9 Days Laos Exploration Tour of Luang Prabang and Pakse

Unlike other blooming tourist destination of the neighboring countries, Laos remains its tranquility and calmness for years but still allures many adventure and nature lovers with all of its hidden treasures. With this exploration 9-day tour package, we would love to show you an insightful glimpse of this landlocked country. Mainly focusing on the cities of Luang Prabang and Pakse, you will travel through different regions and have many unique experiences, from anicent temples at enchanting UNESCO Heritage town of Luang Prabang to the local villages in Muong Nhoy, the waterfall paradise in Bolaven Plateau or the laidback 4,000 Islands area. After this long journey, you will not only get closer to nature of this country but also know more about Laos people and their unhurried lifestyle.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

Explore deeply about Luang Prabang by visiting renowned sites of the city including Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, Wat Xiengthong, Royal Palace, and Wat Mai

Learn about the use of bamboo in the daily life and culture of Lao people in Bamboo Experience

Travel outskirt of Luang Prabang to Kuangsi Waterfall and Pak Ou Caves

Immerse in the green fresh ambiance and beautiful waterfalls of Bolaven Plateau

Marvel at the 5th century architecture at the resplendent Wat Phou

Experience the verdant tropics of Don Khong and the rest of the 4000 Islands

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG

Transfer:
Activities: Luang Prabang arrival. Free at your leisure.
Arrival at Luang Prabang international airport and meet your guide, then transfer to your hotel.
Meals on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Accommodation: 3 Choices

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG

Transfer:
Activities: Join the Luang prabang city tour
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Stop and visit fresh local markets and back to hotel for breakfast.
This morning, depart to visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Continue to visit Wat Aham. Then, visit to the most photographed temple, Wat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.
This afternoon, continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Experiences:
14
Royal Palace in Luang Prabang
Located on the banks of the Mekong River and facing the sacred Mount Phousi, the Royal Palace was built in 1904 to serve as the residence of King Sisavang Vong and his family during the French colonial era. After the revolution in 1975, the palace turned into a national museum and opened to the public in 1995. On the palace grounds, there are some buildings such as an exhibition hall, Haw Pra Bang that houses the standing Buddha statue called Prabang – the palladium of Laos, Royal Barge Shelter, Staff Headquarters and the Royal Ballet Theater. Besides enjoying the royal religious objects, the last king’s collection of cars, ancient statues, and paintings dating for centuries, you can also marvel at the stunning architecture of the palace that is a blend of traditional Lao style and French Beaux-Arts. The Royal Palace Museum is really well worth a visit to learn about Lao history and culture as well as the royal lifestyle.

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9
Pay a visit to Wat Xieng Thong – the highest symbol of Buddhism in Laos
Wat Xieng Thong, literally translated the ‘monastery of the golden city’, is one of the oldest and most important temples of Luang Prabang as well as one of the highest symbols of Buddhism in Laos. This Buddhist temple was built in 1559-1560 by King Setthathirath in the northern tip of the peninsula where the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River join. After a number of restorations, Wat Xieng Thong now consists of more than twenty structures on the grounds including a sim, a royal funerary carriage house, pavilions, shrines, residences, and gardens. As the temple still keeps its original form, a visit around will show tourists the characteristics of 16th-century Lao art and craft with the 2-tiered roof, colorful mosaics and carvings depicting Lao legends and the tree of life on the rear temple walls. Wat Xieng Thong is also an important venue where significant annual festivities in Luang Prabang are held.

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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3 Choices

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG

Transfer:
Activities: Learn how Laotian people use bamboo in daily life & experience bamboo cooking. Visit villages of H’mong and Lao Loum people. Relax at the impressive Kuang Si waterfall.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be pick up from hotel to the venue located inside a small village overseeing rice field to participate in the Bamboo Experience (closed on Sunday). You will be explained on usage on bamboo to make various items and also given experience to play their childhood games with metal balls, crossbow arrow… Participation in a bamboo weaving course with the guides of an expert teacher. Try with a knife to cut the bamboo into several pieces and then weave them for about an hour to complete your own mat that you will take with you as a keepsake.
Then, enjoy great time learning about using bamboo in cooking, such as: bamboo shoot soup, bamboo shoot with banana leaf with sticky rice … Afterwards, savor your creations in the traditional Laotian house (Pavilion style).
In the afternoon, travelling outskirt of Luang Prabang, driving through green rice paddies and farms. Stop for visit few villages of H’mong and Lao Loum people, your guide can introduce you to local people and its great opportunity for you to involving with their daily activities such as wooden cotton spinning, weaving, rice harvesting and green vegetable farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Si waterfalls, enjoy main waterfalls with spectacular views and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools.
Dinner on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Experiences:
10
Bamboo experience in Luang Prabang
The Bamboo Experience in Luang Prabang is an interactive local family-run workshop where you learn all about the use of bamboo in Lao culture as well as their daily life. The experience takes place in a rustic pavilion on traditional Lao style next to vast rice paddy fields. There you will be explained how bamboo is used to make various household items and given a fun experience to play Lao childhood games with metal balls, crossbow arrow, and bamboo stilts. You will also engage in a relaxing bamboo weaving course with the guides of an expert teacher; you’ll weave a souvenir mat made from strips of the bamboo plant that you can take as a keepsake. Then, enjoy a hands-on cooking class using the bamboo shoot as the main ingredients. Make dishes such as bamboo shoot soup, bamboo shoot steamed in banana leaf, Lao sticky rice and more. Afterward, savor your creations in the relaxing pavilion terrace and immerse in the peaceful semi-rural landscapes.

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12
Spectacular and stunning Kuang Si WaterFalls
No words can describe the stunning of Kuang Si Waterfalls and the emerald water: you must witness in person, the experience will surely exceeds your expectations!Located outside the city of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Waterfalls are absolutely breathtaking and definitely worth the visit. You can climb up to the falls and take a dip, or walk through the beautiful area and got in the water a bit more downstream, swim or simply put my feet in for a relaxation.Truly, a joyous feast for eyes and ears, for mind and soul !

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: 3 Choices

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG

Transfer:
Activities: Travel Ban Nayang village, Nam Park market, Pa Thok cave. Boat to Ban Sojam, cruise to Muong Ngoy. Overnight at guesthouse
This morning, drive to Nong Khiew. Stop to visit Ban Nayang village and Nam Park market. Arrival in Nong Khiew. Lunch on your own. Visit Pa Thok cave. Then embark on boat to Ban Sojam. Walking to visit this village then continue your cruise to Muong Ngoy. Arrival and check-in guesthouse in Muang Ngoy.
Meals on your own. Overnight in guesthouse at Muang Ngoy. (Simple comfort).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 1 Choices

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG

Transfer:
Activities: Discover some local villages. Cruise back to Nong Khiew. Visit Pak Ou caves
After breakfast, walking to visit some local villages before walking back to Muong Ngoy. Embark on boat to cruise back Nong Khiew.
Drive from Nong Khiew to Luang Prabang. Visit Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. Heading to Luang Prabang. Arrive and check in hotel in Luang Prabang.
Meals on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Experiences:
8
Enjoyable Mekong River boat excursion to Pak Ou Cave
When in Luang Prabang, it is recommended to take a boat tour through Mekong river and visit Pak Ou caves. The excursion will bring you pleasant time to see the local life along the way where the mountain, blue sky and spectacular scenery are in harmony to take the picture. The climb to the caves will guide you to superb exploration to see hundreds of Buddha sculptures in a dark cave, which is not only an insight into top attraction in Luang Prabang, but the historical stories of the sacred relics protection from bombings during the Secret War as well.

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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3 Choices

DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG, BOLAVEN PLATEAU(CHAMPASAK), PAKSE

Transfer:
Activities: Fly from Luang Prabang to Pakse. Visit Boloven Plateau, Tad Fane waterfall & Tad Yuang waterfall
Transfer to airport for flight to Pakse. Welcomed by local guide, then transfer to visit Boloven Plateau. As soon as you leave Pakse the road climbs in elevation as you ascend onto the Plateau. The area of Volcanic Rock makes for suburb tea and coffee plantations which thrive on the rich soil and the cooler climate. Visit Tad Fane Waterfall. A further 2km from Tad Fane which makes for a pleasant walk or drive through the coffee plantations is Tad Yuang Waterfall. Transfer back to Pakse in the afternoon.
Meals on your own. Overnight in Pakse.

Experiences:
6
Natural beauty of Bolaven Plateau
Mainly located within Champasak Province in southern Laos, Bolaven Plateau is one of the best destinations in Laos for nature lovers due to its cultural and geographical areas of interest. On discovery of the Plateau, you will first visit the area of Volcanic Rock which is famous for green suburb tea and coffee plantations owing to the cooler temperatures, abundant rainfall, and rich soil. Then go on to Tad Fane Waterfall, a beautiful double cascade of water surrounded by green plants and lush trees. You can enjoy picturesque views of the waterfall from a viewing platform. A further 2km from Tad Fane through the coffee plantations is Tad Yuang Waterfall, the perfect place to cool down the heat and get closer to nature. You can swim in the pool below the waterfall or hike along the trail to a stunning picnic spot with spectacular views. If you are looking for a natural destination to escape from the busy city life, let give Bolaven Plateau a try and enjoy a wonderful time in nature.

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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 2 Choices

DAY 7: PAKSE, DON KHONG

Transfer:
Activities: Visit Wat Phou. Overnight in Don Khong.
After breakfast, depart forshort city tour in Pakse then transfer to Champassak and visit the temple ruins of Wat Phou. Heading to 4000 island area. On arrival, check in hotel in Don Khong. Spend your time to discovery the largest island located in the Mekong River, southern Laos.
Meals on your own. Overnight in Don Khong.

Experiences:
9
4000 Islands: Don Khong, Don Det, Don Khone
4000 Islands or Si Phan Don in Lao is a riverine archipelago with numerous islands in the Mekong River in the Champasak Region. While most of the islands are too tiny and uninhabited, there are three most popular and lively islands that are preferred places of typical backpackers: Don Khong, Don Det, and Don Khon. All these islands enjoy a laidback, sleepy vibe with plenty of guest houses and scenic restaurants overlooking the Mekong River. While in these islands, you can enjoy loads of interesting activities such as walking or cycling slowly around the islands, kayaking along the Mekong to see the rare and adorable Irrawaddy Dolphins, or visiting the famous Li Phi and Khone Phapheng Waterfalls. If you prefer to do nothing, just chill out at a riverside bar and enjoy sunset time.

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6
Ruins of Wat Phou
Wat Phou, also known as Vat Phou or Vat Phu, is an ancient ruined temple complex in southern Laos. Located at the base of mount Phou Khao 40km outside the town of Pakse, this temple was originally built by the Khmer Empire and dedicated to Lord Shiva but then became a center of Buddhist worship until today. Despite the striking resemblance as a miniature version of Angkor Wat, Wat Phou is much quiet and peaceful with the most area of the architecture built high into the hillside. Climbing up an age-old set of stone steps, visitors will see a modest temple with statues of Buddha and crumbling carved stones. Take time at the natural terrace where you can relax under the shade of green trees, admire the surrounding landscapes and overlook the Mekong River.

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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 1 Choices

DAY 8: DON KHONG, PAKSE

Transfer:
Activities: Drive to Nakasang. Cruise to Khone Island. Visit Liphi waterfall & back to Pakse
After breakfast, transfer to Ban Nakasang where you start your cruise to Khone Island. Arrival and begin re-tracing the French colonial times here as many remnants (old pier, stream railway, French buildings) stand still. Continue to visit the gorgeous Liphi waterfall, which is a must-see for waterfall-lovers. Cruise back Nakasang village. Heading to your hotel in Pakse.
Meals on your own. Overnight in Pakse.

Experiences:
9
4000 Islands: Don Khong, Don Det, Don Khone
4000 Islands or Si Phan Don in Lao is a riverine archipelago with numerous islands in the Mekong River in the Champasak Region. While most of the islands are too tiny and uninhabited, there are three most popular and lively islands that are preferred places of typical backpackers: Don Khong, Don Det, and Don Khon. All these islands enjoy a laidback, sleepy vibe with plenty of guest houses and scenic restaurants overlooking the Mekong River. While in these islands, you can enjoy loads of interesting activities such as walking or cycling slowly around the islands, kayaking along the Mekong to see the rare and adorable Irrawaddy Dolphins, or visiting the famous Li Phi and Khone Phapheng Waterfalls. If you prefer to do nothing, just chill out at a riverside bar and enjoy sunset time.

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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 2 Choices

DAY 9: PAKSE

Transfer:
Activities: Be transferred from your hotel to Pakse airport
Free time until your transfer by our driver to the airport for your international flight.
Ends of services.

Meals: Breakfast
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Inclusions
Meals
8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch

Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights)

Transport
Car, Flight

Flight
1. Fly from Luang Prabang to Pakse (1 hour 40 minutes)

Included Services
Accomodation with daily breakfast

Domestic flights

Private transport in air-conditioned vehicles

Local English-speaking guides

Water on coach

Entrance fees, performances, boat trips & excursions

Exclusions
International flights to/from Laos

Travel insurance

Laos Visa stamp fees

Early check-in & late check-out surcharge

Personal expenses

Meals not mentioned

Drinks not mentioned

Tips & gratuities for guides and drivers