Overland & Highlight Tours
Laos North to South Luxury tour 10 Days 9 nights
Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, Champasak, and the 4000 Islands
Experience the ultimate journey across Laos from the ancient northern capital of Luang Prabang to the serene 4000 Islands in the deep south.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Afternoon: Arrival in Luang Prabang
Pick-up at Luang Prabang airport and transfer to the hotel. Luang Prabang was from the 14th to the 16th century the capital of the Lane Xang kingdom. Located between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, the whole city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995.
Day 1: Arrival in the UNESCO heritage town of Luang Prabang
Day 1 Evening: Traditional Basi Ceremony
In the late afternoon you will be taken to a local house to take part in the Basi ceremony. The Basi is an ancient rite that derives from animism to chase away evil spirits and bring good luck. The ritual ends with tying white cotton bracelets to the wrists as a symbol of protection. Dinner follows at a local restaurant or with the host family.
Day 1: Experiencing the spiritual Basi string-tying ceremony
Day 2 Morning: Royal Palace & Heritage House
This morning you will begin your city tour with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, immersing yourself in the daily life of the last royal families. Next is the Huan Chuan Heritage House to admire its architectural charm.
Day 2: Exploring the historic Royal Palace
Day 2 Midday: Historic Temples & Ethnology Center
Visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its classic Lanexang style roof. After lunch (Not included), visit Wat Mai, the stupa of Wat Visoun, and the Arts and Ethnology Center to learn about the ethnic minorities of Laos.
Day 2: The stunning architecture of Wat Xiengthong
Day 2 Evening: Sunset at Mount Phousi
Climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the secrets of the golden stupa and enjoy the spectacular view of the city and the Mekong during the sunset.
Day 2: Panoramic sunset views from Mount Phousi
Day 3 Morning: Monks' Alms Giving & Local Market
Before dawn, take part in the Tak Bat or monks' begging procession. Afterwards, visit the Phousi Market to see local goods like dried buffalo skin and tribal textiles before returning to the hotel for breakfast.
Day 3: The sacred morning alms giving ritual
Day 3 Afternoon: Mekong Cruise & Pak Ou Caves
After lunch, take an exhilarating boat ride on the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. On the way back, stop at Ban Muangkeo village, famous for textiles and rice whiskey.
Day 3: Discovering the ancient Pak Ou Caves
Day 4 Morning: MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary
Transfer to an ethical elephant oasis. Meet the directors, cross the river, and interact with adult Asian elephants. You will help feed them, bathe them in the river, and follow them on a 1-hour walk through rice fields.
Day 4: Ethical interactions at the elephant sanctuary
Day 4 Afternoon: Kuang Si Waterfalls
Visit the incredible Kuang Si waterfalls, featuring cascading natural pools of clear turquoise water and a 30-meter high fall. Also visit the nearby Bear Rescue Center.
Day 4: Swimming in the vibrant Kuang Si waterfalls
Day 4 Evening: Petanque & Lao BBQ
Play Petanque (bowls) with locals, a very popular Lao pastime. Afterward, enjoy a traditional Lao BBQ "SinDat" dinner in an authentic local setting.
Day 4: Joining the locals for a fun game of Petanque
Day 5 Morning: Mountain Drive & Ethnic Villages
Depart for Vang Vieng via winding mountain roads. Stop at Houi Hei for views, then visit the Khmu village of Ban Kiu Kam Pone. Taste local rice wine "lao lao" while listening to traditional "Khen" music.
Day 5: Discovering rural life in a Khmu village
Day 5 Afternoon: Arrival in Vang Vieng
Stop at Phou Phueng Fa for spectacular views. Continue to visit Ban Hin Ngon, a Hmong village, and the Phatang Mountain view point. Arrive in Vang Vieng in the late afternoon to enjoy its breathtaking limestone landscape.
Day 5: The dramatic limestone scenery of Vang Vieng
Day 6 Morning: Hot Air Balloon (Optional) & Viewpoints
Optional early morning Hot Air Balloon flight over the Nathong valley. Alternatively, depart for a short trek to Nam Xay viewpoint for unique landscape perspectives, followed by a refreshing dip in the Blue Lagoon and an optional climb to Tham Phoukham Cave.
Day 6: Spectacular morning views over Vang Vieng
Day 6 Afternoon: River Cruise & Transfer to Vientiane
Enjoy lunch at an organic farm overlooking the Nam Song River. In the early afternoon, board small boats to cruise the river. Afterward, transfer via the new highway to reach the capital Vientiane by sunset.
Day 6: Cruising the Nam Song River
Day 7 Morning: Vientiane City Tour
Begin exploring Vientiane with Wat Sisaket and Wat Prakeo. Visit the sacred That Luang Stupa, followed by the imposing Patuxay Monument, also known as the Arch of Triumph of Laos.
Day 7: The ancient Buddha statues of Wat Sisaket
Day 7 Midday: Patuxay & COPE Visitor Center
After admiring Patuxay, visit the COPE rehabilitation center to learn about the history and ongoing impact of unexploded ordnance in Laos.
Day 7: The iconic Patuxay monument in Vientiane
Day 7 Afternoon: Buddha Park & Mekong Sunset
Travel outside the city to the famous Buddha Park to admire a collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. End the day watching the sunset along the banks of the Mekong River.
Day 7: Exploring the quirky sculptures of Buddha Park
Day 8 Morning: Flight to Pakse & Bolaven Plateau
Transfer to Vientiane airport for a flight to Pakse. Drive up to the Bolaven Plateau to visit a tea plantation, the majestic Tad Fane waterfall, and a coffee plantation to learn about local processing.
Day 8: The breathtaking Tad Fane twin waterfalls on the plateau
Day 8 Afternoon: Ethnic Villages & Tad Lo
Visit the Alak village of Ban Bong Neua and the Katu village of Ban Kokphung. In the afternoon, arrive at the picturesque Tad Lo waterfall for a swim before continuing to Champasak for the night.
Day 8: Relaxing by the cascades of Tad Lo
Day 9 Morning: 4000 Islands & Khone Island
Drive to Nakasang and cross into the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don). Explore Khone Island to see colonial houses, the first Laotian railway station, and an old rusty French locomotive on display.
Day 9: Colonial history on the tranquil 4000 Islands
Day 9 Afternoon: Liphi & Khone Phapeng Waterfalls
Visit the Liphi waterfall (The Devil's Corridor) with an optional zipline experience. Return to the mainland to see Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia, before returning to Champasak.
Day 9: The raw power of Khone Phapeng waterfalls
Day 10 Morning: Wat Phu & Hong Nang Sida
Visit the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Phu, a UNESCO World Heritage site built at the base of Mount Phou Khao. Continue to the nearby Hong Nang Sida stone hospital site to observe active restoration.
Day 10: The sacred ancient ruins of Wat Phu
Day 10 Afternoon: Golden Buddha & Departure
Take a detour up to the large golden sitting Buddha overlooking the Mekong and Pakse for a stunning final panorama. Drop-off at your designated hotel in Pakse to end the tour.
Day 10: Final panoramic views over Pakse
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
- Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- All Entrance fees
- FOC Tour Leader in extra room
- 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 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