In southern Laos, this Mekong River is serene, as the slow flowing water makes its way past sleepy villages down to the Cambodian border.
Route: Luang Prabang – Muong La – Nong Khaiw – Luang Prabang – Pakse – Champasak – Vat Phou – Huei Tham – Khong Island – Done Khone – Pha Pheng Waterfall – Pakse – Vientiane
Day 1: Luang Prabang arrival (D)
Day 2: Luang Prabang (B)
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Muong La (B, L)
Day 4: Muong La (B)
Day 5: Muong La – Nong Khiaw (B, L)
Day 6: Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang (B)
Day 7: Luang Prabang – Pakse (B)
Day 8: Pakse – Champasak – Vat Phou (B, L, D)
Day 9: Huei Tham– Oum Muong Temple – Khong Island (B, L, D)
Day 10: Done Khone – Pha Pheng Waterfall – Pakse (B, L)
Day 11: Pakse – Vientiane (B)
Day 12: Vientiane – Depart (B)
Inclusion:
Exclusion:
Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport you will be welcomed to Laos by your private English speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel.
This afternoon visit the Royal Palace Museum which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Continue with a tour of the serene Buddhist temples of Wat May, Wat Visoun, Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Phousy. The day ends on Phousy Hill at sunset for great views over the city and the surrounding countryside.
Accommodation: Stay 2 nights at the Manoluck Hotel.
This morning drive south from Luang Prabang to the beautiful waterfalls of Khouangsi, passing by several Lao tribal villages. It is possible to swim in the clear pools under the multi tiered limestone formations to escape the heat. Alternatively explore the surrounding countryside on walking trails through native forest. Return to Luang Prabang in the early afternoon for your own exploration in this ancient town.
Road transfer to Muang La: After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel for the drive to Muang La. You will drive through some wonderful scenery, with numerous villages and scenic spots to stop off at along the way. This afternoon is at leisure to stroll around the village, or just relax at the riverside retreat enjoying a massage or bathing in the hot springs.
Accommodation: Stay at the Muang La Resort (Bungalow)
This morning you will be met and transfer to a remote Ikho hill tribe village located near Muang La. At the village there will be the opportunity to wander in and around the bamboo dwellings and see locals going about their daily lives. The evening can be spent relaxing in the natural hot springs, taking a traditional massage and enjoying the excellent local Lao cuisine in the restaurant.
Accommodation: Stay at the Muang La Resort (Bungalow)
This morning, enjoy the road and boat transfer to Nong Khiaw: After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for the drive to Muang Khua, where you board a boat for the spectacular journey downstream to Nong Khiaw. In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour to the surroundings area. Make a visit to the Tham Pha Thok, a cave just over a mile outside Nong Khiaw where locals took shelter from bombings during the Second Indochina War.
Accommodation: Stay 1 night at the Nong Khiaw Riverside Resort (Riverview Bungalow)
After breakfast you will depart for Luang Prabang by boat. Enjoy the spectacular landscape on this section of the Nam Ou River as you head back to Luang Prabang. Along the way you will get a chance to see the daily activities of the local people on the riverbanks. You will stop for lunch on one of the riverside ‘beaches’. After lunch continue the boat ride until you reach Ban Pak Ou where you will cross the Mekong to reach the famous Pak Ou Caves, a revered religious site, and home to thousands of statues of the Buddha. Continue down stream of the Mekong River until you reach Luang Prabang in the afternoon. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be transferred to your hotel. Accommodation: Stay at the Manoluck Hotel.
This morning is at leisure to explore Luang Prabang further, or take an optional excursion. These include elephant trekking, mountain biking tours or a cooking class. After a morning at leisure you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Pakse. On arrival in Pakse, you will be met by your guide and then transferred to your hotel. Time at leisure to explore Pakse.
Accommodation: Stay 2 nights at Champasak Palace Hotel.
Depart from Pakse for Champasak, on a journey of two hours by a local long tail boat (with other cruise passengers) to meet the boat and check-in. After lunch on board, transfer to Wat Phou Temple for a visit to this site before returning to the boat as the sun sets. Dinner and overnight on board.
After breakfast sail to the island of Don Daeng and the village of Huei Thamo (Oum Moung). A shore excursion allows exploration of the nearby ruins hidden in the forest. Return to the boat and sail south into the area known as the 4,000 Islands. This afternoon visit the traditional Lao village of Ban Dua Tae. Dinner and overnight on board.
After breakfast, sail to Ban Veuthong on Khong Island. Upon arrival, transfer by long-tail boat to visit Khong Island. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant before departing for Phapheng Falls and returning to Pakse by road (with other cruise passengers).
Note: In high season (Nov-Apr): cruise up or down on Tue, Thu and Sat.
In low season (May and Jul-Oct): Tue cruise up, Sat cruise down. No cruise in June. This is a downstream cruise. Upstream cruise visits in reverse order.
After a morning at leisure you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. On arrival at Vientiane your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at leisure in Vientiane.
Accommodation: Stay 1 night at the Lanexang Hotel.
Morning tour of Vientiane: This morning visit the enchanting Haw Phra Kaew, built in the 16th century by the royal family to hold the emerald Buddha and with an exquisite collection of religious art.
Continue to the Siamese style Wat Si Saket and the That Luang Stupa, the bright golden monument which represents a lotus bud and is used as a symbol of the Lao nation. End the tour at the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s very own Arc de Triumph. Your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.
