Laos Heritage and Nature Discovery 5 Days

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.   The rest of the day is your relaxation or exploration around the town. Overnight in Vientiane.

This morning, you’ll head out to see the major highlights of Vientiane. You’ll visit the city’s most important temples, including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which once housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. You’ll also stop at Laos’ national icon, That Luang Stupa, and take some photos at the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

In the afternoon, you’ll drive south of the city to visit Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures set in parkland along the banks of the Mekong, near the Friendship Bridge. Here, you’ll find over 200 religious images, faithfully recreated by a mysterious Buddhist monk, dating back some 500 years. You’ll stay overnight in Vientiane.

After an early brekfast, you’ll take the high-speed train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you’ll head off to explore some of the city’s highlights, starting with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which showcases a range of fascinating artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang. You’ll also visit the city’s oldest temples, including the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, a prime example of classical Lao architecture, as well as the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Sene.

After relaxing at your hotel and letting your lunch settle, you’ll visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ diverse ethnic cultures. You’ll then head out of town to explore the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. If you wish, you can enjoy a coffee at the centre’s café before climbing to the top of Mount Phousi, where you’ll explore the sacred gilded stupa and take in panoramic views of the city and the sunset over the Mekong River.

Descending the mountain, you’ll find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you’ll discover a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts created by local ethnic Lao and hill tribe people. You’ll stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

This morning, you’ll board your private boat for a pleasant and scenic cruise up the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These caves are an ancient pilgrimage site, containing thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha images left behind over hundreds of years.

In the afternoon, you’ll drive to Khouangsi Waterfall, stopping along the way to visit the morning Phousi Market, where the locals of Luang Prabang come for their daily shopping. You’ll see a variety of local foodstuffs and products, including dried buffalo skin, local tea, and saltpeter, among the chickens, fish, vegetables, and fruits—everything needed for daily life in Laos.

On arrival at Khouangsi Waterfall, you’ll have the opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim in the topaz pools below the falls, walk along the forest trails, and visit the Bear Sanctuary. You’ll also enjoy a picnic lunch below the falls.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, you’ll stop at Ban Tha Pan village to share a moment of life with the Kamu people, followed by a visit to Ban Ou, home to the Lao Loum, the ethnic majority of Laos. Finally, you’ll meet the Hmong people at Ban Na Ouane village, a tribe with origins in the mountains of southern China. Their rich history is passed down through oral tradition, as there is no written record of it except in the writings of those who have met them. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to the airport for your departure flight.