LUXTRAVEL THAILAND
11 NIGHTS: LAOS NORTH
AND SOUTH
Pakse, Don Khong, Vientiane, Xiang Khouang, Xam Nuea and Luang Prabang
LAOS NORTH AND SOUTH
11 nights
Our adventure begins at Pakse in the south, where the Mekong River broadens to its widest through the central regions of Laos, concluding at the beautiful northern city of Luang Prabang. On the journey, we will explore ancient ruins, the 4000 Islands, beautiful waterfalls, coffee on the Bolaven Plateau, charming towns, the Plain of Jars, Lao-style markets and much more.
DAY 1 PASKE
Welcome to Pakse
Arrival in Pakse in southern Laos near the Thai border. Sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at your riverside lodge located on charming island of Done Daeng.
DAY 2 BOLAVEN PLATEAU
Explore the Bolaven Plateau
We travel to the Bolaven Plateau, a highland region formed from an ancient volcano, with jungles, farmland and ethnic communities. We exlore the region, visiting tea and coffee plantations that thrive on the fertile volcanic soils. The coffee here is regarded as premium quality. We then stop impressive waterfalls plummeting into spectacular gorges.
DAY 3 DON KHONG
Ancient Vat Phou
Explore the ancient temple ruins of.pre-Angkorian Vat Phou, dating from the 6th century. The temple was part of the greater Khmer Empire, on the ancient trail to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Continue to the spectacular Khone Pha Pheng Falls, a series of 10km long waterfall.
DAY 4 VIENTIANE
4000 Islands
We explore Si Phan Don, the 4,000 Islands, a series of small islands in a section of the Mekong. Take a long-tail boat on this part of the river to Don Khong, which has some colonial-era buildings and railway station. Continue to the Liphi Waterfalls, or The Corridor of the Devil, which has freshwater dolphins. In the afternoon, we take a short flight to the capital Vientiane.
DAY 5 VIENTIANE
Highlights of Vientiane
Spend the day discovering some of the cities historic highlights. Begin at Wat Sisaket, one of the cities oldest surviving temples. Continue to That Luang, with a larage golden stupa. We visit the Patuxai Victory Monument, an Arc de Triomphe-like monument dedicated to those who fought for independence from France.
DAY 6 XIENG KHOUANG
Phonsavan and Plain of Jars
We travel to Xieng Khoung Province to explore the Plain of Jars. More than 2,000 stone jars are scattered across the plateau, thought to have been part of ancient funerary practices. In the afternoon, we drive to the town of Muang Khoun where we will see some ruins left over from the war.
DAY 7 XAM NUEA
Xam Nuea
After visiting a second site at the Plain of Jars, we travel to the small riverside town of Xam Neua, situated in north-eastern Laos. Take a stroll along the river and to the local food market, an example of the province’s character and ethnic diversity.
DAY 8 XAM NUEA
War Shelter Cave
Set deep amid limestone cliffs, we tour the Vieng Xai Caves used by the Pathet Lao Revolutionary Government during the Second Indochina War. This hidden city supported around 20,000 personnel sheltering from intense bombardment from the US military. The housed living-quarters, schools, hospitals, markets and more.
DAY 9 XAM NUEA
Wat Phoxaysanalam
We visit the beautiful Wat Phoxaysanalam, a temple housing a sacred Buddha statue dating back to around 1565. Explore the Hintang Archaeological Park, comprising hundreds of standing stones on a mountain ridge, some standing 3m tall and also believed to be for funerary purposes.
DAY 10 LUANG PRABANG
Traditional Baci Ceremony
Today we travel from Sam Neua to Luang Prabang on the mountain road via Nong Khiaw. Pass through jungles, rural villages and rice fields. We stop for a Baci ceremony at a family home. The ceremony is an integral part of Lao culture marking milestone events. A village elder ties a symbolic white cotton thread around your wrist while giving a blessing. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
DAY 11 LUANG PRABANG
Explore Luang Prabang
With your local guide, explore the charming former captial beginning at Wat Sene, or the Temple of a 100,000 Treasures. We participate in a blessing ceremony believed to impart health, happiness and longevity. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong Temple then visit a morning market.
After lunch we travel to the Kuang Si Waterfalls where you can swim in one of the lower pools.
DAY 12 LUANG PRABANG
Pak Ou Cave, Departure
Take part in the early morning alms-giving ceremony, or Tak Bat, a centuries-old Lao tradition. Local residents prepare food and wait quietly by the roadside to give their offerings to monks in bright saffron robes as they walk silently, barefoot along the streets. Then take a longtail boat to the Pak Ou Caves, which contain more than 4,000 Buddha statues. On our return, we stop at some local craft villages that produce traditional textiles and Lao-style rice whiskey. Transfer to the Luang Prabang Airport for your journey home.