11 Day Discovery Of Laos, Beyond Extra-Ordinary

From 2,900 USD/Person 11 days / 10 nights Based on 2 travelers

Trip overview

  • Discover the laid back capital of Vientiane
  • Visit the most sacred monument That Luang, which contained Buddha’s breastbone
  • A trip to an elephant camp where you’ll trek on elephant-back through jungle
  • Discover the temples of Luang Prabang, UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site
  • Learn the mystique of ancient history and the majesty of unique culture
  • Explore ancient and unique Wats and faded colonial buildings
  • Participate in the daily morning rituals when saffron-clad monks collect offerings of alms
  • Experience a traditional Baci Ceremony of blessing in Laos
  • Enjoy swimming in the beautiful Khuang Si waterfall
  • Encounter with local tribes in the villages
  • Enjoy 2 nights and interesting activities at authentic lodges
  • Stay in the world’s highest tree houses in Nam Kan National Park
  • Experience flying through the forest canopies and waking up surrounded by gibbons.

Book with us

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrive In Vientiane

Meet and greet upon arrival by a local representative and you will be met and taken to your hotel in the city. Remainder of the day will be at leisure. Your first afternoon until evening is free to relax or explore at your own leisure. Overnight at hotel in Vientiane.

 

Day 2: Highlights Of Vientiane

Breakfast at the hotel and this morning is spent with a half-day cultural tour to visit the major sights of Vientiane. Here, you’ll first visit the golden Pha That Luang stupa, a national monument which dates back to the third century. Next, pay a visit to Wat Sisaket, a serene temple whose teak hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Nearby is Wat Phra Keo where ancient Lao and Khmer art works are on display and the Presidential Palace, a beautiful colonial-style building once used as the French governor’s residence. You’ll take a trip to the Talat Sao Market, an indoor complex of stalls offering everything from electronics to amulets and traditional Lao silk sarongs. After that, visit the Laos Textile Museum, where you can view the creative silk designs of local legend Carol Cassidy, an international ambassador for Lao silk weaving. Tonight, you will stay overnight in Vientiane 

 

Day 3: Vientiane, Fly To Luang Prabang

Breakfast at the hotel and you will be transferred to the airport to take a flight to Luang Prabang. Meet on arrival by your tour guide and you will be taken to the hotel. Your first afternoon until evening is free to relax or explore at your own leisure. The local night market is a nice introduction, bright, colourful and easy to navigate. Here you can find a selection of excellent value souvenirs. Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

Destination Overview: The ancient capital of Luang Prabang Province in Northern Laos, lies in a valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.

 

Day 4: Best Of Luang Prabang

Rise early this morning, in time to watch monks as they walk through the city receiving alms. Each morning, a procession of monks passes through the streets collecting food offerings from locals. Back to hotel.

After your breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken on a tour of Luang Prabang’s sacred temples. Visit Wat Visoun, Wat Aham and especially Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th century temple which epitomises all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture. Continue visiting the National Museum, a former Royal Palace, housing a collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue and gifts received from foreign dignitaries. After enjoying a delicious, authentic lunch at a local restaurant, you will pay a visit to Ock Pop Tock weaving center to learn and discover Laos through textiles. Ock Pop Tock means “East Meets West”  was founded in 2000 by an English Photographer and and Laotian weaver with a passion for textiles and a mission to become this place one of the most important textile and artisanal institutions in all of Laos and South East Asia. Transfer you back to the hotel and you will enjoy your evening free. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 

Day 5: Kuang Si Waterfall & Barci Ceremony

Breakfast at the hotel and today is spent with an excursion to visit a beautiful Kuang Si waterfall. These waterfalls here create a series of pools and are perfect for taking a cooling swim in. Their limestone rock formations and the surrounding jungle provide a natural setting for walks and relaxation. Alternatively explore the surrounding countryside on walking trails through native forest. Return to the city and a trip to Luang Prabang could never be complete without a festive celebration, and there are few more joyous moments than being able to take part in a real Baci Ceremony. The ritual will offer prayers for you and your family and loved ones, praying for harmony, peace, good fortune, honesty and warmth. Well wishes and prayers will be showered over you in this delightful ceremony. Return to your hotel for a peaceful night’s sleep this evening.

Option: Board a traditional boat, the Nava Mekong, for an evening cruise down the glorious Mekong River as the sun sets over the valley. The boat will stop for lunch at the bank opposite Luang Prabang, where you’ll be served a delicious Lao dinner and see artists from the nearby villages perform traditional music and dance as you dine. Overnight in Luang Prabang

 

Day 6: Upriver Mekong Cruising, Kamu Lodge

Breakfast at the hotel and today we will take an adventure by sailing up the Mekong River, passing and stopping to explore the numerous villages and places. Stop at Pak Ou Cave, carved out of towering limestone cliffs and containing thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. Continue upriver for another hour to reach the Kamu Lodge for lunch time. Setting on the banks of the Mekong river with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, the Kamu Lodge is an excellent way to experience rural Laos. The lodge features 20 private canvas tents, each one of which is protected from the elements by a thatch roof. The tents are also decorated with bamboo and wooden furniture allowing the Lodges’ grounds to harmoniously blend with surrounding nature. This afternoon you may choose to participate in a variety of different activities such as rice planting, gold panning, visit villages and meet locals. You will be rewarded with a very original Lao experience. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Stay in Kamu Lodge.

 

Day 7: Upriver Mekong Cruising, Luangsay Lodge

After breakfast, we continue the route by boat to Pakbeng. We arrive at Pakbeng before sunset and check in at Luang Say or Pakbeng Lodge. Dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng

 

Day 8: Upriver Cruising, Huay Xai

Mornings are special times at the lodge with stunning sights of the peaceful neighboring mountains, often shrowded in mist, while a full breakfast is served on the expansive teak terrace. Continue another cruising day of nature discovery along the legendary river with one stop planned along the way to Huay Xai. After lunch, the boat stops at a traditional village. This is a chance to observe rural life along the Mekong and witness the daily life of ethnic minorities and their talented craftsmanship. You arrive in Huay Xai at around 17:00 – Huay Xai is an important border crossing point with neighboring Chiang Khong & Chiang Rai, northern cities of Thailand. Check into a local hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 9: Gibbon Experience, Tree House

A simple breakfast will be set up at the hotel and today you take in a wonderful but totally authentic travel adventure. It is Gibbon Experience. You will need to be reasonably fit, and certainly able to walk distances in sometimes difficult terrain. All well worth it! in the Bokeo Nature Reserve. You stay in tree houses and use the zip line cable gliding network to scour the primary forest in search of the illusive Black Gibbon. During your stay, using the zip wire cable and taking your own trek. Whilst it cannot be guaranteed you will see Gibbons, this is one of their major inhabitants. It should be stressed that we are visitors in their territory, and this is not a wildlife park but a totally authentic opportunity for you to share their world.

 

Day 10: Gibbon Experience, Tree House

Breakfast and today we will travel to Baan Toup village, which is about 2 hours away. It is a difficult, 83 km trip that is either dusty or muddy depending on the time of year. In the last village local guides will welcome you and take care of you from there. From the village, it is a one-hour, mostly uphill hike to get to the canopy infrastructure. When you arrive, you will split up in small groups, put on a harness and glide across the first cable. You will then alternate gliding and trekking all the way to your tree house. (1 to 3 hours depending on your tree house). On the first afternoon the guides will take you on a two-hour hike to become familiar with the cable network. On the second day you can use the cables, relax in your tree house or go for short hikes on your own. Dawn, on day two and day three, is the best time for wildlife encounters. The project received its name because the black gibbons (Nomascus concolor lu) sing on most days and hearing them is an experience unlike many others; however, The Gibbon Experience is not a wildlife park. We are visitors in their territory, which is very extensive, so we cannot guarantee gibbon sightings.  

The Gibbon Experience is truly unique. We take great pride in the fact that, as far as we know, there is nothing else like it in the world, and we love to see our guests experiencing the magic that lasting memories are made of. We look forward to sharing it with you!

 

Day 11: Chiang Khong – Border Crossing

Wake up at your tree house and explore the area in the morning. We then will be transfer back to Houexai and cross the bridge to Chiang Khong where you will cross the immigration to step into Thailand. Service ends here. 

Trip Inclusions

  • 5-night accommodation at 4-star hotel
  • 2-night stay in authentic lodges along Mekong River
  • 1-night stay in a local hotel (standard basis) in Huay Xai
  • 2-night accommodation on the tree house (full-board)
  • Daily breakfast served at the hotel
  • Private transportation including R/t airport transfers throughout
  • Domestic on-tour flights from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
  • English speaking tour guides, other languages on request
  • All entrance and visiting fees per program
  • Other meals that mentioned in the tour
  • Barci Ceremony arrangements
  • All hotel government taxes and service charges

Trip Exclusions

  • Visa arrangements to Laos
  • Intl airfares to/from Luang Prabang
  • Other meals that not mentioned in the tour
  • All medical and travel insurance coverage
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • All tips and gratuities

NOTE: The above price is based on two people travelling together and sharing accommodation in low season. The price is only a guide and can vary according to selected airlines, hotels and date of travel. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we will be very happy to assist you with your arrangements.  Click to email us or use the booking form to customize your own vacation.

The Real Deal with Personal Service.

From 2,900 USD/Person

24/7 Customer Support. Email to book

Inquire about this trip

Hidden
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Is your departure date flexible ?