15 Day Highlights of Laos Tour Itinerary
DAYS 1-2: FLY TO BANGKOK
Fly overnight to the vibrant city of Bangkok.
Depending on your time of arrival the rest of
the day is yours to start soaking up the local
culture. (D)
DAY 3: FLY TO LUANG PRABANG
Fly to Luang Prabang. An enchanting city,
Luang Prabang is the quintessential image
of Laos. At its core, lush greenery, golden
temples and vivid-robed monks come together
to create a colourful, rich heritage and an
enduring French-colonial legacy. Take a
walking tour around the vibrant night market,
keeping an eye out for craft souvenirs from
Laos’ hill tribes as you go. (B,L,D)
DAY 4: KUANG SI WATERFALLS
Rise early this morning to witness the
Buddhist ceremony of Takbat, when the
monks of Luang Prabangs monastic
communities collect alms from locals. These
lines of silent saffron robe-clad monks will be
an enduring image of your trip. See Wat Sene
and the National Museum. Visit the traditional
Hmong village of Ban Na Ounae, before
walking to the cascading turquoise waters of
Kuang Si Waterfalls for a picnic lunch and a
swim. Stop at Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre on
the return to Luang Prabang. (B,L)
DAY 5 PAK OU CAVES
Explore Wat Xieng Thong, considered Luang
Prabangs most beautiful temple. Board
a boat to cruise the mighty Mekong up to
the sacred caves of Pak Ou, known for the
hundreds of miniature Buddha sculptures that
reside within. Visit the local villages of Thin
Hong and Ban Xang Khong to witness the
daily life of the local people and their cottage
industries. (B,L)
DAY 6 PHOUSI HILL
Climb Phousi Hill to admire the views down
over the city before exploring Wat Mai, Wat
Visoun and Wat Aham. Enjoy an afternoon at
leisure. (B,L)
DAY 7 PHONSAVAN
Drive to Phonsavan via Phoukhoun, stopping
at Tham Phra Cave and Nong Tang Lake on
the way. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 PLAIN OF JARS
One of the most important prehistoric sites
in Southeast Asia, these mysterious clusters
of giant jars are thought to be about 2,000
years old. We will visit Site 1 where there are
over 200 jars, Site 2 which also allows you
to admire the beautiful scenery of the region
and Site 3, situated in picturesque woodland.
There will also be a visit to the office of the
Mines Advisory Group (MAG), an organisation
that helps clear unexploded ordnance that
are a remnant of American raids during the
Vietnam War. Take the opportunity to speak
with the organisation’s head. (B,L,D)
DAY 9: VANG VIENG
Depart Phonsavan for Vang Vieng. Stop en
route at Pathang village, where you can enjoy
dramatic views over the karst landscapes
for which Vang Vieng is famous. On arrival,
head into Tham Chang Cave to explore. The
cave was used as a hideout for locals when
marauding Yunnanese came to town in the
early 19th century. (B,L,D)
DAY 10 DISCOVER VIENTIANE
Drive to Vientiane, Laos capital. Nestled
in a languid bend in the Mekong, Vientiane
is a delightfully quaint city, more friendly
backwater than chaotic capital. Spend the
rest of the day exploring with visits to Wat Si
Saket, Wat Phra Keo, That Luang Stupa, and
the Patuxai Victory Monument, that resembles
Paris Arc de Triomphe. (B,L)
DAY 11 SI PHAN DON
Rise early for a morning flight to Pakse. On
arrival, explore the UNESCO World Heritagelisted
Wat Phou, a ruined Khmer temple
complex set in the beautiful landscapes of
Mount Phu Kao. Drive on to Khong Island,
the largest island of the laidback Si Phan Don
archipelago in the Mekong River. The rest of
the day is free. (B,L,D)
DAY 12 4,000 ISLANDS
Around Si Phan Don, meaning 4,000
islands, the pace of life is slow and easy
and the river views are gorgeous. See the
magnificent Khone Phapheng Waterfall,
Southeast Asias largest, and pop over to
Khone Island by speedboat to discover its
charming colonial buildings and see Liphi
Waterfall, nicknamed the Devils Corridor.
Depending on the season, you may see
traditional fishing techniques in action. Spend
the rest of your day at leisure. (B,L,D)
DAY 13 BOLAVEN PLATEAU
Depart Khong Island for Pakse, stopping en
route to admire Tad Yuang and Tad Fane
waterfalls. Continue up onto the Bolaven
Plateau to pay a visit to a coffee plantation
and learn about the process of planting,
harvesting and roasting the beans. This
evening enjoy a farewell dinner back in Pakse.
(B,L,D)
DAYS 14-15 FLY PAKSE TO UK
Fly from Pakse to Bangkok where you’ll have
the use of a hotel room before your evening
flight back to the UK, arriving home the
following day. (B,D)
