Laos Highlights 8 Days

Peacefully land and be warmly welcomed at Wattay Airport – Laos international one, you will be also escorted to your hotel in Vientiane downtown. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. A city tour acquaints us with the capital and after a short rest, we start visiting the major sights; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.

En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Stay overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, we leave this wonderful town for our journey northbound on route no. 13. We will see some breathtaking scenery en route as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. We make a stop along the way at Vang Xang, a famous archaeological site dating back to the 11th century.

We reach our final destination in the afternoon, the small and tranquil village of Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. On arrival at Vang Vieng, we cross the Nam Song River to Tham Jang caves and then enjoy a short trek through breathtaking mountain landscape to explore the Tam None Cave and some hill villages. Today ends with a superb panorama of the sunset reflecting over the Nam Song River. For your information that there are many young tourists enjoy the tubing in Vang Vieng, but must be sure your good health and no drunk when you try it. That’s incredible fun always.

Stay overnight in Vang Vieng. At night, you could spend your free time to walk through the town and you’ll find dozens of bars playing episodes of Friends and Family Guy on a loop, stores selling fake Ray-Bans and tubing t-shirts, and street vendors with pancakes and burgers.

After breakfast, drive further about 6-7 hours to Xieng Khouang which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, check in your hotel. Free to explore the city.

Stay overnight in Xieng Khuang Distance: Vang Vieng – Xieng Khuang: 240 kilometers, about 07 hours of driving (depends on weather conditions).

After breakfast, visit central market, then drive out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau.

You also have time to see the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. In the afternoon visit provincial national museum as well. Stay overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Early morning, we visit Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch different Hill tribes to barter and exchange merchandises. Then heading out this small town to Luang Prabang about 260km, on the way, stop and see a site more than 200 years old Buddha images in Thampra and varied Hmong and varied hill tribe minority villages along the road. They are nice, friendly and warmly welcome you to visit. Continue driving up hill, enjoying mountain splendid natural scenery, forest and landscapes.

After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, where the T-junction of bordering meets Vientiane – Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang. The journey will take us over mountainous region to Luang Prabang. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. Checking into hotel and relax after a long journey. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice.

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes.

Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the distillation of local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand-made of Jute Sar paper. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today you will be riding an elephant. Check out your hotel and transfer to Elephant Village. Enjoy an impressive experience of approx. 1.5 hours elephant ride on the Howdah (Elephant seat) to the Elephant Jungle Camp. Followed by approx. 1.5 hours walk through a unique natural jungle valley with limestone cascades.

Lunch will be provided at the Elephant Jungle Camp (Picnic lunchbox and drinking water). Visit Tad Sae Waterfall, then take a short boat trip from the Tad Sae Waterfall to our Elephant Village and drive back to Luang Prabang. Free in the evening for discovering the local night life before leaving it for home tomorrow.

Enjoy your last morning at the “Land of Elephants”, then leaving for your departure flight or onward flight to next destination.

End of the tour. Good bye and see you again!