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Day 1 - Arrive Vientiane - City Tour
Arrive in Vientiane. Your guide and private car will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.
Enjoy a half-day guided tour to discover the hidden charms of Vientiane, whose name means ‘the city of sandal wood’. Vientiane is one of the quietest capital cities in the world, far away from the bustle and hustle of other Asian capitals.
Your tour begins at the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues.
Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby, is the Presidential Palace. Although you are not allowed to visit inside, it is a good glimpse in to the town’s colonial past as this building formerly served as the French governor’s palace.
Visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.
Continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof for sweeping panoramic views of the city.
Next, your tour takes you to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire.
Enjoy dinner and a show in Phatoke Laodeum. The show focuses on the different ethnic groups in Laos, whilst you enjoy traditional Lao cuisine.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 2 - Vientiane - Orchid Trek (B,L)
The Orchid Trek is a genuine and authentic ecotourism trek close to Vientiane. This tour is lead by the villagers of Ban Hatkhai village and aims to improve their well-being, as well as to increase their incomes. At the same time, the Orchid Trek offers a tool for environmental and cultural awareness as well as encouraging orchid preservation and conservation by involving several stakeholders:
- The villagers: acting as the tour guides, and providing services such as activities and food.
- You: You are not only a spectator but also a participant, interacting with the locals and the environment.
For each tour, a part of the money goes directly to the villagers and the village development fund. Additionally, part of the money helps maintain the walking trails and forest cleanliness. You will be guided by local guides with an orchid expert accompanying the group.
Depart from Vientiane early in the morning for a 1.5 hour drive to your starting point. The Orchid Trek will lead you through Phou Khao Kway National Park, one of the closest National Parks to Vientiane. The terrain is filled with waterfalls, rugged mountains, gorges, and sandstone cliffs. The park is home to more than 50% of the wild orchid species of Laos and a variety of different plants. Likewise, Phou Khao Kway is home to a diverse animal population, including wild elephants.
Start walking from Pha Xay where you will enjoy a beautiful view on the waterfalls. Trek through the varied landscape of bamboo forests, evergreen forests, rainforest, and open air fields immersing yourself in the park’s natural beauty. Along the way you may see some orchids and spot indigenous wildlife. Your guide will know the best spots for wild orchid growth and if you are fortunate enough to spot many plants, you will be amazed at the vibrant colors and shapes of these elusive flowers.
Stop for a picnic lunch alongside a river bank. Soak in the tranquility of the area and keep an eye out for the beautiful butterfly species that flutter about.
Resume your walk, continue toward Tad Xay waterfall. The water cascades down seven levels and is a great place for swimming or a rest before ending your trek and transferring back to Vientiane.
En route you can stop at the interesting Dong Mak Kai Market which hosts a range of interesting foods on offer, including ant eggs and insects for the very brave!
Return to Vientiane around 1730.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 3 - Vientiane - Vang Vieng (B,L)
After breakfast you will travel north by road along the scenic Route 10. Make a stop at the salt factory at Ban Bo and then the beautiful Nam Ngum Lake. The total drive time is approximately 3.5 hours and you will arrive in Vang Vieng in time for lunch at the Organic Farm. They specialize in refreshing mulberry tea and a short tour will uncover their range of livestock and organic crops.
After lunch you will check in to your hotel and then explore some of the local highlights on an afternoon tour.
Begin by crossing the Nam Song River for a short drive to Tham Pou Kham (Golden Crab Cave). After passing through a small entrance hole you descent 100 meters into the ground. However, the cave widens once inside, where a reclining Buddha statue welcomes visitors to a place once serving as the home to bats, gibbons, monkeys, and antelope. Tham Pou Kham displays several wet rock formations including a pair of “Golden Crabs”. After exploring the cavern, you might like to go for a cold swim in the Ka River’s water hole. The water is clean, deep, and safe for jumping in if you fancy it before transferring south to your next stop.
Considered by many as Vang Vieng’s most important cave, Tham Chang (or Jang) became the home for migrating people, who settled near the town’s southern Meuang Xong Village to raise vegetables. The locals stumbled into the cavern during a civil war, while seeking refuge deep in the forest. Because its high location offered perfect views of Vang Vieng, the entire village moved there to sit out the war, and named their haven ‘Tham Jang’ (Hang Around Cave). Years later during the colonial era, the locals returned to cultivating the nearby fields and would bathe in the cave’s basin, where the water was so cold they said it could freeze your legs to a firm stiffness. They then adjusted the cave’s name to ‘Tham Chang’, which means “unable to move”, leaving locals no choice but to “hang around”! Inside you will find spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and a viewpoint offers an impressive panorama. Once you climb back down you have the option to swim in the natural spring water.
Return to your hotel in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the banks of the Nam Song River.
Overnight in Vang Vieng
Start walking from Pha Xay where you will enjoy a beautiful view on the waterfalls. Trek through the varied landscape of bamboo forests, evergreen forests, rainforest, and open air fields immersing yourself in the park’s natural beauty. Along the way you may see some orchids and spot indigenous wildlife. Your guide will know the best spots for wild orchid growth and if you are fortunate enough to spot many plants, you will be amazed at the vibrant colors and shapes of these elusive flowers.
Stop for a picnic lunch alongside a river bank. Soak in the tranquility of the area and keep an eye out for the beautiful butterfly species that flutter about.
Resume your walk, continue toward Tad Xay waterfall. The water cascades down seven levels and is a great place for swimming or a rest before ending your trek and transferring back to Vientiane.
En route you can stop at the interesting Dong Mak Kai Market which hosts a range of interesting foods on offer, including ant eggs and insects for the very brave!
Return to Vientiane around 1730.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 4 - Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang (B,L)
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Vang Vieng before continuing your road journey north to the spiritual capital of Laos; Luang Prabang.
The drive will take approximately 5 hours, including a stop for lunch in a local restaurant. This journey takes you through spectacular scenery and you might want to stop regularly for photos. Please be aware that there are numerous sharp bends and you will climb/descend a lot of mountains along the way.
Arrive in Luang Prabang and check in to your hotel.
As the day comes to an end climb the 328 steps that lead to the top of Mount Phousi, where you will be rewarded with marvelous views of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, the neighboring mountain ranges, and the city buildings. The sunset views are particularly spectacular as the sun casts glorious colors over the peaceful scenery below. Descend the steps on the opposite side of the hill and stroll to the nearby colorful Night Market. Every evening along the main street, the area’s ethnic minorities gather to sell their handicrafts. The quiet evening atmosphere and soft lights of the stalls combine to create a magical market setting from which to shop for souvenirs.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Considered by many as Vang Vieng’s most important cave, Tham Chang (or Jang) became the home for migrating people, who settled near the town’s southern Meuang Xong Village to raise vegetables. The locals stumbled into the cavern during a civil war, while seeking refuge deep in the forest. Because its high location offered perfect views of Vang Vieng, the entire village moved there to sit out the war, and named their haven ‘Tham Jang’ (Hang Around Cave). Years later during the colonial era, the locals returned to cultivating the nearby fields and would bathe in the cave’s basin, where the water was so cold they said it could freeze your legs to a firm stiffness. They then adjusted the cave’s name to ‘Tham Chang’, which means “unable to move”, leaving locals no choice but to “hang around”! Inside you will find spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and a viewpoint offers an impressive panorama. Once you climb back down you have the option to swim in the natural spring water.
Return to your hotel in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the banks of the Nam Song River.
Overnight in Vang Vieng
Day 5 - Luang Prabang - full day e-bike tour (B,L)
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Luang Prabang at 08:30 for a short transfer by tuk-tuk to our electric powered bike station.
After a short briefing to explain you the use of your new vehicle, it will be time to start your discovery of our “responsible Luang Prabang”… in a quiet way! These electric bikes are an emissions-free mode of transportation and allow the user to either pedal the bike by their own power or to coast along using the bike’s battery-powered, rechargeable motor (which lasts for approximately 3km).
Start at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will explore the history of Laos. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief.
Visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple in the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue passed Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s, and on to Wat That where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are kept inside the large central stupa.
Ride along the Nam Khan River to visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics.
Lunch at Tamarind for some of the best local food in Luang Prabang (Lao set menu included).
This afternoon you will leave the town behind and ride to the Phosy Market, where you can join the locals and support vendors by buying fresh products or fruit. Your guide will be here to encourage you to taste some of the exotic flavors of the local fruits, helping to identify new items not found in your grocery store back home!
Continue your ride to Ock Pop Tock. This non-profit organization seeks to preserve traditional weaving techniques, a trade which was once an important source of income for many Lao families but is slowly fading out as modern technology has evolved. A short tour introduces the process of silk weaving from the initial stages of creating the dyes to the final process of loom weaving.
Ride along the Mekong back in to town for your final stop of the day. The Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre is dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts are on display alongside in-depth descriptions and written histories. It is a great opportunity to gain insight in to the Lao people (note: closed on Mondays).
Return to the bike station to drop off your electric bikes and transfer to your hotel by tuk-tuk.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 6 - Luang Prabang - Bucket of Books (B,L)
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel at 0900 and transferred in to the countryside surrounding Luang Prabang for a charitable adventure.
Your guide will present you with a Bucket of Books, which our local office has assembled for you. This will be yours to donate to the villagers who you will meet today. The contents and even the bucket itself have been carefully selected to be of maximum use to the community you will visit.
The idea behind this excursion is to help the local community without being invasive (for example we avoid distracting children from their schoolwork, which some other charitable excursions are guilty of). We have avoided any plastics (apart from toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste, as there is no alternative and dental hygiene is a significant issue). The books are sourced from excellent local charities; Big Brother Mouse and Pha Tak Ke.
Big Brother Mouse is a not-for-profit, Lao-owned project employing local staff who work with the goal of helping young Laotians develop new and beneficial skills, it is not an NGO. Started by a retired American publisher working with several bright and dedicated Laotian college students, Big Brother Mouse started publishing “books that make literacy fun!”. The books are written and illustrated by Lao writers for children to educate themselves through reading. The cost of 5 books is included in every Bucket of Books, with that money going directly to Big Brother Mouse.
Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden is due to open in 2015 and will be the first of its sort in Laos, located close to Luang Prabang and on an impressive scale. The primary objective of the project is education; teaching people the importance of preserving the natural world and how to go about it. The garden will also host international botanists for various research projects. Whilst the gardens are not ready yet, the team behind them are already actively educating the people of Laos, with a focus on rural communities and children especially. The team have already published five books which are aimed at children, but will be educational for all ages. The cost of 5 books is included in every Bucket of Books, with that money going directly to Pha Tad Ke.
The Bucket of Books contains:
1 x Metal bucket (used for carrying water from the well / stream and for washing)
5 x Books from Pha Tad Ke (5 different titles, suitable for all ages, each one explaining sustainable use of local flora, with proceeds going to the charity)
5 x Books from Big Brother Mouse (5 different titles, suitable for all ages but aimed at children, with proceeds going to the charity)
4 x Toothbrush
4 x Toothpaste
4 x Bar of soap (wrapped in cardboard)
When creating this option a major concern was that numerous clients would end up visiting the same communities and giving the same donations. To avoid or minimise this issue we have compiled a list of the 10 most suitable villages within a few hours of Luang Prabang. The destination which you will village will not be confirmed in advance so that we can manage our bookings effectively. Through these efforts we aim to ensure that the village you visit might have had a similar visit a few months before, but not a few days before.
A picnic lunch, catered by l’Elephant, is included for you to enjoy in the countryside.
You will return to your hotel in Luang Prabang in the mid-afternoon (timings will vary depending on which village you visit and how long you spend there).
Notes:
- We suggest that items are handed to parents, teachers or the village chief where possible, rather than directly to children, in an effort to avoid encouraging begging.
- If you are travelling further off the beaten track in Laos then you can choose to simply purchase a Bucket of Books ($80 per bucket) and take it with you to distribute elsewhere on your itinerary.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 7 - Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves - Kamu Lodge (B,L,D)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the pier to embark on a cruise up the Mekong River from Luang Prabang to the Kamu Lodge.
Along the way stop at the Pak Ou Caves. Locally referred to as Tam Ting, these two caves are carved out of towering limestone cliffs and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. The Buddhas range in size from a few centimeters to the size of a human. The caves are as well a destination for local pilgrimages.
Continue upriver for another hour to reach the Kamu Lodge for lunch time. The Kamu Lodge features 20 private canvas tents, each one of which is protected from the elements by a thatch roof. The tents are also decorated with bamboo and wooden furniture allowing the Lodges’ grounds to harmoniously blend with surrounding nature. They each feature private attached bathroom and toilet with solar powered hot water and electricity.
This afternoon, you may choose to participate in a variety of different activities. You will be rewarded with a very original Lao experience:
- Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields
- Gold panning (January to June) in the Mekong. Anything you find is yours!
- Traditional fishing techniques in the Mekong.
- Local village visit and encounter
Dinner and overnight at the Lodge
Day 8 - Kamu Lodge - Luang Prabang (B)
This morning you will return by boat to Luang Prabang, arriving in time for lunch.
On arrival you in Luang Prabang you will be met by your guide who will take you to your hotel.
Afternoon at leisure
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 9 - Luang Prabang Departure (B)
Your private car and guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
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