Experience the wonders of the mystical ancient capital of Laos. This unique voyage will make you discover the marvelous city of a UNESCO Heritage Site, also the ancient city of Buddhist temples and pagodas surrounded by a beautiful natural environment.

Tour Highlights

• Experiencing the beauty and serenity of Luang Prabang, spiritual centre and former capital of Laos
• Witnessing an ancient Buddhist offering to hundred of orange-robed monks as the sun rises over the mountains beyond Luang Prabang
• Learning how to cook delicious Laotian dishes
• Cruising on the Mekong River in a local slow boat
• Staying in exclusive Kamu Lodge an eco-lodge set in lush tropical wilderness
• Trying your hand at rice planting and traditional fishing in rustic villages
• Visiting the remains of pre-Angkorian Khmer civilization in southern Laos

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Luang Prabang
On arrival in Luang Prabang transfer to hotel. In the afternoon after a brief orientation tour of the spiritual capital of Laos before climbing the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. Stop at the evening hilltribe market. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2 - Luang Prabang
After breakfast, visit beautiful Wat Xieng Thong showing its best face in the morning sun, before heading to the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum and Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs. In the afternoon, continue the exploration of town with stops at Wat That, Wat Visun and Wat Aham. Cross the Mekong for a walk on the opposite riverside and a climb to Wat Chompet for a different view of the city for sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 3 - Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall - Luang Prabang
Very special (optional) dawn visit before breakfast to witness the long lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, enjoy a visit to Kuang Si Waterfall, south west of Luang Prabang with stops en-route to visit some ethnic minority villages. It is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track and if the weather is good swim in the clear water at the foot of the falls. Return to Luang Prabang. Rest of the afternoon free at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 4 - Luang Prabang - Pak Ou - Kamu Lodge 
This morning embark for a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. In Pak Ou, thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. They range in size from a few centimetres to the size of a human. Continue upriver for 1 hour to reach the Kamu Lodge. In a unique setting and with original (and optional) activities like rice planting, gold panning and fishing in the Mekong, this eco-oriented lodge will make you live a very different lao experience. Overnight at the Kamu Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Kamu Lodge - Luang Prabang - Vientiane
After a free morning to relax at the lodge, head back to Luang Prabang by boat. In the afternoon visit a weaving village where traditional Lao textiles are woven and where Sa paper is made. Stop at Wat Pa Phon Pao, a forest retreat before transferring to the airport for the evening flight back to Vientiane. In Vientiane, transfer to your hotel on arrival. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)

Day 6 - Vientiane
Full day dedicated to the visit of the capital city, Vientiane, with Wat Sisaket and its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, Wat Prakeo, Wat Simuang, the That Luang Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe, the Patouxai Monument and the Talat Sao or Morning market. For individual travelers (max 5 pax) a foot reflexology massage is included at the end of the afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)

Day 7 - Vientiane - Pakse
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse. On arrival, short visit of Pakse town followed by a drive to the Tad Lo Falls. After lunch continue to Tad Fane Falls and visit tea and coffee plantations of the Bolaven Plateau. Return to Pakse in the afternoon. Overnight at your hotel. (B,L)

Day 8 - Pakse - Wat Phu - Elephants - Khong Island
After breakfast, transfer by boat or road to Champassak. From here continue to Wat Phou, a pre-angkorian Khmer temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Return to Champasak for lunch, and see former royal mansions and samples of French colonial architecture. AftER lunch continue to Ban Kiet Ngong, a small lao village where you will go for a 90min elephant ride through the forest (2 persons per elephant) and up to Mount Assa. Continue by road to Khong Island, the biggest island in south Laos. Overnight in Khong. (B,L)

Day 9 - Khong Island - Khone Island - Pakse
After breakfast, take a local boat to the peaceful islands of Done Det and Done Khone, sites of the only railway ever built in Laos at the end of the 19th century. After a stroll through the palm-fringed villages and lunch continue to the southernmost part of Laos and the imposing Khone Papheng waterfalls, near the Cambodian border. In the afternoon return to Pakse and stop at the exotic evening market. Overnight in Pakse. (B,L)

Day 10 - Depart Pakse
After breakfast transfer either to the Thai border or to the airport for your onward flight. (B)