Package Tour
Laos Trip
LAOS DELIGHTS: A CULTURAL JOURNEY THROUGH LUANG PRABANG, XIENG KHOUANG, & VIENTIANE
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Vientiane with our “Enchanting Vientiane Discovery” package tour. Explore the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sisaket, and marvel at its thousands of Buddha images from different countries. Visit the former royal temple, Wat Prakeo, and see the famous Emerald Buddha image.
Discover the sacred That Luang Stupa and capture memorable photos at the imposing Patuxay Monument. Experience the serenity of the Buddha Park, where Hindu and Buddhist sculptures from India are displayed. Enjoy the sunset on the Mekong River and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Street Night Market. Visit the Morning Market and the National Museum to explore local culture and history.
Gain insight into the art of traditional weaving at Carol Cassidy’s home-studio, and optionally visit the COPE educational center to learn about Laos’ Hidden War. With private transportation, an English-speaking guide, and excellent service, our package ensures a memorable and hassle-free experience in Vientiane.
Destination’s Activities
Day 1: Vientiane – Arrival
Day 2: Vientiane – City tour & Buddha park (B)
After breakfast, we start to visit Wat Sisaket, the city’s oldest temple. Dates back to 1818, Wat Sisaket is the most important heritage temple now standing in Laos. It houses thousands of Buddha images from many countries, long lost architectural styles, sculptures and paintings; Wat Prakeo, former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and originally built in 1565, is home to the Emerald Buddha image, Buddhist sculptures are displayed along the perimeter wall, including a 6th to 9th century Dvaravati-style stone Buddha and several standing and sitting Buddhas. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
In the afternoon, we take a short drive out of the city to visit the Buddha Park where hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures brought from India are displayed.
You can exploring the Street Night Market at Anouvong Park in the evening.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 3: Vientiane – Nam Ngum Lake (B, L)
Pick up at 07:00 am at Hotel’s Lobby.
This morning, we head out of Vientiane city and follow the Lao-China Express way and Lao-China Friendship Tunnel to Ban Tha Heua – Vang Vieng.
Upon arrival, we embark on a local boat for 2 hour cruising through hundreds of small islands. Lunch at Sanctuary Nam Ngum Resort or Lunch on boat.
Then we will drive back to Vientiane via Ban Phon Hong, then continue take the old road to Phone Mee Village where we have chance to stop to visit Pasand Handicraft center. We will also visit local markets (Koud Sam Baht market or Dong Khai market) where local people gather the wild animals and large selection of insects to sale.
We return to Vientiane by late afternoon or early evening (depends on the traffic).
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 4: Vang Vieng – Exploration (B, L)
The day will start with a 15km ride north to the first cave, Tham Xang (Elephant Cave), the cave lies on the banks of the Nam Song River. It is an important Buddhist Temple and owes its name to a remarkable limestone formation. Your guide will tell you the history of this charming cave and temple, from thousands of years ago to more tales of recent decades. You will then pass through a small Lao farm and village with green rice fields. Afterwards, you will have the chance to swim in the clear, cool spring water that lies at the mouth of Tham Nam (Water Cave), where you can go tubing up to 500 meters inside of the cave.
And then walk to enjoy with our free BBQ lunch at our small private hut in the middle of green rice filed, its best position to see green scenery rice filed and the mountains surround, after lunch walk back to the truck, and drives to Ban Vieng sa mai, the kayak starting point in dry season. Where river kayaking guide trains and gives you the paddle instructions before paddling downstream Nam song river to many small funny rapids and enjoy seeing the scenery of the incredible mountain karts along both side of the river to Zip line at Tham Norn to have the rest and enjoy green scenery around on the top of Phar norn view point, and then a guide learns you the Zipline instructions, you’ll be so fun with flying over the forest 1.450 m (8lines, 3 sky walk bridge) around Phar None, After this we then continue kayaking downstream back to Vangvieng before the sunset.
Overnight in Vang Vieng
Day 5: Vang Vieng – Train to Luang Prabang (B)
Hot air balloon in Vang Vieng! Known as the cheapest place in the world to do this activity, it also happens to be one of the most beautiful ones, too. There is only one company that operates the hot air balloons in town, Vang Vieng Balloons (Above Laos was initiated by the Lao Airsports Club to increase ballooning safety, quality and qualifications in Laos and have issued the first Lao ballooning licenses ever!)
Note:
- Bear in mind that hot air balloons are depended on the wind and can not be steered in any direction. So it might take about 20 minutes to get the balloon ready, also some time to land. It might take 5 attempts, including grazing a few trees. This is completely normal and part of the experience when hot air ballooning.
About 30 min to 1h15 flight depending on meteorological conditions (wind, visibility, turbulences, rain etc…). The Pilot will try to make a 1-hour flight but sometime it can’t guarantee if the wind takes us in the wrong direction! Safety first!
Total duration approx. 3 hours included pick up/ drop off at your hotel in comfortable minivan (sharing), Balloon preparation & Inflation.
Pick up: 05.30 am
Drop off (estimate): 07:25 am
- Full refund in case of canceled flight due to weather conditions
- Bring as little as possible, since you will be in a basket with other people.
- Camera: you should pack your widest angle lens for this activity if you want to get shots of yourself in the basket + view. If you plan on taking photos of the view only, then you don’t need anything very wide.
- Clothes: You can wear anything on a hot air balloon ride. It’s warm, even hot, so no need for any long sleeves.
- Shoes: make sure you wear flat or outdoor shoes are best in case of landing in a grassy or muddy field. It might feel a little unstable to be in heels and it’s also completely unnecessary to dress fancy for this occasion.
Free at leisure until you are escorted to the train station to take speed train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the Railway Station and then escort you to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Ancient town – Pak Ou Caves (B, L)
You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered).
We then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.
After breakfast at hotel, we visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we will make a stop at Ban Xang Hai village where rice wine is distilled. We will visit the caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum which house hundreds of Buddha statues. Lunch at local restaurant. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, continue to visit Ban Xang Khong, a village well known for silk hand-weaving and traditional Saa paper-making.
Late afternoon, we will climb up 328 steps of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.
This evening is free time to explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 7: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi waterfall (B, L)
You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered).
We then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.
After breakfast at hotel, we visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we will make a stop at Ban Xang Hai village where rice wine is distilled. We will visit the caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum which house hundreds of Buddha statues. Lunch at local restaurant. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, continue to visit Ban Xang Khong, a village well known for silk hand-weaving and traditional Saa paper-making.
Late afternoon, we will climb up 328 steps of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.
This evening is free time to explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 8: Luang Prabang – Elephant Experience – Train back Vientiane (B, L)
8:30 am: Transfer to Elephant Village
Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting and participate in a short briefing about elephants
Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants
Explore Elephant Village: Visit elephant hospital, museum, photo gallery and dung paper making area
Learn to communicate with elephant: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a mahout and how they communicate with the Elephants
Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax or swim in the clear water (swim suit recommended!)
Lunch: Dine at Elephant Camp restaurant. Buffet lunch served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options are available)
After lunch, transfer to Railway Station for your express train to Vientiane. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the Railway Station and escort you to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 8: Luang Prabang – Elephant Experience – Train back Vientiane (B, L)
8:30 am: Transfer to Elephant Village
Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting and participate in a short briefing about elephants
Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants
Explore Elephant Village: Visit elephant hospital, museum, photo gallery and dung paper making area
Learn to communicate with elephant: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a mahout and how they communicate with the Elephants
Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax or swim in the clear water (swim suit recommended!)
Lunch: Dine at Elephant Camp restaurant. Buffet lunch served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options are available)
After lunch, transfer to Railway Station for your express train to Vientiane. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the Railway Station and escort you to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 9: Vientiane – Departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure until escort you to the airport for your departure flight.
Included
- Private transportation in private air-conditioned
- Train ticket: Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang – Vientiane
- E...
Excluded
N/A