Laos - Journey into an Unknown World 7 Days

Welcome to Laos!

Arrival in Luang Prabang and transfer by air conditioned vehicle to your hotel. (6 km)

Traditionally known as the Kingdom of a Million Elephants, Laos is blessed with verdant countryside, glittering Buddhist temples, languid village life and gentle people. Years of isolation from the wider world have helped preserve Laos’ peaceful nature and allow a glimpse into a quieter time.

Time for leisure and some first explorations on your own.

Half day visit Pak Ou Caves

Let's get spiritual as we follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims to the Pak Ou Caves by traditional boat. These ancient limestone caves are crammed full of thousands of Buddha statues, many broken and crumbling, covered in dust and cobwebs. But first, relax on a cruise down the Mekong River observing life on the sleepy riverbanks. On the return journey, stop at Ban Xang Hai Village. This village has for centuries made the earthen jars used as fermenting containers for Lao wine. It specializes in producing a wide range of lau lao (Lao whisky) and lau hai (Lao wine). On return by boat visit to Ban Xang Khong a traditional Saa paper making village.

Morning, visit the National Museum (former Royal Palace) and Wat Mai:

Visit the National Museum, a modest but graceful building which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. This turn-of-the century royal residence has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here and provides unique insights into the history of Laos. Then, visit Hor Phrabang. In the right front corner room of the Palace which opens to the outside, is a collection of the palace's most prized art pieces, including the Phrabang, cast of a gold, silver and bronze alloy. This Buddha stands at 83 cm tall and weighs around 50 kg. Continue to Wat Mai, which was constructed in 1821 during the reign of King Manthatourath, and was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy).

Continue to visit Wat Xieng Thong, which was built in 1560 and is situated on the banks of the Mekong River. It is the most beautiful monastery in Luang Prabang and features the typical Lao art style with old religious artifacts and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art.

Visit Ock Pop Tok, a weaving center created by Lao women for Lao women, in order to preserve traditional weaving techniques and to give to Lao women a fair income to help their family and improve their livelihood. Ock Pop Tok (meaning “East Meets West” in Lao) was founded on the principles of fair trade and sustainable business practices. The company was pioneering social business and ethical fashion before these terms were even a part of our cultural lexicon. Ock Pop Tok or OPT to those ‘in the know’ has grown from a small shop selling only a few designs, to becoming one of the most important text and artisanal institutions in all of Laos and South East Asia.

Pack your swimsuit for a unique swimming experience at the spectacular Kuang Si Falls. Water tumbles over limestone rocks into numerous turquoise pools that are used as natural swimming holes. It's refreshingly chilly and impossible to resist! Once there, take also the opportunity to visit the Bear Rescue Center founded by "Free the Bears" Foundation. The Foundation helps to rescue bears held in horrifying conditions throughout Asia, and regularly milked for their bito be used in traditional medicines. It also provides ongoing care to hundreds of rescued bears and operates rescued bear sanctuaries in several countries.

We will visit Mount Phousi for the sunset. Climb 328 steps starting from the entrance on the opposite side of National Museum, or 410 steps on the other side of Khan River to the small temples atop Phou Si. The hill is 150m high and sits in the middle of the town, offering beautiful views over the temples and river.

Transfer to/from Talat Night Market (Hmong Market).

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Vientiane

Visit the capital Vientiane. Wat Ho Pha Keo, once a temple of the Lao royal family, built in 1565, now converted into a museum, with beautiful Buddhist sculptures. Continue by walk to Wat Si Saket was built in 1818 in the Bangkok style. The interior walls of the monastery are littered with more than 2,000 small niches containing Buddhas made of silver and ceramics.

We head to the COPE Visitor Centre to learn about the devastating consequences of war, the country’s sobering unexploded ordnance problem, the struggle of survivors and innovative work to combat these issues.

That Luang Stupa (Great Holy Relic) was built between the 11th and 13th centuries and is considered a national monument of Laos. Patuxai, a monumental building inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to Pakse

You will meet your guide and private vehicle and then transfer to visit Wat Phousalao. Then continue to Wat Phou Champasak. Wat Phou Ruins is a majestic pre-Angkorian tenth-century temple complex and the most impressive outside of Cambodia. It is one of Laos' oldest sites illustrating the strength of the Khmer Empire. Wat Phou was originally built as a Hindu temple, and from the top offer’s spectacular views over the surrounding area. The annual Wat Phou Festival draws in thousands of Lao people who pay their respects to Buddha and its Archaeological Museum also sits within the grounds of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

We transfer to the local pier and board a traditional long-tail boat to cruise down the Mekong River, drive and passing through the tranquil scenery that makes up the ‘4,000 Islands’ region. We arrive at Nakasang pier and boat to Don Det and cross a bridge built by the French during the colonial era and that links the two small islands of Don Det and Don Khon.  We visit the old French railway and locomotive. Then, take a local car to visit the impressive Liphi Waterfalls. Their original name, Tad Somphamit, means “trap spirit” and the locals revere these falls as they believe they act as a trap for bad spirits. The name Li Phi was given to the area because it acts like a giant fish trap (Li) and will kill any of those who dare to navigate it (Phi means ghost or dead person).

Back to Nakasang and drive to the mighty Khon Phaphapheng waterfalls, sit at the southern tip of Laos, in an area called Si Phan Don, which literally translates to “Four thousand islands”. At this point the Mekong River broadens out; during the rainy season the river and series of cascades is kilometers wide and extend over a length of almost 10 km downstream. Driver to Pakse and your hotel

Transfer to the Pakse International Airport for your departure flight from Laos.