Laos in Depth

Arrive in Luang Prabang, a sacred place of golden temples and saffron robed monks. Situated amid mountains beside the Mekong River, its temples and monuments offer plenty of sightseeing opportunities. Spend the afternoon exploring on your own at the relaxed pace of a laid-back Laotian. In the late afternoon take a one-hour guided walking tour of Luang Prabang’s bustling night market, which is open daily from dusk until about 10pm. Browse for food, handicrafts and those famous Beer Lao T-shirts! 

Cruise the orange coloured waters of the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves that have become shrines to devotees of Buddhism.  For hundreds of years, followers have come to the caves to pray and make merit, by leaving behind a statue of Buddha. Nowadays, the caves are jammed packed with statues more and more being added each year. Down river, visit Ban Xang village to see traditional weaving on ancient wooden looms. 

Rise early to the sound of the temple gong and witness Luang Prabang’s mystical daily ritual. In the cool of the early morning, a procession of about three hundred young monks walk silently by, collecting sticky rice and other foods in their bronze bowls. Watch as the monks disappear down the road in a long, saffron-coloured ribbon – it’s worth waking up for! Later, take a swim at the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools.

An eight-hour drive to the mountainous plateau of Xieng Khouang is a great way to see more of rural Laos. There are plenty of stops along the way to stretch your legs and photograph the spectacular views.

After breakfast, our guide will take you to the Plain of Jars, one of the more mysterious sites in Laos. Visit the Old Town and the stupa and temple at Muang Khoun. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before returning to the hotel. 

Take a six-hour drive along picturesque winding roads to Vang Vieng. There are stunning vistas of towering limestone karst hills around every turn. Enjoy lunch along the way. The afternoon is free for you to relax on the scenic banks of the Song River or explore the lovely town.

Enjoy the scenic wonders of Vang Vieng at your leisure. You can go inner-tubing in the cool, lazy river, try your hand at kayaking or caving, or just relax and enjoy the amazing views from your balcony.

Drive three hours to Vientiane. Visit Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, as well as many other picturesque sites and monuments, followed by lunch.

Fly to Pakse the sleepy provincial capital of Champasak. Begin with an easy trek through coffee plantations, villages and forest to reach the plains of the Bolaven Plateau. See waterfalls and ancient temples ruins, and enjoy the refreshingly cool climate – a rarity in Southeast Asia! 

Travel to the ancient ruins of Wat Phou temple complex that pre-dates Cambodia’s famous Angkor Wat by a couple of hundred years. Take an elephant trek to the archaeological site of Phou Asa to peek at more ancient ruins and go by ferry to Khong Island, a riverine archipelago in the Mekong River and the gateway to the 4000 Island

Cruise past the tiny islands dotted throughout this tropical paradise to Kone Island and once we get there we will explore this charming island by bicycle to visit Li Phi Falls, the largest waterfalls in Asia. If you’re lucky, you might see some of the rare and elusive pink Irrawaddy dolphins and the remnant of the French ( short train & bridge )

We take a ferry to Nakasang where we will take a short drive to visit Phapeng Waterfall, the largest waterfalls in Asia before heading up north to Pakse and your onward flight. End of service!