Essential Laos

Day 01

Luang Prabang      – , – , –

Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight.

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Day 02

Luang Prabang – (Tak Bat) Full day City tour      B, – , –

Breakfast at hotel.

You can discuss with your guide for an optional early morning start (5.30am) to witness and partake in the daily morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’ or giving alms to the monks. This is a unique ritual still followed by the locals in Luang Prabang. We can also visit the local fresh market to see how the locals shop, before returning to your hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast we visit the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history. We then begin our temple tour taking in some the cities most beautiful structures, including the country’s most historic and enchanting temple Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style, as well as the unique Wat Mai, with its five tiered roof and Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape.

In the afternoon we visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a great insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. We then visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Our final stop of the day is a climb Mt Phousi, which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River.

Overnight.

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Day 03

Luang Prabang – Half day Kuang Si waterfall – Hin Boun      B, – , –

Breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast, we visit Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving process will be explained. We then drive out of the town where you have the option of stopping to visit Khmu, Hmong and Lao Loum villages, representing the main ethnic groups of Laos. This then takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre, that does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. We then return to Luang Prabang by lunchtime.

This afternoon free time at leisure.

Overnight.

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Day 04

Luang Prabang – Pakse – Wat Phou – Champasak      B, L, –

Breakfast at hotel.

Following your breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for your flight to Pakse.

Flight: QV 513 LPQ – PKZ 10:30 – 12:10 (Subject to change).

Upon arrival in Pakse you will be met by your driver and guide and driven to Champasak. Upon arrival in Champassak we continue by car to Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th Century. This dramatically sited temple is one of the highlights of any trip to Laos. After your visit transfer back to your hotel for the rest of the day to relax.

Overnight.

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Day 05

Champasak – 4000 Islands – Champasak      B, L , –

Breakfast at hotel.

After an early morning breakfast, we cross over to the mainland and drive south to Ban Hatsaikhone, where we board a local private boat for a boat tour of the 4000 Islands. We reach the picturesque island of Don Khone by lunchtime, and in the afternoon explore the island by bicycle, tracing the route of an old abandoned railway and admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings, and the beautiful Liphi Waterfall. From here we take a boat onto the Mekong to one of the few places in the world where it is possible to see freshwater dolphins.

We then return to our boat and head back to the mainland, visiting the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia. In the late afternoon we drive back to Champasak, arriving there by early evening.

Overnight.

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Day 06

Champasak – Departure      B, – , –

Breakfast at hotel.

Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before being transferred to the airport for your flight.

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