Classic Laos

Sabaidi and welcome to Vientiane, the national capital of Laos. Surprisingly, this capital city is free of skyscrapers, traffic jams, and street vendors, making it seem more like a big village than a center for government. Upon arrival to Wattay International Airport, our representative will meet you before transferring you to your charming, boutique hotel.

Spend the afternoon visiting the city’s most important temples, such as Vat Visaket with its thousands of small Buddhas, Haw Phra Kaew, the home of the emerald Buddha before it was stolen by the Thai, and the historic Pha That Luang Temple, glimmering in gold over 44 m high.

The tour will finish at Patuxai, an arch resembling the French Arc de Triomphe but decorated with a classic Lao twist. The evening is free for you to explore the wide, tree-lined boulevards on your own.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: Green Park Boutique Hotel

A leisurely drive out of town along the Mekong River takes you to the quirky Buddha Park. Buddha Park is a meadow devoted to 200 religious sculptures, the most popular being a huge 40-m high reclining Buddha. The park was built in the late 1950s by a monk who studied both Buddhism and Hinduism, and as such contains images from both religions.

Drive three hours north to the quiet, picturesque town of Vang Vieng. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for your leisure to discover this quaint town independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Silver Naga Hotel

Breathe in the fresh air as you gently cycle through rice paddies and around karst limestone formations that seem to just spring from the Earth in every direction. Visit the ethnic Khmu village and learn about the daily life of one of the many ethnic groups that exist here in Laos.

Stepping into your kayak and slowly paddle down the tranquil Nam Song River with its glorious rugged scenery. There is also a possibility to visit Tham None Cave, the biggest cave in Vang Vieng and historically important as it was used as a rescue shelter for villagers during the American-Vietnam War.

Return to Vang Vieng and enjoy the rest of your afternoon free for your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Silver Naga Hotel

Sit back and revel in the exquisite views on our scenic drive to Luang Prabang today. Along the way there are many opportunities to take photos and experience authentic encounter as we stop at markets and minority villages barely visited by international guests.

Arrive in the evening to Luang Prabang, the most beautiful town in Laos famous for its blend of local and colonial culture and architecture. Surrounded by the mighty Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, the city center is an easy place to stroll and admire the simple and classic beauty of both natural and man-made creations.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mekong Riverview Hotel

Start the morning with a visit to some of the most important temples in Luang Prabang, most notably Wat Xieng Thong, a black and red temple with lavish gold stenciling dating back to the 16^th century. The tour proceeds with visits to Wat Visoun, the Melon Stupa, and Wat Aham.

After the temple visits, take a scenic 1-hour drive south through dense forest to visit the magical Kuang Si Waterfalls, incredible to behold due to the fluorescent natural color of the fresh water collected in the tide pools.  En route, a stop will be made at a colourful ethnic Hmong Village to learn about one of the 49 recognized ethnic groups in the area.

Take a leisurely stroll around the Kuang Si Waterfalls and even take a refreshing dip into the turquoise waters after enjoying a packed picnic lunch.

Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and enjoy the rest of your day free for leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mekong Riverview Hotel

After a decadent breakfast, breathe in the sweet air of the well-tended gardens of the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace is now a museum with a wonderful collection of crown jewels, antique cars, royal objects and weapons, artwork and more.

Transfer to the dock and board a slow boat to lazily journey up the river to the Pak Ou Caves, stopping along the way to visit the Lao Whisky Village. Here you can see the process of how villagers make the potent Lau Lao, a special type of whiskey made from rice. Continue on to Pak Ou where a thousand Buddha images are kept.

After visiting the cave, return downstream to Luang Prabang via the Ban Xang Khong Village to view the stunning silk on display and how it is weaved into scarves, clothing, and interior decorations. Observe how the special “Saa paper” is created from the bark of the Saa Tree before returning to your hotel.

Rest of the day is free for your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Mekong Riverview Hotel

Rise before the sun and take part in the iconic tradition of Luang Prabang, offering alms to a long line of monks in dusky saffron robes at Ban Vat Sean. The tradition of giving alms stems back to ancient times, with the idea to give without expecting anything in return. Typical alms givings are usually of simple food such as rice or fruit so that the monks can have their one meal per day.

After the ceremony, return to the hotel to have your own breakfast before checking out of the hotel. Transfer to the Luang Prabang airport for your booked onward travel.

Meals: Breakfast