Highlights

• Light Boat Festival in World Heritage town Luang Prabang
• ancient Plain of Jars in Phonsavan
• beautiful Karst mountains in Vang Vieng
• City tour in Laos' sleepy capital Vientiane

Daily Itinerary

1. Day | 06.10.25 Luang Prabang - Arrival (-)

After transferring you from the airport to your hotel we'll take you on an introductory tour of Luang Prabang, time permitting, to visit Wat Visunalat, Wat Aham and perhaps walk up Phousi Mountain for a panoramic sunset view of the city and surrounding mountains. We'll finish the day with a trip to the colorful Night Market.

Luang Prabang

UNESCO World Heritage. This beautiful city was the royal seat and capital until the 1975 revolution. Most of the city consists of four intersecting streets on the peninsula between the Nam Khan River and the Mekong.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

2. Day | 07.10.25 LUANG PRABANG - CITY TOUR / PAK OU CAVES (B/L)

Optionally: Wake up early (5.00-5.30am) and you may witness the daily morning ritual of Alms-giving, known as Tak Baat ritual.

After breakfast, we'll enjoy a short, guided tour to see the city's oldest temples of Wat Sene and Wat Xieng Thong, both of which represent the classical temple architecture of Luang Prabang. Then we'll board a cruise up the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, which are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way we'll stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where you can see the locals distilling rice into local Lao Lao wine and whiskey. After returning, we'll take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand-made traditional Saa paper.

This day also marks the end of the 3-month period of Buddhist Lent with Wats all over Luang Prabang bustling to live with religious ceremonies and final preparations for the Festival of Lights.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

3. Day | 08.10.25 KUANG SI WATERFALL (B/L)

After breakfast we'll stroll through the Phousi Market where you see many local products such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and salt among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Kuang Si waterfall where you can visit the Bear Rescue Center, managed by an NGO called FreeTheBears. On the way we make some stops to visit local villages. At the waterfalls you can swim in the pools or stroll along the forest paths. We'll return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon.

In the evening the Light Boat festival takes place with a parade of Nagas down the peninsula until they reach the Mekong at Wat Xieng Thong from where they will float down the river to bring good fortunes and apeace the water spirits.

OPTION: Trekking Tour to Kuang Si waterfall with village visits, jungle hike, cave exploration, natural pool swimming.
Trekking time is approximately 3-4 hours, easy to medium.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

4. Day | 09.10.25 LUANG PRABANG - PHONSAVAN (B/L)

After leaving Luang Prabang, it's about 300km through the impressive highlands to Phonsavan. You will enjoy beautiful views along the way.
Lunch is at Phou Khoun Viewpoint. Then proceed to Phonsavanh with a stop at Muang Sui to visit Tham Pha Cave and Nong Tang Lake.

Tham Pha Cave

The two limestone caves hide many small Buddha figures from the time of the Haw invasion several hundred years earlier. The weak lighting is switched on by the locals for a small donation and this is how they get through the caves, which are connected by small passages and stretch deep into the mountain.

Nong Tang Lake

Nong Tang Lake is a large, natural lake flanked by high limestone cliffs.

Phonsavan

The capital of Xieng Khuang Province, best known to tourists for its “Plain of Jars' '. By 1973 virtually every town and village had been bombed and destroyed as a result of the American "Secret War'' against Laos. For ten years, the region was bombed without regard to borders to destroy the "Ho Chi Minh Trail," the Vietnamese supply line. About two tons of bombs per inhabitant were dropped on the country, most over the Xieng Khuang region, yet the area is of remarkable beauty with the mysterious ancient jars surrounded by many craters scarring the landscape due to dark times in a devastating war.

Overnight in Phonsavan

(300 km / approx 8-9+ hrs. driving.)

5. Day | 10.10.25 THE PLAIN OF JARS (B/L)

Start the day with a visit to the Plains of the Jars (Site 1 & 2), the largest archaeological sites in Laos.

Plain of Jars Site I

Site I is one of the largest areas with over 300 jars and is located 15 km southwest of Phonsavan. It is fenced and adjacent to an army base.

Plain of Jars Site II

Site II or Hai Hin Phu Salato is 20 km southwest of Phonsavan. 93 jugs are distributed there on two neighboring hills. Continue to Muang Khoun, the former royal capital of the province, and visit Wat Phia Wat, That Foun Stupa and That Chomphet Stupa.

Wat Phia Wat

Admire the seated Buddha amid the bombed remains of this 400-year-old temple. Follow a small path off the main road and see the Buddha, which surprisingly survived the war relatively intact.

That Foun Stupa

Built around 1576, at the same time as That Luang Stupa in Vientiane. She stands alone on a hill warped by the ages. Believers say that she carries the ashes of Buddha. A tunnel in the base of the stupa shows visitors the bricks precisely built inside.

That Chomphet Stupa

For more than 500 years, the stupa has overlooked Muang Khoun and the Nam Ngiap valley from its hilltop. Time has left its mark on this ancient monument, yet it stands firmly under a blanket of plants. A diamond once adorned the top of the sacred stupa. It was probably stolen during the Haw invasion of 1872.
Overnight in Phonsavan

6. Day | 11.10.25 PHONSAVAN - VANG VIENG (B/L)

After leaving Phonsavan we drive through the impressive mountainous region of central Laos where we will visit some Hmong villages. The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of Laos, they are also one of the sub-groups of the Miao, an ethnic minority in Laos southern China. The Hmong began a gradual migration south in the 18th century due to political unrest and to find more farmland.

We end our journey in the small town of Vang Vieng, framed by gigantic limestone cliffs in the scenic valley of the Nam Song River.
In the late afternoon, we take you on a boat trip on the Nam Song river to enjoy a relaxed sunset.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

7. Day | 12.10.25 VANG VIENG - DAY TOUR (B/L)

Bicycle Tour & Kayak

Experience the best of Vang Vieng in a single day! This tour combines the area's most popular activities, including kayaking on the Nam Song River, stunning scenery, and exploration of limestone caves.

We start our journey in a Khmu village, situated approximately 8 km north of Vang Vieng. From there, we drive into the mountains to visit the village and learn about the Khmu people, one of Laos' minority tribes.

Our adventure continues as we cross a suspension bridge, pass by rice paddies, and make our way to the mountain and jungle. A moderate climb (no climbing gear needed) takes us to the mountaintop, where breathtaking views await. If we're lucky, we may even spot a large waterfall.

Next, we descend to a stream and hike to a waterfall for a refreshing swim and a picnic lunch. Then, we explore a cave that winds beneath the mountain, exiting through a different path that leads to the river.

After lunch, we kayak down the river, navigating through exciting rapids. Take a break at a riverside bar and enjoy a cool drink. Further downstream, we'll visit Tham None Cave, one of the largest caves in Vang Vieng. This cave served as a refuge for villagers during the Second Indochina War and is now home to a bat colony and the mystical Vang Vieng Stone.
Our kayaking tour continues until we reach Vang Vieng at sunset, marking the end of our unforgettable day.

Activity Duration:
Hiking: Approximately 2 hours
Kayaking: Approximately 2 hours
Swimming: Approximately 2.5 hours
Lunch Included

Overnight in Vang Vieng

8. Day | 13.10.25 VANG VIENG - VIENTIANE - CITY TOUR (B/L)

Today our journey takes us further south and finally we reach Vientiane, the capital of Laos on the banks of the Mekong. Vientiane became the capital in 1563, fearing repeated invasions from Burma. Vientiane was also the seat of the administration during the French colonial period and due to economic growth in recent years, it has also become the most important economic center in the country.

Exploring Vientiane, the capital city, we'll start by visiting the major sights including the oldest monastery, Wat Sisaket - with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues -- and the former royal temple, Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We'll then visit the iconic That Luang Stupa. Along the way we may stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument,Vientiane's own 'Arc de Triomphe.' Later in the afternoon we'll continue our tour on foot if it's not too hot. We can visit Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok or even take the time to relax. Next we'll pass by the major shopping area continuing to a local market Talat Kouadin, where major goods are traded, including fresh food, household, textiles, gold and silver. You may even see ancient souvenirs on display. We'll return to the Mekong Riverside in the late evening. We highly recommend a cold beer Lao while you enjoy the cooling weather at sunset along the river.

Overnight in Vientiane

9. Day | 14.10.25 VIENTIANE - DEPARTURE (B)

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your departure flight.

Services

Included Travel Services

• All sightseeing as described in program above
• Transportation in private AC vehicles
• 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 handling

Not Included Travel Services

• International air tickets to/from Laos
• Visa fee (US $40/pax)
• Travel insurance of any kind
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Tips, drinks, personal expenses and other expenses not described in the program above
• Single room surcharge 214,- US$ (327,- US$ for combination with SLS-5)

Info

Red line 5 day extension Khmer Culture & Southern Laos available

Continue further South to visit the famous Khmer temple complex of Wat Phou dating from before the Angkor period, dicover Laos' coffee plantations and stunning waterfalls on the Bolaven Plateau and explore the 4000 Islands where the Mekong stretches up to 12km wide while forming a host of islands and waterfalls.