--- title: "Essentials of Laos from Vientiane to Luang Prabang" id: "3731" type: "tour" slug: "essentials-of-laos" published_at: "2018-01-10T03:54:10+00:00" modified_at: "2025-05-24T10:05:21+00:00" url: "https://www.vietnamparadisetravel.com/tour/essentials-of-laos" markdown_url: "https://www.vietnamparadisetravel.com/tour/essentials-of-laos.md" excerpt: "Experience the highlights of Laos in just four days with this thoughtfully curated Laos essentials tour by Paradise Travel. From the peaceful..." taxonomy_category: - "Laos Tours" taxonomy_destination: - "Laos" - "Luang Prabang" - "Vientiane" --- # Essentials of Laos from Vientiane to Luang Prabang Duration: 4 Days/ 3 Nights Vientiane > Luang Prabang > Pak Ou Caves ![Essentials of Laos from Vientiane to Luang Prabang](https://vpt-en.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/l/05/Laos-cover-2.jpg) [https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293924-d8647177-Reviews-Paradise_Travel-Hanoi.html](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293924-d8647177-Reviews-Paradise_Travel-Hanoi.html) From US$462 pp Book Now --- Duration 4 Days/ 3 Nights Departure Vientiane From US$462 pp Inquire Now ## Overview Experience the highlights of Laos in just four days with this thoughtfully curated **Laos essentials tour** by Paradise Travel. From the peaceful capital of **Vientiane** to the spiritual charm of **Luang Prabang** and the mystical beauty of **Pak Ou Cave**, this journey offers a rich introduction to the country’s culture, history, and nature. Begin in **Vientiane**, a relaxed capital city where **ancient temples**, French colonial architecture, and quiet riverside scenes create a laid-back yet culturally rich atmosphere. Discover key landmarks such as **Wat Sisaket**, **That Luang**, and **Patuxai**, each revealing a different layer of Laos’ spiritual and political heritage. Then fly north to **Luang Prabang**, a UNESCO-listed gem nestled between mountains and rivers. Known for its tranquil pace and deep-rooted Buddhist traditions, the city enchants visitors with ornate temples, vibrant night markets, and tree-shaded streets. One of the most memorable experiences is a peaceful boat ride along the **Mekong River** to reach the sacred **Pak Ou Cave**, where thousands of Buddha statues silently guard the ancient grottoes carved into limestone cliffs. Ideal for travelers seeking a balance of **cultural discovery, spiritual insight**, and **natural beauty**, this tour provides a well-rounded taste of Laos in a compact timeframe. With expert guides and seamless service throughout, you’ll uncover the country’s most cherished places – both celebrated and quietly hidden – in just four unforgettable days. Show more ## Tour Highlights Show more ## Detailed Itinerary [Expand all] ### [DAY 1: Arrival - Vientiane](#itinerary1) Upon arrival at Vientiane, meet with the guide and transfer to the hotel. Relax for some times and start the tour to Vientiane attractions, including Pha That Luang, a gleaming golden stupa, dating back to 3rd centuries. Pha That Luang had faced destruction and reconstruction during the past centuries and yet is able stand magnificently in the heart of Vientiane. It is behold as sacred and holy place, and serves as the symbol of national monument in Laos. Continue to visit Ho Pha Keo, the former royal temple, which claimed to once house the Emerald Buddha that was forcibly taken to Bangkok. Nowaday Ho Pha Keo is a museum with beautiful of Buddhist sculpture. Then continue to Wat Si Saket, located on Lane Xang Avenue just opposite the Presidential Palace, is the most significant temple of Vientiane. Built by King Photisararat in 1551 and reconstructed by King Anouvong in 1818, Wat Sisaket is the oldest temple in Vientiane in its original form and contains many beautiful relics of Buddha images. Onward tour to Patuxai, a monumental arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but executed with Lao motifs. At the top of this monument, you can see panoramic view of the city and the surrounding park. Overnight in Vientiane. Vientiane – That Luang Stupa ### [DAY 2: Vientiane - Luang Prabang](#itinerary2) Breakfast Take breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the Wattay airport. Flight north to Luang Prabang where you will met by another tour guide. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Luang Prabang is a fascinating town, filled with historical temples, colonial style buildings, old Laotian cultures and lovely people. Start the tour with visit to Wat Visoun. This monastery, founded in 1513, is the oldest temple in Luang Prabang and contains a great collection of antique Buddha images. Nearby, visit Wat Aham, famous for the sim as ancient interior and roof decoration Further on to Wat Xieng Thong, literally means The Temple of Golden City whose origin can be dated back to 1560 when King Setthatilat built it on the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan River. With many ornate chapels, the entire temple complex represents the real gem of traditional Laotian architecture. From Wat Xieng Thong, walk down the main street (or Wat Street) of Luang Prabang. If time available, stop at other fascinating temples such as Wat Siboun Heuang, Wat Si Moungkhoun, Wat Sop and Wat Sene. In late afternoon, visit Mount Phousi for sunset. It is a significant landmark since the mountain sits right in the center of the city. On top of the mountain, there is a small temple where you can pay your reverence and at its viewpoint, you can see the superb landscape of Luang Prabang city and the rivers. Luang Prabang – Wat Xiengthong ### [DAY 3: Luang Phrabang - Pak Ou Caves](#itinerary3) Breakfast After your breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and begin the tour of the day. Take a scenic boat trip up the Mekong River and enjoy seeing the rural life of the Laotian people on both sides of the river bank. Arrive at the famous Pak Ou Caves, the overhanging two caves on the striking limestone cliffs. The Pak Ou Caves, revered as a sacred religious site in Luang Prabang, are filled with thousands of Buddha sculptures in varying styles, sizes, and ages. Take a visit to the local village of Ban Xang Hai nearby. In the past, the people of this village were expert in pottery making, but you would not see them making pots or jars. Instead they are expert in producing local rice whisky, called lao lao. The whisky is highly unique as it is mixed with some stunning creatures such as snakes, geckos, lizards, and scorpions. From this lao village, take a visit to another village of Ban Xang Khong. This village is famous in silk weaving with traditional hand loom and Sa paper making from mulberry. Drive back into the town and overnight at the hotel. Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves ### [DAY 4: Departure Luang Prabang](#itinerary4) Breakfast After having your breakfast, visit the local market in the early morning where you can see simple daily life activities of the Laotian locals. If early enough, you can see monk collecting alms in magnificent rows along the street of Luang Prabang. Continue to the National Museum, which was once a royal residence of the last Laos monarchy. It was built by French in 1904, but was confiscated and converted into museum during the revolution in 1975. The museum is closed on Tuesday. Not far from the museum is the largest temple in Luang Prabang, named Wat Mai (or literally means New Temple or Monastery). Its unique architecture with five-tiered roofs and veradah makes Wat Mai one of the most picturesque temple in Laos Transfer to the airport for departure or extension to other destinations in Laos or neighboring country. Luang Prabang – Wat Mai Temple ## Prices Prices are in **USD**, per person. *This tour can be customized to fit your own demands.* | Hotel / Group | 2 guests | 3~4 guests | 5~6 guests | 7~8 guests | 9~12 guests | Single surcharge | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 3 Star | 575 | 524 | 496 | 477 | 462 | 99 | | 4 Star | 628 | 579 | 547 | 525 | 510 | 163 | | 5 Star | 753 | 704 | 675 | 656 | 641 | 300 | #### What's included - Accommodations (Hotels, resorts as mentioned in program) - Meals as indicated in the program (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner) - Airport and land transfers - Flight tickets as mentioned in itinerary. - Tour guides (English speaking or other languages upon request) - Entrance fees as per itinerary #### What's excluded: - Visa/ passport - International flight to and/ or from our countries - Travel Insurances - Meals/ drinks not mentioned in program - Peak season surcharges (if any) - Tips, laundry and gratuities - Other personal expenses #### Cancellation by Customer Please note that some services such as **flights, hotels and other bookings may have cancellation fees** once they have been confirmed and paid. Any applicable supplier cancellation fees will be charged to the traveler. The following are the **maximum cancellation fees** that may apply: - **After booking confirmation:** Any applicable cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, or other suppliers. - **11–20 days before arrival:** Up to 20% of the total tour price, plus any applicable cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, or other suppliers. - **3–10 days before arrival:** Up to 30% of the total tour price, plus any services already used or any applicable cancellation fees or penalties charged by airlines, hotels, or other suppliers. - **Less than 3 days before arrival, during the tour, or in case of no-show:** Up to 100% of the total tour price, limited to 10% management fee and the actual costs incurred, including services already used and any applicable cancellation fees or penalties charged by airlines, hotels, or other suppliers **Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or change your trip. We will always do our best to minimize any cancellation costs where possible.** #### Children Policy - **Children under 5 years old:** Travel **free of charge** when sharing a room and meals with a full-paying adult. Any applicable **airfare, entrance fees or additional expenses** will be charged separately. - **Children aged 5 to under 11:** Pay **50% of the adult rate** when sharing a room and services with a full-paying adult. - **Children aged 11 and above:** Pay the **full adult rate**. **Please note:** The child rates apply when children share a room and services with a full-paying adult. **Additional charges may apply** for extra beds, private rooms, special meals or other services requested for children. Child rates may also vary depending on the specific tour, hotel policy and services included. PT-3731From **USD 462** per person Book Now - Competitive Local Rates - Local Travel Expertise - Simple Booking Process - Flexible Booking Support - Tailor-Made by Local Experts Add to wishlist #### We are here to make your trip Happy & Easy! Are you interested in this tour or would you like to customize your own trip? Call our local experts: [+84 98 939 1076](tel:+84989391076) Start to Customize Your Trip ## Customers who viewed this also viewed... 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