Meals: None

 Welcome to Laos. Upon arrival, obtain your Laos Visa on Arrival if you haven't already obtained this prior to travel, then clear Immigration and Customs. Proceed into the arrival area and meet your guide and driver and transfer to your hotel.

 Baci Ceremony at a Local Family Private.

At 04:30pm you will be picked up from your hotel, then transfer to the local family, you will be treated to the refined grace of a private Baci ceremony at a small village called Ban Mano. These gentle villagers led by their Nai Ban (village chief) offer visitors tidings of good luck and fortune for their life and travels by gently tying cotton cords symbolizing luck, friendship and good health around your wrists.

The Baci ceremony will be held at a private family home. Traditionally, Baci ceremonies can be held for a number of different occasions. Before going on a longer trip, for a new house, a newborn child or, like in your case, to welcome visitors to a home.

Overnight at Villa Maydou Hotel, Traditional Deluxe Room – Luang Prabang

Meals: B L

Pearly of Mekong Private.

After breakfast, meet your guide at your hotel and explore this historic and charming heritage town by car, transfer to begin your journey at the most popular of temples – Wat Xieng Thong. This 500-year-old temple is exquisite and is the best example of the classic Luang Prabang style. You will also visit nearby Wat Sene and Wat Mai.

From here, explore some local and interesting small side streets, along back alleys and through temples – a city that could have been designed with slow travel in mind, a morning walking tour allows you to soak up the ambiance and appreciate the hidden charms of Luang Prabang.

Through your guide, feel free to ask the locals questions as they go about their daily lives. Continue wandering up the peninsula, stopping at temples and other sites as you wish. Visit the National Museum, which is the former Royal Palace. Relics from Laos’ royalist past remain here. Overlooking the palace is Phousi Mountain. It is said that those who do not climb the 328 steps up have not really made it to the city. Venture up the hill and be rewarded with remarkable views of the area.              

 Kuangsi Waterfalls Private.

After lunch continue your day to the South of Luang Prabang to visit Kuang Si Waterfall a short walk past the entrance gate, before reaching the pools, is a bear rescue center. A number of Asiatic black bears rescued from poachers and illegal wildlife trade live in an enclosure with lots of trees, swings and other things to play with. The center is supported by the Free the Bears Fund, a charity working to protect bears in several Asian countries and to save them from the bear bile farms where they are milked for bear bile used in traditional Chinese medicine.

At the falls, crystal waters cascade into idyllic turquoise pools. Bring a bathing suit if you would like to swim! Also, take time to visit the nearby Sun-bear Refuge to learn more about the poaching of these endangered creatures.

The transfer back to town in Luang Prabang.

Overnight at Villa Maydou Hotel, Traditional Deluxe Room – Luang Prabang

Meals: B L

Manda Lao Therapeutic Trek (Half Day) (Private)

This morning you will be picked up at your hotel around 8:30am by private transfer and guide, then drive out of town to Manda Lao Elephant Camp. Upon arrival at Manda Lao we will have a coffee and an introduction to elephant behavior. A quick boat ride across the Nam Khan River will deliver you to the waiting elephants. You will be introduced to your new friends and feed them with some special treats.

Enjoy observing elephants from the river bank as Mahouts wash them in the Nam Khan River. Guests can experience elephants washing, swimming, and playing in the water. Please note this is a voluntary activity for the elephant’s and Manda Lao does not force them to get in the water.

After 2 hours crossing through a beautiful stretch of traditional Lao gardens you will arrive at the jungle-covered Huay Nok stream. As you walk alongside the elephants and crisscross through the cool water you will experience a profound sense of understanding, respect, and caring for these amazing animals.

After this head back and enjoy a delicious Lao meal made from their own organically grown products. Then have a short ride back into Luang Prabang and have one more chance to ask your guides any lingering questions. You will arrive back approximately 1:30pm.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight at Villa Maydou Hotel, Traditional Deluxe Room – Luang Prabang

Meals: B L

Local Home Cooking Class and Pak Ou Cave Private.

A full day of exploring Lao food first hand - from market to home cooking, snack making, and whiskey tasting.

Today you will be picked up by your guide and continue by car to a local fresh market, where you will meet your chef and teacher for today, Mrs. Noy. After learning about local produce you will soon be boarding a boat to cross the Mekong River where you will be greeted by friendly villagers and the family of Noy. Don’t expect a star awarded kitchen but a simple private cooking lesson in the family's home with local specialties.

After you have enjoyed your lunch in the local village, you will continue by boat upstream to visit Pak Ou caves. Peering into dark corners, your eyes gradually adjust to reveal the serene faces and figures of more than 3,000 Buddha images, some inlaid with semiprecious stones. That these images remain undisturbed in this remote site in one of the world ‘s poorest countries are a testament to the devotion of the people. Return by boat to Luang Prabang, cruising along the Mekong and enjoy the lush river life along its banks while sipping a drink and tasting some Lao snacks.

Pak Ou Caves.

After you have enjoyed your lunch in the local village, you will continue by boat upstream to visit the Pak Ou Caves. Peering into dark corners, your eyes gradually adjust to reveal the serene faces and figures of more than 3,000 Buddha images, some inlaid with semiprecious stones. That these images remain undisturbed in this remote site in one of the world ‘s poorest countries is a testament to the devotion of the people. Return by boat to Luang Prabang, stop at some local villages. One of the villages is a wonderful silk weaving village called Ban Sang Khong. The weaving techniques employed in Ban San Khong date back many centuries and are used to create some of Asia ‘s most highly prized textiles. Some villagers are also engaged in Sa Paper production, visit some more villages where the famous river weed snacks, rice crackers and other delicacies are produced.

At the end of the day, while floating gently down the water, enjoy a Lao rice whiskey tasting while slowly approaching Luang Prabang.

Overnight at Villa Maydou Hotel, Traditional Deluxe Room – Luang Prabang

Meal. B

Almsgiving.

At 05:30am. The bells of the town ‘s monasteries toll at dawn when golden lines of monks emerge to receive their morning rice from the townspeople.

Wake up early and have some hot tea and cookies. After this, you will have the opportunity to respectfully witness this sacred ritual typical of old Laos-long lines of barefoot monks weaving through the streets on their alms rounds. This will be in a village out of town where rarely any tourists are seen. Therefore, you will have the opportunity to witness the almsgiving in a real traditional way. You will be supplied with alms you can traditionally give to the monks.

We also encourage that if you must take photographs that it does not interfere with this highly revered Ritual. Afterward, visit the Morning Market and see an array of meats, vegetables, and spices the locals use in their cooking.

Return to your hotel for breakfast. 

At 09:00am you will be picked up from your Hotel by a Minivan then transfer to the Railway station for your Train to Vang Vieng. Departure at 10:20am arrival at 11:09am.

Please note that train tickets can be purchased only 4 days prior to departure date. Schedule is subject to change without prior notice.

 Prohibited items on the train: Explosives in any form, dangerous items, flammable liquids and solids, compressed gases, poisons, corrosives, spray in any form, knife and strong-smelling food.

Upon arrival in Vang Vieng meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight at Riverside Boutique Resort, Deluxe Room – Vang Vieng

Meals: B L

The Different Facets of Vang Vieng Private.

Today you will be introduced to Vang Vieng and its different facets. At 09.00 AM you will be picked up by a local English-Speaking Guide, we head North out of town, until we reach the Nam Song Riverside, where we will be started. First, we do some safety instructions, we start with a leisurely kayaking trip on the Nam Song River which flows along with stunning cast stone formations. After 1 hour, we reach a local Kamu village which where we will learn from the villagers about Lao and Khmu customs and traditions. We explore the Villages and visit the local knife smith who uses traditional techniques to create knifes. Be impressed by his skills, and give it a try yourself, if you like.

We then continue to one of the Khmu families where you will be welcoming a typical Khmu lunch in the family’s garden or home (If the weather is not good lunch will be served in the house).

Learn from your hosts about the traditions and culture of animism that is practiced by many ethnic minorities in Laos, as well as the local rice wine, "Lao Hai" which is locally produced.

In the afternoon, continue our journey, and trek through rice paddies on the other side of the Nam Song River, passing by farmers working on the fields.

On the way back to the village, you will be taking rest in one of the local rice huts and try some of the rice wine, while learning more about the importance of agriculture in Laos.

Once the sun slowly sets, we continue back to the village and onward to our hotel, arriving by late afternoon.

Overnight at Riverside Boutique Resort, Deluxe Room – Vang Vieng

Meals: B L

At 8:30am. This morning after breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel with your guide, and driver being transferred to Vientiane by taking a highway takes about 1.5 hour.

Before arriving in the capital city, make a stop at the famous Buddha Park. Here a renegade monk formed his own sect and began to mold magnificent, eerie statues out of concrete, based on Hindu, Buddhist and Brahman iconography. Then drive to Vientiane to visit Wat Sisaket, the only structure to survive the Siamese invasion of 1828 intact. Across the street, sits Ho Phra Kheo, reconstructed in the 1930s on the site of the original building. It used to house the Emerald Buddha, which now lives in Bangkok and is now the home to a line collection of Lao artistry.

Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant.

A short journey up Lane Xang Street allows you a glimpse into the changing face of the city. Amongst the more modern structures is Patuxai, the Lao Victory Monument. Also, visit That Luang Stupa with its central lotus-bud spire.

After that visit the COPE Visitor Centre for a moving insight into the Secret War which left Laos as the most heavily bombed country per capita, in history.

Overnight at Salana Boutique Hotel, Deluxe Room – Vientiane

Meal: B

This morning, pick up at your hotel with your guide then transfer to the Airport for your flight to Pakse.

Upon arrival process into the arrival areal to meet your guide and driver, then transfer to Bolaven Platea. On the way, you will have a stop to visit Tad Fane Waterfall which falls an impressive 120 meters. The real beauty of this waterfall stems from its two branches of water, which divide as they spill over the steep cliffs. A seemingly endless flow of water is created and if windy, the mist sprays create spectacular rainbows.

Overnight at Sabaidee Valley Resort, Deluxe Room – Bolaven Plateau

Meals: B L

8:30am. This morning you will be picked up at your hotel with a guide then transfer to Champasak to visit the famous Khmer Temple complex of Wat Phou. This UNESCO Heritage site represents the easternmost border of the Khmer empire and predates Angkor Wat!

Then continue your drive to Don Khong. From Khong Island to Don Khone take a boat trip of about an hour on the Mekong by the Si Phan Done region (which translates to '4000 islands'). The name is not strange because the receding water of thousands of islands and sandbanks is caused by the drop in the water level during the dry season.

Enjoy your local lunch.

Don Khone is extremely fertile; there are many fruit plantations and rice fields. On this island, the old locomotive and railway constructed by order of the French. Here lies what used to be the only railway in Laos had, though no longer in use for decades.

Upon arrival check in at your accommodation

Overnight in Seng Alounh Resort, Standard River View Room – Khon Island

Meals: B L D

Explore Don Khone by Bike 

8:30am. Meet your guide at your hotel at explore Don Khone Island. It played a pivotal role in the French colonization of South East Asia however the waterfalls of 4000 islands were a major barrier to French naval ambitions. During this morning half-day exploration with your guide, you will cycle through rice paddies, small villages, and organic gardens, to visit the old narrow-gauge, the railway that was built by the French colonists enabling them to bypass the waterfalls, the Liphi waterfalls themselves, and walk around an old railway engine car. Towards the end of the day, you’ll bike back to the village center for a delicious authentic “Khao Piak” noodle soup before heading back to your hotel.

 Fishing, Fairytales and BBQ

3:30pm. This afternoon you will join one of the local fishermen to experience the 4000 Islands from the local perspective. Board one of the wooden boats and head out to the fishing-grounds, equipped with some fishing nets which you can try throwing gently out into the water and try your luck to catch some fish for dinner. Enjoy a cold drink while floating on the river, surrounded by small islands and birds that are about to settle for the night. At dusk continue to a secret spot where you will be welcomed by a crackling bonfire while enjoying the sunset and listening about fairytales and other local myths from your guide. Later in the evening, a private BBQ with local specialties will be prepared for you, just how it is done in many villages around Laos. Whenever you are ready, you will be brought back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Seng Alounh Resort, Standard River View Room – Khon Island

Meals: B

8:30am. This morning, meet your guide at your hotel then take a boat to cross the Mekong River to Ban Nakasang where your driver is waiting for you, from here we drive visit the amazing Khone Phapheng waterfalls. It has been dubbed “The Niagara of the East” due to its sheer size and volume and was a serious obstacle to French efforts to use the Mekong as a backdoor to China. After that continue your drive to Pakse

Overnight at Athena Hotel, Deluxe Pool View Room – Pakse

Meals: B

This morning is at leisure until you are picked up for your transfer to the airport.