LAOS ON A GLANCE BY EXPRESS TRAIN

Upon arrival at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, transfer to your hotel in town (early check-in upon availability).

From its sleepy tuk-tuk drivers to its location on the right bank of the lumbering, lazy Mekong, this former French trading post is languid to say the least. Indeed, despite being the capital and largest city of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, there's not a whole lot to do in Vientiane. But that is also, quite honestly, its selling point.

After a soft rest, drive to Buddha Park which takes around 45 minutes away. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. End your tour of the capital along the banks of the 2 Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls.

Tips: You can also visit Sinouk Coffee Pavilion to discover the Lao coffee, stroll around the mini coffee gallery, view the in-house coffee roaster and try a cup of delicious and unique coffee or tea. Discuss with our guide about this. Entrance fee and extra coffee/drinks are payable on spot.

Meal: No Meal

Overnight at hotel in Vientiane

Start the morning with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire. Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.

Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.

We then transfer out to the train station to take the afternoon express train to Vang Vieng.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in town.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Vang Vieng

Today, we embark on a full day of adventure, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty of Vang Vieng. Our first stop is Tham Jang, a renowned cave that served as a refuge for local residents during the Chinese invasion two centuries ago.

Next, we'll visit Tham Nangfa, also known as Angel Cave. This cave boasts vast limestone formations and breathtaking stalactites in unique configurations. The enchanting beauty of Angel Cave makes it a perfect spot for photography and quiet contemplation. For those seeking an extra thrill, we recommend a zipline flight over the area, offering an exhilarating way to admire the stunning views from above (An additional charge of $19 per person applies for the zipline).

After exploring these magnificent caves, we'll head to Blue Lagoon 3, a tranquil spot ideal for relaxation and cooling off. Surrounded by lush greenery and clear blue waters, Blue Lagoon 3 offers a refreshing escape where you can swim, relax, and enjoy the serene environment.

Late afternoon, join a 30-minute cruise upstream on the Nam Song River aboard a local long-tail boat (with two people per boat), soaking in the picturesque surroundings.

The return journey to your hotel offers the option to stop at local villages and a market. The remainder of the day is yours to relax, culminating in the enjoyment of a beautiful sunset over the Nam Song River from your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Vang Vieng

We will take the morning train to Luang Prabang, which takes about 1 hour. On arrival at the train station, you will be met and transferred to town center.

Then, visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, which is one of the most beautiful temples in town.

From there, visit the old Wat Sene, and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. If time permits, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. We also visit the nearby village of Ban Xienglek specializing in making the traditional Saa paper.

Returning to town, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people. Late afternoon, climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

In the morning, our guide and tuk-tuk driver will transport you to the boat pier, where you'll embark on a scenic journey downstream the Mekong River to reach Ban Chan Pottery Village. Upon arrival, commence your visit with a brief tour to delve into the village's rich history. Strolling through the village, exploring the pottery center, a traditional kiln, and the brick factory.

Following this exploration, unleash your creativity by crafting a unique souvenir from clay, all while learning traditional Lao pottery techniques. Your completed and fired pottery souvenir will be thoughtfully delivered to your hotel within 3-7 days, with the firing process contingent on prevailing weather conditions. Conclude the experience with a delightful lunch on the terrace, offering picturesque views of the river, before boarding the boat for a return journey to Luang Prabang.

In the afternoon, we continue to embark on the leisurely cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, a 16th century cave monastery filled with thousands of Buddha images, which locates 25 Kilometers North of Luang Prabang in the limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong River.

En route, you will stop at Ban Muang Keo, a well-known village for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. We then take the boat back to Luang Prabang.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken.

After breakfast, transfer the Buffalo Dairy Farm on the way to Kuang Si waterfalls, which offers the fun and interesting experience for the kids.

From there, transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls which is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals.

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers. After visiting Kuang Si waterfalls, you can visit the nearby Butterflies Park, where you can enjoy the afternoon tea with the homemade cookies whilst relaxing inside the green peaceful garden full of colorful butterflies.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight

Meal: Breakfast