Full Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Houeixai – Pakbeng

Day 2: Pakbeng – Visiting villagers

Day 3: Pakbeng – Hongsa – Sayaboury – Elephant Conservation Center

Day 4: Elephant interacting (Step1)-Elephant Nursery-Elephant Baht-Sunset cruise on the lake

Day 5: Trekking to local villages – Luang Prabang overland

Day 6: Luang Prabang – City Tours – Khouasi Waterfall

Day 7: Luang Prabang – Half day city tours – Ban Chan – Pak Ou Caves

Day 8: Luang Prabang – Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Houay Xay – Pakbeng

This morning you have an early morning departure for to the small town of Chiang Khong, the exit point from Thailand to Laos on the banks of the Mekong River.

Pakbeng – Laos

Pakbeng

After passing through Thai immigration you will cross the Mekong River to Houay Xay where your Lao guide will be waiting for you at the immigration point. Completing Laos border formalities you board your traditional slow boat boat for the trip down the Mekong River. The scenery along this part of the Mekong is argueably at its most beautiful.  As your journey downriver you will stop at the Hmong of Ban Houay Lampen where you have the opportunity to explore the village and observe their traditional lifestyle.

Lunch is served on deck as we enjoy the majestic mountain scenery. Arriving at Pakbeng late afternoon you will check in to your hotel and enjoy your evening meal served on the hotel deck overlooking the river the sun sets over the mountains beyond.

Overnight in Pakbeng (L,D)

Day 2: Pakbeng – Ban Houay Ka

This morning we head out on our elephant trekking adventure to Ban Houay Ka. After finding, feeding and bathing our elephants we will leave the elephant camp and makeour way to Ban Houay Ka where you will have the opportunity to participate in a traditional basket weaving class.

Ban Houay Ka – Pakbeng

Ban Houay Ka People

Leaving the village behind we head to the summit of the surrounding hills to enjoy a picnic lunch and then trek through forests and fields returning to the village late afternoon.

Back in Ban Houay Ka we will enjoy a barbeque with the locals using local herbs and vegetables picked fresh from the surrounding forests and gardens.

We arrive back at our hotel in Pakbeng late evening and you are free to relax at your hotel.

Overnight in Pakbeng (B, L, D)

Day 3: Pakbeng – Hongsa – Sayaboury – Elephant Conservation Center  

After an early breakfast we will transfer you to the pier where you will board your private boat for a short cruise to Ban Thasouang village. Here a private minivan will take you across the mountains to Hongsa, where you will enjoy lunch at the restaurant.

Hongsa

Elephant Conservation Center

After lunch we will visit Ban Viengkeo a traditional Tai Lue village well known across laos for their knowledge and expertise as Elephant Mahout. There will be opportunity for you to explore the village with it’s traditional houses made with massive wooden pillars and wood tile roofing. Most houses host weaving looms where the village women produce produce traditional textiles.

Mid afternoon we continue our journey to Sayaboury reahing town late afternoon. From here is is a short boat trip on the Nam Tien Lake and the Elephant Conservation Center. After settling in to your bungalow you will have time to visit the elephant museum, go for a swim or simply relax on the lake shore before dinner.

Overnight at the Elephant Conservation Center. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Elephant interaction (Elephant Nursery & Elephant Bathing) –Sunset cruise on the lake  

After enjoying a western-style breakfast served in the Center restaurant you will join a guided visit of the center with a veterinarian. Following the tour you will have the opportunity to see, observe and learn about the mysterious pachyderm at the museum.Moving on to the Mahout School, you will learn the traditional method for climbing aboard your elephant.

Mahout School in Elephant Conservation Center

Elephant Conservation Center

After a traditional Lao lunch back at the restaurant you will visit the Elephant Nursery, located deep inside the forest where the baby elephants are learning how to sustain themselves under the watchful eye of their mother. You will receive information about the reproduction program set up by the NGO, ElefantAsia, while watching their play.

Elephants are surprisingly good swimmers and love water. You will witness the unique bond between the mahout and his elephant as they bath at the Elephant Bath. Your day with the elephants will end as you join the mahouts for a walk in the forest to take the elephants back to their nightly resting place.

This evening you can join a sunset cruise on the lake or just relax before dinner at the center restaurant.

Overnight at the Elephant Conservation Center. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Elephant Interaction (Walking & Feeding your Elephant) – Luang Prabang

This morning you have the opportunity to walk with elephants. After a safety briefing you will join the elephants for their daily exercise walking in the surrounding tropical forest. Staying close to your elephant he will show you the way while your guide teaches you how Lao people use the differnet plants they collect in the jungle each day.

walk with elephants

Mount Phousi – Luang Prabang

Returning from the forestsyou will learn about elephant nutrition and will feed your elephant. With the help of your Mahout you wil also learn the traditional method of riding your elephant sitting on their neck.

After lunch you bid farewell to the elelphants and board your boat back to Sayaboury where you will transfer to a minivan for the drive to the Wrld Heritage city of Luang Prabang. Arriving in Laung Prabang late evening your time is free to explore or relax.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B, L)

Day 6. Luang Prabang – Kuang Sii Waterfall

This morning your time is free to catch up on some sleep, treat yourself to a spa treatment or massage or explore the town on foot or bicycle.

Kuang Sii Waterfall – Luang Prabang

Phousi Market – Luang Prabang

This afternoon we drive to Kuang Sii Waterfall stopping along the way to visit the morning Phousi Market, this where all locals of Luang Prabang come to do their daily shopping. You will see a variety of local foodstuffs and products including dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit, everything needed for daily life in Laos.

On arrival at the Kuang Sii Falls you will have the opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim in the topaz pools below the falls, walk along the forest trails and visit the Bear Sanctuary.

Arriving back in Luang Prabang late afternoon you are free to do some exploring, visit the night market or relax.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 7. Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves

After breakfast this morning we 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 make our way to the Mekong River to board our private boat for a pleasant and scenic cruise up on the Mekong River 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.

Pak-Ou Caves – Luang Prabang

Arts and Ethnology Centre

Late afternoon 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 market and sample some traditional Lao cruisine at one of the many restaurants the town has to offer.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 8. Luang Prabang – Departure

Cooking Class in Luang Prabang

Wat Aham – Luang Prabang

This morning is free until your 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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