Lovely Laos

Arrive at Luang Prabang International Airport in Laos. Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos, offers glorious ancient temples, enchanting waterfalls and impressive caves. Your guide and private car will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Check-in to the hotel and relax. The day is at leisure and we recommend that you to take a walk around the town and witness its natural splendour and inherent charm. Spend a comfortable night at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

After a sumptuous breakfast, transfer to the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Xieng Thong. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong river, this Buddhist temple was built in 1,560 by King Setthathirat. You will then board a long-tail boat to cruise the Mekong River to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves. The boat ride takes approximately 2 hours. Locally called Tam Ting, the caves are filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. After visiting the caves, cruise back to Luang Prabang. If time permits, stop on the way back at Ban Xang Hay, a village that specializes in making rice wine. Once back in Luang Prabang, you will enjoy a selection of local favourites at one of the best Lao restaurants in town, Tamarind. (It is closed on Sundays). The city tour begins in the afternoon with your guide who will teach you more about the enchanting World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang. The tour starts at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is put on public display in this temple. Next is Wat Sensoukarahm, built in 1718 with a dazzling golden façade. Continue to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, a museum dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. (closed on Monday). Return back to the hotel for a comfortable overnight stay.

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. Return to the hotel for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city. In the courtyard of this temple, stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit it takes its name from. You will continue to Wat Aham and then Wat That where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa. You will then be driven through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings here. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls. Before you leave, you might like to visit the bear sanctuary which is next to the falls, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. Stop on the way back to Luang Prabang to visit a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. On your way backto Luang Prabang, you may want to climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside as the sun sets. You may also like to explore the nearby evening hill tribe market, where you may find plenty of local souvenirs to buy such as handicrafts and textiles, before returning to your hotel. Spend a comfortable overnight stay in the hotel.

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the capital, Vientiane. Depart from Luang Prabang and land in Vientiane. Your guide and private car will meet you at the airport and transfer you out of town for your morning tour, starting at Buddha Park. The drive takes around 45 minutes. On the way, stop and take photos of the Friendship Bridge which links Laos and Thailand. Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around the park. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. After visiting Buddha Park, start the drive back to Vientiane. En route, stop at Mai Savanh to explore the traditional textiles of the Lao people. (Mai Savanh is closed on Saturdays & Sundays). Another stop will be made at the Lao Disabled Women Development Center. This center aims to bring knowledge and skills to differently enabled women so that they can become self-sufficient, productive members of the community. You will return to the city around lunch time and check in to your hotel. Rest of the day is at your leisure to explore Vientiane, whose name means ‘the city of sandal wood’. 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. You can also browse the evening market for souvenirs. Head back to the hotel for an overnight stay in Vientiane.

In the morning, enjoy your sumptuous breakfast. Today, enjoy a guided tour to discover the hidden charms of Vientiane, which is one of the quietest capital cities in the world. Your tour begins at the serene Wat Sisaket. 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 to visit the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. The Presidential Palace is nearby. 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. Stop at Wat Simuang, the most popular and venerated temple in Vientiane, as it is considered the guardian of the spirit of the city. Upon its grounds, you will find an Angkorian-era pillar and it is a popular belief that if you perambulate the temple three times and make a wish, that wish comes true. Nestled near the original morning market is That Dam. Also called the ‘Black Stupa’, the structure was once covered with a layer of gold which was stolen by the Thais during their invasion in 1,828. From here, travel on to nearby Pangkham Street, with its plethora of tailor shops, and Nam Phou Fountain. Enjoy a delicious Lao-style lunch at Makphet Restaurant. Visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. Next, your tour takes you to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun shines upon its towering golden spire. Continue to the Patuxay Monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof and finish your day with stunning panoramic views of the city. Spend the overnight at your hotel.

Enjoy a tasty breakfast and check-out from the hotel. You will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Pakse. Depart from Vientiane and land in Pakse. Your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to Pakse for lunch in a local restaurant. Lying at the confluence of the Mekong and Sedone rivers, Pakse is the most important town in Southern Laos. It is home to a large Vietnamese community, and if you visit this town during the Têt or Vietnamese New Year, do not be surprised if many shops are closed in honour of the celebration. After lunch you will be driven 1 hour to Wat Phou. Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple served as the most important economic and political centre of the region and still is one of the most revered temples. Transfer to your nearby hotel in Champasak and check-in before enjoying a beautiful sunset on the Mekong River. Spend an overnight in Champasak.

Have your breakfast and depart in the morning for a full day exploration of the area known locally as Sipandon (‘4000 Islands’). In this beautiful area, the Mekong River stretches 14-kilometre wide and thousands of small islands dot the waterway. Travel first by car for around 2 hours to the village of Ban Nakasan. From here you will take a local boat to the peaceful island of Done Khone, where plantations and simple villages are almost all you will find. We recommend bicycles as the best way to explore, or a tuk-tuk if you prefer. A short boat trip will give you the chance to spot the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin. Visit the impressive Lippi Falls, which are on the west of Don Khone, very close to the Cambodian border. Their original name, Tad Somphamit, means ‘trap spirit’ and the locals revere these falls as they believe they act as a trap for bad spirits. Continue your exploration and ease in to the slow pace of life, observing locals and taking your time. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Return to back to your hotel in time for sunset. Spend the overnight in comfort of your room.

In the morning, enjoy a wonderful breakfast and check-out from the hotel. Head to Pakse International Airport in Laos which takes 1 hour to reach from Champasak. Cherish the unforgettable experiences of Laos as you head back home.