Laos Explorer Tour With 03 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Tour Name     :     LAOS EXPLORER TOUR with 03 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Highlights       :     Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Xieng Khouang – Don Khong Island - Pakse

Duration         :     10 Days – 9 Nights

Day 1: Arrival – Luang Prabang

Welcome at the airport on arrival in Luang Prabang (flight time to be advised) and transfer to the hotel for check in.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang

Breakfast at hotel.
Morning enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic 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, where the local speciality of rice wine is produced. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. We also have time to visit Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek, small villages well known for silk weavings and for Saa (jute) Papermakin.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang

Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to visit Kuangsi Waterfall, on the way visit small ethnic groups to learn more about their culture and tradition and have a chance to cool off in the turquoise blue pools at the waterfall.
Return to Luang Prabang and free time afterwards for own leisure or activities.
* Recommendation: guests can climb to Mount Phousi to catch the beautiful sunset and the whole view of city and Mekong River.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang

Breakfast at hotel.
Morning visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. The National Museum and the Central Market are not to be missed. After visiting these sights, drive 306km uphill a mountain surrounded by wonderful natural scenery to Xiengkhouang, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. If time permits, we see the old capital of Muang Khoun and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history.
Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

Day 5: Xieng Khouang - Vientiane

Breakfast at hotel.
Morning visit the Central Market. After that, you will have free time to explore the town further before catching our flight to Vientiane (flight time to be advised).
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check in and relax.
Free time to explore Vientiane.
Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 6: Vientiane

Breakfast at hotel.
Morning explore Vientiane capital by visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. 
Afternoon continue visiting the rest of Vientiane by foot, including Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. We pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where various goods are displayed for sale; including fresh food, household goods, souvenirs, textiles, gold, silver and antiques. We return to the Mekong Riverside in the late afternoon for observing the sunset.
Overnight in Vientian

Day 7: Vientiane – Pakse – Don Khong Island

Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to the airport and catch an early flight to Pakse (flight time to be advised).
On arrival, we drive on the National Road No. 13th south to Champassak and to visit the fascinating pre-angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao. Wat Phu is one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001, this wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 10th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. We continue our journey by road to Don Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos.
Hotel check in and relax.
Overnight in Don Khong Island.

Day 8: Don Khong Island

Breakfast at hotel.
Morning explore the local villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with its locomotive. We continue discover the 4000 islands area by boat at our leisure to visit the Liphi waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the end of Lao border to Cambodia, also known as the Samphamith. If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia, known as Niagara of the east.
Return to hotel afterwards and relax.
Overnight in Don Khong Island.

Day 9: Don Khong Island – Tadlo - Pakse

Breakfast at hotel.
Upon leaving Done Khong Island, we continue our journey towards Tadlo, through Boloven plateau. The Boloven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Rivers run off this high plateau in all directions and then plunge out to lush forests along in a series of spectacular surging waterfalls. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route.  This trip gives visitors the chance to venture off the beaten track and to discover some of the lesser-known areas of Laos, exploring the wild beauty of this southern region. Upon arrival at Tad Lo waterfall, we visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu, populated by ethnic minority groups. We return to Pakse by late evening.
Hotel check in and relax.
Overnight in Pakse.

Day 10: Pakse - Depature

Breakfast at hotel.
Free time until transfer to the airport for flights to your next destination (flight time to be advised).