The Best of Laos – Temples – Waterfalls and 4000 Islands

• Cultural Immersion: Experience the rich cultural heritage of Laos, from ancient temples to local traditions.
• Natural Beauty: Explore stunning landscapes, including waterfalls, rivers, and islands.
• Unique Experiences: Participate in unique activities like alms-giving, river cruises, and village visits.

Day 1: ARRIVAL INTO LUANG PRABANG

Your expert guide will meet you at Luang Prabang International Airport while your private transportation brings you directly to your chosen hotel.

Meals included: None

Day 2: LUANG PRABANG – CITY TOUR, AND PAK OU CAVES

Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to another small village Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: LUANG PRABANG – CITY TOUR, AND KHOUANGSI FALLS

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual.

After breakfast, we visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace.  It displays a collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market. We then continue towards Khouangsi Waterfall, en route, we visit the local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, Laoloum and Ban Thapene, and then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall.   Here you can take a dip in the inviting pools or walk along the forest trails surrounding the waterfall.  We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk hand weaving and for traditional Saa Paper making.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: LUANG PRABANG – PAKSE (FLIGHT) – CHAMPASAK/DONE DAENG ISLAND

After breakfast, free and easy at own leisure until time to transfer to the airport for your short flight to Pakse. On arrival in Pakse, we drive south to Champassak and to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: FULL DAY TOUR OF BOLEVAN PLATEAU

This morning we leave early and drive north to the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Our first stop is to visit Ban Lak Sipkao, a village specializing in knife making. We then stop tea plantation, followed by a stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall.  We then make a stop at a coffee plantation, en route to Tha Teng Market, a colourful ethnic minority food market. Next we explore a couple of fascinating minority villages, Ban Pong Neua, an Alak village that boasts a sacrificial altar, and Ban Kokphung, a Katu village where they keep coffins under their houses.  We also make a stop at the beautiful Tadlo Waterfall, then head back to the hotel.  We arrive in Champasak/Donedaeng by early evening.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: FULL DAY TOUR OF 4000-ISLAND

After an early morning breakfast, we cross over to the mainland and drive south to Ban Hatsaikhoune, where we board a local private boat for a boat tour of the 4000 Islands. We reach the picturesque island of Don Khone by lunchtime, and in the afternoon explore the island by bicycle or Tuk Tuk or Walking, tracing the route of an old abandoned railway and admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings, and the beautiful Liphi Waterfall. We then return to our boat and head back to the mainland, visiting the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia.  In the late afternoon we drive back to Champasak/Don Daeng, arriving there by early evening.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: DEPATURE

Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before crossing back to the mainland by boat, then onto Pakse by car to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Hotel accommodation by twin share basis with daily breakfast
• Ground transportation by private, air-cond vehicle
• Regional ENGLISH speaking guide
• Sightseeing with admission fees
• Private boat trips as programmed
• Mineral water and cold tissues on tours

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• International air tickets arrival to and departure from Laos
• Visa stamping on arrival to Laos (US$ 30 per person)
• All other meals & beverages are NOT mentioned in the program
• Personal expenses and Tips