HIGHLIGHTS OF LAOS

Welcome to Vientiane! We will pick you up at the airport or train station and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to rest and recover from your trip before enjoying new adventures in our wonderful country!

Begin the first day in Laos with nice breakfasts at your hotel before one of our friendly professional guides will meet you at your hotel to show you around the Vientiane city via private minibus.

During the day you will have the chance to visit all the best attractions that this capital city of Laos has to offer including Wat Sissaket which is the oldest temple to have survived from the Siamese invasion, Patouxay the “Arc de Triumphe” of Vientiane and That Luang Stupa which dates back to the 3rd Century and is considered the single most important monument within the whole country, it is rumoured to house a fragment of Buddha’s breast bone!

You will enjoy a delicious authentic Lao lunch at Khop Chai Deu restaurant after which you will head to the almost surreal Buddha Park which is located just outside the city of Vientiane next to the mighty Mekong River, the park is home to a spectacular collection of gigantic Buddhist & Hindu sculptures, it is a truly great place for pictures!

After your time at the Buddha Park it is time to head back to Vientiane where you will be taken back to your hotel, the remainder of the afternoon and evening shall be left free for you to enjoy as you please.

Today after your breakfast at the hotel, we will hit the road and head south to the Khammouane province.

We shall stop along the way to visit two unique temples which are both only seldom frequented by tourists. The first one, Wat Phabeth, is an important pilgrimage site and is revered for the footprint of Buddha, the second is the riverside temple of Wat Phonsane which is famous for the unexplained “Naga fireballs” a phenomenon which occurs every year and sees fireballs rising from the Mekong River next to the temple itself.

We will stop in the town of Paksan for lunch, in a local restaurant with view on the confluence of the Namxan and Mekong rivers. After lunch we turn off on to the steep and winding mountainous road 8. Carrying onwards along the road we stop off at the amazing Sala viewpoint which offers one of the best views in the whole of Laos over the “Phu Pha Man” Limestone Forest, a cluster of sharp limestone pillars erupting from the earth in a spectacular fashion!

In the afternoon you will arrive at the Sainamhai riverside resort which is located just outside the village of Ban Na Hin, here you will stay overnight in comfortable attractive Lao style bungalows and enjoy a relaxing evening in preparation for tomorrow’s action packed day!

Today starts off with a short drive before disembarking and beginning walking to the stunning Tad Namsanam waterfall, this two tiered waterfall which is surrounded by pristine tropical jungle sees the water cascading down over 70m from Phou Phaman Mountains.

In the afternoon we head to Konglor cave which is one of the most sensational and unique natural wonders of Laos. At the mouth of the cave a gorgeous turquoise pool hides the small entrance to the cave itself which has been created by the Nam Hinboun River tunnelling through the limestone mountain over many thousands of years. The breathtaking cavern which has been created is up to 90m wide and 100m high in places along the length of the cave which is staggering 7.5km!

You will travel through the length of the cave via a Lao long boat which stops along the way for you to view the impressive collection of stalagmites and stalactites, the journey through the cave brings you to a small village which is only accessible via boat, foot or a lengthy 4X4 Journey. Here you will have time to look around this idyllic rural location before returning back through the cave, upon arrival back at the entrance of the cave return there is time to relax and swim in the lagoon before continuing downstream through the beautiful scenery until reaching the Sala Hinboun Eco-lodge which is where you will stay the night.

Today we begin with an early start as we return to Vientiane via private minibus. In the afternoon we catch Lao Airlines flight to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang! Upon arrival you will be transferred directly to your hotel and have the remainder of the day free to explore this wonderful city on your own.

Why not take an evening visit to the vibrant local night market, the perfect place to pick up some great souvenirs!

The day begins by exploring the former Royal Capital city on a ‘walking tour’ which includes visits to the former royal temple Wat Xieng Tong and the unique Wat Visoun which is the oldest temple in Luang Prabang.

Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant where you will have the chance to sample several famous local dishes including Luang Prabang sausage, Orlam (Lao Stew) and Khai Pean (Dried fried river weed – it tastes a lot better than it sounds!) After enjoying lunch the afternoon is spent visiting the fascinating Royal Palace Museum and many different beautiful temples around the city before heading up to the top of Mount Phousi to watch the sun set over the beautiful cityscape and surrounding forests and mountains.

Begin your day by enjoying breakfast at your hotel after which you will be met by your friendly professional guide and board the awaiting transport for the short transfer to Long laow village about 40 km outside of Luang Prabang, a Hmong hill tribe village set in a valley between many large karst limestone mountains. From here we start our trekking by following a nice walking trail to Kuang Si waterfall!

Lunch will be served as picnic lunch in the midst of the jungle. After lunch we continue on to Kuang Si waterfall, this stunning waterfall is fed by several natural springs meaning that the waterfall remains greatly impressive and crystal clear all year round unlike many other waterfalls which completely dry up in the dry season. The afternoon is spent relaxing around the waterfall, an excellent place for swimming and relaxing. Towards the end of the afternoon we will visit the nearby bear sanctuarywhich is home to many different species of bears which have been saved from the wildlife trade.

You will return back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and be taken directly to your hotel leaving you the remainder of the day free to enjoy as you please.

Today marks the end of this memorable journey in our wonderful country which we hope will stick forever in your mind.You shall have your last breakfast at your hotel before being transferred to Luang Prabang airport in time for your flight.