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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 !
What they say about us
Carles & his partner - Spain
January 04, 2025 - Good morning, Mrs. Thuy Do,
We finally found the time to write to you and share our travel experience.
A huge THANK YOU for this magnificent trip that was absolutely flawless!
Everything was perfect: from the hotels you selected for us to the drivers and guides (Thai, Dzung, and Anh), who were wonderful and accompanied us throughout. And, of course, the fabulous itinerary you organized for us, allowing us to discover incredible wonders, including the rice terraces in the north, the lantern-filled city of Hoi An in the center, as well as Ninh Binh and Halong Bay.
You and the guides and drivers who joined us contributed immensely to making our trip an unforgettable moment of happiness.
We returned home with great sadness at leaving your beautiful country, as well as the smiles and kindness of its people.
Thank you again for your professionalism, availability, kindness, warmth, the welcome at your agency, and your smiles.
We can’t wait to come back—and
Ethan's Family - Switzerland
December 30, 2024 - Dear Nhung,
A huge THANK YOU for organizing our trip, which was flawless. And yet, we gave you so much work!
First, in crafting the itinerary, custom-tailored to include our requested visits. You contacted me several times on WhatsApp, and in the end, the itinerary suited us perfectly and fit within the budget we had set. Thank you, Nhung, for your availability, attentiveness, and patience.
Then, unfortunately, we had to test your skills and professionalism when, one day before departure, my wife had a sinus infection requiring emergency surgery. We were initially supposed to travel as a group of three—my sister, my wife, and me. Given how well-prepared the trip was, I asked my sister to go ahead. Three days after the surgery, which went very well, I decided to join my sister and pick up the itinerary mid-trip (a week later) from Ha Long Bay. Nhung was amazing and remarkably efficient. She canceled my wife's arrangements and organized my transfer to the Ha
Françoise & Claude - France
December 12, 2024 - Dear NHUNG,
A huge THANK YOU for organizing our trip, which was flawless. How much work you must have had to do for us!
First, for creating a custom itinerary, taking into account our requests for visits. To do this, you contacted me several times on WhatsApp, and in the end, the tour was perfect and fit within our budget. Thank you, Nhung, for your availability, your listening, and your patience.
Then, unfortunately, we had to test, quite against our will, your competence and professionalism when, one day before departure, my husband developed a sinus infection requiring urgent surgery. We were leaving as three—my brother and us. We had prepared the trip so well that I asked my brother to go ahead. Three days later, after the surgery went very well, I decided to join my brother and take the tour from Halong Bay (one week later). Nhung was amazing and incredibly efficient. She canceled my husband’s personal bookings and took care of my transfer to the Halon
Eric and friends - Australia
November 25, 2024 - Hello Nhung,
What a wonderful surprise this palace in Sapa is once again.
We deeply appreciate the tranquility and relaxation of this sumptuous and luxurious establishment: it's a perfect retreat after the bustling days we’ve had since our arrival.
What magnificent discoveries we’ve had in the program you organized for us.
Incredible landscapes and settings, remarkable encounters, and extraordinary people everywhere in the local life. The guides were all different but so passionate and engaging (little Linh, so endearing, Hang, and Sam, so dedicated and professional). The drivers were experienced (especially Cuong in the North, who is our favorite: so kind and attentive… and an expert at navigating the mountain roads to keep us safe).
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,
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?
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