Highlights
Discover mystical Laos with this incredible private tour that incorporates the best signature highlights – ancient royal and religious buildings, amazing natural scenic wonders, mixing with vital locals in villages and markets.
Maximize your enjoyment on this customized 6-day guided journey exploring the natural beauty of Laos and the best of its historical, religious and development sites. From Vientiane to Pakse and Khong Island, you can savor the temples, waterfalls and engagement with ethnic minorities in their homes, villages and markets. All the time your needs are assured: 5 nights’ hotel accommodation, all transport and transfers, breakfasts and lunches, leaving you free to make the most of this marvelous adventure.
Itinerary
Our guide will welcome you at the airport outside the baggage-claim area and then take you to the pre-booked hotel. The rest of the day you may enjoy at your leisure.
Meals included: None
First up on today’s journey is the Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple remaining around Vientiane, dating back to 1818. This former favorite meeting place of the aristocracy is now a museum of Siamese Buddhist architectural design, featuring more than 2,000 ceramic and silver Buddha images. Pay a visit to the former place of spiritual worship of the King, Haw Phra Kaew built in the grounds of the royal palace. On the way to the eminent Pha That Luang, a photo stop will be made at Patuxai, the monument regarded as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe, commemorating the country’s independence from the French.
In the afternoon, on a visit to the Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), view a collection of hundreds of Buddha statues. Travelling through small, peaceful villages along Mekong River, enjoy the enchanting scenery on the way to the Mekong Friendship Bridge on the border of Laos and Thailand. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Take a morning flight to the city of Pakse, where, upon arrival, set out for Salavanh province via Thateng. On the way, a stopover will be made to observe the locals making tea and coffee. Enjoy a cup yourself as you experience the culture and local way of life.
Resume the journey heading to the Bolaven Plateau, a picturesque area rising over 1,000 meters above sea level. Here you will find Tad Lo Waterfalls, where you can indulge your preferences for photographing the cascades, swimming in the pools, or riding an elephant. At the end of the day, return to Pakse.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the pre-Angkorian ruins of Vat Phou, one of the most prestigious temples from the Khmer Empire of the 11th to 13th centuries, a relic site said to parallel Angkor Wat. Next stop of the day will be the 4,000 islands region, called Si Phan Don in Laos, consisting of countless islands and islets. Destination today is Khong Island, the largest, inhabited by a few villages. Enjoy a relaxing walk along the beach.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Explore the islands of the region further after breakfast, first driving to Ban Nakasang pier to board a boat to visit the surrounding islands of Don Det and Don Som for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the fishermen. Continue to Don Khone Island and hike along the ancient railway built by the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids when transporting goods from Cambodia.
Where there is water, there are often waterfalls, especially in this elevated region, so continue hiking through the forest to experience the speed and volume of the Tad Somphamit (Liphi waterfalls). Continuing by car, arrive and wonder at the extraordinary scale of the Khone Phapheng waterfalls, the largest cascade along the Mekong River. Caused by a fault line, the cascade is 6 km wide at this point, where the tremendous force of the water has cut dramatic gorges through the brittle bedrock. Return to Pakse, on the way stopping at Phou Salao to enjoy the stunning view over Pakse.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will pick you up at the hotel for transfer to the airport for your return flight.
The tour concludes here.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
- Accommodation: hotels based on double/twin occupancy as specified
- Meals: as specified in the itinerary
- Tour guide: excellent private English-speaking guide
- Transportation: Economy class flights between Vientiane/Pakse
- Long tail boat at Don Khong Island
- Transfers: land transfer with drivers as specified
- Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour
- Government taxes and fees
Exclusions
- International flights to Vientiane and from Pakse
- Visa fees
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of a personal nature
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances
Important Information
Important information – PRIVATE TOUR
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. No other travelers will join you. It’s always available for your schedule!
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Prices Based on Twin Occupancy
- The prices shown above are not valid during Official Holidays (such as Christmas Holiday, New Year’s Holiday, National Holiday or other festival occasions in each country etc.)
- The tour guide may adjust the itinerarydue to closure of the museums each Monday.
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into as Private tour.
- Entering and exiting Laos from Bangkok, Hanoi and Siem Reap are also available.
- Optional tours to Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and other destinations are also available.
- Stays at entering and exiting cities (Vientiane and Pakse) can be extended.