HIGHLIGHTS OF LAOS – 8 DAYS/ 7 NIGHTS - From: 693$

You will be greeted at Chiang Rai Airport and transferred to your hotel for checking in. The room is available at 2.00pm onward. You’re free for the rest of day to discover the city on your own pace. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel. 

In the morning, departure for Laos, passing through Chiang Khong. Your local guide will be waiting for you after crossing the Mekong River, to board a traditional boat and take a 7-hour cruise towards Pakbeng. Take your time to enjoy the fabulous landscapes and discover the banks of the Mekong. This fabled river travels a great distance crossing China and is a natural border between Laos and the land of Burma and Thailand. Access Northern Laos and Luang Prabang on a busy route with villages bordering sides along the way. Make a stop at one of them (lunch is served on boat), and before sunset you will  arrive at Pakbeng. This town is populated by local hill tribes including Lue, H'Mong and Khamou. Check into your lodge and take a walk to discover the area. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

In the morning, you will cross the Mekong River to visit Mekong Elephant Camp. Once getting there you will have the chance to take part in an elephant bathing show. A 2-hour elephant ride will be included, too, for exciting moments travelling through villages populated by many ethnic groups. Lunch at your lodge

In the afternoon, transfer by a tuk tuk towards the local market and continue to Xang Keng Khmus village, a nice village located on the forest’s border. Wrap up your day in the late afternoon with Wat Chom Si Cheng, a local temple offerring the beautiful view of the Beng River. Enjoy dinner and a good night at the lodge ! 

Today we take a 7-hour cruise towards Luang Prabang passing by amazing landscapes. The Mekong River is at the lowest part of a precipitous sided valley, bordered by tropical forest both sides. Time passes by and a village will be observable. Enjoy lunch on boat, stop en route to visit the holy Pak Ou caves which protects hundreds of Buddha statuettes. From the caves you will have an impressive view of the Mekong. Continue our trip and after a few more hours, reach the ancient royal of Luang Prabang – a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO. Discover the unique cuisine of the city for your own dinner. Night at the hotel.

Rise up early in the morning at around 5.30 to 6.30am, then departure for to Vat Nong temple to observe the Tak Bat ceremony (procession of monks). During the ceremony, locals stand on the sidewalk carrying foods in their arms in order to offer them to the walking-by monks wearing orange robes. You’ll be in awe of culturally momentous scenes as they take place in a peaceful and respectful ambiance and there will be total silence among the monks and locals. You have to make sure to wear suitable clothes (not too revealing) and photos should be taken from a distance to show your respect.

That's just a little bit experience we offer, get yourself more as we go for a local market, very lively in the morning. All your senses will absolutely wake up to feel all those sounds, smells and typical sights. Wandering along, you will have chances to sample and enjoy some local snacks. But remember not to eat too many of them, we don't want you to be full before the breakfast at a local restaurant, designed to offer enough energy for your exciting day. Finish your early morning trip with cups of coffee relaxing by the Mekong.

After that, visit Luang Prabang, situated on the left bank of the Mekong River. Used to be a religious capital, Luang Prabang has more than 100 beautiful temples. Specially, you will discover:

Vat Xieng Thong – contains numerous holy buildings (or Temple of the Royal City – the finest temple in the city)

Vat May – dating back to the end of the 18th century, a capped sanctuary featuring a five sided roof topped by three parasols.

Vat Visoun – the city’s most ancient temple with wooden windows designed under influences of the Vat Phou’s Khmer temple.

Vat Aham – Vat Visoun’s neighbor, set in frame by two large Banyan trees

Vat Senna - the first monastery with yellow and red tiles covering its roof.

At the end of the trip, you will enjoy the magnificient view of sunset on Mount Phousi Mount then discover the H’mong Night Market. Have meals by your self. Overnight at the hotel.

You will visit the Royal Palace – nowaday the National Museum – in early morning before having a 70km journey towards Khuang Sy waterfall via a beautiful road bordered by rice paddies and villages. Stop en route at some of the village and a countryside lunch will be served at the waterfall. Swimming is allowed in the waterfall as long as  weather permits. Transfer back to Luang Prabang for your free balance of day time. Have your own dinner here. Overnight at the hotel. 

This morning we cross to the Mekong’s right side bank for two small temples now deserted to nature. Hop on a motor boat for a few minutes cruising for a discovery of a pottery village. Transfer back to Luang Prabang around noon and  transfer in the afternoon to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. Welcome at the airport and taken to your hotel by our guide. Have first pleasant meals here in the capital city on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Spend the whole day for the capital city of Laos. Particularly, you will visit :

Vat Sisaket – the largest and most beautiful temple in Vientiane which, inspired from the Siamese, presents its own unique architecture.  Its old ‘Bangkok’ style has actually saved it from destruction.

Vat Phra Keo - erected in 1565 to commemorate the Emerald Buddha it holds. It was rebuilt exactly the same in 1942. The Buddha it shelters now stands under sloping, excellent carved wood panels.

Pha That Louang - a cloister guarding a big stupa, luckily saved when the Siamese raided this city. The Ho plunderers demaged it in 1873, but in 1930 it was restored by the French. It is officially the iconic image of the nation, representing both Lao’s sovereignty and Buddhism. This relic is really a masterpiece of Laotian architecture.

Patuxay - a monument built to remind the intense war against France. From its top we can see a panorama of Vientiane.

Talat Kua Din Market – an interesting local market.

Finish your trip as we transfer to Vientiane airport for your onward flight. The room is available before noon only. Meals on your own. Our services end here.