Overland & Highlight Tours
Classic Tour 6 Days 5 Nights
Vientiane, Thakhek, Savanaketh, Pakse, Champasak, 4000 Islands, Cambodia border
A comprehensive 6-day overland journey traveling from the capital city of Vientiane all the way down to the 4000 Islands at the Cambodian border.
Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival at Vientiane airport
Your guide and driver will welcome you for the transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is leisure time at your own convenience to explore the city or simply chill. Overnight at Douangchan Plaza.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your Vientiane hotel
DAY 2 Morning: Vat Si Saket & Ho Phra Keo
Waking from a relaxing night, meet your guide after breakfast at your hotel lobby. Your first stop is the city's oldest monastery, Vat Si Saket, followed by driving to Ho Phra Keo, a one-time royal temple that today houses a Buddhist museum of art and sculpture. The complex is known for its extensive collection of Buddha sculptures.
Day 2: Exploring the ancient corridors of Vat Si Saket
DAY 2 Midday: That Luang & Patouxai
Proceed on to the next stop at That Luang, one of the most revered memorials in all of Laos. Get a sense for this 147-foot-tall (45-meter), gold-covered stupa and its unique banana-flower shape. Continue to Anousavali, also known as the Victory Gate or Patouxai, a dramatic arch that bears a striking resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Day 2: The majestic golden spire of That Luang
DAY 2 Afternoon: Buddha Park
Take a break midday for lunch at a traditional restaurant (Not included) before continuing to Vientiane's well-known Buddha Park, first built by a local monk in the 1950s. Wander among the park's collection of mythological statues, each connected to the themes of Buddhism. Overnight in Douangchan Plaza Hotel.
Day 2: The bizarre and fascinating sculptures of Buddha Park
DAY 3 Morning: Wat Prabath Phonsane
This morning you will begin the journey South. Your driver and guide pick you up after breakfast and we get on AH 13. The first part of the journey takes around 3 hours before we have a quick stop at Wat Prabath Phonsane, the Temple of the Footprint of the Buddha.
Day 3: Stopping at the sacred Wat Prabath Phonsane
DAY 3 Afternoon: Arrival in Thakhek
Take lunch at a local restaurant (Not included), then continue to Thakhek. It will take approximately 4 hours and we arrive in time for a stroll along the Mekong at sunset. Thakhek is a sleepy town with some very attractive colonial buildings. Enjoy a relaxing evening. Overnight at Le Bouton d'or.
Day 3: Sunset strolls along the Mekong in colonial Thakhek
DAY 4 Morning: That Ing Hang
After a leisurely breakfast, your guide will meet you around 09:30 to continue your journey South. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours. On the way we make a stop at the beautiful 16th Century temple of That Ing Hang. An impressive central stupa dominates a courtyard which is flanked by statues of Lord Buddha.
Day 4: Visiting the revered 16th-century temple of That Ing Hang
DAY 4 Midday: Savannakhet & Dinosaur Museum
Continue to Savannakhet. Take a short tour of the architectural highlights, which include various French villas and the striking St. Teresa Catholic Church. Visit the small but very interesting Dinosaur Museum where remains between 150 million to 250 million years old are found.
Day 4: Exploring French architecture and ancient fossils in Savannakhet
DAY 4 Afternoon: Arrival in Pakse
After lunch in a local restaurant (Not included) hit the road again for the drive to Pakse, taking approximately 3.5 hours. Check in at your accommodation and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Explore the local markets or excellent restaurants. Overnight at Pakse Hotel.
Day 4: Arriving in the vibrant southern hub of Pakse
DAY 5 Morning: Wat Phou & Champasak
Take breakfast early and depart swiftly. Just 1 hour by road to Wat Phou. In 2001 recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this spectacular pre-Angkorian temple sits in front of the auspicious Phou Kao mountain. Pass through the small town of Champasak, where French colonial buildings offer a great contrast to Wat Phou. Enjoy lunch at Nakorn cafe and restaurant.
Day 5: The majestic UNESCO ruins of Wat Phou
DAY 5 Afternoon: Ban Nong Bueng Wood Carving
We cross the Mekong by car ferry and head South, eventually making a brief stop at the wood carving village of Ban Nong Bueng to see local artisans at work.
Day 5: Traditional craftsmanship at Ban Nong Bueng
DAY 5 Evening: 4000 Islands Sunset
Within a short time we reach Nakasang the gateway to the 4000 Islands. The river flows between an unknown number of islands, creating waterfalls and rapids. From Nakasang pier a slow boat will ferry you to your accommodation, and after check-in we are just in time for a sunset tour by boat. Overnight at Sengaloune resort.
Day 5: Arriving at the 4000 Islands for a sunset boat tour
DAY 6 Morning: Historic Railway of Don Khone
The day begins with breakfast at Sengaloune Resort where a local TukTuk picks you up for a tour of Don Det and Don Khone. Explore the remains of the first railway in Laos, including rusty, old locomotives and several 19th-century port constructions that bear witness to the French occupation.
Day 6: Relics of the French colonial railway
DAY 6 Afternoon: Khonephapeng Waterfall
The transport will drop you at the pier, we cross over by ferry boat to Nakasang and leave by minivan to the nearby Khonephapeng waterfall park. This impressive natural wonder astonishes with the massive amount of water flowing past and the sounds created hereby. Take a lunch in a local restaurant.
Day 6: The massive power of the Khonephapeng waterfalls
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Accommodation in a twin or double room with daily breakfast
- Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- All Entrance fees
- FOC Tour Leader in extra room
- Drinking Water & Cool Tissues
Excluded
- International flight tickets
- Lao visa
- Food and other meals than mentioned
- Other services without mentioned
- Drinks, other than water on activity days
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip)
- Travel insurance
- 24 & 31 December Compulsory Event & Peak Season 20 December to 06 January every year