Highlights 

• Cycle through Luang Prabang on a fantastic behind-the-scenes tour
• Observe daily Lao Buddhist life in a variety of temples and monasteries
• Learn hands-on about rice cultivation at the “Living Lands” farm
• See the entire city of Luang Prabang during a Mekong sunset view from Phousi Mountain
• Cool off at the refreshing, lovely Kuang Si Waterfall
• Visit the Asian Bear Sanctuary
• Choose from  an elephant experience, trekking, biking, or kayaking
• Ride, paddle, and swim in the Karst landscape of Vang Vieng
• Explore Vientiane
• Tour the 4000 Islands, Tad Lo waterfall, Wat Phu Temple, Khone Island, and Khone Phapheng Waterfalls 

Daily Itinerary

Day 01: 
Luang Prabang Arrival (-)

Welcome to Laos, our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. You'll have the rest of the day free to explore and relax.

Day 02:
Luang Prabang by bike (B/L)

Begin exploring this wonderful town with your guide on a morning bike ride, starting with the local morning market where you can see the locals getting their daily supplies. The tour will continue with visits to the National Museum (closed on Tuesday and Sunday afternoon), Wat Mai, and Wat Xieng Thong. Here, you'll learn about Lao history and the kingdoms which inherited this place in former times. For lunch, our guide will recommend a few great restaurants where you can sample Lao food.

In the afternoon, you'll visit Wat Visoun, which dates back to the 16th century, before heading to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center, where you'll gain a deeper understanding of the ethnic diversity in Laos today. After returning the bikes, we'll ascend Phousi Mountain to marvel at the sunset over town before descending into the colorfully-lit tents of the Night Market to shop for handmade crafts.

Day 03:
Rice is Life Experience and Kuang Si Waterfalls (B/L)

Rice is Life: The seed to harvest experience A Living Lands Organic Farm program

Hosted by the Living Lands community farm, this unique half-day, hands-on activity provides an understanding to the 14 steps of the rice cycle, from selecting the seeds to ploughing (with water buffalo) . . . to cooking and eating.

After lunch we’ll head out to the Kuang Si Waterfall.  We will pass beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages on this 35-minute drive.

We will visit a small village along the way that will provide an opportunity to learn more about the ethnic diversity in Lao PDR. The Hmong live in this region and maintain a culture that is very different from that of their Lao neighbors. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries. At the Kuang Si Waterfall, relax and enjoy the natural surroundings and or take a walk through this protected area. You’ll have time to take a swim in the clear pools of the falls. We will also visit the Bear Rescue Center at the falls and learn about efforts to protect native bears. After your visit, we’ll drive back to your hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 04:
Options: Elephant tour, Trekking, or Kayaking and Resort (B/L)

You'll choose from among great adventure programs. Go on a full day trek (medium or hard), Elephant experience (no riding!), or combine your choice with an afternoon kayaking.
You spend the night at Lao Spirit Resort

Day 05: 
Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng (B/L)

You'll depart from Luang Prabang with a local guide and head south to Vang Vieng on a mountain road. The drive is among the most beautiful in Laos, winding up and down and offering spectacular views, from jungle to low-lying valleys studded with the limestone Karst formations. We'll stop at Phoukhoune, with its lively market and fresh air, and visit local hill-tribe villages along the way, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we continue south to Vang Vieng, with its lively atmosphere and famous landscape. Have your camera ready out for a photo-op at Pathang you won’t want to miss. As we arrive at at Vang Vieng, we'll stop at an organic farm just outside the town centre. Afterwards, we’ll take a small boat on the Nam Song River to Vang Vieng (Note: the boat trip is subject to favourable weather conditions and water levels – if not suitable, the return to Vang Vieng will be by road). You'll spend the night in Vang Vieng near the river.

Day 06: 
Vang Vieng – Vientiane overland tour (B)

We’ll do some sightseeincg in Vang Vieng before our departure, visiting the Tham Chang and Tham Xang Caves. On the way to Vientiane, we'll stop at a huge fish market in Ban Tha Heua; there, you'll see a selection of the abundance of fish indigenous to Laos.

Day 07: 
Vientiane – the sleepy capital of Laos (B)

Today we'll discover the most important highlights in the capital town of Laos, including national monuments and the famous Pha Tat Luang, Ho Pha Keo, Wat Sisaket, Patuasay, the Vientiane Morning Market and other monasteries and sights. You'll spend the night in Vientiane.

Day 08: 
Vientiane – Pakse / Bolaven Plateau (B)

We'll take you to the airport for the flight from Vientiane to Pakse. When you land, we'll set off by vehicle for an overnight stop at the Tad Lo Lodge near the waterfalls.

Day 09:
Bolaven Plateau - Champasak - Khong Island (B)

In the morning we'll head out to visit some ethnic minoritie villages and sights around Tad Lo before continuing to Khong Island via Wat Phou Temple. You'll spend the night on Khong Island.

Day 10:
4000 Islands – Old railway and roaring waterfalls (B/L)

We'll take a boat on the wide Mekong from Khong Island to Khone Island, where you'll about ancient Khmer and more recent French colonial history, visiting both Ban Khone village and the remote Khmer temple Wat Khon Tai. We'll see the majestic Li Phi, as well, and observe some of the rural life along the way. You'll stay on Khone Island overnight.

Day 11: 
Khone Island – Khone Phapeng - Pakse (B)

After a pleasure trip to the massive Khone Phapheng Waterfalls -- the biggest falls in south-east-Asia -- we'll travel by vehicle back north to Pakse, for the last night in Laos.
Overnight in Pakse

Day 12: 
Pakse and departure from Laos (B)

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for departure ( alt. to the Thai border / extra cost)

Services

Included Travel Services

• All sightseeing as described in program above
• Transportation in private vehicles & boats
• Accommodation in hotels (twin shared)
• English speaking guide
• Admission fees to sights described above
• Meals: B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner
• Lao PDR governmental tax and service charge
• Luggage handing

Not Included Travel Services 

• International air tickets to/from Lao PDR
• Visa fee  (approximately US$ 40 / pax)
• Travel insurance of any kind
• Meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Tips, drinks, personal expenses and other expenses not described in the program above
• Single room surcharge on request 

Our statement on elephants in tourism.