Full Itinerary

Luang Prabang was the former royal capital of Laos, boasting the most enduring Monarchy in Southeast Asia with more than 62 kings over 600 years. This Cultural Heritage tour takes you through a myriad of temples that were left behind after the monarchy was dissolved in 1975. UNESCO preserves this historical city, known as the last Shangri-La of Southeast Asia. You will find yourself mesmerized by the culture and captivated by the city’s fairy tale setting.

Day 1.  Arrival – Vientiane – Luang Prabang

Day 2.  Luang Prabang – Pakou – Luang Prabang

Day 3.  Luang Prabang – Vientiane

Day 4.  Vientiane – Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival – Vientiane – Luang Prabang

Upon arrival in Vientiane Airport, you will be met and transferred to the city for a short tour, if time permits. We then transfer back to the airport for a short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia.

Wat Xiengthong

Wat Aham

After checking into your hotel, we will see the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. 

From there we climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River. 

Decenting the mountain your will find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. 

Your evening is free to explore the night market and sample some local cuisine at one of the many restaurants the town has to offer.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 2. Luang Prabang – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang

This morning you have the option and opportunity to rise early and participate in the daily morning ritual of ‘Alms Giving’, you will experience saffron-clad monks collecting offerings or ‘Alms’ from faithful local residents. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the daily procession.

Pak Ou Caves

Ban Phanom

After breakfast at your hotel we will visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. You can enjoy a coffee at the centre’s café before we head to the Mekong River to board our private boat for a pleasant and scenic cruise up on the upstream to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These caves are an ancient pilgrimage site and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years. 

Returning to Luang Prabang we disembark our boat and have the option of taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving or returning to the hotel for free time to relax.

Your evening is free to treat yourself a spa treatment or massage, do some shopping or relax at your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 3. Luang Prabang – Vientiane (Flight)

After breakfast back at your hotel we take a stroll through the Dalat Sao or morning market full of local foodstuffs from the farms and jungles surrounding Luang Prabang. From here it is a short walk to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang.

Royal Palace Museum

Patuxay Monument

We then transfer to the airport for your flight back to Vientiane. Following check in at your hotel we will see the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with it’s thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.

We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. 

Heading for the waterfront your evening is free to enjoy a few drinks watching the sunset over the Mekong River, explore the Night Market and take in some of the city’s nightlife.

Overnight in Vientiane (B)

Day 4. Vientiane – Departure

That Luang Stupa Vientiane

Night Market in Vientiane

This morning is free until transfer to airport for your departure flight (B)

Included in above prices:

• Private, Airconditioned Transport
• Boat trips as stated in the itinerary
• English speaking guide
• Admission fees to sites stated in the itinerary
• Meals: daily breakfast at hotel
• Gov’t taxs and service charges
• Luggage handling
• Drinking water

Exclusive of above prices:

• Accommodation on a twin shared basis (quote separately)
• Visas and Immigration fees on arrival
• Domestic airticket
• Int’l air tickets to/from Laos
• Travel and/or Medical Insurance
• Lunch or dinner unless stated in the itinerary
• Single room accommodation (quoted separately)
• Child or adult in triple share accommodation
• Foreign language guides other than English
• Peak Season or Special Events Surcharges
• Tip, drinks and other personal expenses

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