7 Day Explorer Beauty of Laos

Morning option: At about 05:00, the monks walk barefoot in the streets of Luang Prabang in search of offerings (alms). If you wish to attend this original parade with the locals (only in Laos), you should get up early.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then depart for the first discovery of the Luang Prabang’s cultural and spiritual heritages.

Your city tour begins with a visit of the Wat Xieng Thong temple, which plays an important role in the psychic life of Laotians. Wat Xieng Thong means the "Monastery of the Golden City", one of the higher symbols of Buddhism in Laos. This place is built in a particular architectural style of Laos, with a curved roof that nearly touches the ground. Afterwards, explore the Royal Palace Museum, it is an ideal place to study or learn some history and Royal lifestyle of Laos. The architecture of the building is a mixture of French Beaux –Art style and traditional Laos style, making it not only old, but also contemporary.

Then, begin your afternoon with the Wat May temple which lies on a vast ground and features a style of religious architecture and consists of an ordination hall (sim) and some koutis (the monk’s dwellings). Continue to the Wat Aham temple (Monastery of the Open Heart) which is the shape of a tent standing on a white and rectangular base that seems to be made of marble with a pointed, tiled and gigantic three-tiered roof. Next door is the neighboring Wat Wisunarat temple, one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang, whose architecture is simple, except its metal roofs have more details of decoration. Before returning to your hotel, do some physical exercise by climbing up the top of Phou Si Mount to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the UNESCO city.

Meals on your own. Overnight at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, join the pier located behind the Royal Palace for a cruise on the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Sanctuary Caves, which were formed thousands of years ago and in recent times have attracted Buddhist pilgrims, who have decorated the caves with thousands of Buddhist statues and paraphernalia, over 4000 at last count. On the way, just contemplate the beautiful scenery on two shores of the Mekong River and stop in the villages of Ban Xang Hai, specializing in the distillation of rice wine, and Ban Xang Khong, where the guide will provide you with information about silk and Sa paper production process.

In the afternoon, you take to the road, (about 30km), to discover Kuang Si, the most beautiful waterfalls of Luang Prabang, where the water is turquoise all year round. At the bottom of the falls, a series of natural pools invites you to swim. In addition, you can take a walk in the forest or continue to climb to the top of the falls. On the way back to the city centre, you can observe the daily life in a few ethnic minority villages of Laos like the Hmong village (in Ban Ouay), the Laoloum village (in Ban Ou), and the Khmu village (in Ban Thapene).

Lunch at local restaurant. Dinner on your own. Overnight at your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at the hotel, free time until transfer to Luang Prabang airport for flight to Pakse.

Upon your arrival at Pakse airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your local driver and Lao guide who will take you to the Boloven Plateau - an ideal place to enjoy the freshness of the tropical mountains and to taste one of the best coffees in the world, before immersing yourself in the paradise of magnificent waterfalls.

Start with the visit of Tad Fane, the highest waterfall in the country including two powerful waterfalls that are about 120 meters high. You will then pass by the Tad Yeung waterfall located about 2 km from Tad Fane, it is the most picturesque and has an easily accessible swimming hole at the bottom of a steep stairway.

Meals on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, depart for Champassak to explore the fascinating Pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phou, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Laos. This Khmer temple is at the base of a curiously shaped 1,416 meters mountain and reserves some peculiarities to be discovered, namely: engraved cliff, elephant figure carved out of the natural rock and gatekeepers Dvarapala, etc. Enjoy a magnificent view over the Mekong River from the third platform of the ruins.

The driver will then take you to the Nakasang village where you begin your cruise on a traditional long-tail boat to Don Khone in the 4000 islands area (Si Phan Don). Only 5 km long and 3 km wide, Don Khone is an ideal destination to take a walk or bike ride. On this island there is an abandoned railway and Colonial French Buildings. Once you reach Don Khone, do not hesitate to explore the Li Phi waterfall (also called Somphamit Waterfall), which lies between the 2 islands of Don Xang and Don Khone and thus forms a natural border between Laos and Cambodia. The main road to go there is well preserved and decorated with bamboo groves. Before ending your excursion, cross an old French bridge connecting Don Det, a neighboring island for a pleasant stroll.

Lunch at local restaurant. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Don Khone

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After your breakfast, cruise back to Ban Nakasang village where our driver is waiting to transfer you to Pakse.

Before returning to Pakse, discover the Khone Phapheng waterfalls creating rapids on the Mekong, which are the largest waterfalls in Southeast Asia. Near the falls’ exit, there is a small market, which offers traditional Lao products at reasonable prices.

Upon your arrival in Pakse, enjoy some free time to discover the hidden treasures of the city.

Lunch at local restaurant. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Pakse.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, depending on the flight schedule, you will transfer to the airport with your driver and guide before boarding the aircraft.

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Meals: Breakfast