Arrival in Vientiane. Your guide and private car will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore Vientiane, whose name means ‘the city of sandal wood’. Vientiane is one of the quietest capitals in the world, far away from the bustle and hustle of other Asian capitals and far from the real-estate frenzy of the regional megalopolis.

Overnight in Vientiane

Vientiane Airport – Vientiane (4 km): 15 min

Begin your day by making merit (your guide will collect you between 05:00 and 05:30). At sunrise you will participate in the practice of giving alms to Lao Buddhist monks – a crucial activity of a monk’s day. Then return to your hotel for breakfast. The Alms Giving Ceremony in Luang Prabang is far more famous and attracts many visitors. In Vientiane you can have a more personal experience.

Your city tour then begins at the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues.

Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby, is the Presidential Palace. Although you are not allowed to visit inside, it is a good glimpse in to the town’s colonial past as this building formerly served as the French governor’s palace.

Visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.

Enjoy a delicious Lao-style lunch at Makphet Restaurant. Established by Friends International (www.friends-international.org), Makphet is a charity-run restaurant aiming to train the area’s street children in the hospitality industry. Professional chefs from around the world have volunteered their time in developing the menus and training the staff. The food is excellent and the staff excel in bringing true Lao-hospitality in to their service.

Continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof for sweeping panoramic views of the city.

Next, your tour takes you to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire. 
Return to your hotel to relax.

You might choose to end your day along the banks of the Mekong River. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls.

Overnight in Vientiane

This morning you will travel outside of Vientiane with your guide to Wat Sok Pa Luang, a forest temple renowned for its work in Engaged Buddhism, or Buddhism for development. Here you will tour the temple’s gardens and meet with one of the resident monks, who will also be your teacher for the day.

Begin with a general discussion on the subject of Buddhism, giving you the chance to ask any questions that you may have. The remainder of the morning is dedicated to meditation training. The relaxed surroundings provide the luxury of tranquility and time for you to practice sitting and walking meditation.

After your meditation session, you might like to visit the temple’s traditional sauna and chat with the Lao nuns that manage it. You will learn how Buddhism is not only an age-old religion with regional traditions, but also a socially engaged pillar of contemporary Lao society.

Your guide will have brought offerings from Vientiane which you can give to the monks before they enjoy their lunch. You can then enjoy a picnic lunch (included).

This afternoon will be spent practicing your meditation techniques and learning more from the resident monks, before returning to Vientiane.

Overnight in Vientiane

Vientiane – Sok Pa Luang (3 km): 10 min

This morning is free at leisure until you depart for your next destination. A private transfer to the airport is included.

As you travel forth to your next destination in Laos or elsewhere in Southeast Asia, you will do so with a clean spirit knowing that a significant amount of the money you spent has gone in to supporting monastic education in Lao PDR.

Vientiane – Vientiane Airport (4 km): 15 min