edge of the plateau, visit the impressing TAD E-TU WATERFALL, the TAD FANE WATERFALL, the highest in Champasak Province and also the TAD YUANG WATERFALL. Afterwards head north towards SALAVAN with a stop at minority villages and a visit to TAD LO WATERFALL and TAD HANG WATERFALL.

Overnight in Tad Lo

Begin the eventful day with a relaxed swim in the pleasant TAD LO FALLS. Afterwards explore the surrounding area of the Tad Lo Resort on the back of an Elephant. After this exciting ELEPHANTRIDE journey south by vehicle along the east bank of the Mekong from Tad Lo to Pakse. Near Champasak city cross the river by ferry and visit VAT PHOU CHAMPASAK, one of the best preserved examples of major Khmer architecture, more than 200 years older than Angkor Wat itself.

Return back across the Mekong and southwards towards Don Khong.

Overnight in Don Khong

Take a boat from Don Khong to DON DET ISLAND and DON KHONE. The islands are connected by a former railway bridge which stopped operating in 1945. The larger island Don Det is famous throughout Laos for the cultivation of coconut, bamboo and kapok. Take the chance to visit BAN KHON VILLAGE, the main village on Don Khone with several old French villas and continue to TAAT SOMPHAMIT (LI PHI FALLS), a raging set of rapids at the western end of Don Khone.

Overnight in Don Khong

Start the journey from Don Khong. After crossing the Mekong by ferry visit the miraculous KHONE PHAPHENG, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia and one of the most impressive sites in the area. Here, the entire Mekong with all its force cascades down curving stone outcroppings and tints the massive stones reflecting beautiful rainbows. After heading north the next and final destination is Pakse. Founded by the French in 1905 as an administrative post, the capital of Champasak Province is a relatively new town at the confluence of the Mekong and Se Don rivers. Spend the day exploring the highlights of the town, including the CENTRAL MARKET, WAT LUANG, WAT THAM FAI, the CHAMPASAK HISTORICAL HERITAGE MUSEUM and the trading post of BAN MUANG KAO, the weaving village of BAN SAPHAI.

Overnight in Pakse

Transfer to airport. End of the tour.