9 Days Heart of Laos Tour

9 days8 nights
Tour Type
Private
This tour can be taken as a private tour following our set tour itinerary. Select your own travel dates to suit your personal group of family or friends.
Custom
You can customize any of our small group or private tour itineraries. You can do that by completing a booking for a specific tour and letting us know what else you want included in your China tour to custom design it.
Destinations
Luang Prabang
Vientiane
Pakse
Khong Island
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9 Days Heart of Laos Tour

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  • Tour Name
    9 Days Heart of Laos Tour
  • Tour Type
    Small Group
  • Travel Date
    2025-08-08
  • Accommodation
    Luxury
  • Adults
    5
  • Children aged 2 to 11 years
    5
  • Infants aged 0 to 23 months
    5
  • Rooms
    5
  • Extra beds
    5

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  • Highlights
  • Itinerary
  • Accommodation
  • Inclusions/Exclusions
  • Important Info

Highlights

Luang Prabang
Vientiane
Pakse
Khong Island

Discover the history, natural wonders, ancient treasures and cultural diversity of mystical Laos, as you capture the spirit of recovery in this wonderful destination.

Maximize your enjoyment on this customized 9-day guided journey exploring the natural beauty of Laos and the best of its historical, religious and development sites. From Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Pakse and Khong Island you can savor the temples, waterfalls and engagement with ethnic minorities in their homes, villages and markets. All the time your needs are assured: 8 nights’ hotel accommodation, all transport and transfers, breakfasts and lunches, freeing you to make the most of this marvelous adventure with driver transport, airport transfers, and much more.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Luang Prabang

Our guide will welcome you at the airport outside the baggage-claim area and then take you to the pre-booked hotel. Begin to 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: None

Day 2 - Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang

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

Day 3 - Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Falls - Luang Prabang

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

Day 4 - Luang Prabang - Vientiane

First stop after breakfast is a visit to the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. On display are marvelous collections of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign.

You will then be driven to the airport to catch the flight heading for Vientiane. Upon arrival, the local guide there will pick you up and take you to the hotel, leaving the rest of the day free to enjoy at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 5 - Vientiane

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

Day 6 - Vientiane - Pakse

Take a morning flight to the city of Pakse, where, upon arrival, set out for Salavanh province via Thateng. On the way, a stopover will be made to observe the locals making tea and coffee. Enjoy a cup yourself as you experience the culture and local way of life.

Resume the journey heading to the Bolaven Plateau, a picturesque area rising over 1,000 meters above sea level. Here you will find Tad Lo Waterfalls, where you can indulge your preferences for photographing the cascades, swimming in the pools, or riding an elephant. At the end of the day, return to Pakse.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 7- Pakse - Khong Island

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the pre-Angkorian ruins of Vat Phou, one of the most prestigious temples from the Khmer Empire of the 11th to 13th centuries, a relic site said to parallel Angkor Wat. Next stop of the day will be the 4,000 islands region, called Si Phan Don in Laos, consisting of countless islands and islets. Destination today is Khong Island, the largest, inhabited by a few villages. Enjoy a relaxing walk along the beach.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 8 - Khong Island - Pakse

Explore the islands of the region further after breakfast, first driving to Ban Nakasang pier to board a boat to visit the surrounding islands of Don Det and Don Som for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the fishermen. Continue to Don Khone Island and hike along the ancient railway built by the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids when transporting goods from Cambodia.

Where there is water, there are often waterfalls, especially in this elevated region, so continue hiking through the forest to experience the speed and volume of the Tad Somphamit (Liphi waterfalls). Continuing by car, arrive and wonder at the extraordinary scale of the Khone Phapheng waterfalls, the largest cascade along the Mekong River. Caused by a fault line, the cascade is 6 km wide at this point, where the tremendous force of the water has cut dramatic gorges through the brittle bedrock. Return to Pakse, on the way stopping at Phou Salao to enjoy the stunning view over Pakse.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 9 - Depart from Pakse

Following breakfast at the hotel, your guide will pick you up for transfer to the airport for your return flight.

The tour concludes here.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Luang Prabang
Vientiane
Pakse
Khong Island

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions:

  • Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
  • Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified
  • Meals: as specified in the itinerary
  • Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide
  • Transportation: Economy class flights between Luang Prabang/Vientiane/Pakse
  • Long tail boat at Khong Island
  • Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified
  • Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour
  • Government taxes and fees.

Exclusions

  • International flights to Luang Prabang and from Pakse
  • Visa fees
  • Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature
  • Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances

Important Information

Important information – PRIVATE TOUR

  • This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. No other travelers will join you. It's always available for your schedule!
  • Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • Prices Based on Twin Occupancy
  • The prices shown above are not valid during Official Holidays (such as Christmas Holiday, New Year's Holiday, National Holiday or other festival occasions in each country etc.)
  • The tour guide may adjust the itinerarydue to closure of the museums each Monday.
  • Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Private tour.
  • Entering and exiting Laos from Bangkok, Hanoi and Siem Reap are also available.
  • Optional tours to Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and other destinations are also available.
  • Stays at entering and exiting cities (Luang Prabang and Don Khong) can be extended.

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Testimonials


Genoveva G
Genoveva G
Reviewed on June 24, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great tour with Linda in Beijing

June 2025 • Friends

This is our second tour with China tours, and it was fantastic. Linda was our guide in Beijing. She was great! She was very knowledgeable about history and culture and a very kind person. Our group was a mix of young and old, and she made our days in Beijing interesting for everyone. We highly recommend Linda and China tours!
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Tofta2010
Tofta2010
Reviewed on June 23, 2025
Tripadvisor score Very interesting and inspiring days!

June 2025 • Friends

Linda did an excellent job to explain and teaching us all about Chinese history and give us a good insight to all the places she showed us. We were a diverse group and even got our three children interred along the way. Thanks Linda!
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Gavin M
Gavin M
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score 100% fabulous experience

June 2025 • Family

The trip with China Tours was 100% fabulous. Everything about it was exactly as described. The tour guides were all wonderful, the hotels, and transfers (two bullet trains, two domestic flights) were amazing, everything went exactly as planned, and we had a great first trip to China. We did the 13 Days China Wonders & Pandas tour in June 2025. The balance was perfect between sightseeing with the guides and having free time to explore this amazing country at each destination. The high quality of the five guides along the way really made the trip. They were wonderful people without exception: professional, courteous, very knowledgeable, and friendly. The team at China Tours did truly great work in arranging everything, down to the last detail. Thank you very much for making this trip a really great experience!
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Susan B
Susan B
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score The only way to visit China!

June 2025 • Couples

This is a fantastic tour. The tour guides are amazing- so knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The experience of visiting the historic sites has been made far richer than it would’ve been on our own. We have left China with a greater understanding of Chinese history, culture and its people.
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Galia P
Galia P
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score Absolutely fantastic guide

June 2025 • Family

Nancy was absolutely amazing. Knowledgeable, professional, kind and always on time. We had amazing 3 days with her. Recommend!!
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Michael W
Michael W
Reviewed on June 6, 2025
Tripadvisor score A Magical Experience

May 2025 • Couples

From the moment we were met at Beijing airport , until our last day in Shanghai , the service and attention to detail by the guides and drivers, was second to none! We opted for the ten day tour, to take advantage of the Chinese government 240 hour visa free TRANSIT permit , which was easily granted on arrival! ( arrival STARTS at midnight after you arrive! ) The vehicles and hotels were of the absolute best quality , and the whole trip was a joy! As every attraction has to be booked in advance , I certainly would not contemplate trying to organise such a trip independently ; and don`t even attempt to DRIVE in China!! At each stop , the knowledgeable guides would organise everything , and then ten minutes before departure ,would telephone the drivers , who would be waiting for us. Every attraction was well ordered and a real pleasure to visit. The standards of comfort EVERYWHERE were excellent! Thoroughly recommend!
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alizasopharr
alizasopharr
Reviewed on May 27, 2025
Tripadvisor score Amazing trip, extraordinary people !

May 2025 • Friends

Linda (Sun) was an incredibly sweet and attentive guide, she helped make an already amazing trip extraordinary by going above and beyond to help us be as comfortable as possible. I would recommend her and China Tours to anyone hoping to visit, truly an unforgettable experience!
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Adventurer508882
Adventurer508882
Reviewed on May 26, 2025
Tripadvisor score Xi’an more than only the Terracotta Army

May 2025 • Couples

It was a dream come true. Excellent guide, Felix and very good driver with a spacious and clean car. A wonderful experience and a lovely hotel.
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