This is the perfect ‘escape the crowds’ itinerary that takes in the highlights of Laos with a mix of luxury and rustic comfort that gets you under the skin of rural Laos. Begin your journey by flying to Vientiane and going directly into the countryside of Vang Vieng. From here, head off the beaten track to Nam Kat, Nong Kiau, and a hamlet along the Nam Ou River where you’ll be hosted by a friendly family who welcome you into their home. Spend time in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-protected town surrounded by rivers, and fly south to explore an ancient temple that pre-dates Angkor, the coffee region, and the 4,000 islands. You’ll travel by boat, train, road, and flight and leave knowing you’ve truly experienced Laos.
Upon arrival at Vientiane Airport, meet your guide and driver and, via the first expressway of Laos, transfer approximately 1½ hours to the town of Vang Vieng. Nestled between some stunning karst-mountain ranges, you’ll be getting right into the beautiful scenery that Laos is known for. Check into your riverside hotel and settle in. We highly recommend a swim or a drink at the bar while the sun sets!
Start the day in a Khmu village where you’ll meet a family, learn about Khmu customs and traditions including animism, and visit the local blacksmith who uses traditional techniques to create knives. Trek through rice paddies to a cave, passing by farmers working the fields. Rest in a local rice hut before trekking back to the family’s home for lunch and to learn about Lao Hai, local rice wine. Return to your hotel mid-afternoon.
Board the morning train for a scenic ride through the mountains to Oudomxay where your guide and driver will take you Chomg Ong Cave with its active river, overlapping passages, and impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Take a scenic route, visit a village where some of the elders still wear traditional garb. Walk up a slope for stunning views before continuing approximately 1½ hours to your hotel in an idyllic nature setting.
Depart this morning to Pak Khai, passing rice terraces and many small villages, before beginning your trek along a small pathway used by local villagers. The trek will be an opportunity to meet with local farmers working in rice fields and observe rural life in Laos. Stop for lunch at the beautiful village of Ban Phavie before continuing to a local waterfall. You can relax in the clear water cascades before returning to the hotel.
Tavel overland this morning to the town of Muang Khua and board a private boat for an unforgettable cruise down the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw. Transfer briefly to a minivan to pass the new Nam Ou Hydropower Dam and continue by boat past stunning scenery and remote villages. Reach Nong Khiaw by late afternoon. If you wish, take a short bicycle ride to the picturesque local limestone caves nearby.
Spend the morning exploring untouched Laos by bicycle. It’s an easy ride to a few remote villages, passing through stunning landscapes amongst the beautiful mountains. Stop by a historical cave that served as a communist command during the Indochina-war and as a shelter during the Vietnam-America war. Continue cycling several villages of different ethnic groups and return to your hotel by mid-day.
After a leisurely morning, travel south approximately 1½ hours to the village of Ban Pak Nga, and meet Ms. Kham, your host for the evening. Travel together by boat downstream to her hometown and meet the family. Settle into the beautiful wooden house that the family will share with you tonight. In the late afternoon, meet some of the villagers and stop by the local market with Ms. Kham. Back at the house, you are welcome to help prepare dinner and learn all about the local cuisine.
Wake early and join the family in traditional alms-giving at the local temple. Spend time learning local fishing techniques and trekking through the fields and organic gardens before lunch with the family. Set out toward Luang Prabang, stopping to board a private boat that will take you to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves crammed with thousands of Buddha statues. Continue along the river as the sun sets, arriving in Luang Prabang with drinks and canapés on board.
This morning, see the key sites that have made Luang Prabang the cultural capital of Laos including the quaint Royal Palace Museum, the Heuan Chan Heritage House, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, and Wat Khili with its historic photo exhibition of Buddhist heritage. Pay a visit to the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre before you enjoy the afternoon at leisure to soak up this idyllic town.
Transfer this morning to the Living Lands Organic Farm where you meet the local farming guide. You are invited to interact and experience each step of the rice harvest, learning how rice is traditionally grown in a very interactive way. The tour ends with a tasting of traditional foods made from rice. You will have a new appreciation for rice and admiration for the Lao people who continue to harvest rice without modern machinery.
Spend today at a fantastic elephant sanctuary that puts the welfare of the animals first. Your guide and the mahouts will help you feed and get acquainted with these majestic creatures before you help to bathe them in the river. Next, follow the elephants on a 1-hour trek through rice paddies and meandering creeks where the elephants choose the path (you do not ride the elephants). A tasty local lunch is served before heading back. Afternoon at leisure.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse, the gateway of southern Laos. Your private driver and guide will take you to the hilltop Buddha at Phou Salao with great views over the surrounding area. Visit the historic Wat Phou which pre-dates Angkor Wat and is a highlight of Laos with its well-preserved monuments, outstanding architecture, and a sacred spring. After, transfer 45 minutes to Champasak.
Today you will be taken into the Bolaven Plateau, where Loas’ delightful, rich coffee grows. Visit the picturesque twin chute Tad Fan Waterfall before meeting your local coffee specialist and transferring to a vintage Jeep. Explore the backroads, stop at Tad Moan Waterfall, and spend some time on a coffee farm. Learn about the local coffee growing and roasting process and enjoy a home-cooked lunch. After a bit more exploration, return to your resort in the early evening.
After an early breakfast, transfer south and board a private boat to the island of Don Khong where you’ll hop on mountain bikes to continue your rural exploration. Cycle through villages, passing and visiting temples, taking ferries to cross islands until you reach Don Loppadi. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch of local specialties and learn about bamboo basket and fishing net weaving. Board a boat to the mainland and return to your resort in the early evening.
Depending on your flight time, relax this morning or check-out early for transfer to the airport in Pakse where you can fly to Bangkok. We find many people book one night in Bangkok as the international flight to London is a little tight after flying from Pakse. You could also carry on to Siem Reap or Saigon or extend your time in Laos for a bit more relaxing at the end of your holiday.
This itinerary costs from £4,150 per person B&B based on 2 sharing and including all private transfers but not international flights.
You can get flights from as little as £600 per person return and do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.
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