LAOS

Day 02 - Luang Prabang

Early morning, partaking in a blessing ceremony that is believed to bring you health, happiness and longevity. Afterwards, start your day with a visit to the Royal Palace, which is now a National Museum and houses the precious exhibits that used to be possessions of the former Laos Royal family. Continue with the exploration of Wat Xiengthong, a 16th century temple which epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture. Take the opportunity to interact with the monks at the Wat Mai temple before ending the day with a climb of 328 steps to the top of Phousi Hill. Where you can watch the sun set over Luang Prabang town and the two rivers and forested hills which form its natural borders.

Day 03 - Luang Prabang

Wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks - an awe-inspiring sight.

After breakfast, embark on a two hour cruise in a long-tail boat on the Mekong River and visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. En route, typical Laotian villages are barely visible behind thick foliage. Continue to Ban Muang Keo villageand observe local weavers and whisky distillers honoring their timeworn traditional crafts. 

You will also visit to Nam Lum village where hundreds of leprosy people were sent here a long time ago to be kept away from the community while the local government at that time had no sufficient medicines to cure them. 

Day 04 - Luang Prabang / Vientiane / Xieng Khouang via flight

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Vientiane, then take your connecting flight to Xieng Khouang, home to the enigmatic Plain of Jars, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Settled in Laos’ highlands and close to the Vietnamese border, this remote town is not often visited by western visitors and accommodation is simple. 

The balance of the day and evening at leisure to enjoy the nice setting of the hotel.

Day 05 - Xieng Khouang

Drive around 10km to the Plain of Jars, an archaeological spectacle where giant stone Jars are scattered around the landscape. 

Then, depart for a 1.5 hour drive to the district of Muang Kham and visit different villages of hill tribes such as the Tai Dam and Hmong. War remnants can be found scattered across the landscape with several anti-mining tanks having found their permanent resting place in the forests surrounding the plains. 

Day 06 - Xieng Khouang / Vientiane via flight

Visit to the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) at their camp where you will learn more about MAG's current projects to protect the local community from the destruction caused by unexplored ordnance (UXO), which still plagues the country. 

Then, transfer to the airport for the afternoon flight to Vientiane, a quaint and easy-going city compared to other frenetic capitals in the region. It is located on the bank of the Mekong River and facing Thailand. 

Day 07 - Vientiane

Today, visit the serene Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in town. Continue to Wat Ho Phra Keo, the former home of the Emerald Buddha statue. Next stop is That Luang, considered to be the symbol of Laos and Patouxay, also known as the Arc de Triomphe, which was built in the 1960’s in commemoration of those who died during the wars of the past. This visit to the weaving home-studio of an American textiles expert, as part of a United Nations project to promote traditional weaving. Then, visit a local school outside of the city where you will meet and play with the local pupils.

Day 08 - Vientiane / Pakse via flight

This morning, transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Pakse, the hub for trading between Laos and Thailand as well as a gateway to fascinating southern Laos. Upon arrival, meet and transfer through pleasant rural scenery of hills and local villages towards Champasak, the former Royal Capital. Reach the picturesque pre-Angkorian Wat Phou temple, which was built between the 6th and 13th centuries. Then, take the boat ride to Don Daeng where you will check in your resort. Then hop on a bicycle for an orientation tour around the village. Stop to visit the village’s community house where you may want to offer your kind generosity through practical donations such as common medicines, clothes, school supplies to the local kids who live in a poor life and lack of these items.

Day 09 - Don Daeng

Visit the Khone Phapheng waterfall, covering an impressive 10km stretch of the Mekong. Then, board a local boat for a visit to “Si Phan Don”, the 4,000 islands. Make a stop at Don Khone, which features the remnants of the French colonial area, including an old pier, a railway station, a former French hospital building and the maritime office. This afternoon, visit to the Liphi waterfalls, nicknamed the “Corridor of the Devil“. Return to the mainland and transfer back to your hotel, stop at Ban Kiet Ngong for an elephant riding experience in the Xepian National Conservation Area.

Day 10 - Don Daeng / Tad Lo

Transfer for two hours to the Bolaven Plateau, a fertile agricultural area supporting coffee, tea and cardamom plantations. Visit Ban Houei Houne, a village of the ethnic minority of Katou and learn more about traditional way of rural life. Continue the trip over the plateau with lots of nice views of villages with tea and coffee plantations along the road side. 

After lunch, visit more ethnic villages of the Alak and the Ngea minorities. Spend the night in Tad Lo.

Day 11 - Tad Lo

Today is another day doing great deeds. Drive about one hour to visit a local school in Kok Phung Tai village where you will offer some donations such as medicines, books, school bags and clothes. Especially, if you could spend some time playing and singing with the kids, you will leave in their pure minds beautiful impressions which they will never forget. 

Day 12 - Pakse / Vientiane via flight

Morning transfer back to Pakse to take the afternoon flight back to Vientiane, then take your departure flight onto next destination or home.