Itinerary
- Day 1
Vientiane
You'll arrive in Vientiane and connect with your guide for a half-day tour through the city's religious heart. Start at Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple here, then move on to Wat Prakeo, which served as the former royal temple. From there, head up to Patuxai Monument where you'll get views across the city. The tour continues to That Luang, which holds the most important religious significance in Laos. Before heading back to your hotel, you'll stop at the COPE exhibition centre to learn about the country's history.
Included Activities
- Guided half-day city tour of Vientiane
- Visit Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues
- Visit Wat Prakeo museum of arts and antiques
- Climb Patuxai Monument with views over Vientiane
- Visit That Luang golden stupa
- Visit COPE exhibition centre
Landmarks/POIs Wat Sisaket Wat Prakeo Patuxai Monument That Luang COPE exhibition centre - Day 2
Vientiane to Hin Boun
You'll travel south on route 13 into Khammoune province, making several stops along the way. First up is Prabaht Ponsan stupa from the 15th century, where you can see Buddha's footprint. After that, you'll check out Ban Ton Na Mae Hmong Market to get a feel for local life. Later, there's a viewpoint near Khoun Kham that offers views over the limestone forest landscape. By late afternoon you'll reach the Hin Boun area, and the rest of the day is yours to relax and settle in.
Included Activities
- Stop at Prabaht Ponsan stupa (15th century)
- Visit Ban Ton Na Mae Hmong Market
- Viewpoint near Khoun Kham with karst scenery views
Landmarks/POIs Prabaht Ponsan Khoun Kham viewpoint - Day 3
Hin Boun to Thakhek
After breakfast, you'll head out to Kong Lor village where a local boat takes you into Kong Lor Cave for a 7km journey through underground passages. The cavern itself reaches over 100m high, and you'll walk through a stalagmite gallery on foot. From there, you'll pass by tobacco drying huts on your way to Ban Pon Ngam village for a picnic lunch. The boat returns you through the cave, and then you'll transfer to Thakhek, pulling in by late afternoon with time to walk along the Mekong riverfront as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at lodge), Lunch (Picnic lunch at Ban Pon Ngam)
Included Activities
- Boat tour through Kong Lor Cave (7km)
- Explore cavern and stalagmite gallery
- Walk through Ban Pon Ngam village
- Sunset stroll along Mekong riverfront in Thakhek
Landmarks/POIs Kong Lor Cave - Day 4
Thakhek to Pakse
Heading south from Thakhek, you'll visit Soundra Salt Factory first to see how local salt production works, then see the sacred That Inhang stupa. In Savannakhet, you can walk through the old French Quarter and explore Don Mak Fai Forest market. There's a stop in Ban Napong village, known locally for its grilled chicken, followed by Ban Khor village where you'll see Buddha carvings. You'll arrive in Pakse in the early evening with the rest of the day free.
Included Activities
- Tour Soundra Salt Factory with local salt production methods
- Visit That Inhang sacred site
- Explore French Quarter in Savannakhet
- Visit Don Mak Fai Forest market
- Visit Don Khor village specializing in Buddha carvings
Landmarks/POIs Soundra Salt Factory That Inhang - Day 5
Pakse to Bolaven Plateau
You'll head east to the Bolaven Plateau, where the cooler highland air and scenery are quite different from lower elevations. Start with Tad Fan Waterfall, which has two striking chutes, and then explore tea and coffee plantations in the area. Around lunchtime in Pakxong, you'll visit Jhai Coffee House, a social enterprise roaster worth spending time at. Next are visits to minority villages including Ban Bong Neua (Alak village) and Ban Kokphung (Katu village), then a swim at Tadlo Waterfall. On the way back to Pakse by early evening, there's one more stop at Paxuam waterfall.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local lunch in Pakxong)
Included Activities
- Visit Tad Fan Waterfall
- Tour local tea and coffee plantations with tasting
- Meet roasters and learn about coffee enterprise at Jhai Coffee House
- Visit Ban Bong Neua (Alak village)
- Visit Ban Kokphung (Katu village)
- Swim at Tadlo Waterfall
- Stop at Paxuam waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Tad Fan Waterfall Tadlo Waterfall Paxuam Waterfall - Day 6
Pakse to Don Khong
You'll drive to Champassak and continue by car to Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th century and really one of the key sights on any Laos trip. In the afternoon, it's on to Don Khong, the largest of the Mekong Islands (called 'Siphandon' or '4000 Islands' locally). You'll arrive by ferry in the early evening and have time to take in the traditional rural Lao atmosphere and settle into island life.
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Phou ancient Khmer religious complex (5th century)
Landmarks/POIs Wat Phou - Day 7
Don Khong to Pakse
After breakfast, you'll board a private local boat to tour the 4000 Islands area. You'll reach the island of Don Khone by lunchtime and explore it by bicycle, following an old abandoned railway route and checking out French Colonial buildings and Liphi Waterfall along the way. Back on the boat, you'll head to Khone Phapheng Falls, one of Southeast Asia's largest and most powerful waterfalls. The car ride back to Pakse gets you there by early evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat tour of 4000 Islands
- Bicycle tour of Don Khone island
- Explore abandoned railway route on Don Khone
- Visit French Colonial buildings on Don Khone
- Visit Liphi Waterfall
- Visit Khone Phapheng Falls
Landmarks/POIs Don Khone Liphi Waterfall Khone Phapheng Falls - Day 8
Pakse
Depending on when your flight leaves, you may have some free time before you're transferred to the airport. Use it however suits you best, then head out for your departure.
