Unveil the Wonders of Laos: 9-Day Adventure and Cultural Tour

This morning we head out to see the major highlight. You are seeing the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph

Afternoon, we drive south from Vientiane city to see the Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures set in parkland on the banks of the Mekong close to the Friendship Bridge. Here we find over 200 religious images dating back some 500 years faithfully recreated by a mysterious Biddhist monk.

Overnight in Vientiane

This morning, you take the high speed train to Oudomxay  (07h30 – 10h17).

Oudomxay Province is home to a mixture of 23 ethnic minority groups. We make a few rest stops along the way, giving you the opportunity to see the ethnic minority groups such as Hmong, Khmu, Black Thai and Lue. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly, welcoming you with waving hands and smilling faces. You have time to visit the Phou That mountain and enjoy the impressive view of the city. We then get back on the road, this time heading north to Nam Kat Yolapa via Oudomxay

Overnight in Nam Kat Yorlapar

Breakfast at the hotel. On the mountain road to Mouang Khoua via Muang La. Muang La is located in the middle of the forest and surrounded by mountains. Arrive at Mouang Khoua, although it is called Mouang (town), is a village, which is buried in the spectacular landscape of the Nam Ou Valley. Overnight in Muang Khoua

After breakfast, take a stroll through the streets of Muang Khua. We will board on a long-tail boat downstream the Nam Ou River to Muang Ngoi, the village in the middle of nowhere. The scenery along the way is said to be the most beautiful part of the gently Nam Ou River. Along the way, we will make a short stop at Ban Sop Chem, home to the Thai Deang tribe (Red Thai) and Khmu who have simple life, see the daily lives of local people, lifestyle, culture ... We arrive in Muang Ngoi just in time to catch the sunset before checking in your simple guesthouse. Overnight in Muang Ngoi

08:00 After breakfast, Dparture for the cruise: discover the valley of Muang Ngoi. Three hours of hiking will take you through rice paddies, streams to Tham Kang cave where the locals took refuge during the bombings of the Indochina War. Continue your hike beyond the limestone landforms to the Khmu village of Ban Na Kaang. After a short visit to the village and a warm encounter with its inhabitants, return to Muang Ngoi.

Overnight in Muang Ngoi

After breakfast this morning we take a short boat journey to Nong Khiaw were we transfer to road transport for the drive to the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. 

Along the way we visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, these caves are an ancient pilgrimage site and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years.  You will visit too Ban Xang Hai village or Whisky village in Luang Prabang 

Arriving in Luang Prabang mid afternoon we check in to our hotel and your evening is free to explore or relax at your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang

This morning we drive to Khouangsi Waterfall stopping along the way to visit the morning Phousi Market, this where all locals of Luang Prabang come to do their daily shopping.  You will see a variety of local foodstuffs and products including dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit, everything needed for daily life in Laos.

On arrival at the Khouangsi Waterfall you will 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.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, a small stop at Ban Tha Pan village to share a moment of life with the Kamu people. Then visit the village of Ban Ou where live Lao Loum, ethnic majority of Laos.

Finally, meet the Hmong people at Ban Na Ouane village. This tribe has its origins in the mountains of southern China. They have an oral tradition, there is no written record of their history except in the writings of people who met them

Afternoon, we will see some of the highlights of Luang Prabang including a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang. We are seeing the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. 

You can enjoy a coffee at the center’s café if you chose before our climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River. 

Descanting the mountain your will find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

You have a free time until transfer to airpot for your departure flight