Discover the Charm of Laos – 11 Days

Duration: 11 Days
Start/ End: Luang Prang/Pakse
Tour Type: Explorer
Tour Route: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane – Pakse – 4000 Islands – Pakse
Tour Customizable: Definitely!
Guide: Local experienced English speaking guide
Transportation: Local transport with a skillful driver

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Luang Prabang
Day 2: Luang Prabang
Day 3: Luang Prabang
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng
Day 5: Vang Vieng
Day 6: Vang Vieng – Vientiane
Day 7: Vientiane
Day 8: Vientiane – Pakse
Day 9: Pakse – Wat Phou – 4000 Islands
Day 10: 4000 Islands
Day 11: 4000 Islands – Pakse

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Luang Prabang

Your Laos adventure starts upon arrival in Luang Prabang. A private driver awaits you at the airport, holding a sign with your name. They’ll take you to your central hotel. Feel free to explore the city or unwind at the hotel after your flight.

Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang

After breakfast, explore the city by visiting Wat Visoun to see the unique Thad Makmo stupa, also known as the Watermelon stupa. Then, visit Wat Aham and the iconic Vat Xiengthong temple by the rivers.

In the afternoon, visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, to view royal relics, paintings, and jewels. Then, head to Wat Mai, famous for its golden bas-relief. Finally, visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center to see artifacts and clothing from Luang Prabang’s ethnic groups.

Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang

After breakfast, meet your guide and head to the pier to board a traditional long-tail boat for a relaxing cruise upstream on the Mekong River. Arrive at Pak Ou caves, home to over 4000 ancient Buddha images. Cruise back to Luang Prabang, stopping at Ban Xang Khong, a weaving village, for a hands-on experience with local experts.

In the afternoon, drive to Khuang Si waterfall, passing green rice paddies and farms. Return to your hotel afterward.

Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

 

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the train station for a speed train journey to Vang Vieng. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and visit Tham Jang cave, a former war shelter and home for migrating people. Then, explore Angel cave (Tam Nang Fa) to admire its impressive limestone formations and stalactites.

Stay overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 5: Vang Vieng

This morning, we’ll bike 15km north to Tham Xang (Elephant Cave), located by the Nam Song River. It’s a significant Buddhist Temple with a unique limestone formation. Then, we’ll pass through a Lao farm and village with lush rice fields.

Afterwards, swim in the cool spring water at Tham Nam (Water Cave), where you can tube up to 500 meters inside. Enjoy lunch at our private hut amidst green rice fields. Then, we’ll drive to Ban Vieng sa mai for kayaking downstream the Nam Song River. Experience small rapids and enjoy the mountain karsts scenery. Zip line at Tham Norn, learn the instructions, and have fun flying over the forest. Finally, kayak back to Vangvieng before sunset.

Stay overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 6: Vang Vieng – Vientiane

This morning, you can choose to climb Phanamxay View Point for a panoramic view of Vang Vieng and take photos with ancient ruins on the mountain top. Then, enjoy free time until transfer to the train station for a speed train to Vientiane. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax.

Stay overnight in Vientiane.

Day 7: Vientiane

After breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby for a day of exploration in Vientiane, one of the world’s most tranquil capitals.

Visit Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, followed by Wat Prakeo, former home of the famous Emerald Buddha. Then, see the impressive golden That Luang monument and Victory Monument resembling the Arc de Triomphe.

In the afternoon, continue to Buddha Park, featuring modern-style Buddha statues including Laos’ largest Reclining Buddha. Spend relaxing time admiring sculptures and taking photos before returning to your hotel.

Stay overnight in Vientiane.

Day 8: Vientiane – Pakse

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the airport for a short flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you.

From Pakse, we’ll travel to Saravanh province via Tateng Village, stopping to see locals making tea and coffee. Explore the cultures and way of life en route to Boloven Plateau Area, including a visit to Tad Fan waterfall. At Tad Lo Waterfall, visit villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu ethnic groups. Return to town in the late afternoon. If time allows, we’ll drive up Phou Salao to see the big Buddha at Wat Phonethong.

Stay overnight in Pakse.

Day 9: Pakse – Wat Phou – 4000 Islands

This morning, we journeyed to Wat Phou, a stunning pre-Angkorian temple surrounded by rice fields and waterways in southern Laos. Afterward, we’ll travel to Don Khong, the largest island in Si Phan Don. Check into the hotel and relax after a big day.

Stay overnight in Don Khong.

Day 10: 4000 Islands

After breakfast, we explore the countryside and take a local boat tour to Don Khone. Disembark and choose to explore the island by bicycle, visiting French period remains and Liphi Waterfall. We may also visit Don Det, a nearby small island.

Returning to the mainland at Ban Nakasang, we drive south to visit Khone Phapheng, Southeast Asia’s largest waterfall by volume. Located near the Lao-Cambodian border, it’s a breathtaking destination teeming with wildlife. Finally, we returned to Khong Island overnight.

Stay overnight in Khong Island.

Day 11: 4000 Islands – Pakse 

Enjoy a hearty breakfast on your last day in Laos. Check out of the hotel, then explore local markets for souvenirs. Your private driver will then take you to the airport for your flight home.