Laos Encompassed - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Luang Prabang

Arrive in Luang Prabang where you will be met by your guide and vehicle and transferred to the hotel of your choice.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (No meals)

Day 2: Luang Prabang & Kuangsi Falls

An early start this morning to witness one of Southeast Asia's most timeless scenes; hundreds of monks collecting alms in the form of rice from the local people. Return to your hotel for breakfast, taking time to visit the local fresh produce market which is most active during the early morning.

Return to the UNESCO World Heritage old town, with its beautiful Lao-colonial architecture. Visit the most impressive of the many temples including the incomparable Wat Xieng Thong, in addition to Wat Visoun, Wat Sene, Wat Aham and Wat Mai. End the morning at the Royal Palace Museum.

This afternoon head out of town to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls. Below the main 90m high cascade is a collection of small pools and lesser falls idea for bathing in, so don't forget to pack your swimsuit! Walking through the forest to the falls you will pass the 'Free the Bears' project, home to a number of bears that have been rescued from poachers. On the return journey to Luang Prabang there will be the chance to stop at villages of some of Laos' many ethnic groups along the way.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (Breakfast)

Day 3: Meander the Mekong to Pak Ou Caves & climb Phou Si

This morning board your private boat for the 2 hour cruise up the mighty Mekong River to where the smaller Nam Ou river joins the main channel. Here are located the Pak Ou caves, two atmospheric grottoes packed with Buddha images. Return to Luang Prabang by road stopping en route at local villages to see how jute sar paper and rice whiskey are made.

End the day by climbing the 329 steps to the top of Phou Si hill from where can be enjoyed a 360° panoramic view down over Luang Prabang - a great vantage point for sunset.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (Breakfast)

Day 4: Luang Prabang to Xieng Khuang (Plain of Jars) by road

Say farewell to Luang Prabang today for the drive to Xieng Khuang, the location of the mysterious Plain of Jars. Although the journey is long the scenery is spectacular, with some of the world's highest karst limestone formations to be seen on the way. This is a road less travelled by foreign visitors and you will be charmed by some of the villages that the road takes us through, with the local people being as fascinated by you as you will be by them. Regular stops throughout the journey will be made for you to stretch your legs and photograph the many wonders that we pass.

On arrival at Xieng Khuang there will be a chance to freshen up at the hotel before we visit the Plain of Jars, a bleak area littered with ancient relics from an unknown civilization. To this day their function remains a mystery.

Overnight in Xieng Khuang (Breakfast)

Day 5: Muang Khoun and by road to Vang Vieng

After breakfast, visit the old capital of Muang Khoun Province, comprising Wat Phiavat and its nearby villages. Continue to the MAG (Mines Advisory Group) exhibition at the UXO Visitor Information Center before heading to Vang Vieng by road, arriving there around mid afternoon. Stops will be made along the way, at interesting local villages to observe daily life, as well as at scenic viewpoints, of which there are many!

After checking in at the hotel, relax with a cool drink to enjoy the surrounding scenery, or take a stroll through the town with your guide.

Overnight in Vang Vieng (Breakfast)

Day 6: Vang Vieng to Vientiane by road

Spend this morning visiting the caves and villages around Vang Vieng. Start with the impressive Tham Jang, used in the past as a hideout against marauding Chinese invaders. Cross the Nam Song river to visit unspoilt villages nestled in the shadows of soaring limestone karst peaks.

After lunch we continue by road to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, stopping on the way at the 11th century archaeological site of​ Vang Xang. Spend the evening strolling the streets of Vientiane with its curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French influences.

Overnight in Vientiane (Breakfast)

Day 7: Full day tour of Vientiane

Vientiane has an interesting range of sights including Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple in the city with its multitude of Buddha-filled niches, Haw Phra Kaew, former temple and home of the famous and well travelled Emerald Buddha (now resident at the Grand Palace in Bangkok), Phra That Luang, the golden stupa and national monument featured on every Lao bank note and Patuxai, Laos' very own Arc de Triomphe, from the top of which panoramic views of the city can be enjoyed.

In the afternoon head south along the Mekong to Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park), a grassy expanse on the banks of the river filled with a bizarre but entertaining collection of Buddhist and Hindu statues. Watch the sunset over the Mekong from the park before returning to Vientiane.

Overnight in Vientiane (Breakfast)

Day 8: Pakse, Wat Phu and Done Daeng Island

Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Pakse in the south of Laos. Depending on the current flight schedule there may be time to visit some of the market of Vientiane this morning.

On arrival in Pakse meet your guide and vehicle and transfer to the pier to board your private boat for the 2 hour cruise down the Mekong to Champasak. From here it is a short drive to Wat Phu, the dramatically situated Khmer temple dating back to the 5th century. After spending some time visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site cross the river to Done Daeng Island where you will have the rest of the day to relax or explore this peaceful island.

Overnight in Done Daeng (Breakfast)

Day 9: The Bolaven Plateau

Today's tour takes in the highlights of the Bolaven Plateau, an upland area rising to a maximum height of 1,350m. During the day we will visit the waterfalls of Tad Lo and Tad Fan, the latter with its twin high cascades, a coffee plantation, the colourful Tha Teng food market and the fascinating minority villages of Ban Pong Neua (an Alak village that boasts a sacrificial altar) and Ban Kokphung (a Katu village coffins are kept underneath the houses). Return to the peace of Done Daeng at the end of a busy day!

Overnight at Done Daeng (Breakfast)

Day 10: Si Phan Don: The 4,000 Islands

Board your private boat after breakfast for a tour of the 4,000 Islands, an archipelago in the middle of the Mekong river, with palm lined waterways reminiscent, in places, of Kerala's Backwaters in India. Today's tour will take us to Don Khone, where we can explore the island by bicycle, tuk tuk or on foot as the mood takes us. Stop at the beautiful Li Phi waterfall before ending the day at the spectacular Khone Phapheng falls - the largest in Southeast Asia. Return to Done Daeng for early evening.

Overnight in Done Daeng (Breakfast)

Day 11: Departure from Pakse

Take a boat back to the mainland and transfer to Pakse for your departure flight.

(Breakfast)

Tour Prices

Option 1 (Standard) : US$ 2,024 per person

Luang Prabang: Le Sen Hotel – 3 Star

Xieng Khuang: Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel – 3 Star

Vang Vieng: Silver Naga Hotel – 3 Star

Vientiane: Lao Orchid Hotel – 3 Star

Done Daeng Island: La Folie Lodge – Boutique

Option 2 (Superior): US$ 2,239 per person

Luang Prabang: Villa Santi – 4 Star

Xieng Khuang: Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel – 3 Star

Vang Vieng: Riverside Vang Vieng Hotel – Boutique

Vientiane: Green Park Hotel – Boutique

Done Daeng Island: La Folie Lodge – Boutique

Option 3 (Luxury): ​US$ 2,510 per person

Luang Prabang: Satri House Hotel – 5 Star

Xieng Khuang: Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel – 3 Star

Vang Vieng: Riverside Vang Vieng Hotel – Boutique

Vientiane: Settha Palace Hotel – 5 Star

Done Daeng Island: La Folie Lodge – Boutique

Note:

• Peak season surcharges may apply
  
• Prices are in US$ and are based on 2 people sharing a room with private air-conditioned-car and English speaking guide. All entrance fees, domestic flights and boat trips are included.
  
• International flights and visa fees are not included
  
• Included meals are listed in the itinerary