Best Of Laos - 10 days

Chiang Rai, ThailandPakse, Laos
Best Of Laos Best Of Laos Best Of Laos Best Of Laos Best Of Laos Best Of Laos Best Of Laos Best Of Laos Best Of Laos Best Of Laos
From $1,054USD/pax
Duration:10 days
Tour type:Private tour
Country:Laos
Start:Chiang Rai, Thailand
Finish:Pakse, Laos

  • Country: Laos
  • Your guide: English speaking
  • Travel style: Cultural & Classic
  • Tour type: Private tour
  • Start: Chiang Rai, Thailand
  • Finish: Pakse, Laos

You will visit

Chiang Rai / Huay Xai / Pakbeng / Luang Prabang / Kuang Sy waterfall / Vang Vieng / Vientiane / Wat Phou temple / Khong island / Pakse

Full Itinerary

B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner) Collapse All

Today you will be transferred to the Thai border town of Chiang Khong to cross the border to Huay Xai, Laos. Our guide will welcome you and we take a tuk tuk to the slow boat pier and embark on Shompoo cruise for a downstream journey to Pakbeng. During the cruise, the boat will take its first stop in Pak Tha, to get signed the boat documents. Lunch is served onboard.
We stop then a second time for visiting a Kamu village along the Mekong River. The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before the night.

Note:

  • From October to February, it can get cold during the cruise, do not forget to bring a jacket.
  • It is possible to leave luggage and suitcase on the boat and take only small daypack for your overnight in Pakbeng.
  • For safety reasons and according to the weather conditions, the program may change without prior notice.

Route: Huay Xai - Pakbeng: 150 km travel by boat in 6 hours (join in boat).
Meals: Lunch on cruise.

At 8:30am, the boat leaves Pakbeng. On the way, one lunch served on board and 2 stops: visit first Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its thousands of Buddha images, go then to Ban Xang Hai, a lao lao whiskey village.
Arrive in Luang Prabang boat pier at Ban Don Mai around 4:30pm, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to your hotel in town.

Route: transfer by Boat: 140Km in 5 hours Join in Boat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

We visit the former King's Palace in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang learning about today's life and history. Luang Prabang is maybe the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights, like the Wat Xieng Thong, make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos.

Later in the day we'll visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

In the evening, ready for sunset, climb up to the top of Phu Si Mountain for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa. From this awe-inspiring vista, take in the beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. At the Night Market, you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles crafted by local and hill-tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Route: transfer by private car (Luang Prabang city tour: around the city with short distance).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice.

You will visit the Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit the Ban Ouay, Hmong Hill tribe, Ban Ou, Lowland Lao and Ban Thapene of Khmu village. Continue driving to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths, return to Luang Prabang and we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand- made Jute Sar paper.

Route: transfer by private car (Luang Prabang - Kuang Sy fall: 45 mins/way).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

Breakfast at the hotel, depart for Vang Vieng through an astonishing landscape of limestone karsts. Visit a few villages along the road before reaching Vang Vieng.
We explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. We also cross the river to Ban Huai Ngai, a very pleasant village where we can explore the different lifestyles of the locals.

Route: transfer by private car (Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng: 250 km, 5 hours)
Meals: Breakfast
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide

Breakfast at the hotel and free to relax, afternoon today drive to Vientiane (about 3 hours). On the way, we will see some breathtaking scenery en route as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. Along the way we visit the busy and colourful market of Thalat where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions.

Route: transfer by private car (Vang Vieng - Vientiane: 180 km, 3 hours).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

Today we have a full day to explore Vientiane- the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indo Chinese cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Our visit will take you to the key sites: National Museum, Wat Sisaket the city ‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the next stop is  Haw Phra Kaeo. This large temple is beautiful both interiorl and exterior, it was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees.

In the afternoon a stop at the older part of Morning market is recommended before the visit Pha That Luang. The giant golden stupa is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Next you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane.

Route: transfer by private car (city tour: short distance).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

After breakfast, we will take the van to the airport for your flight to Pakse and Champassak. On the way, visit Wat Phou, the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire then continue on to Nagasang, for a boat cruise to the beautiful Island of Ban Khone where you can sometimes see Irrawadee dolphins. Overnight in Ban Khone.

Route: Transfer by plane and private car (Vientiane - Pakse: 1 hour 20 mins, Pakse - Khong island: 130 kms, 2 hours)
Meals: Breakfast
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before cruising by boat to Khone Phapeng Waterfall, which spans 14km in width of the mighty Mekong River. This waterall is listed as the world's widest waterfall. More akin to tumbling rapids than a waterfall from a Western perspective, it is still quite impressive, especially during the rainy season when the water is running fast and furious.
Drive back to Pakse in the late afternoon.

Route: transfer by private car (Khong island - Pakse: 130 km, 2 hours, boat: 1.5 hours).
Meals: Breakfast.
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide.

Have breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy a free morning before driving to the Pakse Airport to catch your departure flight.

Route: transfer by private car (Pakse - airport: 10 km, 20 minutes)
Meals: Breakfast
Local guide: no guide, driver only

Personal Support
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Inclusions

  • Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels.
  • Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Internal flight in economy class (Vientiane - Pakse).
  • Services of a private driver and air-conditioned vehicles.
  • Service of English speaking guides in every location.
  • Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited.
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.

Exclusions

  • International flights.
  • Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Early check-in and late check-out at hotels.
  • Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.).
  • Tips for guides and drivers.
  • Personal travel insurance.

Notes

  • Tour Price

    The tour rate is based on twin/double sharing rooms at 3* hotel category. The price will vary slightly depending on the number of people in your group. For an accurate tour price, please click the "INQUIRE NOW" button to discuss with our sales consultant.

  • Deposit

    A minimum deposit of 30% of the full amount is required to confirm your booking. The balance will be settled before or upon arrival.

  • Food Requirement

    If you have any specific food requirement (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies, etc.) please inform us in advance, we will provide notices to our restaurants, tour guides and partners so they would be able to serve you the best.

  • Cancellation

    We apply non refundable deposit of 10 USD for hotel, air ticket booking, 100 USD/per person for tour package upon service confirmation. Cancellations will be charged as following:

    • 30 days before arrival: No cancellation charge.
    • 29 - 14 days before arrival: 10% of the tour cost is forfeited.
    • 13 - 7 days before arrival: 40% of the tour cost is forfeited.
    • 6 days before arrival: 100 % of the tour cost is forfeited.
    • No show: 100% of the tour cost is forfeited.

  • Child Policy

    • Infant under 2-years-old free of charge land tour and 25% of airfare.
    • Child under 12-years-old sharing room with adult without extra bed charge 50% of adult land tour and 75% of airfare.
    • Child under 12-years-old sharing room with adult with bed charge 80% of adult land tour and 75% of airfare.
    • Upon 12-years-old - 100% charge of tour cost.