Overland & Highlight Tours
Laos Highlights 14 Days
From Vientiane to Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and the stunning southern Bolaven Plateau and 4000 Islands.
Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: VIENTIANE CITY TOUR
Waking from a relaxing night, meet your guide after breakfast at your hotel lobby and drive for today's sightseeing tour. Your first stop is the city's oldest monastery, Vat Si Saket, followed by Ho Phra Keo, a one-time royal temple that today houses a Buddhist museum of art and sculpture. Proceed to That Luang, a 147-foot-tall gold-covered stupa, and then to Anousavali (Patouxai), a dramatic arch resembling the Arc de Triomphe. After lunch, visit Vientiane's Buddha Park.
Day 1: Exploring Vientiane
DAY 2: VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG
Leave Vientiane early and drive to Vang Vieng. Stop at Nam Ngum Dam for a boat trip to explore the lake's islands. Continue to Vang Vieng, cross the Nam Song River to Tham Jang caves, and enjoy a short trek to explore Tam None Cave and hill villages. Watch the sunset reflecting on the Nam Song River.
Day 2: Sunset over Vang Vieng
DAY 3: VANG VIENG - XIENG KHUANG
Optional early morning hot air balloon flight to see the sunrise. Drive 6 to 7 hours to Xieng Khouang, a region heavily affected by historical bombings. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy free time to explore the city.
Day 3: Journey to Xieng Khuang
DAY 4: XIENG KHUANG - PLAIN OF JARS
Visit the central market, then drive out to visit the Plain of Jars archaeological site. In the afternoon, see the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and nearby villages home to the Hmong and Tai Dam people. Visit the provincial National museum.
Day 4: The ancient Plain of Jars
DAY 5: XIENG KHUANG - LUANG PRABANG
Visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh. Head towards Luang Prabang, stopping to see 200-year-old Buddha images in Thampra and visiting Hmong hill tribe minority villages. Enjoy a tea break at Sala Phoukhoun before crossing the mountains to Luang Prabang.
Day 5: Scenic mountain drive
DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU CAVE - NONG KHIAW
Guided tour of Wat Sene and Wat Xiengthong. Board a Mekong River cruise to the Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of Buddha statues. Stop at Ban Xanghai (rice wine village) and Ban Xang Khong (hand-made Jute Sar paper).
Day 6: The mysterious Pak Ou Caves
DAY 7: NONG KHIAW - LUANG PRABANG
Explore the Phathok historical cave in Nong Khiaw, used as a bomb shelter during the Secret War. Enjoy scenic views of rice paddies and valleys before driving back to Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Scenic landscapes of Nong Khiaw
DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG - ELEPHANT SANCTUARY
Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary (no riding). Help feed and bathe the elephants in the river, then follow them on a 1-hour walk through rice fields. Later, visit the Kuang Si waterfalls and the Bear Rescue Center. Enjoy a game of Petanque and a local Lao BBQ dinner.
Day 8: Walking with elephants
DAY 9: LUANG PRABANG - CHAMPASAK
Take a morning flight from Luang Prabang to Pakse. Visit the large sitting Buddha statue at Phou Salao and the temple of Vat Phou Ngoi. Arrive in Champasak to explore the town by bicycle.
Day 9: Panoramic views from Phou Salao
DAY 10: CHAMPASAK - VAT PHOU - 4000 ISLANDS
Explore the Vat Phou UNESCO World Heritage temple complex. Cross the Mekong by car ferry and take a slow boat from Nakasang to Done Khone. Enjoy a sunset on an uninhabited sandbar.
Day 10: Ancient ruins of Vat Phou
DAY 11: 4000 ISLANDS - FULL DAY KAYAK TOUR - BOLAVEN
Kayak downstream past Done Det. Walk to the overflowing waters of Tad Etoud and cross the Mekong near Khonephapeng waterfall, the widest in Southeast Asia. Drive to the Bolaven plateau.
Day 11: Kayaking the Mekong
DAY 12: TAD FANE - TAD GNEUYANG - KOKPHUNG TAI - TAD LO
Explore the twin falls of Tad Fane and the 40-meter Tad Gneuyang. Visit Cafe Lak 40 for local coffee, then stop at the Ban Kok Phung Tai village market (Katou tribe). Arrive at Tad Lo to see the waterfalls and relax.
Day 12: Majestic Tad Fane
DAY 13: TAD LO - PHOUPHANSOUK CAVE - PAKSE
Trek with a local guide past rice paddies to a Ngae, Soay, and Ta-Oy tribal community. Drive to Salavan to explore the limestone wonders of Phouphasouk Cave. Visit a coffee and weaving village before returning to Pakse.
Day 13: Phouphasouk Cave exploration
DAY 14: AIRPORT
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight. End of tour.
Day 14: Departure
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- Accommodation in a twin or double room with daily breakfast
- Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Domestic Flight Tickets Luang Prabang to Pakse, Lao Airlines, economy class
- Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- All Entrance fees
- Lunch at Elephant Wonders activity
- Lao style BBQ at "SinDat" restaurant Luang Prabang
- Drinking Water & Cool Tissues
Excluded
- International flight tickets
- Lao visa
- Other meals than mentioned
- Other services than 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