Laos Reveal

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, our guide will walk you through the small streets of Vientiane to admire the local life. We will make a stop at one of the petanque course, where we will join a game with a local team. End your tour of the capital along the banks of the 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.  Overnight in Vientiane + Guide & Driver + Meal: NONE + Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. After that 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. We then visit Lao Disable Women Development Center, which assist disable women to cope with their disability and advocate for their rights. Spend time watching the video and learn about the effort to earn their daily living. You can support them by buying some small handicrafts at the shop. Start the afternoon 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. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane. Tip: 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 if you are interested. Entrance fee and extra coffee/drinks are payable on spot. + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane + Pick-up: 08:30AM

We leave the capital early for our journey northbound to Ban Thaheua. We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. Along the way, we visit the busy and colorful market of KM52 where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. We may also make a short photo stop at Hin Heup bridge, and the fish market in Ban Tha Heua. From there, we will transfer to the nearby resort in Ban Thaheua locating at the north side of Nam Ngum lake, the “sea of Laos”. In the afternoon, our guide will escort you to the nearby village, passing through the local primary school, which is livelier during the school time. We will also visit the local market with plenty of fish stall displays. Back to the resort, relax by the pool and admire the sun setting behind the mountains. Overnight at Sanctuary Nam Ngum Beach Resort + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Hotel in Ban Thaheua + Pick-up: 08:30AM

Optional: Wake up early today, you never want to miss the serene sunrise over the peaceful lake. Our guide will escort you to the nearby area to watch the local villagers preparing for their busy day. After breakfast, we start the cycling tour exploring the nearby villages & the famous Nam Ngum dam. We we will first pass through the local primary school, which is livelier during the school time. We then set-off toward Nam Ngum dam through the small village roads whilst admiring the life of local villagers. Stop at one of the villages to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Relax and talk with the villagers about their daily life. We will also make another stop at the viewpoint to enjoy the panoramic view of the surrounding area. We have ample time to relax at the dam before cycling back to the resort. If time permits, we will stop at another village to watch the rooster fighting in around 30 minutes. Arrive at the resort around noon time. In the afternoon, we will have a 2-hour kayaking around the Nam Ngum lake to explore some islets, and local fishing villages. The kayaking is easy and fun, requiring no special skills. We will stop at Huay Samom village, chatting with the host family, and learning about the weaving techniques. Return to the resort. Relax by the pool and admire the sun setting behind the mountains. Overnight at Sanctuary Nam Ngum Beach Resort + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Hotel in Ban Thaheua + Pick-up: 08:30AM

After breakfast, we leave the lake and drive north for about 30–40 minutes to Vang Vieng, a riverside town framed by dramatic limestone karsts along the Nam Song River. Upon arrival, we visit the cave of Tham Jang, set in the cliffs above the river and once used by local people as a shelter against invaders; a flight of steps leads up to a viewpoint over the valley. After lunch at a local restaurant, check in to your hotel and take some time to relax. Late afternoon, board a long-tail boat on the Nam Song River for a gentle cruise past rice fields, riverside villages and karst peaks as the sun sets behind the mountains. Dinner at a local restaurant in town. Overnight in Vang Vieng Tip: a hot-air balloon flight over Vang Vieng at sunrise or sunset offers a memorable view of the valley (not included – payable on spot). + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng + Pick-up: 08:30AM

Early morning, stroll through the local market of Vang Vieng to watch the town wake up. After breakfast, transfer to the station to board the Laos–China Railway to Luang Prabang; the comfortable journey takes about one hour through tunnels and mountain scenery. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch in town. In the afternoon, visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (closed on Monday), a small museum presenting the clothing, crafts and beliefs of the ethnic groups of northern Laos. We then continue to Ban Xang Khong, a quiet village a few kilometres from town known for its handmade saa (mulberry bark) paper and silk weaving, and watch the artisans at work in their family workshops. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang Tip: in the evening, we recommend the Royal Ballet Theatre at the National Museum to watch the traditional show of Phralak Phralam (check the performance days with your guide – not included – payable on spot). + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 08:00AM

After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. On the way to Kuang Si waterfall, we will make a stop at Buffalo Dairy Farm to join a scheduled tour of the farm every 20 minutes starting on the hour from 10am until 5pm Cuddle up to our beautiful buffalos at 450 kilos or feed Ferdinand, the friendly buffalo at just 750 Kilos!  They love to eat, not only grass but bananas as well! After eating, our buffalo’s next favourite activity is having a bath.  You’ll get to wash them and give them a scrub.  It’s like a “day spa” for buffalo! Hands on milking demonstration! Learn how to milk a buffalo and why buffalo milk is so good for you.  The Buffalo may be the stars of the show but our playful pigs, cheeky chickens and rollicking rabbits are also plenty of fun for the young and young at heart! Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall 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 localsThere is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other touristsIf 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. + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 08:30AM

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, you will visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Your city tour continues with a visit to the 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. After that, we embark on a 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 Xanghai, a well-known village for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. After visiting the cave, we continue to take the cruise further onto Nam Ou river to the nearby Nam Ou Riverside Resort. Set serenely along the Nam Ou river, Nam Ou Riverside Resort is the perfect place for us to relax and unwind before finishing our Laos exploration. Overnight at Nam Ou Riverside Resort + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Nam Ou Riverside Resort + Pick-up: 05:30AM-06:30AM depending on season

You have ample time to stroll around the resort or the nearby village, or just relax by the pool of the resort admiring the lazy Nam Ou river before transferring back to Luang Prabang to take the departure flight + Driver only + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: None + Pick-up: 3.5 hour before departure flight