Laos Explorer

11 Days / 10 Nights

Day 1Arrive Vientiane

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is free to rest up from your flight. 

Overnight at Vientiane 

Day 2Vientiane City Highlights

Highlights around the city include Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple surviving from the Siamese war of 1828, and the iconic Pha That Luang, the most sacred monument in Laos. Along the way, stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own ‘Arc de Triomphe.’ Stop by the Vientiane Central Market of Talat Sao and Talat Kouadin, where locals shop for fresh food, household items, textiles, gold and silver.

Afternoon drive about 40min out to the artistic Buddha Park, an open-air sculpture park with giant sculptures of Buddha and Hindu deities. The park was founded in 1958 by monk and sculpture artist, Bunleua Sulila.

Overnight at Vientiane 

Day 3Fly Vientiane to Phonsavan

Take a short flight to Phonsavan, home to the mysterious Plain of Jars, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its thousands of stone jars scattered across the highlands. Some of the megaliths weigh around six tons, up to 10 feet in diameter and some still with their lids attached. Whether they are the remnants of a trade route or burial pit, their origin remains unknown. 

Overnight at Phonsavan 

Day 4Plains of Jars

Spend the day driving over the plains to visit to explore various sites dotted with numerous stone Jars that are about 2000 years old.

You can also take an optional trip to Muang Khoun, the old capital of Xieng Khouang in the 16th century. About an hour’s drive from Phonsavan, this small town was once renowned for its glittering stupas layered in gold and gemstones. Unfortunately, it was robbed of much of its historical riches by various means over the centuries, the most recent (and most devastating) of which were bombs dropped by the US during the war with Vietnam. Today you can visit the ruins of a 16th century temple and the shell of a French colonial estate, one of the few remnants of French occupation in the area.

Overnight at Phonsavan 

Day 5Drive to Nong Khiaw

Depart early this morning for the full day’s journey to Nong Khiaw, a quaint little town along the west bank of Nam Ou River. Gateway to authentic rural villages, spectacular waterfalls and caves, Nong Khiaw remains one of Laos’s best kept secrets.

Along the drive, stop at Muang Sui to visit historic temples and caves used as hospitals and shelters during the Indochina wars. During the Indochina War, this was the last position of the Nationalist Lao Army and the CIA, supported by Air America, before it was evacuated. This area became known as ‘Lima Site L-108’, the runway and some of the abandoned buildings are still visible today. 

Then continue along Route 13 through the highlands and breathtaking scenery, stopping to explore one of the many Hmong villages. Arrive late afternoon at your lodge at Nong Khiaw with spectacular views of the river and surrounding mountains. 

Overnight at Nong Khiaw

Day 6Waterfall Adventure Hike

Take a scenic boat ride along the Nam Ou River to a small riverside village where you will begin today’s hike. Walking through small streams and rice paddies, you will arrive at the bottom of a stunning multi-tiered waterfalls. For the next few hours you will see only water surrounded by the lush jungle and hear the constant sound of clear waterfall cascades. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the pools along the hike.  

Head up trails along the cascades to enjoy a picnic lunch with wonderful views of  the falls surrounded by amazingly green nature. A trail from the top of the waterfalls will lead you down into the valley, offering wide views over the expansive Nam Ou valley. Spend some time to experience the daily life of the riverside village before cruising back to Nong Khiaw.  

 Overnight at Nong Khiaw 

Day 7Phanthok Cave & Village Hike

Take a tuk tuk ride to discover the Phathok Caves. It is an easy walk up concrete stairs where you will be guided around the largest cave and then walk 10 minutes along a small trail to the second cave. Nong Khiaw villagers used this cave during the “Secret War” to shelter people from bombs dropped in the region.

Later hike for about an hour along small flat trails crossing through rice paddy fields in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. Meet local people working on their farms and fields, cross a few bamboo bridges and walk through the forest to a hut. Take a break and have a snack before walking out to the main road where your tuk tuk will take you back to hotel.  

Rest of the day is free to relax at your lodge or explore the surrounding area on your own with a bike.  

Overnight at Nong Khiaw 

Day 8Drive to Luang Prabang via Pak Ou Caves

This morning drive about 4 hours to Luang Prabang. On the way, stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes.  This evening is free on your own to enjoy the lively night markets, local restaurants and shops in the Old Town. 

Overnight at Luang Prabang 

Day 9Luang Prabang Old Town & Pottery Class

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the former Royal Capital City of Luang Prabang features charming old colonial architecture and well preserved ancient temples. Your walking tour will cover major historic sites including the former Royal Palace, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, Wat Ho Pha Bang and Wat Ho Xiang. Depending on your interests, meet up with a royal descendent, an artist or an expert architect from UNESCO who assisted with many restorations in the Old Town. 

Continue to Chan Nua Village, a traditional pottery village that has been producing clay pots for over 400 years. Ancient Lao kings selected Chan Nua Village for its pottery-making skills, early uses of the pots included fermenting fish and storing water. Today, families produce everything from decorated planters to terra-cotta roof tiles by using hand-made techniques passed down through generations.

Your visit kicks off with a delicious lunch before visiting their pottery center and their village surroundings. Learn about Lao traditional pottery techniques followed by an opportunity to make your own pot. This interactive excursion provides a meaningful insight to traditional life and a great way to give back to the local community. 

Overnight at Luang Prabang 

Day 10Elephant Sanctuary & Evening Baci Ceremony

This morning drive about 30min to village of Xieng Lom where your elephant camp is located. Upon arrival, you will meet your guide over tea as he gives an in-depth introduction into elephant behavior, their connections with humans and the way we as humans should interact with them. 

Take a quick boat ride across the river to meet and feed the elephants. Then embark on a 2-hour hike with the elephants to a jungle. There will be some slight uphill and downhill sections with some muddy trails. The camp provides rubber booties to protect your feet.  After the hike, enjoy a freshly prepared local lunch before returning to town.

Rest of the day is free to visit the artistic galleries or boutique shops on your own. 

In the evening meet a friendly local host family to partake in a special “Baci Ceremony”. This is a special ceremony in Laos which has been practiced for hundreds of years. The term commonly used is “sou khuan” which means “spirit enhancing or spirit calling”. The ceremony involves the tying of white cotton strings around person’s wrists and the prayer saying or well-wishing for the person that the ceremony is intended for. 

Overnight at Luang Prabang 

Day 11Depart Luang Prabang

Transfer to airport today for your onward journey.