8 Days Laos Explorer Tour

First up on today’s journey is the Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple remaining around Vientiane, dating back to 1818. This former favorite meeting place of the aristocracy is now a museum of Siamese Buddhist architectural design, featuring more than 2,000 ceramic and silver Buddha images. Pay a visit to the former place of spiritual worship of the King, Haw Phra Kaew built in the grounds of the royal palace. On the way to the eminent Pha That Luang, a photo stop will be made at Patuxai, the monument regarded as Vientiane's own Arc de Triomphe, commemorating the country’s independence from the French.

In the afternoon, on a visit to the Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), view a collection of hundreds of Buddha statues. Travelling through small, peaceful villages along Mekong River, enjoy the enchanting scenery on the way to the Mekong Friendship Bridge on the border of Laos and Thailand. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

After breakfast today head for Vang Vieng. Along the way, stop at Ban Bor Village to see the production of natural salt. Investigate the construction of the Nam Ngum Dam, the first hydroelectric dam built in Laos, which has formed an artificial lake now scattered with hundreds of small islands. Following lunch, step aboard for a relaxing boat trip on the Nam Ngum Lake (about 1 hour). Lastly, continue driving towards Vang Vieng and check into the hotel there.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Begin the day with an invigorating hike to Ban Phathao, through picturesque rice fields set against a limestone mountain backdrop, to explore three caves - Tam Loup, Tham Hoi and Tham Nam, the latter with a spring water pool at the entrance.

Take to the water in the afternoon, on a 45-minute boat trip on Nam Song River, before returning to Vang Vieng to relax for the rest of the day.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Following a visit to the famous Tham Jang Water Cave to experience the most fun you can have on an inflated tube ride through the caverns, head to Luang Prabang. As you enjoy the scenery during the journey, gain an insight into rural life and a glimpse of the simple lifestyle of the local people. Check into the hotel on arrival.

Get a feel for authentic Laos by attending a Baci Ceremony at a local house (taking around 90 minutes), before exploring traditional food, crafts and souvenirs on sale at the night market.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

An optional early start offers a special opportunity to participate in the daily Morning Alms Giving Ceremony of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from faithful residents. This tradition is very unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

A tour of the Old Town takes in the city’s oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground in classical Laotian architectural style. Learn more about the ethnic culture from perspective of an American by a private tour at TAEC Center. After lunch, on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, enjoy breathtaking views through the tranquil countryside, before exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Here two linked caves are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Take in the rural scenery of farms and villages on a short trip to the Hmong ethnic community of Ban Long Lao Kao. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the people and take in the sights of the village, before hiking to the famous Khuang Si waterfalls, walking through vegetable gardens, rice fields and tropical forests under the shade of hardwood trees, such as rosewood and ebony. Reward awaits your arrival at the falls, where a delicious picnic can be enjoyed in the natural surroundings of the area. Rest awhile, or go swimming in the aqua pools, before heading back to Luang Prabang, on the way calling into the Ock Opo Tok Centre to examine fine Laotian textiles.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

You will be at leisure till our guide and driver transfer you to the airport for your flight to the next destination.

The tour concludes today.

Meals included: Breakfast