Day 1: Vientiane Arrival – Half day city tour
Upon arrival at Vientiane airport you will be welcomed to Laos by your private English speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.
Your half day city tour, begins with the oldest wat in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which now serves as a museum of arts and antiques. We then travel up Lanexang Avenue where you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxai Monument, which resembles its Parisian inspiration, the Arc de Triomphe. The climb to the top offers great views over Vientiane. We continue onwards down Rue Singha 23 to Laos’ National icon, and the most important religious building, the golden stupa of That Luang. The final visit of the day will be the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day to day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War area. We then return to your hotel.
Day 2. Vientiane – Hin Boun
Meet your guide and driver in the morning and travel south along route 13 to the central Lao province of Khammouane. En route we stop at Prabaht Ponsan, a stupa dating back to the 15th Century. It is also home to the Budhhas footprint, left when, as legend has it, he was crossing the Mekong. Next stop is at the interesting Ban Ton Na Mae Hmong Market, then continue onwards into Khammouane province and into the mountainous area. Here you have the option to stop at The Rock Viewpoint at Phou Pha Marn, which has with amazing views, the more adventurous can brave the incredible spider net bridge which is an experience not to be forgotten (extra charges apply)
We then continue to Hin Boun area by late afternoon, arriving at your riverside Lodge by early evening.
Overnight: Hin Boun
Meals: Breakfast
Day3. Hin Boun – Kong Lor Cave and boat ride
After breakfast at your lodge, we drive to Kong Lor village and board a small local boat which takes us into the famous Kong Lor Cave. We navigate through the cave, which is over 7km long and includes a spectacular cavern over 100m high, as well as a breathtaking stalagmite gallery which you can explore on foot. On the other side of the cave, we take a short walk past some tobacco drying huts to Ban PonNgam, a remote village, where you can enjoy your picnic lunch. Following lunch, we return through the cave by boat, then arrive back at your lodge by early afternoon where you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Hin Boun
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day4. Hin Boun – Muang Khoun - Phonsavan
We depart early this morning (7am) for the long drive along the backroads of Laos. Our first stop is Ban Thabak, the ‘bomb boat village’which technically are actually fuel tanks from the Vietnam War used as boats. We continue through rolling countryside scenery, stopping to admire the Nam Mouan River before arriving at Ban Thasi for lunch.
In the afternoon we begin our climb up into the mountains and stop at a number of minority villages, including a Tai Lu weaving village, and a Hmong village. Late afternoon, we arrive at the ancient town of Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital, where you can explore the ruins of a number of ancient pagodas in the Lanna style and Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha. We continue, and arrive in Phonsavan by early evening.
Overnight: Phonsavan
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5. Phonsavan – Plain of Jars tour
This morning we visit the Mines Action Group (or MAG) office to learn about the important work they do in clearing land mines and unexploded ordnance in the area. We then drive out to visit some of the famous Plain of Jars Sites, starting at the picturesque Jar Site 2 and Jar Site 3, consisting over around 150 jars located on top of a hill.
In the afternoon, we visit Jar Site 1, the largest site, containing over 300 jars. At 16:00, we will pay a visit to the Lone Buffalo Foundation, a community project where western and Lao teachers are passionate about improving opportunities for the local children through Education and Sport. Meeting foreigners helps the students to overcome their shyness of speaking in public. Have a chat, or play a language game while learning more about the Lone Buffalo Project. Afterwards, we transfer to the PhouXang Viewpoint, to enjoy the panoramic sceneries and possibly a beautiful sunset!
The Lone Buffalo Foundation is closed at weekends and school holidays
Overnight: Phonsavan
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6. Phonsavan – Luang Prabang by road
After breakfast we begin our long, but scenic drive to Luang Prabang. Our first stop of the day is a reminder that this region played a major part during the Vietnam War – as we visit a hidden Buddha Cave, that served as an army hospital during the war and also an optional stop to visit an old Russian tank. We can also make a visit to Ban Somboun, a Hmong village.
Following a lunch stop at the small market town of Phou Khoun, we stop to visit Ban KiuKharm Pom, a friendly Khmu village, and Ban Nam Ming, which offers nice views from its bridge and an opportunity to stretch your legs. We arrive in Luang Prabang by late afternoon.
Overnight: Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7. Luang Prabang – Tak Bat, City tour & Mekong Cruise to Pak Ou Caves
Discuss with your guide re an optional early morning start (5.30am) to witness and partake in the daily morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’ or giving alms to the monks. This is a unique ritual still followed by the locals in Luang Prabang. We can also visit the local fresh market to see how the locals shop, before returning to your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, we visit the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history. We also visit the country’s most historic and enchanting temple Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style. We then continue to the Riverside, where we board a private boat for a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We continue until we reach the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands of Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. We then return to Luang Prabang by boat, stopping at the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Nongxai. We arrive back in Luang Prabang and visit Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape. Late-afternoon, you have the option to climb Mount Phousi, which offers a spectacular view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River.
Overnight: Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8. Luang Prabang – Half Day Kuang Si waterfall & Laos Buffalo Dairy
After breakfast, we visit Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving process will be explained. We then drive out of the town where you have the option of stopping at a Hmong village where the locals are specialised in wood carving. This then takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre, which does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. We then transfer to the Laos Buffalo dairy, a social enterprise which helps underprivileged farmers with new sources of income by producing artisanal cheese from buffalo milk. Meet one of the managers for a guided tour around the farm and learn about the challenges, achievements and future plans. Get up close to the friendly buffalos and help the caretaker to wash and to feed the calves. Finish the tour with a tasting platter of different Buffalo-milk cheeses, Coffee and delicious homemade ice-cream at the café.
Overnight: Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9. Luang Prabang – departure
Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before being transferred to the airport for your flight.
Meals: Breakfast
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