DAY 1:             LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL – BACI CEREMONY & DINNER (D)

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be met by local guide transferred to your hotel. Late afternoon, we can go for a stroll around this quaint town and have time to explore the Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local villagers and the hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang. Dinner is at a local house and is accompanied by a traditional Baci ceremony.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 2:             LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU CAVES (B, L)

After breakfast we embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, a popular stop-over producing some special varieties of Laolao, the local rice wine. After we visit the caves we make another short stop at a smaller village named Ban Muangkeo. Here we have a stroll through town and get a glimpse of local village life along the Mekong River.
We have lunch at a local riverside restaurant with a stunning view of the Pak Ou Caves. On our return, we stop at the local villages of Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan then continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun.
 
The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure in Luang Prabang.
 
Overnight at Luang Prabang Hotel.

DAY 3:             LUANG PRABANG WALKING TOUR (B, L)

Optional early wake-up call possible to join the locals giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from morning prayers. Take a stroll through Ban Pakham morning market and take part in this everyday ritual.
 
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, enjoy a tour of the city. Your circuit begins at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, continuing on to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai (the Lao New Year celebrations in April), the Kingdoms Palladium - known as Prabang and normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum - is put on public display in this temple. Continue on to Wat Xieng Thong, perhaps the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang.

In the late morning visit the unique Wat Visoun, entirely rebuilt after its destruction in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa, which is shaped like the fruit it takes its name from.

In the afternoon start with the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which will give you further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. There is also time to visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek before returning to the Old Town to climb Mount Phousi and enjoy the fantastic sunset view of Luang Prabang, and the Nam Kan River joining the Mekong.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 4:             LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATERFALL – VIENTIANE (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel. This morning we make our way to the famous Kuang Si Waterfalls. Along the way, you will drive through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills, and small villages. Stop en-route to visit a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries.

Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The water tumbles down a large drop and cascades gently in to several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim (please dress modestly). Return to Luang Prabang, stop to visit the nearby Bear Rescue Centre that does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear.

Transfer to airport for your short flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival Vientiane, transfer to hotel, check in.
 
Overnight in Vientiane.

DAY 5:             VIENTIANE CITY TOUR – BUDDHA PARK (B, L)

In the morning, we start our Vientiane tuk-tuk tour at Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao’s national icon, That Luang Stupa, we will stop at the Patuxay Monument, known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
 
In the afternoon visit the quirky Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures situated on a Mekong Riverside meadow outside of the city centre. The statues were created by a mysterious monk by way of spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe.

Overnight in Vientiane.

DAY 6:             VIENIANE – PAKSE – CHAMPASAK - WAT PHOU - 4000 ISLAND (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to airport for a short flight to Pakse. Upon arrival in Pakse we drive to Wat Phou, a site of ancient religious significance in one of the most spectacular regions of Laos. We drive to Wat Phou by car, but make our way back across the Mekong River by local transport before our van awaits us to take us to Khone Island, part of the 4,000 Islands region. Here the Mekong can get up to 14km wide during the rainy season and it is dotted with thousands of islands varying in size.

Overnight in the 4000 Islands.

DAY 7:             4000 ISLANDS – KHONE PAPHENG WATERFALL (B)

After breakfast, take a local boat to the peaceful islands of Done Det and Done Khone, sites of the only railway ever built in Laos at the end of the 19th century.
After a stroll through the palm-fringed villages, continue to the southernmost part of Laos and the impressive Khone Papheng waterfalls, just a few miles from the Cambodian border.

In the afternoon return to your hotel, stopping en route at a location where you have a good chance of spotting the region’s rare Irrawaddy dolphins. The remainder of your day is at leisure to relax or explore the island further.

Overnight in Khone Island.

DAY 8:             4000 ISLANDS – PAKSE DEPARTURE (B)

Your day is at leisure until transfer to Pakse for your departure flight.