About this Tour
Our Explore Laos Tour Showcases the very best of Laotian life that surrounds the country’s two main cities Vientiane and Luang Prabang. On this journey to explore Laos, you will come face to face with traditional life and Lao culture, getting a little active along the way too. This tour has been put together for the more adventurous as it really gives you the opportunity to dive into the Laos way of life.
Starting in Laos’s capital you will enjoy a city tour taking in all the sights as well as exploring the city’s surroundings, such as a day trip to Tad Xay Waterfall and a trek in the beautiful forest, where you will see stunning wild orchids. From here you journey to Vang Vieng, where you are greeted by picturesque limestone mountains. Here you go on a mountain bike adventure to explore the local countryside and the Tham Phoukham Cave.
Continuing your journey you arrive in Luang Prabang, a picture-perfect city with so much to unearth, such as the nearby Pak Ou Caves and the fabulous day elephant trekking, which is incredibly good fun. The highlight for most is the time spent the traditional Lao way at Kamu Lodge, up the river from town. Here you have the opportunity to completely immerse yourself into the culture by panning for gold, fishing or planting rice, as well as sampling some wonderful food and hospitality.
On your journey you constantly stop along the way at traditional villages that specialize in producing different products, so that you get a real insight into how the country’s heartbeats. This tour is a must for anyone really wanting to scratch below the surface and dive into a Laos adventure.
Highlights
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Vientiane City Tour
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The Quirky Buddhist Park
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Tad Xay Waterfall
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Caving in Vang Vieng
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Bike riding in Vang Vieng
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Morning Monk Alms Ritual
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Lunag Prabang City Tour
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Kamu Lodge (Traditional Experiences)
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Birds Eye City view from the top of Mount Phousi
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Pak Ou Caves
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Elephant Sanctuary visit
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Free The Bears Sanctuary visit
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Kuaung Si Waterfalls
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day
1
Vientiane
Arrival
After enjoying a scenic flight you will arrive at Vientiane airport. On arrival, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Where you have the afternoon to relax and settle into your new surroundings.
Overnight in Vientiane (Meals: _/_/_)
Day
2
Vientiane
Full Day City Tour
An early start enables you to visit the fascinating local market of Thongkhankham before continuing to explore this fascinating city. You will see the oldest Wat in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket, the Patuxai Monument, which resembles the Arc de Triomphe. The cherry of the tour is Laos’ National icon and most important religious building, the golden stupa of That Luang. In the afternoon you will visit the COPE Exhibition Centre and the quirky yet impressive Buddha Park.
Overnight in Vientiane (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
3
Vientiane
Phou Khao Khouay & Tad Xay
Today you travel out to Ban Hatkhai via a stop at Prabaht Phonsan. You also pause at Ban Huay Leuk and visit the school there, before continuing to Ban Hatkai, where you take a local boat to the beautiful Tad Xay Waterfall. From here you will enjoy a 2-hour walk through the enchanting forest before returning back to Vientiane.
Overnight in Vientiane (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
4
Vang Vieng
Vientiane to Vang Vieng | Drive: 3.5 hours
This morning you travel by the picturesque back roads to Vang Vieng. En route, you stop at Ban Keun famous for its salt mine, and Tha Heua, a small village that specializes in dried fish. You then reach Vang Vieng by the mid-afternoon, where you have time to visit the Tham Jang Cave that offers stunning views over the Nam Song River.
Overnight in Vang Vieng (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
5
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng Tour
Today you will take a bicycle and peddle out to Tham Phoukham Cave crossing over a small bamboo bridge as you go. You will pass through three local villages before arriving at the beautiful limestone caves surrounded by natural forests. You then have time to explore the cave and take a swim in the cool waters before returning to town.
Overnight in Vang Vieng (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
6
Luang Prabang
Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang | Drive: 4 hours
Leaving Vang Vieng behind your journey to Luang Prabang, stopping at Phatang Mountain to admire the beautiful scenery. You also pause at Koe Kuang, a local forest market, which offers edible snakes, rats and assorted reptiles, if you dare- try! You then travel on through the villages of Ban Hin Ngon, Phou Khoun and Ban Kiu Kam Pone before arriving in Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
7
Luang Prabang
Full Day City Tour
Rise early to witness the moving morning alms monk procession, after which your city tour will start with a visit to the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history. You then visit the country’s most historic and enchanting temple of Wat Xiengthong and Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Watermelon Stupa’ due to its shape. In the afternoon you visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre, the textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, and, of course, Mount Phousi for some amazing views.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
8
Luang Prabang
Laos Elephant Experience
Today you can enjoy a unique elephant experience amidst beautiful surroundings and a secret waterfall. You will also explore the camp and learn about the elephants before going off on a half-day trip through stunning jungle paths. Then cool off at a nearby waterfall before the return boat journey back to camp with a Laotian lunch served on board. In the afternoon you can check out the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall and the Free the Bears Sanctuary too.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/L/_)
Day
9
Kamu Lodge
Cruise to Kamu Lodge
Today you board a traditional Long River boat at Wat Xieng Thong pier, also known as the King’s Pier, for a leisurely cruise first to the Pak Ou caves and then onwards to Kamu Lodge where you enjoy a home-cooked Laotian meal, communal style, in an airy Sala on arrival. After lunch, you can choose to either relax on the veranda or partake in traditional Kamu lifestyles and activities:
- Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields
- Gold panning in the Mekong. Anything you find is yours!
- Trekking through the forest to cave.
- Traditional fishing techniques. (Eat what you catch for dinner!)
- Local village visit
- Archery contest
Dinner is a feast by Kamu tribe standards – See the world from the Kamu’s eyes. Experience their celebration of lives which urbanites have often forgotten.
Overnight in Kamu Lodge (Meals: B/L/D)
Day
10
Luang Prabang
Back to Luang Prabang
After breakfast you will return to Luang Prabang by cruising downstream by boat. You will reach the King’s Pier around lunchtime leaving the entire afternoon to explore the city as you wish.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day
11
Luang Prabang
Departure
Today you have plenty of time to enjoy the town as you wish before being picked up and transferred to the airport for your departing flight home.
(Meals: B/_/_)
Tour includes
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Airport pick up and drop off
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Overnights as mentioned
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Excursions as mentioned
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Transportation in private A/C vehicle
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English speaking guide
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Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – excludes drinks)
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All taxes
Tour excludes
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All flights unless included in itinerary & Visa fees
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International airport tax (Included in Airline Ticket)
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Meals, unless mentioned differently
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Beverages and personal expenses
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Other excursions and entrance fees
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Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness)
Please note: You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining on it as well as bringing with you 4 passport size photos with you for your visa, as well as having a couple spare.
Contact Us
Start planning your holiday today
Call us on 0208 150 5150, for International callers 004420 8150 5150, send us an e-mail [email protected] or just use the form opposite.
Your next steps:
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1Get in touch and talk to our specialist Asia travel team
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2We then craft a unique and tailor-made itinerary just for you.
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3We will stay in touch with you all the way through your holiday experience
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4Pack you bags and get ready for your Asia holiday of a life time
On arrival in Asia we will meet you at the airport, transfer you to your hotel and then sit down to run over your holiday program again. We then introduce you to your local guides and give you some helpful local travel tips; such as local restaurant and bar suggestions and some cultural insights.
Towns & Cities in Laos
Laos has no shortage of captivating destination to visit on your holiday. Refer to our Towns & cities guide to plan the perfect trip.
Our Favourite Hotels in Laos
There are so many beautiful hotels to choose from in Laos. So we have selected a few of our most favourite and characterful hotels; giving you a taste of what you can expect.