The boat will leave Pakbeng at 08am. Enjoy the beautiful nature and jungle during your journey. In the morning, our guide and cooker will make a short demonstration on how to make some lao desserts and local drinks that travelers will eat later in the afternoon. First stop will be at Ban Baw village, a complex but harmonic mixed of three ethnicity: Lao Loun, Shan and Tai Lue. Today the village is famous for its lao lao whiskey making. Right after the visit, a Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board. In the afternoon, the boat will stop for the second visit at the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its over two thousands Buddha statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage place for lao people. After the visit, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and the travelers. The boat will arrive in Luang Prabang before 4:30pm.

Transfer to your hotel in Luang Prabang for overnight.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

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 attend the Blessing Ceremony that is believed to bring you health, happiness and longevity, then take the opportunity to interact with the Monks at Wat Sibounheung before visiting 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.

In the mid morning, we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign; the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

Afterthat, we will visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (closed on Mondays) where you will learn more about local hill tribes in Laos. Next, we will visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue past Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s. Next, we visit the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre, an organization that is offering the weavers in the area the chance to earn a decent income through their weaving skills.

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. We then will 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

Breakfast at hotel.

Spend a morning on a community based living rice farm situated in the idyllic countryside, surrounded by mountains and rice paddies. Experience the life of a farmer and try your hand at some of the activities. Or just view it all from the comfort of our traditional Lao rice house balcony, which is surrounded by rice terraces and our organic vegetable farm. All can join in and there are great photo opportunities. While there, spend some time to visit some local handicraft workshops like bamboo weaving, blacksmith work, and sugar cane processing. Finally, join a tour of the organic garden with explanation on how natural herbs are used in traditional medicine. Lunch at Living Land Farm.

After lunch, transfer by private vehicle to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority group at Ban Na Ouane Village, H’Mong Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible. Return to the city by late afternoon to catch the sunset at Wat Phabath.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Breakfast at hotel. We then heading out of Luang Prabang to Xieng Khouang, driving 6-7 hours through the wonderful natural scenery. En route, there will be plenty of opportunities for photos. Upon arrival, we go to visit Site 1 of Plain of Jars upon arrival and then drive to your hotel for check-in and free at leisure in the evening.

Overnight in Xieng Khouang

This morning, get a feel for the local lifestyle in the Central Market. Then visit the UXO MAG (Mine Advisory Group) Exhibition Room. We then transfer out to the picturesque Jar Site 2, and the impressive Jar Site 3, consisting over around 150 jars located on top of a hill, offering great views over the surrounding countryside.  And then driving out to the ancient town of Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital, where you can explore the ruins of a number of ancient pagodas in the Lanna style That Fun sputa and Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha. 

Overnight in Xieng Khouang

Breakfast at hotel. We leave Xieng Khouang for our scenic drive to Vang Vieng, a small and tranquil town, 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. Depending on road and traffic conditions, we will arrive at Vang Vieng by late afternoon.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

You’ll begin by meeting in the centre of town. The day will start with a 14km ride 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. 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 metres inside of the cave.

The tubing is then followed by a free BBQ lunch aside Tham Nam (Water Cave). There will then be a 30 minute walk back to a village, where you’ll be picked up to begin your kayaking.

You’ll be driven to the starting point, Khmu Village, 10km North of VangVieng. The friendly English speaking guides will give you some paddle instructions before you start on this 3 hour kayaking trip.

Further down you’ll have the opportunity to stop at bars throughout the river, like the popular Fluid Bar & Restaurant, where you can relax by the river and get some refreshments or even a bite to eat if you’re hungry. It’s a great place to swim with fantastic views, or play a game such as snooker or table tennis with some fellow travellers.

Once the kayaking is completed, we’ll take a truck ride to the famous Blue Lagoon, where you will have the chance to swim in the lagoon or just relax in the small bamboo huts. Afterwards we will return back to Vang Vieng as the tour comes to a close.

Overnight in VangVieng

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.

After lunch, we drive to the capital city Vientiane, which is located on the banks of the Mekong River. Hotel check-in upon arrival, and free at leisure for the rest of the day on your own.

Overnight in Vientiane

Breakfast at hotel.

Your half day morning city tour begins with the oldest 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.

Free at leisure until transfer to Wattay airport for your departure flight.