FROM SACRED TEMPLES TO HERITAGE CITIES, JUNGLE MOUNTAINS & TIMELESS MYSTERIES: AN 8-DAY PRIVATE JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEART OF LAOS | EX-01

Daily Itinerary

Day 01 Welcome to Luang Prabang

Arrival | Sunset Views | Explore Luang Prabang | Discover Night Market

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport or train station, your private guide will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. After transferring you from the airport or the train station to your hotel your guide will take you on an introductory tour of Luang Prabang (time permitting) to visit Wat Visunalat, Wat Aham and perhaps walk up Phousi Mountain for a panoramic sunset view of the city and surrounding mountains. 

We'll finish this first day with a trip to the colorful Night Market.

In the evening, we stroll through the colorful Night Market and enjoy dinner featuring local specialties. (including 2 beers or soft drinks as per your discretion)

Day 02 City tour & Pak Ou Caves (B/L)

Cultural Heritage | River Journey | Sacred Caves

Optionally, we observe the alms-giving ritual (Tak Baat) at 6.00am before exploring the bustling morning market. 

After a break for breakfast you’ll visit Phou Si Mountain and Wat Xieng Thong. This 15th century temple is the most important in Luang Prabang and among the most important in the entire country.  Until the revolution of 1975, Wat Xieng Thong was the royal temple, supported by the royal family. During the 1960s Wat Xieng Thong was completely remodeled and redecorated, becoming the splendid temple we see today. Optionally we can visit another beautiful local temple as per your preference (included).

From there, you'll walk down to the Mekong River to board a traditional private slow boat. Cruising upriver, you'll stop briefly at a whisky village before reaching the Tam Ting Caves (also known as the Pak Ou Caves) — a site of deep spiritual significance for both Buddhist and animist traditions. Inside the two caves, thousands of Buddha statues, over 4,000 in total, rest among stupas, shrines, and intricate carvings, a striking testament to centuries of Lao craftsmanship.

On the return journey to Luang Prabang, you'll stop at a village known for producing Saa paper — a decorative handmade paper crafted from mulberry tree bark. Here, you'll see the traditional production process up close, with a demonstration by local artisans. The area is also home to several wood sculpture workshops worth browsing.

Included:

Breakfast at your hotel

All transportation

Lunch at a restaurant with wonderful views over the Mekong river

Dinner: at your own discretion (not included)

Day 03 Elephant Experience and Nature Excursion (B/L)

Nature | Wildlife | Adventure

We begin the day with a visit to the Elephant Village Sanctuary, where you'll be introduced to elephant culture — learning basic elephant "language" commands, bathing the elephants in the river, and feeding them.

From the sanctuary, we continue to Kuang Si Falls, optionally hiking 5km to the Spring Water Restaurant, where we'll stop for lunch. Afterward, we'll head back toward the viewpoint restaurant — with the option to add a 30-minute zipline adventure (not included in the price) along the way for those wanting extra excitement. We'll then have time to swim in the falls' turquoise pools and take photos before heading back.

Meals:

Breakfast: hotel

Lunch: at the Kuang Si Falls

Dinner: at your own discretion (not included)

Day 04 Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang (B/L)

Mountain Scenery | Rural Life | Ethnic Villages

After breakfast at your hotel, we'll set off over the mountains toward Xieng Khouang — a province historically known for having been heavily bombed during the Indochina War, yet equally famous today for its remarkable Plain of Jars. The journey takes approximately 8 hours, with stops along the way at rural villages to observe local life, including that of ethnic minorities such as the Hmong.

We arrive in Phonsavanh, the capital of Xieng Khouang province, where you will check into your hotel.

Free evening

Meals:

Breakfast: at hotel

Lunch: at a delicious local restaurant

Dinner: Phonsavanh restaurant or equal

Day 05 Mysterious History and a Secret War (B/L)

Archaeological Mystery | Historical Insights

After breakfast at your hotel, we'll take a private minivan to the fascinating Plain of Jars (Sites 1 and 2), a UNESCO-recognized archaeological landscape dating back over 2,000 years. 

Your guide will explain the legends and theories surrounding these massive stone jars.

 In the afternoon, we will drive to Muang Khoun, the old capital of Xieng Khouang, where we'll explore relics from the Secret War in Laos. 

Overnight at a hotel in town.  Free evening.

Meals:

Breakfast: at hotel

Lunch: at a delicious local restaurant

Dinner: at your own discretion (not included)

Day 06 Xieng Khouang – Vientiane (B/L)

Local Market | Domestic Flight | Vientiane Capital Discovery

After visiting a local market for a glimpse into Lao rural life, we'll drive to Xieng Khouang Airport for your short flight to Vientiane (approximately 40 minutes , accompanied by your guide.

Upon arrival in the capital, we'll check into our hotel and begin an afternoon tour of the city, starting with Wat Sisaket — the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, dating back to the Siamese war of 1828. 

From there, we'll continue to Pha That Luang, the most sacred monument in Laos. We'll then explore Vientiane's bustling city center, home to a wide selection of restaurants and cuisines.

Meals:

Breakfast: at hotel

Lunch: local restaurant

Dinner: at your own discretion in Vientiane (not included)

Day 07 Options Abound (B/l/D) – Discover Vientiane at your Own Pace

Optional Excursions | Culture | Relaxation

Choose from a great selection of activities (not included in the price below):

· Visit Buddha Park, just outside Vientiane — a vast collection of Buddhist art and sculpture. This makes for a great half-day trip, leaving the afternoon free to explore further or simply relax in Vientiane.

· Join a tour of the Vientiane Orchid Garden — an educational excursion into a protected area revealing the natural habitat of the many native wild orchid varieties found in the jungles of Laos.

Meals:

Breakfast: at hotel

Lunch: local restaurant

Afternoon coffee

Dinner: included

Day 08 Sok Di! (B)

Farewell Friends

"Sok Di," literally "good luck," is a traditional Lao way of wishing farewell. We'll transfer you from your hotel to the airport or to the friendship bridge to cross the border to Thailand.

Included Travel Services

• All sightseeing as described in program above

• Transportation in private vehicles

• Accommodation in hotels (twin shared)

• English speaking guide

• Admission fees to sights described above

• Meals:      B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner

• Lao  PDR governmental tax and service charge

• Luggage handling

• Domestic flight

Not Included Travel Services

• International air tickets to/from Lao PDR

• Meals not mentioned in itinerary

• Tips, drinks, personal expenses and other expenses not described in the program  above

• Single  room surcharge on request

Info

Travel duration (in days): 8

Accessibility: Our trips are generally unsuitable for people with reduced mobility and other disabilities. Please contact us to discuss if this trip is suitable for your specific requirements.

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