Includes internal flights, twin shared accommodation, English speaking guides, private cars, sightseeing and meals listed. Excludes visa and travel documents, travel insurance, international flights, local tipping, etc.
This itinerary is to give you a flavor of what is possible. We can tailor this trip to suit your specific needs and expectations. Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered, from excursions to accommodation. Cost above is base on the selection of Deluxe accommodations during the low season period. They can be altered to suit the level of luxury you prefer.
Upon arrival, our tour guide will greet you at the airport and you’ll be escorted to Settha Palace Hotel for check-in.
During the afternoon, you will visit some famous sites in Vientiane city for your first impression of the Laos capital city. You will visit the well-known ‘Buddha Park’, then return to Vientiane city for some sightseeing and history at the Lao ‘Arc de Triumphe’ and the Phra That Luang Stupa.
After the city tour, return to the hotel for a restful evening and dinner.
Hotel: Settha Palace Hotel
Day 2: Vientiane – Phonsavan | Fly to Xiang Khouang, Discover the Mysterious Plain of Jars
Internal Flight: Included
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Fly to Xiang Khouang Province of Laos, where the mysterious Plain of Jars locates.
Upon arrival in Xieng Kuang, visit the Plain of Jars Site 2 and 3. Estimated at 2,500 years old, hundreds of unique large stone jars are found in the hills near Phonsavan. Then continue to Plain of Jars Site 1 which contains the most jars of any site. The largest is a striking 6 tons and measures over 8 feet(2.5m)! Who built them, why and how were they transported? These questions have remained a mystery.
Check in Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel and enjoy the sunset at the hotel view terrace.
During the evening, if you would like, visit the UXO Center in town where you can learn about the past bombings and remaining unexploded ordinance that locals are dealing with on a regular basis.
Hotel: Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel
Day 3: Phonsavan – Luang Prabang | Overland to Luang Prabang.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
During the morning, if you would like to explore more about Xiangkhouang and its history, have a visit to Muang Khoun – a town almost completely destroyed by bombs during the Vietnam War with the exception of one lone Buddha statue. Then travel overland from Phonsavan to Luang Prabang, through stunning mountain terrain.
Upon arrival, check in at Belmond Residence Phou Vao in their Garden View Suite with private terrace, shaded by tall trees. Have a restful evening at the hotel.
Hotel: Belmond Residence Phou Vao
Day 4: Luang Prabang | Luang Prabang Heritage and Kuang Si Waterfalls
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Rise up early to take part in an ancient custom of Luang Prabang—the Alms Giving. A procession of monks solemnly file past your hotel while participants can place balls of sticky rice into their bowls.
After breakfast, visit the Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings purchased by locals. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts. And today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. This then takes us to the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang.
During the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Next, visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.
A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset over the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by the surrounding hill tribes.
Hotel: Belmond Residence Phou Vao
Day 5: Luang Prabang | Boat Trip Along Mekong River & Discover Pak Ou Caves
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
During the morning, we embark on a cruise up the Mekong River. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the tranquil shores and hills. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make Laos rice wine and rice whiskey. You’ll be able to try some and see the process they use to make it. Then we’ll reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.
Lunch will be served nearby the caves. During lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to try a local dish called “Orlam” which is a soup with vegetables and features a local spicy wood that is edible. On return, we disembark the boat to visit a traditional weaving village of Ban Phanom, which is famous for its decorative hand weavings. Finally return to your hotel for some leisure time.
Hotel: Belmond Residence Phou Vao
Day 6: Luang Prabang | Elephant Village
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, transfer to Elephant Village – an elephant sanctuary with a focus on rehabilitation and care of rescued elephants. Here you’ll meet the camp manager and receive a short briefing about the elephants. Throughout the day, you’ll take place in the following activities:
Riding an elephant – you’ll have the opportunity to ride directly on the neck of an elephant
Mahout Training – also learn about the commands of how to communicate to the elephant
Enjoy lunch at the outdoor garden restaurant
Bathe your elephant – Finally go down to the nearby Nam Khan River to bath your elephant; perhaps the elephant will bathe you as well!
Then return to your hotel for leisure time. Note: Elephant Village no longer uses Howdahs(Elephant Seats) due to the harm this can cause to the elephants. You will have the choice of riding the elephant’s neck or walking alongside the elephant depending on what you prefer.
Hotel: Belmond Residence Phou Vao
Day 7: Luang Prabang | Discover Ethnic Hill Tribes Around Luang Prabang
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Today will be an active day in the countryside and mountains North of Luang Prabang to discover the remote hill tribe villages. Our first stop is the knife-making village of Hath Hien. We then continue through rice fields to the Khmu village of Bannatan. Here you can observe remote village life. Then continue to Banpohei village where our guide will prepare lunch for you. Continue to the Nam Pa River where you can take some time to rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Then transfer by vehicle further into the mountains where the H’mong reside. Explore their gardens and coffee plantations and get a course from the village shaman on traditional Laos herbs and their medicinal uses. Then return to Luang Prabang for some leisure time.
Hotel: Belmond Residence Phou Vao
Day 8: Luang Prabang | Departure
International Flight: Excluded
Meal: Breakfast
Today our guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight onward and to bid you a fond farewell.
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Licensed guides and drivers, thru-trip emergency phone with our contacts so you can reach us at the push of a button, vehicles with seatbelts and airbags... - your safety is important to us.
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Begin your holiday
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It's easier than ever to get going! Request a quote today!
One of our Travel Experts will reach out to you and assist you with an itinerary and quote. Also, feel free to leave your phone number and we will give you a quick call just to say hello and clarify any questions we have about your inquiry.
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