10 Days 9 Nights Laos On A Glance

DAY 1: UBON RATCHATHANI – PAKSE
Upon arrival at the airport in Ubon Ratchathani (Thailand), our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer directly to Pakse (Laos) via Chongmek Border.
The transfer will take about 3 hours including border formality procedure.
Upon arrival in Pakse, check in your hotel. Free for the rest of the day. Overnight in Pakse

DAY 2: PAKSE – BOLAVEN PLATEAU
After breakfast, we will drive to Tad Phaseum waterfalls, where we enjoy an easy trek to nearby villages of ethnic minorities villages like Laven, Alak, Taoy, and others.
From there, we drive further to Tadlo Waterfalls, upon arrival, we will trekking to visit waterfall and other minority village near by Tadlo area of Ban Kiengtanglae and Ban Nanong. We then continue driving over the plateau to Paksong.
Along the way we will stop Tha Teng Market, a colourfull ethnic minority food market. Next we explore a couple of fascinating minority villages of Ban Pong (An Alak village that boats a sacrificial altar) and Ban Kokphung (A Katu village where they keep coffins under their houses).
Stop to visit a tea and/or a coffee plantation. Laos is known for its famous coffee, the majority of which is grown here on the Bolaven Plateau.
A visit to one of the plantations will show you the process of planting, harvesting and roasting these delicious beans.
This afternoon, continue to Tad Yuang and Tad Fane waterfalls. Tad Fane is a set of twin 120-meter high waterfalls formed by the merging waters of the Champy and Pak Koot rivers.
These impressive falls are situated on the edge of Dong Hua Sao protected area, 38 km from Paksé (Note: water level may vary accordingly to the previous rainy season).
We will arrive at our accommodation for tonight at around 4 or 5PM.

DAY 3: BOLAVEN PLATEAU – WAT PHOU – KHONG ISLAND
After breakfast, transfer by road to Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th Century.
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos, which was built by the rulers of the Khmer empire before the construction of Angkor Wat.
The temple served as the most important economic and political centre of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.
Pass through the small town of Champasak, where French colonial buildings offer a great contrast to Wat Phou. Continue south, stopping at the wood carving village of Ban Nong Bune.
From there, drive further to Done Khong, the biggest island of 4000-island area, where we will spend the night.
Overnight in Khong Island

DAY 4: 4000 ISLANDS – KHONE ISLAND
After breakfast, embark on a 1.5-hour long tail boat for venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River, where during the dry season the waters recede and leave behind thousands of islets, giving this area a lovely name “Si Phan Done”.
Upon arrival, explore the local peaceful 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 to discover the 4000 islands area by tuktuk and visit the marvelous Liphi waterfall, also called the “Corridor of the Devil” one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking Lao border with Cambodia.
If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone.
Free for the rest of the day for your own exploration of the island. We recommend you take a bike for a ride around the island to see the local life and admire the sunset along the Mekong riverbank.
Overnight in Khone Island.

DAY 5: KHONE ISLAND – KHONE PHAPHENG – PAKSE
After breakfast, return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng, which is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia. Khone Phapheng is an impressive spot near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Afterwards we drive back to Pakse.
Founded by the French in 1905 as an administrative post, the capital of Champasak Province is a relatively new town at the confluence of the Mekong and Se Don rivers.
In the afternoon, we will first visit Ban Khoh, which specializes in stone carving, and walk to the nearby Wat Chomphet, which hosts the biggest sitting Buddha in Laos.
Late afternoon, we will ascend to the top of Wat Phou Salao to admire the panoramic view over the town of Pakse, and the nearby area, whilst the dark is falling over the city. Overnight in Pakse

DAY 6: PAKSE – VIENTIANE
You are free in the morning to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos PDR. QV306 PKZ VTE 09:45 11:00 (SUN, MON, WED, FRI)
Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to your hotel in town (early check-in upon availability)
If time permits, we explore the town; with Wat Sisaket which is the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha images.
We continue sightseeing by visiting Haw Prakeo, the former royal temple of Laos monarchy, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Statue.
We then visit the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph before continuing to the famous That Luang Stupa.
End your tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls. Overnight in Vientiane.

DAY 7: VIENTIANE – VANG VIENG
We leave the capital early for our journey northbound to Vang Vieng.
We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region.
Along the way, we visit the busy and colorful market of KM52 where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. We may also make a short photo stop at Hin Heup bridge, and the fish market in Ban Tha Heua.
We will arrive in Vang Vieng around noon.
The afternoon is free for your own exploration to explore the town of Vang Vieng. The recommended activities range from exploring the cave system of Tham Phoukham and taking a dip into the cool clear Blue Lagoon to hiking to the top of Pha Ngeun mountain or kayaking along the gentle of Nam Song River.
Late afternoon, there is also the option of riding the hot-air balloon over the town of Vang Vieng to admire the panoramic view of the town and the nearby area whilst the sun is setting behind the faraway mountains. (your own account). Overnight in Vang Vieng

DAY 8: VANG VIENG – LUANG PRABANG
In the morning, we will first stroll around the town to visit the local market to catch a glimpse of everyday life in a typical Lao rural area.
After breakfast, we transfer to visit the cave of Tham Jang, which was used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders.
We then start our expedition on the new road to Luang Prabang, that is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia.
The roads are well paved along the way for a smooth journey; we pass some stunning landscape scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages; we take a few photo stops at some small hill tribe village enroute.
Each hill tribe village in Laos has a different feel, some are more prosperous than others, but all have plenty of life.
We also have chance to admire the panoramic view over the surrounding area at the peak of more than 2000m.
Before reaching Luang Prabang, we will make a short stop to visit the local school at Ban Huay Sala.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 9: LUANG PRABANG – ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE
8:00 am – 8:30 am: Pick up by our English speaking guide from your hotel lobby within Luang Prabang, Laos
Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about elephants
Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants
Explore Elephant Village: Visit our elephant hospital, museum, gallery and dung paper making facility!
One on One Experience: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a Mahout! 1 person per elephant
Bathe Your Elephant: Take your own elephant down to the Nam Khan river for an exhilarating bathing experience!
Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax or swim in the clear water. Swimsuit recommended! (note: water levels will vary with seasonal conditions)
Lunch: Dine at our Elephant Camp restaurant. Your buffet lunch is served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options are available)
2:00 – 3:00pm: Depart the camp. Transfer back to your Hotel in Luang Prabang for overnight

DAY 10: LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE
You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight.