Enchanting Laos – 9 days 8 nights

We start our half day city tour with a visit of the quaint Royal Palace Museum that provides a fine overview of the culture and history of this ancient city.  We follow the quiet back lanes to the beautiful Heuan Chan Heritage House. Explore the house and its historical items and architectural charms while learning about the connection it has with the Royal Palace. . After a refreshing Iced Tea in the gardens, we continue our walk up the peninsula to the country’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xiengthong. With its roof that sweeps low towards the ground, this temple’s architecture best represents the classical Luang Prabang style. We wander the temple grounds before crossing the road to Wat Khili where this temple’s charming traditional library building houses an historic photo exhibition of Buddhist heritage. Our final visit today is the excellent ‘Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre’, which gives a great insight into the rich and diverse ethnic and cultural blend of Laos.
Early afternoon we transfer to the peninsula boat landing, where we board a private boat for a cruise up the Mighty Mekong River. Enjoy the tranquil countryside passing by, until we reach the mysterious Pak Ou caves, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. We then return downstream, making a stop at Wat Done Khoun temple, a unique temple situated on an island in the Mekong, before continuing by boat to Luang Prabang where we arrive in the early evening, while the sun sets behind the mountains
Overnight Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast

You can discuss with your guide for an 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 transfer out of town which 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.
Tip: bring a towel with you if you would like to swim at the waterfall
We then drive back to town and to train station in time for your train to Vang Vieng.
D88 Train LPQ 1445 VV 1553 ( 1^st class)
Once arrived at destination check in in your Hotel and around 5 pm  we board a small private boat and cruise down the Nam Song River, taking in the beautiful scenery along the way.  We arrive back at your hotel by late afternoon where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight Vang Vieng.
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we head north out of town, and transfer to a Khmu village called Ban Viengsamai.  You will be welcomed into a in the local home to meet the friendly family and to learn about Khmu customs and traditions, including animism. Next, we walk to explore the village, visiting the local knife smith who uses traditional techniques to create knifes. Be impressed by his skills, and give it a try yourself. We continue our explorations and trek through rice paddies to a cave on the other side of the Nam Song River, passing by farmers working on the fields. On the way, you will be taking rest in one of the local rice huts while learning more about the importance of agriculture in Laos. We then trek back to the family’s home, where the lady of the house will show you how she prepares local rice wine, called “Lao Hai“. Next, enjoy a lunch of Khmu Specialties together with the family and try the local rice wine if you like.
We then leave Vang Vieng behind Via the first expressway of Laos, which opened in 2020, we transfer in approx. 1½ hours to the capital Vientiane
Overnight Vientiane
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch in the village

After breakfast we explore the city by visiting the oldest temple 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. Next, we visit Wat Simuang, a Khmer temple which is very popular by the locals. We then travel up Lanexang Avenue 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 most important religious building the golden stupa of That Luang.  The final visit of the morning 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.
In the afternoon we visit the quirky yet impressive Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the banks of the Mekong River.   By no means historic – Buddha Park was built in the 1950’s by a self styled ‘holy man’ – the park features some very photogenic and unusual sculptures, including a huge reclining Buddha, and a giant pumpkin.
Overnight Vientiane
Meals: Breakfast

Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before being transferred to the airport for your flight. Flight QV305 1155  1255
Once arrived at destination you will be taken by road east into the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. We first visit Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall,  In the afternoon we explore the fascinating minority villages, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village that boasts a sacrificial altar, and Ban Kokphung, a Katu village where they keep coffins under their houses. Transfer to your Hotel
Overnight Bolaven
Meals: Breakfast

After an early breakfast, we transfer south to Mekong Islands, known locally as ‘Siphandon’, literally ‘4000 Islands’.  we board a local private boat We reach the picturesque island of Don Khone where  by local tuk tuk, we trace the route of an old, abandoned railway and admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings. Next, we visit the beautiful Liphi Waterfalls, one of the most impressive falls in South East Asia. Get very close to the exciting rapids, by crossing the 5 interconnected suspension-bridges, which offer an exciting perspective of the cascades. We then return to your hotel, with some free time at leisure is the afternoon.
Late afternoon, a local boat will collect you for a beautiful sunset-cruise. Pass by a small uninhabited islands,  and enjoy a cool Beerlao or sofitdrinks and some local snacks , while the sun sets behind the mountains. We arrive back at the island, just after sunset with the evening at leisure.
Overnight Khone Island
Meals: Breakfast

This morning we embark on a local boat starting our adventure with an upstream cruise along the Mekong River. We pass by the neighbouring island of Don Det and through a world of small, uninhabited islands until we reach the island of Don Loppadi. The villagers of this island are specialised in the weaving of both traditional bamboo baskets and uniquely local fishing nets.
After the short village visit, we continue to explore the island by mountain bike, heading north. At the island’s most northern tip, we board a ferry and cross to the island of Don Sang Pai. Here we visit its ancient Buddhist temple and learn about the importance of religion and beliefs in the local culture.
We then ferry to the friendly fisherman island of Don Phi Man then transfer to Ban Hatsaikhone where We then head North back to Champasak where we arrive in the early evening.
Overnight in Champasak
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we transfer by car to visit the Wat Phou Temple Complex which is the oldest ancient Khmer ft religious temple in Laos and even outdates its big brother Angkor Wat in neighboring Cambodia. Wat Phou exhibits a remarkable well-preserved complex of monuments and other structures over an extensive area between river and mountain, some of outstanding architecture. Explore the grounds and temples before climbing up the stairs which lead to the main sanctuary located on a terrace at the foot of the cliff where a sacred spring flows and where you will be rewarded with stunning views over the surrounding land and Mekong River. Learn from your guide about the rich history and be amazed by the magnificent workmanship in this outstanding complex.
Depending on the departure time of your flight, we may have time to visit the historical center of Champasak, before we transfer to Pakse Airport, in time for your flight onward.
 Meals: Breakfast