Highlights of Laos

An optional early start gives you 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. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. ABF, we visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will 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 us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. On the way coming back to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park, one of the must-visit spots, newly opened on January 2014. On your return to Luang Prabang,  ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunrise view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, firstly stopping at Xiengmene, where you visit Wat Long Khun, and the limestone cave Tham Sakkarin, and a tour around Ban Xiengmene village. Following a picnic lunch,  then continue by boat up the Mekong which also gives you a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well time to explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.  Along the way, stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On your return, take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, make your way over the mountains to Xieng Khuang, the province which is best-known for having been heavily bombed during Indochina War. But of course it is also famous for its historic Plain of Jars. The journey takes about 8 hours and you can make some stops at villages to observe the rural life of local people, including ethnic minorities such as the Hmong people. Arrival in Phonsavanh, the capital of Xiengkhouang province and check in at your hotel for your overnight stay.

Today, you will drive over the plains to visit the Plain of Jars site 1 and continue to the Plain of Jars site 2. Here you have time to find out more about the unclear history. The archaeological stone Jars dated back to about 2000 years ago. In the afternoon, drive about 1 hour to visit Muang Khoun, the old capital of Xieng Khuang where you will see some ruins left over from the war. Overnight at hotel in town.

Free to stroll around the town of Phonsavanh before transferring out to the airport to take the short noon flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you will visit some main sites here, including Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national icon, That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. A spectacular view over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane.

In the morning, you will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power, then transfer out to see the Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, near the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe.  Rest of the day is free on your own. Overnight in Vientiane.

Morning fight to Pakse. On arrival, you will be met by our guide and transferred to visit the largest Buddha Stutue at Wat Chomphet. Then head east to the resort of Tad Fane, which is also the name of the highest waterfall in Laos. After a soft rest, you will start trekking through the beauties of villages, coffee plantations, and a suspension bridge. Huge rocks and epiphytic orchids abound all along the way. Tall pine trees grow here, giving an atypical charactor of landscape. Return to the hotel in Tad Fan for your overnight stay.

Leave Tad Fan and enjoy a leisurely trip to the former royal capital of Champasak for exploring the ruins of Wat Phu,  one of the Lao’s World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001. This wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 9th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. A festival of this site is held yearly during the full moon in February and attracts numerous pilgrims from all over southern Laos.Afterward,  drive further south to Don Khong, in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight in Don Khong.

Heading out of town you will embark on a long tail boat for venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River, where during the dry season the waters recede and leave behind thousands of islets, giving this area a lovely name” Si Phan Done”. Explore the local peaceful villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with its locomotive. Continue to discover the 4000 islands area by tuktuk and visit the marvelous Liphi waterfall, also called the "Corridor of the Devil" one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking Lao border with Cambodia. If you are lucky, you  may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. Overnight in Done Khone Island.

Following breakfast,  return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia; this is a really impressive near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos.  After a little rest, drive to Pakse. Stop enroute for a panoramic view over the unspoilt area of Dong Houasao and the Mekong valley. Reaching  Pakse, you will visit Wat Chom Phet, the central market in the afternoon. Overnigh in Pakse.

Free at leisure till transferring to airport for your onward flight. End of services.