Essence of Laos

Welcome to Vientiane! Our experienced guide and driver will meet you at the airport when your flight arrives, and then escort you to check in at the hotel we book for you. A brief orientation of the city and your whole trip will be explained by the guide en route. For the rest of the time, you will be free to explore the streets nearby on your own.

Meals: No meals, advice freely available
Accommodation: Lao Poet Hotel

After having breakfast at the hotel, our guide will pick you up at the hotel for an impressive cultural tour of the capital city Vientiane. You will first visit the oldest Wat Si Saket, the only temple left in Vientiane that wasn't destroyed during the war. Then visit Wat Prakeo, the former royal temple that was built to house the famous Emerald Buddha Image, which now resides in Bangkok. Later, visit the majestic That Luang Stupa and the sleeping Buddha. You will also have a chance to stopover for photographs at the Patuxay Monument which is based on the design of the Arc in Paris. For the rest of the time, you may browse the city on your own at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Lao Poet Hotel

Take the flight to Luang Prabang in the morning and check in the hotel. After a short rest we will start the city tour by visiting the Royal Palace Museum. The Palace was built in the year 1904 as residence of the King and his family of that time. It was reconstructed to be a museum since 1975. Here you may see many precious relics of LanXang Kingdom and their quondam halls, congress hall, study, collection room and living room etc. Later, continue to visit other famous temples like Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun, Wat Aham and Wat Mai. At the end of today, we will go to climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to have an amazing panoramic view of Luang Prabang city and Mekong River at the sunset. Hike down the hill and explore the authentic local night market before you return to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Victoria Xieng Thong Palace

Get up early today to observe the Alms-Giving procession in the early morning. You will learn more from your tour guide about this wonderful cultural heritage of the country and be touched by local people's piety towards their religion as they provide food daily for the monks. Get back to the hotel for breakfast before heading out to have a day excursion to Pak Ou Cave. You will take a boat and cruise upstream on the Mekong River to reach the cave. The cruise journey itself is very enjoyable and relaxing as you will be passing through the local countryside. You will also stop at a village called Ban Xanghai to try some local-made rice wine. Then visit the Pak Ou Cave which is crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues in various clusters, poses and conditions. Back to Luang Prabang by private car with a stopover at Ban XangKhong that is well known for its traditional Saa Jute paper-making.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Victoria Xieng Thong Palace

In the morning, visit the morning Phousi Market if you are interested. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Kuang Si Waterfall today. There are several places where you may swim in the turquoise water, or you may take a short hike along the forest trails. A simple picnic lunch will be arranged today nearby to the waterfall for you to better enjoy the fresh air and charming scenery at leisure. In the afternoon, drive you back to Luang Prabang with a stopover at the Black Hmong Ethnic Village. In the village, you will find that the local hill tribe people still maintain their original life style. The rest of the time is free for you to explore Luang Prabang town on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Victoria Xieng Thong Palace

As the conclusion of your memorable vacation in Laos, we will drive you to the airport to see you off according to your flight schedule. Or you may consider to extent the tour to other nearby countries like Vietnam or Cambodia. Contact your travel consultants for details if you are interested.

Meals: Breakfast