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Highlights of Laos: Luang Prabang and Vientiane in 5 Days
- Luang Prabang
- Vientiane
Set out on an enthralling Laos 5-day itinerary, starting from the enchanting city of Luang Prabang and concluding in the vibrant capital, Vientiane. This thoughtfully crafted itinerary provides a thorough exploration of the region's cultural and natural wonders. It's a well-structured Laos 5-day itinerary intended to enable you to discover the country's key landmarks, including the remarkable cultural and historical monuments found in both Luang Prabang and Vientiane.
- Explore Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Luang Prabang city tour with temples and local culture.
- Discover Pak Ou Caves along the Mekong River.
- Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls with turquoise pools.
Morning alms, a sacred Laotian tradition
Laotian culture woven into every view
Luang Prabang's charm captured in a moment
Timeless traditions in the land of Laos
Golden stupas and cultural richness in Laos
- Luang Prabang
- Vientiane
Day 1 Luang Prabang arrival
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom, you will receive a warm welcome from the local Kampá Tour guide to begin your 5-day dream itinerary in Laos. Afterward, you will check in at the hotel (rooms available from 2:00 p.m.).
Your first day in the city will include visits to:
- The Royal Palace Museum: Constructed in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.
- Wat Mai Temple: Renowned for its exquisite golden bas-reliefs and considered one of the city's most beautiful temples.
- Mount Phousi: Climb to the top for a delightful exploration of the sacred and golden stupa, offering panoramic sunset views of the city and the Mekong River.
- Baci Ceremony: In the late afternoon, participate in a traditional Laotian ritual with a local family. The Baci ceremony symbolizes the spirituality of the country and provides participants with a deep understanding of Lao culture.
The day will conclude with dinner at a local family's home. You will return to the town for the night in Luang Prabang.
Day 2 Luang Prabang City tour
Spend the day exploring Luang Prabang, the former imperial city.
Begin with a walking tour through less-visited areas, showcasing traditional charm and UNESCO-listed architectural diversity:
- Explore traditional Laotian houses crafted from bamboo or hardwood, raised on stilts.
- Discover half-wood, half-cement houses built during the French colonial period.
- Admire French colonial buildings reminiscent of those found in Vietnam and Cambodia.
- Visit old Chinese stores designed for both commerce and residence.
In the afternoon, visit Wat Sene, the oldest temple, and the impressive Wat Xiengthong, showcasing classic Laotian architectural styles.
Explore the Royal Palace Museum, home to a collection of intriguing artifacts.
Visit Wat Mai, one of Luang Prabang's largest and most ornate temples.
Conclude your day by ascending Mount Phousi for a tranquil exploration of the sacred stupa and a panoramic view of the sunset over the Mekong River.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3 Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves
Option: Take a walk or bike ride through the city to observe the unique Laotian tradition of offering alms to monks on the roadside. Laos is the only Buddhist nation to preserve this ritual. Afterward, make a brief visit to the local morning market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find a variety of products, from rice and fresh vegetables to steamed fish, frogs, and the day's catch, all laid out on the ground – this is an integral part of the daily life of local people and provides a genuine taste of local culture.
Following breakfast, embark on a leisurely cruise upstream along the Mekong River, offering picturesque views of the tranquil countryside.
Arrive at the enigmatic Pak Ou Caves, a 16th-century cave monastery filled with thousands of Buddha images, situated 25 kilometers north of Luang Prabang within the limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong.
Return to Luang Prabang, with a stop along the way at Ban Muang Keo, a village renowned for its traditional Lao rice whiskey distillation.
Next, visit Ban Xangkhong, the village of the Thai Lue people, known for their arts and crafts. You will also explore the neighboring village of Ban Xienglek, where traditional Saa paper is produced.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4 Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls - Train to Vientiane
As the sun rises, participate in Laos' sacred morning alms giving, a tradition dating back to the 14th century. Following breakfast, climb 329 steps to the summit of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River.
Then, head to the stunning Kuang Si waterfall, the largest in Luang Prabang, with the option to visit Ban Thapene village nearby. On the return journey, make a brief stop at the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, situated serenely by the Mekong and known for its excellent sunset views in Luang Prabang. Later, transfer to the train station for a journey to Vientiane (18:26-20:30).
Day 5 Vientaine - City tour - Departure
Today is dedicated to exploring Vientiane's most remarkable cultural and historical sites:
- Pha That Luang: A symbol of Buddhism and Laos' sovereignty, and one of the country's most sacred monuments.
- Haw Phra Kaew: A former royal temple dating back to the Lane Xang kingdom, now transformed into a national museum of sacred art.
- Vat Sisaket: Known as the 'Buddha Museum,' it is the city's oldest temple and houses over ten thousand Buddha statues.
- Patuxai: An Asian triumphal arch.
- Buddha Park: A captivating collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong River meadow.
After the visits, it's time to head to the airport for your departure.
This concludes your 5-day itinerary of Laos. Safe travels and thank you for choosing Kampá Tour!
Laos Tour
The Actitivites
Add to the itinerary
• Travel period
• Number of travelers
• Chosen services
- Accommodation for the entire circuit, in hotels or with locals
- Travel according to the program by private car
- English-speaking guide for the visits mentioned in the program
- All activities mentioned in the program, including entrance fees to tourist sites
- Economy class domestic flights with airport taxes included
- Meals mentioned in the program
- Bottle of water during guided tours (2 x 500ml/traveler/day)
- Government taxes currently in force (VAT, etc.)
- International flights from your home
- Visa fees, payable directly at the airport customs (see VISA)
- Bank fees related to payment
- Personal insurance
- Personal beverages during meals: beer, Coca-Cola, fruit juice, etc.
- Other meals not specified in the program
- SIM card and mobile plans
- Tips, personal expenses, and other services not mentioned in the "Our Included Services" section
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What they say about us
Countless travelers create unforgettable memories with us every year. Discover their testimonials about our exceptional service, stunning destinations, and the highlights of their trips !
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Oct 05, 2023What they say about us
Leonardo and his wife - France
November 15, 2024 - Dear Nhung,
I finally find the time to write to you and share the impressions that our journey to Vietnam left on us.
Beyond the wonderful memories of the 23 days we spent in Vietnam, there is a particular aspect of this trip that I wish to share with you.
My wife and I have traveled fairly extensively. Not as much as we would have liked, but over the years, we have had the opportunity to visit several countries and have learned to organize our trips quite competently and independently. We have never participated in an organized tour and have always chosen our destinations, itineraries, and experiences based on our readings about the countries we visit and our personal tastes and interests. For Vietnam, our starting point was the same, and you may recall that to define our itinerary, we initially sent you a very precise and detailed travel plan.
Véronique Demonçay - Canada
October 20, 2024 - Good evening Mrs. Trang,
We have returned home and resumed work, though with a bit of nostalgia after discovering your beautiful country.
We had an excellent trip; everything was just as planned. Our guide Thien made the stay very enjoyable by scheduling visits during less crowded times. Always kind, cheerful, and speaking excellent English, he shared his knowledge and the great cultural richness of his country. He always gave us great advice. Thank you also to Mr. Long for his careful driving and kindness.
In Cambodia, Mr. Tra (short for his name) also adapted the visit itinerary to less crowded times. He added a temple visit and the visit to the Angkor Scent Workshop. We ended up visiting the floating village of Kampong Phuck, which was closer than the one originally planned, and there weren't too many people yet. This allowed us to visit a local market as well.
Just for your information, it’s necessary to complete the e-Arrival form for Cambodia in add
Pier-Luc Desbiens - Australia
October 7, 2024 - Hello,
We booked this tour at the last minute, and Kampá Tour didn’t disappoint with their prompt organization. Our guide, Thao, was fantastic—full of energy, humor, and knowledge. We spent a lot of time on boats, drifting along the rivers and canals. We loved cycling through the quiet palm groves and cruising through the narrow waterways by sampan in Mekong Delta.
A special thank you to the entire team at Kampá Tour. We spent 15 days in a wonderful country, with remarkable people, extraordinary landscapes, and a fascinating culture... Our return flight on Sunday was also perfect, and we have already been back at work since Monday... but with many images of Vietnam still in our heads and hearts 😊
Best regards,
Pier-Luc Desbiens
Brigitte and Jean - USA
September 22, 2024 - Dear Ms. Thanh LE,
We are already back in Toulouse, and we didn’t realize how quickly time flew by.
Our 18-day Vietnam tour (August-September 2024) was an unforgettable experience.
First of all, we would like to thank your agency, "Kampá Tour," and especially you, Ms. Thanh Le. This trip, organized by your agency, was remarkably well-prepared, with representatives always attentive to our needs. The selection of hotels and destinations was meticulously planned. During our stay, we had five guides who were always there for us, making us live magical moments. A special thanks to Nhi and Lam. We loved our experiences in Sapa, Hue, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, the Imperial City, and many other places (the list is long).
Regarding safety, it was very reassuring, and we felt well taken care of before and during the trip. On the first day, we had the chance to meet you at your Hanoi office, where you handed us the documents for our tour. I highly recommend this customiz
Maria Dolores & friends - Argentina
September 12, 2024 - Hello,
We had the most amazing time and are heading back to Argentina completely in love with your beautiful country! Everything was perfectly organized, and always on time.
The hotels were so comfortable, and the guides were absolutely fantastic. Special thanks to Luis in Hanoi and Ming in Phnom Penh for their kindness and professionalism – they really made our trip extra special! Hue and Phnom Penh were simply breathtaking – such charming cities with so much history and beauty. We couldn't have asked for a better experience, and we truly appreciate all the effort that went into planning this unforgettable journey.
I will be recommending your agency to all my friends and family – you have been incredible!
Big hugs and all the best,
Lane and Olivier - Mexico
August 27, 2024 - The trip went very well. Thank you.
We are delighted with our stay in Vietnam. The tour was superb, varied, and very interesting. The hotels were top-notch. The guides were attentive and very kind. We have no complaints about them; on the contrary, they were very friendly and competent, and we would have liked to do more.
Additionally, we thought of something you might want to mention to your future travelers: during our two days alone in Hoi An, we used the Grab app a lot for getting around the city. This app was recommended to us by a fellow Mexico traveler, and it was indeed very useful!
We will recommend Kampá Tour.
Best wishes to the entire team.
Sincerely,
Gesbert Family - USA
August 8, 2024 - Hello,
I finally have the time to share our feedback regarding our trip to Vietnam.
Hanoi: We really enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere, the old Hanoi; it was a very nice experience! The puppet show was really great. Pu Luong: The view was magnificent, and the walks were our favorite part.
The lodge was perfect. The night at the homestay was a unique experience, and fortunately, we had Zan to communicate a little; otherwise, the language barrier would have been too difficult. The family was very welcoming and kind.
Terrestrial Halong Bay: When we arrived, we found it too touristy (a lot of people), but in the end, we loved it! It was very lively and pleasant. We dined at a delicious restaurant right next to the hotel, typical and inexpensive; it was very good. The activities also satisfied us.
Baudry Family - Canada
July 25, 2024 - Hello,
Just to keep you informed:
First, the Au Lac Charner hotel was very good. We had a lovely evening last night, a nice dinner at the hotel (we preferred not to go out in the city because our youngest son had a stomach ache, but he’s much better today). The night was restful. The breakfast was very good.
Today the day is going very well. Everything is very interesting and the activities have followed each other smoothly without any waiting. Not many tourists, so we could enjoy it. Our guide is teaching us a lot about life in Vietnam.
We have arrived at the Mekong Home hotel, which is charming. We will have the cooking class a little later. In the meantime, we will enjoy the pool, the small boat, and the fishing rods available. It’s very pleasant! Have a great day.
Christine Baudry
Alejandra and Mirta - Argentina
July 7, 2024 - Hello, good night
I would like to thank you for the beautiful experience, the attention and kindness of the guides, the transfers, the hotels we loved. I learned a lot and it brought me beautiful memories of Vietnam, the grateful one is me. I recommended your agency to my family and acquaintances.
Greetings and see you soon,
Alejandra -
Joe and his family - USA
June 27, 2024 - Halong Bay cruise? Absolute game-changer! Hands down the highlight of our trip! And the price? Pretty sweet deal we snagged online.
But let me tell you about our almost-epic fail. Yours truly here forgot to get the visa for Vietnam in advance. Classic, right? Enter our hero, the AMAZING agent Thom. She swooped in and saved the day with her emergency visa wizardry. Thom didn’t just stop there. She contacted the travel agency, got all our paperwork sorted, and rescheduled our trip faster than you can say 'Oops, I did it again.' This all happened at the eleventh hour (literally). Our flight was at 7 pm, and we discovered the visa fiasco at 5:30 pm. Talk about cutting it close!
And because we had to arrive a day late, it messed up our follow-up travel plans. No problem for Thom, though. She rearranged everything so smoothly, even got us a direct transfer to the airport instead of the hotel, with no extra charge. Thom is basically a travel superhero, cape and all.
Horacio and his wife - USA
June 10, 2024 - Hello Thom,
Thank you for reaching out, I was also going to send you a message letting you know we had arrived home already. We just got back home this past Saturday, after traveling to Malaysia and Qatar as well. It’s been a week of catching up from all the work accumulated for the past 3 weeks.
We loved the service that Kampá Tour provided, how everything was handled down to smallest detail. All the 3 guides and drivers were wonderful, we got to know Vietnam more in depth thanks to way they presented the country to us. The hotels, the drivers, the food, the people, the scenery, the different activities, everything exceeded our expectations. Having a one-on-one guide was the best decision, since everything was customized to our specific requests.
Thank you so much for preparing everything single detail during our journey, it was a real pleasure working with you!!!! For now, we’re back to our daily routine, but will definitely use Kampá Tour again in a future t
Nadine, Marie, and her friends - France
May 23, 2024 - Hello Mrs. Duong,
As agreed, a little feedback on our stay. First of all, a big thank you for these wonderful holidays. Your country is magnificent with an endearing population.
The guides were great, mastering English well. We give a rating of +++ to Vinh for the southern part.
The proposed restaurants met our expectations, and we were able to enjoy the local cuisines.
The drivers were attentive.
The range of hotels chosen exceeded our expectations, and we appreciated it.
The tour is very well designed, but we have a small remark: on day 6, we enjoyed it less. We felt like we were walking just for the sake of walking.
A big thank you for the cake offered for Nadine's birthday. The passengers were also able to enjoy a nice piece of cake.
We will not hesitate to advertise your agency.
Best regards,
Nadine and Gérard.
Mr. Pierre Pernot's family - Canada
May 6, 2024 - Ms. Lan Duong, good morning
As promised, I'm giving you feedback on our trip in May 2024 and if I had to give you an overall rating it would be 9/10.
Let's start at the beginning the contact with your agency and yourself as well as the communication in English is excellent, your warm welcome as an experienced professional gives confidence, by your responsiveness which is maximum whether by email or WhatsApp reassures us even more, finally your formula to adapt as much as possible to the client's wishes is most pleasant, Or to simply take your tour organized according to the length of the client's stay, I discovered that the distances in the mountains are counted in hours and not in kilometers between the many bends or the fact of climbing passes it will take time.
The prices charged are competitive and in line with the services offered and given for a 21-day tour in the north (budget to be added depending on the stages, lunch or dinner which remain very affordabl
Mr. Patrick and Mrs. Marie Perou - France
April 21, 2024 - The rest of the journey went very well until Pu Long, largely thanks to Thien who quickly understood what we wanted to see (amazing hikes) and what we wanted to experience in our interactions with the minority ethnic groups. Thanks to our guide, we had many warm exchanges and shared beautiful emotions over tea, fruits, and bong gao in their humble homes. Unforgettable experiences in the villages of tiles, knives, incense, and weaving.
An opportunity for great happiness to experience the Than Minh festival proposed by Thien.
Thank you for the foot massage, which was a pure moment of relaxation... It made us want to book a full body massage upon our return from Pu Long.
We are truly delighted with our journey in the North, although we missed the good weather a bit.
A word also about our driver, who was extremely careful on the mountain roads and always provided valuable assistance with a smile for his passengers.
Looking forward to continuing towards Halon
The Kommer family - Australia
April 13, 2024 - Xenia Kommer's Family Travel Diary
[29/3/24]: Tony and the driver are great! And everything we've seen and done too 😊
[1/4/24]: Hello! We are back from the boat in Halong Bay. It was very beautiful! I didn't tell you that we ate crickets last 😁 week In Tam Coc the boys played football with children from there 😉
[3/4/24]: Hello, we arrived safely in Hoi An today. Everything is great, the hotel is very nice. Yesterday the boys swam in the Hue😉 River
[5/4/24]: Hoi An diving, I don't do it but the boys love it 😃
The Alzarral family with their friends -Spain
March 29, 2024 - To begin with, thank you for this wonderful trip that you organized for us. Thank you to Huan, Kien and Ms. Chau for conveying the love of their country to us. Bus drivers were also safe in this traffic.
After the discussion among all the participants in the trip, we send you these observations:
Guide: 5/5⭐
Drivers 5/5⭐
Bus:4/5⭐
Hotel: 4.9/5⭐ (slightly small breakfast room at the Sanouva Hotel in Saigon).
Choice of restaurant by guides: 5/5⭐
Transfer by plane: 5/5⭐
Choice of visits:5/5⭐
Organization of the agency: 5/5⭐
Thank you, Mrs. TRANG VU, for your warm welcome at the agency and for your willingness to organize our trip. We also thank Bao for his kindness and for the short documentary on YouTube. You can count on us to really appreciate your skills.
Thanks again for everything 😘😘
Mrs. Silvia and her husband - France
March 27, 2024 - Greetings from Lima, guys! We just got home and we don't even feel tired! I still have the energy to keep going, haha!
Now, let's talk about the North. In February, from Hanoi to Ha Long, there is a lot of drizzle. I suggest other visitors always carry a fine raincoat when they go. Luckily, it didn't alter our plan much. We enjoyed the coffee with egg and the bun cha. Ms. Nhung knew all the perfect places to eat, without worrying about finding available places, and at good prices! I'll send you some great photos from Hanoi!
But, the most amazing thing was the experience on the Mekong! Just perfect. We loved Mr. Nguyen; He had an in-depth knowledge of the place, which made us enjoy it to the fullest. He also shared a lot of interesting things about the Vietnamese and their current and current culture, not just theory.
The hotels were ok, no complaints. This trip makes us think of Cambodia and Thailand with our friends in the future (still wishes)
I think that's enou
Chantal & Daniel - Australia
March 15, 2024 - Hello Mrs. Huyen and all her team,
We had dreamed it, we had prepared our trip with the guides, and now we are back, with the images still fresh in our minds.
Thank you and congratulations for this perfect organization, despite the fact that a flight was delayed a day at the last minute. We found our guides and drivers as planned, the guides were friendly, spoke perfect English, the "busy" program was respected.
Recounting our journey could become a real novel, so we will talk about the main points. Now, worry before leaving because the guides said that we should avoid the Tet period, that for the lunar new year everything was closed, anyway what joy, flowers, decorations, events everywhere.
👉Hanoi, staying in the center, after a tour of the city, and a visit to Kampa Tour, a well-deserved siesta, we set off on foot (without a guide) through the narrow streets (thanks to the GPS to find the hotel).
👉The next day, visits to museums, great water puppet
The Le Boucher family - England
February 28, 2024 -
"Hello, the trip is going very well. Yesterday I grew rice. A symbol and a source of pride for me, I would even say one of the goals of this trip. Thank you"
"The work in the rice paddies is already well underway...we are lucky to see the peasants in full activity, it is really enriching to learn about your way of life. A 12km walk today was an intense moment. "
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long is the ideal stay in Laos?
The ideal length of stay in Laos varies depending on individual preferences. For those with limited time who want to see the main highlights, 3-6 days is reasonable. If you are a Laos enthusiast and wish to explore in depth and experience it in an authentic manner, 2 weeks (10-15 days) is ideal.
Additionally, combining a trip to Laos with neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand can influence the decision on how long to stay in Laos.
Contact our advisors, who are knowledgeable about the destinations in Laos, to design a customized trip that perfectly meets your desires.
2. What is the 'customized travel' option?
3. What is the best time to travel to Laos?
4. How can I book my trip?
5. What are the must-visit destinations in Laos?
6. What is the price of the trip?
7. What are the dishes to try during the trip?
Still have questions or hesitations?
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