LAOS GRAND TOUR

Length

10 DAYS

Type of tour

CULTURE/NATURE

Type of service

PRIVATE

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TRIP OVERVIEW

  The Laos Grand Tour is a classic and comprehensive 10-day itinerary that combines top attractions with outstanding cultural visits and nature experiences, following the path from Luang Prabang to the far south of the country.

Visit Luang Prabang, ‘City of the Golden Buddha‘, the legendary capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom, located on the peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam rivers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

Admire the beauty of the Kuang Si waterfalls and cruise the Mekong River to discover the Pak Ou Caves, or the Thousand Buddha Caves, an important place of worship and pilgrimage for centuries.

Visit Vang Vieng, the town framed by a backdrop of karst mountains, lush forests and impressive caves, as well as Vientiane, the quiet capital of Laos on the banks of the Mekong River.

Explore southern Laos for an unforgettable nature experience at Plateau Bolaven, the incredible Tad Fane, Li Phi and Khone Papheng waterfalls, as well as Don Khong and Don Khone in the ‘4000 Islands‘ area.

This sample itinerary starts in Luang Prabang and ends in Pakse. It can be customised to suit your travel needs or combined with other trips in Laos, as well as an overland trip to Cambodia.

Laos Grand Tour- map © In Asia Travel

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

Length : 10D 09N
From : LUANG PRABANG
To : PAKSE (or continue to Cambodia)
Destinations : Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, Pakse, Plateau Bolaven, Tad Lo, Champassak, Don Khong, 4000 island

ITINERARY

01. ARRIVE IN LUANG PRABANG

Luang Prabang view - LaosLuang Prabang view

Welcome meeting by our staff upon arrival in Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom located on the peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam rivers, UNESCO World Heritage since 1995, whose origins date back to the ancient city Muang Sua built in 698. Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Included : Private pick up from them airport, private transportation and hotel

02. LUANG PRABANG

National MuseumNational Museum

At 5:30am we witness the Tak Bak ceremony, the monks’ quest, an ancient Asian Buddhist religious tradition practiced with constancy only in Luang Prabang. Every morning, for the past 2,500 years, hundreds of monks walk barefoot from their temples to the centre of the city. Forming a long line, they slowly walk through the streets to collect alms, especially ‘sticky rice’, donated by the faithful, who wait silently on the pavements, in exchange for prayers and blessings.

Once finished, we return to the hotel for breakfast. We then continue our tour of the most important attractions.

We visit the National Museum: formerly the Royal Palace, it now houses an important collection of valuables including statues of Buddha and many other objects donated by visiting dignitaries to the court of Luang Prabang. We continue along the quiet streets lined with buildings from the French colonial period to admire their architecture and learn about their original function.

Next we visit the Wat Sene Souk Haram temple, or ‘Temple of 100,000 Treasures‘, built in 1718 using 100,000 stones extracted from the Mekong River, and Wat Xieng Thong, or ‘Monastery of the Golden City‘, founded in 1560, one of the most important in Luang Prabang, known for the grace and elegance of its architecture.

Afterwards, we visit Wat Visoun, built in 1513, Wat Aham, or ‘Monastery of the Blossoming Heart‘, built at the beginning of the 19th century as a place of meditation and a meeting place between animist and Buddhist cultures, and the Wat Mai, ‘New Monastery‘, built at the end of the 18th century, one of the most complex and picturesque temples in the city, richly decorated and easily distinguishable by its unique five-level roof.

Late in the afternoon we climb Mount Phousi to visit the sacred golden stupa and admire the beautiful city skyline and a romantic sunset over the Mekong.

A walk to the Night Market on Luang Prabang’s main street in the evening is definitely worthwhile, as you can meet local traders selling handicrafts from the area’s ethnic minorities.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

03. PAK OU CAVES AND KUANG SI WATERFALLS

Kuang Si waterfallsKuang Si waterfalls

After breakfast we head to the pier and embark on a river cruise to Pak Ou Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves. Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Ou rivers, they are one of the must-see sights on a trip to Laos.

The sanctuary consists of two large limestone caves: Tham Ting, the lower cavity, which can be reached by climbing the 30-step staircase, and Tham Theung, the upper cavity, which can be reached by climbing the 70-step staircase.

The Pak Ou caves have been an important place of worship for many centuries for the faithful, who offer a Buddha image as a gift when they make a pilgrimage there. As a result of this tradition, today both cavities house thousands of statues of Buddha of different sizes, from a few centimeters to about 2 meters, in different styles and spiritual positions (mudras), from meditation to ascent to nirvana. During the cruise we admire the typical Laotian rural landscape and the local lifestyle. 

We continue to the outskirts of Luang Prabang to the incredible Kuang Si waterfalls. Along the way we visit some villages inhabited by ethnic minorities.

Once at the falls, there is plenty of free time for a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters, to explore the trails that lead into the forest, or simply to relax surrounded by this beautiful natural setting.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

04. VANG VIENG

Vang Vieng viewVang Vieng view

After breakfast we visit the TAEC, ‘The Art and Ethnology Center‘, the ethnology centre dedicated to more than 20 ethnic groups and committed to preserve the art and lifestyle of the Laotian minorities. Operating since 2007, it offers visitors permanent exhibitions on ethnic culture and an extensive collection of artefacts.

Next, we move on to Vang Vieng. Rather than a town, Vang Vieng is a large village where the real highlight is the undeniable beauty of the karst landscape and the unexplored caves, some of which have names that recur in local mythology and are said to be inhabited by spirits.

During the transfer, the landscape is very interesting and gives us an insight into the daily lifestyle of the hill tribe

On arrival in Vang Vieng we visit Tham Chang Cave, the most famous and full of fascinating stories. It was once used as an impregnable refuge during the devastating raids of northern Chinese predators. An electrical system now lights the way to the upper cave from where you can see the superb surrounding landscape and the Nam Song River through a gap in the limestone wall.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

05. NAM NGUN LAKE - VIENTIANE

We start the day with an excursion to ‘Nam Ngum Lake‘, the large artificial water reservoir created by the dam on the Nam Ngum River.

Crossing the river, we reach Ban Huai Ngai village where we observe the different local lifestyle. Afterwards we stop at Ban Keun village known for its large salt extraction plant.

Once at the lake we board a long-tail boat for the excursion to the fishing villages, on the islets of the river.

Afterwards, transfer to Vientiane, the quiet capital of Laos on the banks of the Mekong River.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

06. VIENTIANE

That Luang Stupa © Gabriele Stoia - In Asia TravelThat Luang Stupa

After breakfast we visit the most significant landmarks such as Wat Si Saket, known for its thousands images of Buddha that, according to local belief, protected the temple during the Siamese invasion of 1828.

We continue to Wat Ho Prakeo, built in 1865 to house the famous Emerald Buddha, and to That Luang Stupa, considered the most important monument in Laos. The latter, according to local belief, houses a relic of the Buddha brought over in the 3rd century BC.

We conclude our visits to Vientiane at the Patuxai, or ‘Laotian Gate of Triumph‘ the monument dedicated to the fallen of all wars.

Afternoon transfer to Wat Xieng Khouan, also known as ‘Buddha Park‘. In 1958 the Buddhist-Hinduist cleric Boun Léua created numerous sculptures inspired by the Buddhist and Hindu religions, with the aim of ‘uniting’ the two beliefs through a work of art.

The 40-metre-long statue of the reclining Buddha and the large hollow sculpture in the shape of a head, which provides access to an upper level with a beautiful view of the park, symbolising the passage from hell to heaven, are particularly noteworthy.

Afterwards we get back to the city in time for the spectacular sunset over the Mekong River.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

07. BOLAVEN PLATEU AND WATERFALLS

Tad Fan waterfalls © Gabriele Stoia - In Asia TravelTad Fane waterfalls

After breakfast transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Pakse, the former capital of the Champasak Kingdom, today the provincial capital as well as the second largest and most populous city in Laos.

On arrival we transfer to Plateau Bolaven, situated between the Annamite Mountain range and the Mekong River, crossed by numerous rivers and framed by a picturesque natural landscape of forests, coffee, tea, cardamom and banana plantations as well as dozens of waterfalls.

The name Bolaven comes from the Laven ethnic group that has historically dominated this area. At an altitude of 1,000 to 1,350 metres above sea level, the plateau welcomes us with cooler temperatures than the rest of the country.

Following this, we visit the incredible Tad Fane waterfalls in the natural setting of the Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area near the village of Ban Lak.

The Champee and Pak Koot rivers flow off the plateau and come together here to create the two branches of the waterfall which, with a 120-metre drop, fall over the steep cliff creating what seems to be an endless flow of water.

In the afternoon we head to Tad Lo village where we visit the famous Tad Lo waterfalls. The area is inhabited by several ethnic minorities, including Alak, Nge, and Katu.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, domestic flight, tickets, private transportation

08. WAT PHU - DON KHONG

Wat Phu © Gabriele Stoia - In Asia TravelWat Phu Temple

Morning transfer to Champasak to visit the ruins of Wat Phu Temple, at the base of Mount Phu Kao. The temple was built as early as the 5th century, during the pre-Angkorian period, however, most of the ruins visible today date back to the 11th and 13th centuries, during the Angkorian period.

Compared to other temples of the same period, the structure is developed according to a unique architecture, evolving towards the top of the mountain and ending with a sanctuary dedicated to the deity Shiva. Wat Phu Temple has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.

In the afternoon we carry on south to Si Phan Don, the area better known as the ‘4000 Islands‘, which corresponds with the widest point of the Mekong river bed, with a maximum of 12 km during the rainy season.

This site is called “4000 islands” because thousands of islands of different sizes surface during the “dry” season (November to May) as the water level of the Mekong decreases.

Upon arrival we head to Don Khong Island. Plenty of free time to explore the surroundings at your pace.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation

09. 4000 ISLANDS - WATERFALLS

Li Phi waterfalls © Gabriele Stoia - In Asia TravelLi Phi waterfalls

After breakfast we travel to Ban Khone village on Don Khone Island.

Several references and artefacts from the French Indochina period are visible in the area, such as some dwellings and an original locomotive from that period on a section of the old railway built for commercial purposes with the aim, though never achieved, of reaching China by bypassing the rapids of the Mekong River.

Next, we travel to Li Phi Falls, also known as Samphamith Falls, which mark the natural border between Laos and Cambodia.

In the afternoon we continue by boat to Ban Nakasang jetty and drive south to the Khone Phapeng waterfalls, the largest in Southeast Asia.

Afterwards, we return to Done Khong Island for an overnight stay.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation

10. PAKSE - DEPARTURE

Transfer to Pakse airport in time for your departure flight.

This itinerary can be extended into Cambodia by crossing the Don Kralor land border.

Included : Breakfast, private transportation to airport

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