An Epic 16-Day Adventure Through Laos

Early wake-up, take a walk or bike ride through the city to witness Laotians offering alms to monks along the roadside. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then embark on a guided walking tour of the city, exploring its UNESCO-classified architectural diversity:

• Traditional Laotian houses are typically built from tropical hardwood or bamboo and are raised on stilts.
• Half-wood, half-cement houses were constructed after the French arrived.
• Traditional French colonial buildings resemble those found in Vietnam and Cambodia.
• Old Chinese shops served both commercial and residential purposes.

In the afternoon, explore Luang Prabang's cultural and historical landmarks:

• Wat Sene - the city's oldest temple.
• Wat Aham - a significant sanctuary dedicated to Laotian ancestors.
• Wat Visoun with its impressive Sinhalese-style stupa.
• The magnificent Wat Xieng Thong temple with its sweeping roofs.
• The Royal Palace showcasing personal items of the royal family.

Late afternoon, climb Phousi Mountain for a panoramic view of the city nestled among the mountains.
Overnight stay in a hotel.

Depart by road towards Oudomxay, approximately 4 hours from Luang Prabang. Along the way, visit various highland villages and tribal communities such as the Ikho, H'mong, Black Thai, Red Thai, and Kalom Thai.

In the afternoon, continue the journey to Luang Namtha, the capital of the northwest highlands.

Arrive in Luang Namtha late in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Continue the road to Muang Sing - a small town near the Chinese border, Muong Singe was the center of opium trade until the 1960s.

Upon arrival, visit the city with the very interesting Ethnographic Museum, the typical Lu Thai temples, and some remnants of French colonial presence.

Overnight in Muang Sing.

In the morning, visit the Phonesavanh market where different tribes from the area come to exchange their products. Next, embark on a day trip to explore the minority villages around Muang Sing.

Hike through landscapes of gentle hills, green rice fields, orchards, dirt roads, visit Ban Don Chai village of the Tai Lue minorities, Ban Pha Kha, Ban Sai Leck, Ban Jong Kha... of the Akha minorities, discovering their original architecture with tall wooden houses on stilts, long balconies loaded with textiles and clothing. Encounter with women spinning and weaving beautiful garments.

Return to Muang Sing by the end of the day.

Overnight in a hotel.

Depart for Huay Xai via Luang Namtha. Along the way, visit villages of different ethnicities: Ban Lak Khammai, Ban Kolakham, Ban Thin That.

Arrive in Huay Xai by the end of the day. Overnight in Huay Xai.

Board a junk for a Mekong River cruise (note: from May to September: departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays). Stop at an authentic village along the shore, an opportunity to meet ethnic minorities.

Lunch on board with traditional Laotian food.

Arrival in Pakbeng, check-in at the hotel.

After breakfast, take a boat excursion on the Mekong River to reach Luang Prabang through pristine landscapes.

At the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong rivers, visit the sacred Pak Ou caves housing thousands of Buddha statues.

Return to Luang Prabang, overnight in a hotel.

After breakfast, travel to Vang Vieng, a small town on the banks of the Nam Song River in an idyllic setting. Known as the "Laos' Halong Bay", Vang Vieng is an ideal destination for nature lovers.

Stop along the way at villages and local minority markets. Enjoy local lunch en route.

Arrive in Vang Vieng by late afternoon, accommodation in a riverside bungalow.

Overnight in a hotel.

Take a walking tour to discover the ethnic villages and rice fields around Vang Vieng. Kayak along the Nam Song River, stopping at the limestone caves along the banks.

In the afternoon, transfer to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Check-in at the hotel.

Stay the night in Vientiane.

Today is dedicated to discovering the most notable cultural and historical landmarks of Vientiane:

• Phat That Luang - a symbol of Buddhism and Laotian sovereignty, one of the country's most sacred monuments.
• Ho Phrakeo - former royal temple from the Lane Xang kingdom era, now converted into a national museum of sacred art.
• The "Buddha Museum" at Wat Sisaket - the city's oldest temple with over ten thousand Buddha statues.
• Patouxai, the Asian Arc de Triomphe.
• Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues.

Overnight in a hotel.

Fly to Pakse, the capital of southern Laos. Upon arrival, meet with the local guide and transfer to Tad Lo, located in the northeastern part of the Bolaven Plateau, rich in cash crops such as tea, coffee, cardamom, vegetables, and fruits. Explore the plateau and visit Pha Suam, Tad Lo, and Tad Fane waterfalls.

Option to enjoy a refreshing swim or hike to the top of the waterfalls for incredible views of the surroundings.

Overnight in Tad Fane.

Travel to Champasak Province, known for the pre-Angkorian site of Wat Phou.

Upon arrival, explore the ruins of the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Phou located at the foot of Phou Kao mountain.

Known as an important historical site in Indochina, Wat Phou represents the origins of the Khmer civilization long before the rise of Angkor.

Continue to Khong Island, the largest in the Si Phan Don archipelago, the 4000 islands.

Overnight on Khong Island.

Spend the day exploring the Siphandon region, a unique world where land meets water at the southern tip of Laos where the Mekong River divides into myriad branches forming a maze of islands and islets.

Boat trip to various green islands to immerse in the delta's daily life. Stop at Don Khone, Done Det, and Done Som islands. Meet the hospitable locals living off rice farming, coconut, fishing, and silk weaving.

Depending on the time, there's a chance to spot Irrawaddy dolphins, freshwater dolphins that still inhabit downstream Mekong waters in Cambodian territory.

Overnight on Khone Island.

Descend to the lower Mekong course near the Cambodian border to visit the impressive Khone Pha Pheng waterfall, the most beautiful along the 4,350 km Mekong River journey from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea.

Return to Pakse in the afternoon.

Overnight in a hotel.

Free time to rest or for any last-minute shopping before transfer to the airport for departure flight.

See you next time!