7 Days Discover Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng

Morning An optional early start will give us the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents.  From there, you will visit the morning Phosi Market, where we will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

After that, back to the hotel for breakfast. You’ll then continue touring the ancient town of Luang Prabang with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  Next stop will be the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. You will also have time to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.

Afternoon Continue to visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village.  This then takes you to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Luang Prabang(Treasure Lao hotel) Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)

Morning Today we will start heading north on a private car along route 13, before taking an unpaved road to Ban Khia Luang village. You then have ample time to visit the school, play with the kids.  You also take some time to explore the rest of the village, where you can see weaving and visit the local temple. We stop for lunch at the village, which can either be a western picnic lunch, or traditional Lao food such as sticky rice, laap and fresh vegetables cooked by the villagers.

Afternoon After lunch, you will say goodbye to the village and drive to Ban Khoklin. The road will take you through some beautiful scenery of mountains and paddy fields. At Ban Khoklin you board a private boat down the Nam Ou River for 30 minutes to Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims and continue down the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang. Arrive back into town in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Luang Prabang(Treasure Lao hotel) Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)

Morning After breakfast, you will take a short drive to the Spirit Resort, where you will experience the protected Elephants at the “Elephant Park Project” along the Nam Khan riverbanks. From here you can enjoy the 1 hr. Elephant ride on the back of a protected Asian Elephant.

It will then be followed by a short and easy hiking tour that will lead us out into the Fair Trek project area where villages profit directly from our visit. A small Khmu community lives below a high rising mountain range.

Afternoon After your Lao style lunch at Ban Houay Fai, you will return to Tad Sae waterfall, taking a boat ride back to Lao Spirit Resort, from there you will travel back to Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang( Treasure Lao hotel ) Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)

Morning After breakfast, you will start your day with a visit to The National Museum (closed on Tuesday) and the Central Market. Then you travel by roads to the mountainous town of Vang Vieng. Today your intrepid journey will be strenuous as this drive is along one of the most scenic but also one of the roughest routes in Asia.

Afternoon Arrive in 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. After check into the hotel room, you will embark on a boat for a well-paced trip along the Nam Song River, exploring the breathtaking mountain landscape.

Overnight in Vang Vieng (Sisombath Plaza hotel) Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)

Morning After breakfast, you will start your ride on a local tractor through paddy field areas heading to Tham Phoukham caves, where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, you will have a chance to explore the local cultures by mingling with the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can take a swim to refresh ourselves from the hot climate or explore the nearby area.

You will then make our way returning Vang Vieng town, using local transportation or tractor. En route, you’ll visit the ethnic minority villages of Hmong, Souay and Taidam villages meeting the warm and friendly hill tribe people and observing their traditional tribal costumes.

Afternoon You will enjoy kayaking down the Song River for 3 hours to visit temples and local caves. Return to your hotel after an exciting day.

Overnight in Vang Vieng (Sisombath Plaza hotel) Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)

Morning You’ll drive out of Vang Vieng in the early morning for Vientiane. Along the way, you make a stop to visit Vang Xang, a famous archeological site dating back the 11th century. After about 2 hours drive, you will get to Vientiane, the charming and fascinating capital of Laos. This small town conjures up exotic images, with the curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French influences.

Afternoon You will explore the town’s major sites including Wat Sisaket which is the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha images. Continue to visit Haw Prakeo, the former royal temple of Laos monarchy, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Statue. Then visit the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph before proceeding to the famous That Luang Stupa. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Overnight in Vientiane (Vientiane City Inn hotel) Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)

• Free morning; check out by midday.