HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI - HUE - HOI AN - HANOI - HA LONG - LUANG PRABANG

With the Grand Tour of Laos including the most important sights and activities the country has to offer, you will experience two unforgettable weeks in this enchanting country. From a luxury Mekong Cruise, to Hmong villages, mysterious archaeological sites, ornate temples and stunning waterfalls, this tour has it all.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY:

Day 1 Chiang Rai
Arrive Chiang Rai and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 Huay Xai - Pakbeng
Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
We transfer early this morning to the border town of Huay Xay. The Luang Say Cruise boat leaves Huay Xay pier at 09:00 for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe rural life along the Mekong river and visit minority ethnic groups. A buffet lunch will be served on board. We arrive in Pakbeng before sunset and check-in at Luang Say Lodge. We can then enjoy dinner on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng.

Day 3 Pakbeng - Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang
Breakfast - Lunch
Breakfast at lodge or chose the option of walking to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding minority villages exchange their goods. At 08:30, We board the boat for the second leg on the cruise. We have a short stop to discover a Hmong village before having a buffet lunch on board. We then continue to Pak-Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River and then visit Pak Ou Caves or the cave of a thousand Buddha's statues. On the way to Luang Prabang a brief stop is made to observe the traditional process of manufacturuing local rice alcohol. We arrive at Luang Prabang before sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4 Luang Prabang - Full day city tour
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning we begin our walking by taking in some of the citie's most beautiful temples. Depending on the rest of our programme, this may include the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style as well as the Wat Mai and Wat Sene, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang. We also stop by at Kinnaly Gallery, where our guide will show us the different ethnic minorities living in Laos. We end the tour with a climb up Mount Phousi, which offers a spectacular panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 5 Luang Prabang - Hmong Experience and Kuang Si Waterfall
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning, we visit the local Phosi Market, the place where all the locals shop. Our guide will show us the diverse offerings on display. We also stop at Ock Pop Tok, a silk weaving centre. Here we will be given a guided tour during which the silk weaving process will be explained. Next, we drive to Ban Thinkeo, a Hmong village and start trekking with the villagers. Our guide will explain the common use of the plants for the Hmong community. We will have the opportunity to visit the garden and collect some vegetables and herbs with the local people. When we arrive at the village, learn to cook some local dishes in a traditional house. Lunch will be the product of your collective efforts. Then, the villagers will show you a demonstration of Hmong Khene and local games. In the afternoon, drive to Kuang Si and relax at this magnificent multi tiered waterfall. We then return by road to Luang Prabang at the end of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Note: During the rainy season, the itinerary may be subject to change depending on the weather conditions; an alternative programme will be offered.

Day 6 Luang Prabang - Xiengkhuang
Breakfast - Lunch
Today, we drive through wonderful natural sceneries to Xiengkhuang. The journey will give us plenty of opportunities for photos and visiting hill tribe villages. Upon arrival, we transfer to visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. Overnight in Xiengkhuang.

Day 7 Xieng Khuang - Plain of Jars and Muang Khoun
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning, before transferring to jar site 2, we have time to visit the interesting Central Market in Phonsavan, and the MAG UXO information centre showing the fantastic work they do in clearing unexploded ordnance in the area., From area 2, we next walk to site 3 via the Pathet Lao camp. We then arrive in Ban Xieng Di village to watch broom making and then walk jar 4. In the afternoon we drive out to Muang Khoun, the former capital of the Phuan Kingdom where we can walk around the remains of the stupas and temples. We then return to the hotel late afternoon.

Day 8 Xieng Khoang - Vang Vieng
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning, we visit Mulberries Silk Farm, a Lao sericulture company specializing in fair trade silk production. We then hit the road again for our journey to Vang Vieng. In the afternoon we arrive in Vang Vieng, a small and tranquil town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. On arrival we check into your hotel.

Day 9 Vang Vieng -Vientiane
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning, we have time for a short walk and a visit to the impressive Tham Jang caves as well as a boat ride on the Nam Song River to admire the impressive limestone karst scenery. In the afternoon we drive south to the Lao capital of Vientiane. En route we stop off at the salt mines of Ban Kheun, for a fascinating tour to see how the salt is produced. We arrive in Vientiane by late afternoon where we have the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10 Vientiane
Breakfast - Lunch
Our half day city tour offers us a chance to explore Vientiane by visiting the major sights of the city including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe. To finish the day off, we can take an optional trip to the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day to day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 11 Vientiane - Pakse - Tadlo
Breakfast - Lunch
This morning, we take a flight to Pakse. When we arrivemPakse, we will be met and taken by road east into the Boloven Plateau. The Boloven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. The area is famous for its coffee plantations and numerous waterfalls, and the most beautiful being Tad Fan waterfall. This is spectacular with twin falls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. In the afternoon we arrive at Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall and numerous ethnic minority groups including the Alak, Nge, and Katu. We overnight at Tad Lo Lodge, uniquely located, right next to the beautiful waterfall itself.

Day 12 Tadlo - Pakse - Wat Phou - Khong Island
Breakfast - Lunch
After an early breakfast, we head out towards Khong Island. On the way, we make a short tour to visit Pha Suam waterfall and to explore the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung. We continue to travel by road via Pakse town crossing the Mekong by ferry to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated temples. Wat Phu is one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001, this wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 5th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. We continue our journey to Don Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight on Khong Island.

Day 13 Khong Island - Khone Island - Don Daeng
Breakfast - Lunch
Today, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a long tail boat tour of the Don Khone area, which takes us on an exploration of the remains of the French period and Liphi Waterfall or “the Corridor of the Devil”. We 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. Afterwards we drive back north, then we take a boat to the delightful island of Don Daeng. Overnight on Don Daeng.

Day 14 Don Daeng - free day
Breakfast
A free day at leisure today, to relax by the pool or hire bicycles to explore the island and its enchanting little villages overnight on Don Daeng

Day 15 Depart Don Daeng
Breakfast
After breakfast, we will be transferred back to Pakse airport for our departure flight.

END TOUR WITH HAPPY MEMORIES

 

 

 

 

What is included:
Meet and greet services at the airport
» 01 Night accommodation in Chiang Rai
» 01 Night accommodation in Pakeng
» 03 Nights accommodation in Luang Prabang
» 02 Nights accommodation in Xieng Khuang
» 02 Nights accommodation in Vientiane
» 01 Night accommodation in Pakse/Tadlo
» 01 Night accommodation in Khong Island
» 02 Nights accommodation in Don Daeng
» 01 Night accommodation in Vang Vieng
All arrival/departure transfers by AC Private Vehicle
» 14 Breakfast, 12 Lunches & 01 Dinner
All the tours and transfers are as per the Itinerary
Entrance fees as stated in the tour program
Boat cruise in Huay Xai, Luang Prabang
Local English or French speaking guide

What is excluded:
» International ticket.
» Domestic ticket Vientiane - Pakse.
» Any meals and drinks other than specified.
» Tip and individual expenses.