Laos Tour 20 days: Exploration of Nature

Upon completing the border formality and stamp on our passport , we will leave for Muang Khua, the small town located quietly by the side of the peaceful Nam Ou river. On arrival in the town, we will embark on a long-tail boat downstream the Nam Ou River discovering one of the most authentic region of the country.

The picnic lunch will be provided at the sandy beach along the river bank.

We will reach the Khmu village of Ban Sopchem mid-afternoon; you have much time to make a stroll around the village to get familiar with the local villagers before joining the Baci Ceremony. This rite is performed mainly for family and friends who are going or coming back from a long trip. This is their way of saying thank you to you for your visit. Your guides will portability explain more about the ceremony.

The dinner will be provided after that for you to share with the host family, the best chance to get the first impression of Lao culture

Stay overnight at Ban Sop Chem.
 

After a simple breakfast, we will explore the village. The village children sometimes get the opportunity to interact and play with travelers.

We then board the cruise downstream to Muang Ngoi village located at the middle of nowhere. Here, we will have a short trek to the local village of Ban Na, and the caves of Tham Kaang, which is said to have the supernatural powers.

The lunch will be provided at the local restaurant in Muang Ngoi.
In the afternoon, we continue board to Ban Sopvan where the Tai Lue people live there. The village situated right next to the river, opposite the village on the river bank is a farm which is home to many different types of animal including Pigs, Chickens, Ducks, and Buffalo. We are pleased to pay them a short visit so it is worthwhile bringing some food along if you would like to feed them and surely very appreciated by both the animals and the local people.

It take us around 30 minutes to cruise downstream to Nong Khiaw. We reach  Nong Khiaw by around 5:00pm just in time before darkness descends.
 

Begin this day of adventure with a gentle boat ride on the  peaceful Nam Ou River where you will get an opportunity to discover a small Lao village along the riverside. Study about the villagers and their way of life along this Northern Laos River before starting the ‘100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail’!

Passing through small streams and rice paddies, you will reach the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls which were only first discovered  in October 2008! For the next couple of hours we will see only water and jungle and hear the constant sound of clear waterfall cascades. The pools around us are very attractive for a refreshing splash.

Our guide will take us pass through the cascades and prepare a Laos local style lunch that you can enjoy on the falls surrounded by impressively  green nature.

A small village road on the top of the ‘100 Waterfalls’ will take  us on our hike back down into the valley, offering wide views over the expansive Nam Ou valley.

Return to the village, we will have some more time to experience the daily life of the Nam Ou riverside village before leaving for Nong Khiaw (Nong Khiau) by boat.
 

Today we will return back to Luang Prabang. After around 20-minute drive, we will turn a right  at Ban Bom onto the dirt road to Ban Na Yang (far from 12km from the main road)  we will find out the Thai Lue minority village which is the very amazingly unique village with the traditional house and hand-weaving technique.

From there , we will continue to transfer directly to Ban Pak Ou, where lunch will be served at the riverside restaurant overlooking the gentle Nam Ou River, and Mekong River.

The afternoon trip we will visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves contains  thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. We then embark on the boat downstream the Mekong River to the heritage city of Luang Prabang. On the way, we get an opportunity to visit some more village at Ban Muangkeo, which is famous for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling.

We arrive in Luang Prabang just in time to enjoy the sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang
 

In the early morning, you  will be picked up you at your hotel in Luang Prabang by our guide and driver and transferred by a private car. We begin our day having a closer sight at  a long line of monks collecting alms’s ceremony "the Take Bat", or the Buddhist monks' morning collection of food in Luang Prabang.

You can also join in by giving food into the bowls carried by the monks. This daily morning ceremony is both peaceful and spiritual and gives you a good opportunity to experience an ancient Lao tradition.

Afterwards you can free to make a choice of going back to your hotel for breakfast or going straight to the morning market. In the morning markets, local villagers do their shopping and visiting the morning market will bring us discovery the real flavor of the local culture. The morning market in Luang Prabang near the Royal Palace begins early and is finished by mid-morning and is lset up along some side streets. Normally butchers and some popular stalls among tourists have tables for their wares but most of the vendors just set up their products on the floor - rice, fresh vegetables, steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch. Local vendors think this form would be  cheap, simple, and effective.

After finish visiting the morning market, we’ll make a  stop at the former Royal Palace that is also known as Haw Kham (Closed on Tuesday). It is worth to spend your a couple of hours in learning about Lao traditional history and culture in the museum. 

Move on  visiting Wat Xien Thong, one of the most important temples in Laos as well as the most well -known and magnificent temple in the old town built in the 16th century. We will also explore Wat Visoun, the Melon Stupa and Wat Aham.

After lunch, our guide will take us to  reach one of the most beautiful Kuang Si Falls situated 30 kilometers of Southern Luang Prabang. The Kuang Si Waterfall consists of a tiered many of turquoise pools put amongst the dense Laotian jungle where we will have plenty of time to refreshing swim in the pools and hike around the falls.

You can also have a closer look at  Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.

Before returning to Luang Prabang, we will visit  Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park, one of the must-visit spots, a project that was newly opened on January 2014 studying about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation.

Be welcomed and met  by our guide this morning around 8:30 am, for the short road transfer to the boat pier which departs Ban Wat That at 9:00). Experience a 15-minute leisurely boat trip down the Mekong River, as well as views of charming Luang Prabang town from a unique perspective.

Upon arrival, a professional reception at Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden will give us a short introduction about the gardens. Then pass through the Ginger Garden and the Ethno-botanic Garden, which is the middle of the garden. Follow the path through the Limestone Walk and take in the amazing mountainous Mekong landscape. Study how to make a bamboo stick animal at the site of the hunting lodge of the former royal family.

Then going on our tour of the gardens, passing through the Arboretum, Palm Garden and Bamboo Garden to a viewpoint which overlooks rice fields. Make a stop by the Mist House to learn more about the necessary of biodiversity conservation. End of your excursion with an optional orchid talk at Pha Tad Ke Nursery.

All of the gardens have introductory panels and labels, for the most detailed information. Enjoy a delicious Lao set lunch at the Pha Tad Ke café, before returning by boat, then vehicle to your hotel in Luang Prabang.

Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

Get up in the early morning, we can make a stroll around the village to see the local people preparing for their daily work. The village of Ban Chan is well-known for its pottery making, we can buy some nice souvenirs to support the local business development (at your own account).

Back to hotel for breakfast, then we begin driving over the mountains to Xieng Khuang  which is famous for having been terribly  bombed during Indochina War, more ever , it is  well-known for the historic Plain of Jars. After the 8 hour - journey we can make some stops at villages to observe the rural life of local ethnic minorities such as the Hmong people.

We make a first stop  is at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view before reaching  Ban Phoudam, where we can find out  the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony. We then have chance to experience the H’Mong market at the junction of Phoukhoun. From there, we will drive further to visit Tham Pra, which used to be the hospital for the army during Indochina Wars.
 
Arrival in Phonsavanh, the capital of Xiengkhouang province and check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in town!
 

Today, our trip today insists of 3 sites and also discover some local villages where you can have chance to experience local village life.
Site 1, close to the town is located at Thong Hai Hin and is the largest site.
Site 2 is at Hai Hin on Phou Salator, “Phou” in Lao means “Mountain”.
End your tour at site 3 in Hai Hin Lat Khai. Site 3 is the most magnificent with over 150 jars. Nearby this site, you will have a stop at where there is a little monastery with Buddha images. En route, you will pass through areas that were necessary battlefields during the American secret war. You can still have a closer look at  bomb craters from that time today.
 
In the afternoon, we get an opportunity to enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun. Muang Khoun one place in the old provincial capital that was not been damaged by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.
 

Wake up early, we make our way to  the Central Market of Phonsavanh to see the different hill tribe people barter and exchange goods. We say goodbye to Xieng Khuang for our scenic drive to Vang Vieng, a small nice town, which is located on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its amazing scenery with its limestone outcrops remains undamaged, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism.

We will make first stop at Tham Pra, which used to be the hospital for the army during Indochina Wars. We then head to the T-junction at Phoukhoun to experience the colorful market of ethnic minorities . The panoramic view at the peak of Phou Phiengpha is what we never want to miss today before continuing further to the Khmu village of Ban Phouhin Lekphay. Our  last stop will be Phatang Mountain view point to enjoy the magnificent scenery before reaching Vang Vieng.

Overnight in Vang Vieng
 

In the morning, we will first stroll around the town to visit the local market to catch a glimpse of everyday life in a typical Lao rural area.

There are home to there are  numerous caves and caverns in the limestone cliffs and valleys surrounding the resort complex of Vang Vieng The and one of the most well known of these caves is Tham Jang, which was shelter for the local people against from from Chinese invaders 200 years ago. We visit the unique caves this morning before make a stroll to the Tai Deang and the Souay hill tribe villages. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly; welcoming you with waving hands and smilling faces.

Afternoon we continue our trip to  the capital, Vientiane. Arrival Vientiane, check in hotel.

The rest of the day is free for your own exploration of the town and relaxation.
Over night at the hotel in Vientiane.
 

In the morning, we will pick up you  at your hotel in Vientiane to start our private tour by the first stop Wat Si Saket, the only temple left undamaged by  the Siamese invaders in 1828. It is considered as one of the most magnificent temples in the city, and its breezy teak-covered hallways with thousands of miniature sculptures of Buddha statues.

The second stop we make would be a religious museum of Wat Ho Phra Ke which expresses a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Then we visit the Presidential Palace and have a look at the building from outside ( we are not allowed to go inside). Catch a sight into the town’s colonial past as this building formerly served as the French governor’s palace.

Dicover Wat Si Muang, one of the most popular and respected temples in Vientiane. Then continue out trip with the Patuxai monument (Victory Gate), Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof for sweeping panoramic views of the city.

Then we move on That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun shines upon its towering golden spire.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and then reach the Buddha Park  after 45 - minute by road transfer. On the way, we  make a brief stop and take photos of the Friendship Bridge, built by the Australian government in 1994, which connect Laos and Thailand. On arrival, we go around the Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) with more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures built in 1958 by a Laos shaman. The concrete sculptures are unique and intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park.

We return to Vientiane and make our stop at the Lao Disabled Women's Development Centre, which intends to help disabled women to raise theire knowledge and skills  so that they can become self-sufficient and productive people of the community. The center mainly focuses its efforts on helping people with disabilities gain independence and self confidence.

A visit to the center brings you  the opportunity to talk to these women and to observe their skill at creating handicrafts such as hand-made paper. End your full-day tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Walk along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls, if you like, before retunr to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Vientinane
 

After breakfast, you will be met and picked up by your driver and guide at your hotel , to start the journey heading south along route 13. After around 3-hour driving, we make a quick stop at Wat Prabath Phonsane which is considered as a the temple of the footprint of Buddha.

You will then get out of the highway and get into the Phou Hin Poun NPA (National Protected Area). The scenery will become much more magnificent, featuring limestone karsts, forests and rice paddies. It takes us 2 hours to reach your destination.

Upon arrival at the small town of Ban Kong Lor, time free at your leisure to enjoy the views .You might would like to make a stroll at the surrounding villages. You guide will be pleased to accompany you.

We highly recommend a standard local restaurant named Kounmee, which is a 2 minute walk from Chantha House (dinner not included).
Overnight in Ban Kong Lor.

Wake up early, we spend our time to walk at around 06:30 to experience the villages in the morning as  local people get up  and prepare for the day.

Back to hotel for  breakfast, we start driving around 5-10 minutes towards the Kong Lor Caves. Life jackets and head torches will be provided before walking shortly around to the main entrance of the cave. Upon reaching the cave, you will take a long tail boat which will lead you through the length of this impressive cave along an underground section of the Hin Boun River – a length of 7.5km before you find out daylight again!

The river flows all the time and indicates vast formations of stalactites and stalagmites, which you will discover partly on foot whilst inside the cave with width of 90m wide and the height of 100m. Villagers still used this cave as an access route to the region beyond (it is far quicker than climbing over the mountains which this cave cuts through!).

Once get out pf the other side you might make a short stop for refreshments and walk to local villages, admiring the scenery and observing a simple way of life (talk with your guide how far you would like to walk).

Return by boat, board ‘downstream’ through the cave, to Ban Kong Lor. Have  lunch on your own account before traveling south.

The drive to Thakhek will take approximately 4 hours so you will hopefully arrive in time for a stroll along the Mekong at sunset. Thakhek is a very sleepy town with some very attractive colonial buildings. Enjoy a relaxing evening.
Overnight in Thakhek.

After a light breakfast, your guide will pick up you around 09:30 to head your journey to the Southern. It takes us  takes approximately 1.5 hours Savannakhet. Before getting into Savannakhet you will have a short stop at the impressive 16th Century temple of That Ing Hang.

An magnificent central stupa dominates a courtyard which is flanked by statues of Lord Buddha, in a style the same with Wat Sisaket in Vientiane. That Ing Hang is among the most respected temples in Laos and many Buddhists will come here during December for the annual ‘Boun Phathat’ ceremony.

Heading to Savannakhet city which is most well - known as the birthplace of the father of the Lao People’s Democratic Repulic (Lao PDR), Kaysone Phomvihane, who was gave birth here in 1920. We have a short tour of the architectural highlights insisting of various French villas and the striking St. Teresa Catholic Church.

We could not miss the small but very amazing Dinosaur Museum. Dinosaur remains are being found nearby which are between 150,000,000 – 250,000,000 years old. You can talk with the resident paleontologists about their work and the proceeds from your visit help to keep this project going.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant it will be time to hit the road again for heading to Pakse approximately 3.5 hours. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

On the the junction of two rivers : the Mekong and the Sedone River, Pakse is the most important town in southern Laos. Pakse is the home a very important Vietnamese community, so if you visit this town during the Têt (Vietnamese New Year), do not be surprised if many shops are closed. This small city has a combination of Chinese and French architecture and some lively markets.
Overnight in Pakse

After breakfast, We have a short walki around city tour of Pakse will help you find out some nice remnants of the French period before spend around 1 hour in transferring by road to Wat Phou.

Wat Phou is a beautifully dramatic pre-Angkorian temple being considered as World Heritage Site by UNESCO that located amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos.The temple was built in three levels: the bottom level is mainly concentrated on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features quadrangular pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary itself.

The temple was constructed by the rulers of the Khmer empire before the construction of Angkor Wat. The temple was the most important economic and political centre of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most respected temples.

After your visit, we continue in to Champassak to see samples of French colonial architecture before driving to Ban Khiet Ngong, set inside the Xe Pian NPA, where we will spend the night at King Fisher Eco-lodge.

Overnight at King Fisher Eco-Lodge
 

We will pass through the little village of Ban Khiet Ngong where we'll get an opportunity to take an elephant ride to Mount Asa. We’ll enjoy our lunch at a simple local restaurant. Ban Kiet Ngong is the beginning point for your 90 minute elephant ride through the forest (2 people per elephant) and up to Mount Asa. This kind of tour is part of a community-based tourism project developed to support the local villagers and provide conservation awareness.

En route, We’ll catch a amazing sight of the Xe Pian National Park which is situated between Champasak and Attapeu provinces. Stretching along the Mekong with many wetlands and unspoiled forest areas, this park offers a huge biodiversity with 29 recorded ecosystems. Birds species such as egrets, sarus crane and hornbill can occasionally be spotted and other inhabitants include wild elephant and gibbon.

Afterwards, we drive south to visit Khone Phapheng, which is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia; this is an impressive spot 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.

We then drive back to Ban Nakasang, and take the boat venturing the 4000-island area. We will stop at Khone island, where we spend the night.

Overnight at the hotel at Khone Island.

After a leisurely breakfast, we will get an opportunity to experience the local peaceful villages of Ban Khone, where you will find out a rang of historical object 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.

We continue to explore the 4000 islands area by tuktuk and visit the breathtaking Liphi waterfall, also named the “Corridor of the Devil” one of the most beautiful waterfalls between Lao border and Cambodia. If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone.

Afterwards, we will board the boat upstream the Mekong river to Khong island, before driving further back to Pakse.

From Pakse, we continue to drive east onto the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is famous for its cooler temperature becaused of being situated high above the Mekong Valley. We make a short stop at a tea plantation, followed by a brief visit to amazing Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall. Last stop is at a coffee plantation before arriving at your destination for the evening. Overnight at Sinouk Coffee Resort

After breakfast, Our  Jeep tour specialist will welcom and met you at Chai Coffee, and discuss  with him a bit there when enjoying a cup of coffee.

After that, we will take our own Jeep to reach Tad Moun Waterfalls within 30 minutes where we can enjoy the fresh cool water, and visit the vegetable farm not far away.

We then continue our tour day trip to drive to the Coffee Farm of Mr. Khamsone via the 10KM bumpy and muddy road, which will take us near 01 hour with your special Jeep car.

Upon arrival, the Coffee farm’s owner will spend 1 hour to give us useful introduction about about coffee Roasting step and finishing by enjoying a coffee cupping with the different kind of coffee (Robusta, Arabica and Typica).

A picnic lunch will be served on the farm at around 1:30PM before walking to the refugee cave not far away, which is used as the shelter place by the local villagers during the war time.

After that, we will walk along the farm to see the volcano mountain named Phou Sanark where we can discover the view over the farm and the nearby villages during the sunset.

We can get an opportunity of preparing and cooking diiner with the wife of Mr. Khamsone.

Overnight at the tent camp at the coffee farm.
 

09:00 am: After light breakfast we drive head to Laven village name’s B Setkhord  by JEEP for 14km or 1hr. In this village there are nearly 500 families living up to 100 years old. That is reason why  during the France Indochina, these plateau call Laven plateau - the hometown of Laven people living. Upon arrival, we might stroll around, and our guide can tell you more stories about this village.

We then drive to Tad Say Waterfall where a picnic lunch will be provided.

After lunch, we continue our trip to head to a Suay Village named B Darsia, where you can find out many traditional house. 30% of the house here is still the traditionally built long house, and rest of them is the traditional house. The house is the place, where many generations will live together. The family use the house for all daily activities such as cooking, eating, and sleeping.

We will arrive back to our hotel in Paksong late afternoon. Free for the rest of the day. Overnight in Paksong

You are free until being picked up and transferred to Lalay border, which is newly opened which is crossing one of the most authentic region of Laos, not many travelers have passed this region. On the way, we will havea short stop to visit the colorful market of Thateng. Our next destination is the town of Salavanh to have a drink before continuing further to Ban Taoy, and Ban Achungkhung.

We reach the border about noon. Our guide will help you with the border formality to check-out of Laos before saying goodbye.