Full Itinerary

Day 1: UK Airport / Luang Prabang

Depart on a choice of overnight flights to Luang Prabang via Bangkok or Hanoi. If you’d like to break your journey an add-on in either is easily added.

Day 2: Arrive Luang Prabang

On arrival you’ll be met by your private guide and transferred to the city centre where you check in to your choice of hotel for 4 nights. The rest of the day is free. Don’t miss the superb night market that runs through the centre of town every night.

Day 3: Luang Prabang - Private Guided Almsgiving & City Tour (B / L)

It feels to some that the city is bathed in Buddhism and this feeling is at its most accessible each morning as monks rise early for the silent alms procession. Today rise at dawn to watch this beautiful, understated and authentic tradition with your private guide. On the way back to the hotel they will take you to the Morning Market, a feast of local and somewhat unusual (to us) produce.

After a leisurely breakfast re-join your guide for a private guided Walking tour around this beautiful World Heritage town. You’ll visit Wat Xieng Thong, one of the largest and most decorative temples and Wat Mai, with its beautiful gilded façade. From here continue on to the former Royal Palace, a commanding structure in the centre of town that until 1946 was the heart of the Lang Xang Kingdom. Today it’s the National Museum and its halls contain rare religious and cultural artefacts. Next climb 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi and enjoy panoramic views of the city. The tour finishes with a visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, a repository of information on the country’s many ethnic-minority groups. Lunch will be in a local restaurant during the tour.

As the sun sets, take a one-hour walking tour of Luang Prabang’s night market, which is open from dusk until about 10pm. Browse for colourful textiles, quilts, carvings, basketry, ceramics, clothing and handmade paper.

Day 4: Luang Prabang (B) - Private Guided Mekong Boat Tour to Pak Ou Caves

This morning your guide will collect and take you down to the river where you board the small private boat. Cast off along the Mekong River to visit the Pak Ou Caves that rest high in the limestone cliffs and house thousands of Buddha statues that were hidden from the looting Chinese Haw. The caves were converted into Buddhist temples in the 15th century and are used as a site for old Buddha images that can no longer be venerated in a temple, either because they are damaged or the temple they were displayed in has been destroyed. On the way, stop to visit Ban Xang Khong, where the weaving of Lao textiles still takes place on ancient wooden looms. Back at the hotel early afternoon and the rest of the day’s free.

Day 5: Luang Prabang - Private Walking Day to Ban Long Lao Village, Kuang Si Waterfall & Buffalo Dairy (B / L)

Start the day with a scenic drive up into the hills to Ban Long Lao Village, home to three ethnic groups: the Hmong, Lao and Khmu. Take some time exploring the village and learning more about the lifestyles of each group before embarking on a picturesque three-hour walk to Kuang Si Waterfall. The walk travels past lush rice paddies and through mountainous forest, offering spectacular panoramas of the surrounding countryside. Arrive at the breathtaking Kuang Si Waterfall, whose multi-tiered cascading falls tumble down jagged limestone reliefs into emerald pools. Quite a walk but you can reward yourselves with a refreshing dip into one of the pools. After cooling down enjoy Lao picnic lunch and rest.

This afternoon continue downhill a short way to the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre. Run by the Australian NGO ‘Free the Bears’, the centre cares for over 60 moon bears that were rescued from poachers. Learn about the sanctuary’s conservation work and then continue by foot to Tad Pan Village to peruse the local market, picking up a souvenir or two, before heading back to Luang Prabang.

Along the way, stop at the Laos Buffalo Dairy for an authentic farming experience. Working with people from the surrounding villages, this social enterprise produces ice cream, yoghurt and cheeses, whilst supporting local farmers. You’ll have the chance to get up close with the grazing buffaloes, feeding them grass and bananas and treating them to a cooling bath before taking part in a hands-on milking workshop. Learn about the nutrients of buffalo milk and finish with a sample of the artisanal cheese. Return to Luang Prabang late afternoon.

Day 6: Fly Luang Prabang / Pakse (Southern Laos) - Bolaven Plateau (B / L)

Early transfer to the airport for the short flight to Pakse, gateway to the south. On arrival you’ll be met by your private guide. Time for lunch in a local restaurant then it's time to head up to the Bolaven Plateau, formed by an ancient volcano and one of the most scenic spots in the region, full of beautiful landscapes made up of forests, rivers and waterfalls. At an altitude of over 1,000 metres, the scenery is very different to that experienced in most of the country and even at the hottest time it rarely rises above 27°C.

One of the prime draws is Tad Fane Waterfall whose twin streams dramatically cascade into a 200m deep gorge. From here walk on through the unusual landscape to Paxong and Tadlo that also boast impressive waterfalls. Along the way you will stop at small tea and coffee plantations, as well as visiting minority villages of the Neua Pong Kok and Bhoung people. Late afternoon head back down to the Mekong River to either the River Resort or La Folie Lodge, two beautiful boutique hotels right on the river where you’ll spend 3 nights. 

Day 7: Champasak - Private Guided 4000 Islands Mekong Tour (B / L)

This morning your guide will collect you for a day exploring the south. Drive down to the 4000 islands for a boat ride to the largest waterfalls in Asia on Cambodia’s border. Khone Phapeng & Li Phi Falls were the major obstacles which thwarted the French in their efforts to open the Mekong River to navigation. Here also live some 50-100 Irrawaddy dolphins. If you’re lucky you'll see them. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. This afternoon walk along the small gauge railway and Colonial Bridge that were built by the French to circumnavigate the falls and open up the region. Transfer back to the hotel late afternoon.

Day 08: Champasak (B) - Free Day by Mekong River

A free day to take a break from touring and enjoy the holiday’s riverside position and facilities. The surrounding countryside can be explored on foot, by bike or kayak.

Day 09: Champasak (B)- Flight to Thai beach

Morning airport transfer and flight to your choice of Thai beach for 7 nights on the beach.

There are so many world class beach destinations in southern Thailand, each one offering something slightly different to the others. Just 2 hours from Bangkok is the royal resort of Hua Hin or fly a further hour to reach Phuket, Khao Lak, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

Once you've made your choice relax and enjoy 6 days of glorious beach time. The beach stay can be as long or as short as you'd like.

Days 10-15: Thai Beach Stay (B)

6 full days to enjoy your beachside location, the hotel's facilities and the outlying islands & reefs.

Day 16: Beach (B) - Flight home

 Day free until private airport transfer to connect with your overnight flight home. Arrive the following morning.

Inclusions

What's Included

Each featured itinerary is really a starting point from which to create your ideal holiday.

We can include as much or as little as you like, mix and match hotels, excursions and experiences, add extra nights and change the destinations you'd like to visit.

The common thread is that each is a privately guided holiday, allowing you to travel where and when you want, with your own private transport and dedicated guide.

General Inclusions:

• Return scheduled international flights (optional if you would like to arrange your own)
• English speaking, local guide & driver
• Choice of hotel accommodation
• Transport in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Domestic flights detailed in itinerary
• Admission fees to all attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
• All meals as detailed (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)

General Exclusions:

• Entry visas International airport departure taxes if payable locally
• Optional Tours / Excursions
• Any meals not listed in the itinerary
• Drinks
• Personal expenses
• Tips for Guides / Drivers (discretionary)
• Travel insurance
• Any camera or video fees charged at sites

Where You'll Stay

 Hotels

The hotels below are there as examples, designed to act as a starting point from which to create your holiday. There are plenty of alternatives to choose from and when we quote we will include other suggestions so we get to understand your likes and dislikes. Quite often clients mix and match hotel categories throughout their holiday.

Laos

Request a Quote

Powered by ChronoForms - ChronoEngine.com