Laos Highlights 7 Days

On arrival in Vientiane, you will be welcomed by local tour guide and transferr to hotel in Vientiane – the country’s charming capital, with its laidback riverside ambience, and alluring monuments. You’ll spend the night 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.

You’ll start your day with breakfast at the hotel before driving about 3 hours to Vang Vieng, once a key military airfield during the Indochina wars. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to admire the rural life and visit Ban Houeimo, a local fishing village. Upon arrival in Vang Vieng, you’ll check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll begin your trip to Tham Jung Cave, once home to migrating people who settled near the town’s southern Meuang Xong Village to grow vegetables. The locals discovered the cave during the civil war while seeking refuge deep in the forest. Next, you’ll head to Tham Loup, a deep cave known for its fascinating stalagmites and stalactites. You’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon to relax. You’ll spend the night in Vang Vieng.

Today, you’ll depart for Luang Prabang, with a drive of about five hours. Upon arrival in the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a half-day guided tour, including visits to the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, and Wat Mai, known for its five-tiered roof. You’ll then climb Phousi Hill to take in a stunning sunset view of the city and its reflection on the Mekong River. The ascent includes 329 steps along a zigzag path, passing various temples on your way to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat Phousi at the summit. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

This morning, you’ll continue exploring Luang Prabang, starting with the city’s oldest temples, Wat Sene and Wat Xieng Thong. Wat Sene, or “Temple of 100,000 Treasures,” is one of the most beautiful temples in Luang Prabang, known for its deep ochre color, flamboyantly glittering with gold. Wat Xieng Thong, a magnificent piece of architecture, sits at the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. The temple is adorned with gilded stuccoes and intricate doorways, with the main sim featuring a stunning ‘Tree of Life’ mosaic on an outer wall.

You’ll then board a traditional riverboat for a trip upstream on the Mekong River to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves, which house thousands of Buddha statues. Next, you’ll visit Ban Xang Hai, a village renowned for distilling traditional rice alcohol, once famous for its large jars, crafted there for over 2,000 years. Afterward, you’ll walk around Ban Pak Ou, a small Laotian fishing village along the Mekong River, and continue to Ban Muang Keo, where you’ll observe the production of colorful fabrics woven on simple looms. You’ll return to Luang Prabang by boat. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

You’ll start the day with breakfast at your hotel before visiting the National Museum, once a royal palace. Inside, you’ll find a lovely collection of personal artifacts from the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts from foreign dignitaries.

Afterward, you’ll leave the city for a one-hour drive to Kuang Si Waterfall. The waterfalls cascade over multi-tiered limestone formations into cool, clear pools, perfect for swimming and relaxing. The water has a beautiful blue-green tint due to the high mineral content. You can climb the stairs and enjoy stunning views from various high points along the way! You’ll return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and visit Ban Xangkhong, a village renowned for silk weaving and traditional Saa paper making. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Your time is your own until your car arrives to take you to the airport for your departure flight. Tour ends.