Tailor Made Small Group Journeys
Quality Tours, Great Prices
12 DAYS DISCOVER LAOS NORTH TO SOUTH
The perfect snapshot of a captivating country, delving into Laos laid back cities, fascinating heritage and compelling landscapes on this 12 days tour North to South Tour...
12
days
TOUR SUMMARY:
Duration: 12 days
Suggested Time: 08:30-16:30 depending on daily itinerary
Location: Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw - Oudomxay - Vang Vieng - Vientiane - Pakse - 4000 Islands
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The perfect snapshot of a captivating country, delving into Laos laid back cities, fascinating heritage and compelling landscapes on this 12 days North to South tour....
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DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1: Luang Prabang – Arrival
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang your guide will meet you and transfer by private air conditiond vehicle to your chosen hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Luang Prabang is located in the Northern Laos at the heart of a mountainous region. The town is built in the peninsular formed by the Mekong and Khan rivers. Many legends are associated with the creation of the city. It would be the site of a rich and powerful city. Luang Prabang was the ancient capital city of the power kingdom of Landxang ( Kingdom of a Million Elephants) who wealth influence were related to its strategic location on the silk Route from 14th – 16th century. The ancient town of Luang Prabang has been listed by UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.
PRIVATE TOUR AVAILABLE DAILY
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
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Private tour with local guide
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Views of the stunning scenery of Laos
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Experience local way of life along the banks of the Mekong River
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Witness the intriguing sight of 4,000 Buddha images at Pak-Ou Cave
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Visit Hill Tribe Villages to experience traditional way of life
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Scenic River Cruise to experience 4000 Islands​
Day 2: Luang Prabang - Wat Xieng Thong - National Museum - Kuang Si Waterfall
After breakfast, pick up at your hotel and transfer to Wat Xieng Thong temple which is one of the most beautiful in Laos. From here we will hike to the top of Mt. Phousi to see a great 360’ view of the city.
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The Royal Palace now is the National Museum in Luang Prabang. It was once the residence of King Sisavang Vong who was a King of Laos for 55 years. Locally, the Palace is known as the Haw Kham or Ho Kham, which translates to “Golden Palace”. The Palace was built between 1904 - 1909 during the time of French colonial occupation. In 1975 the communist Pathet Laos party came to power ending the Laos monarchy. The Royal palace was then converted into a National Museum and opened to the public in 1995.
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In the afternoon you will be later transferred by private minivan on route to Kuang Si Waterfall (approximately 35 km drive). Upon arrival we will take a walk to Kuang Si Waterfall take a leisurely hike through the National Park. On the way pass by the Asian Bear Rescue Centre. Enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise water of the different waterfalls. Hike to the top of the main waterfall from where you can enjoy the panoramic views. Return to the pools you can enjoy a refreshing swim should you wish.
Return to Luang Prabang. The remainder of the day is at leisure
Day 3: Luang Prabang - Alms Giving - Pak Ou Cave - Nong Khiew
Note: Luang Prabang Alms giving (EARLY MORNING).
Luang Prabang is the perfect place to see one of the most sacred Lao traditions, the Buddhist Alms Giving Ceremony. Rise early to witness the procession of monks. You will have the opportunity to take part in this tradition by offering sticky rice to the monks as they collect their one meal of the day.
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Later transferred by private minivan to the boat pier to cruise on the mighty Mekong River to Pak Ou Cave observe the picturesque limestone formations and local way of life. Explore the sanctuaries of Pak - Ou and witness the intriguing sight of over 4,000 Buddha images. After that transferring back along the we stop at Ban Xang Hai also known as the Whiskey Village to see the process of making lao-lao, the country beloved rice whiskey second only to Beer Lao in popularity in Laos, before cruising back to Luang Prabang.
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Later we will continue on to Nong Khiaw which is approximately a 3 hour drive, a beautiful place located on the Nam Ou river banks one of the most attraction for tourists where you can see some of the spectacular scenery of Laos.
Check in to your hotel Check in to your hotel. Later in the afternoon we will walk up the hill of Phasom Nang viewpoint for the spectacular view of the Nong Khiaw.
Day 4: Nong Khiew - River Cruise - Khmu Hilltribe Village - Oudomxay
After breakfast take a private boat cruise upstream to Muang Ngoi make a stop to visit and observe local life in this small village then we journey onward along the Nam Ou river where there are very stunning mountain views along the river banks. The cruise will stop at Khmu tribe village. Here is also the opportunity to observe the unique way of life of this Khmu village. Cruise back to Nong Khiaw. After Lunch you will be later transferred by private minivan to drive to the Oudomxay. There are stunning vistas of towering limestone karts hills to Oudomxay. (The drive will take about 4 hours approx.)
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Upon arrival we will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 5: Oudomxay - Muang La - Akha Village
Today we will take a private 4x4 car and drive to visit the Akha village. The Akha hill tribe came from the Yunan provice in China during the China war and they have been living in Laos for many centuries and still live with their own way of life. From here you will have the opportunity to take photos of Akha tribe. Later we will drive back to Oudomxay and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
Day 6: Oudomxay - Vang Vieng
Today will take high speed train to Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng is a tourist-oriented town in Laos in Vientiane Province about four hours bus ride north of the capital. The town lies on the Nam Song River. The most notable feature of the area is the karst hill landscape surrounding the town. In more recent times, the town has grown substantially due to attracted by the opportunities for adventure tourism in a limestone karst landscape.
Upon arrival we will explore Tham Chang Cave most important cave, Tham Chang (or Jung) became the home for migrating people, who settled near the town’s southern Meuang Xong Village to grow vegetables. The locals stumbled into the cavern during the civil war, while seeking refuge deep in the forest. Because its high location offered perfect view of Vang Vieng, the entire village moved there to sit out the war, and named their haven, Tham Jung (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. Then they adjusted the cave’s name to Tham Jung, which mean “unable to move”, leaving locals no choice but to “hang around”.
Later we will take a short drive to Blue lagoon, a beautiful pool with crystal clear waters. The cold turquoise waters provide a chance to cool down and swimming.
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From here we will drive back to the town. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax on the scenic banks of the Song River or explore the lovely town.
Day 7: Vang Vieng - Vientiane - City Tour
Today we take the high speed train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane. Transfer from the train station to the city. Upon arrival our starting point is to visit That Luang Stupa, which was built in circa 236 BC to keep the relic of Buddha. This is the main worship site for Buddhist people. Now it is the Nation Symbol of Laos.
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We next make our way to visit Patuxay (the Victory Gate Monument) which was given by the French to Lao Government when we had the first independence in 1946 AD. But it was built in 1968 during American occupied the victory gate was built for the people who died and sacrificed to the country during the Indochina war. Resembling the famous Arc De Triumph in Paris, this is now the landmark of Vientiane.
Later we will drive back the hotel to check in. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore the lovely night life.
Day 8: Vientiane - COPE Centre - Buddha Park
After breakfast we visit Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Now it is a National Buddhist artefacts Museum. After that we just cross the road to visit Horphakeo National Museum was built in 1560AD after the capital city has moved from the Luang Prabang. Now it is a Museum, home to Buddhist artefacts.
Continue on to visit the COPE Centre, a non-profit organisation in Laos which provides prosthetic limbs, mobility assistance and rehabilitation for Lao people who can’t afford it. It is an incredible place to visit and learn about the recent history of war in Laos because Laos is still suffering the effects of the horrific bombings in the 1960s. Over 2 million tons of ordnance were dropped on Laos between 1964 - 1973, about 30% didn’t explode. People die and are horrifically injured, still, today.
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After Lunch (Not included) your guide will transfer you by private vehicle and drive about 35 minutes south outside Vientiane to visit Buddha Park where you can learn more about Hinduism and Buddhism. After that we drive back to city and transfer to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 9: Vientiane - Pakse
After an early breakfast transfer to the airport and take the 1 hour flight to Pakse. Upon arrival transfer to Champasak (2 hour drive) where you have the opportunity to stroll around the village viewing the colonial buildings.
After Lunch (Not included) you will be transferred to visit Vat Phou the Khmer ruin temple to discover the ancient Khmer temple which is located on the mountain slope. You can hike to the top for a great view and learn about pre- history of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The temple was built in the 11th century before Angkor Wat in Cambodia during the Khmer rule. This area has been a UNESCO World heritage site since 2002.
Drive back to Pakse to check in to your hotel. If time allows, enjoy the sunset at the Golden Buddha. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 10: Pakse - 4000 Islands
After breakfast today you will transfer by private vehicle to visit Khone Phapheng Waterfall the biggest waterfall of 4000 Islands in Laos. After that we will drive to Naka Sang where your private boat departs to Don Khone island. The cruise will take approximately 20 minutes and along the way there are many tiny islands (called 4000 Islands) and the opportunity to see local way of life with people fishing. Upon reaching Don Khone Island you will take a local Tuk - Tuk to visit the Li Phi Waterfall meant the Evil corridor.
Later we will transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is your own leisure.
Day 11: 4000 Islands - Pakse - Tea/Coffee Plantations & Waterfalls
After breakfast we depart Don Khone by boat, meeting our private mini van and continue to drive to Bolivian plateau the Tea & Coffee Plantations about 800-100 meters above the sea level. Feel the fresh air and cooler temperature. Later we start our Tea & Coffee plantation tour.
After Lunch visit Tad Fan The impressive 120m twin waterfalls one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Laos.
Later we will take a short drive to Tad Yueng Waterfall which is located on the Bolavard plateau where will take the chance to visit the local villagers of Laven tribe who have relocated to the Waterfall. The Laven Tribe still live with their own traditional way of life and we will take this opportunity for photos.
The rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 12: Pakse – Departure
After breakfast transfer to Pakse Airport to depart to your next destination.
NOTE:
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This tour program has been carefully designed and represents experiences we recommend. However, should you wish to amend any element of the program to suit your own interests please let us know so we can create a unique trip just for you.
PRIVATE TOUR RATE: Prices are quoted in US Dollars | Per Person
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Single supplement applies
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Our prices represent ground service only, however, if you prefer a package to include accommodation this can be arranged accordingly.
Tour Includes:
Tour Excludes:
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Private English Speaking Local Guide
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Tours and transfers as mentioned by air conditioned vehicle
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Sightseeing entrance fees and permits during guided time
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Private boat fees
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International and domestic flights
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VISA and any VISA related fee - all non ASEAN residents must apply for valid visa
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Travel Insurance (compulsary)
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Hotel Accommodation (recommendations can be provided)
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Services and meals if not mentioned in the itinerary
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All drinks, including water, soft drinks and alcohol
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Laundry, telephone calls and any expenditure of a personal nature
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Tips and gratuities