Itinerary
- Day 1
Luang Prabang Arrival
You'll touch down at Luang Prabang International Airport where your guide meets you for the drive to your hotel. Check-in happens between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM, so you'll have the rest of the afternoon and evening to settle in at your own pace and get your bearings.
- Day 2
Luang Prabang Temples
Before breakfast, there's an optional early morning alms-giving ritual with Buddhist monks if you're interested in this traditional Lao practice. After grabbing breakfast at the hotel, spend your morning walking through Wat Xiengthong (one of the most photographed temples here), then head to Wat Visoun and Wat Aham. The afternoon takes you to the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, followed by Wat Mai where you'll see its impressive golden bas-relief. By evening, the night market opens up for you to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Visoun and Thad Makmo stupa
- Visit Wat Aham
- Visit Wat Xiengthong temple
- Visit former Royal Palace/National Museum
- Visit Wat Mai temple
Optional Activities
- Participate in morning alms-giving ritual with saffron-clad monks
- Visit fresh local markets
Landmarks/POIs Wat Visoun Thad Makmo Stupa Wat Aham Wat Xiengthong Royal Palace Museum Wat Mai - Day 3
Kuang Sy Falls & Local Villages
Start early at Phou Si market to see what locals are buying and selling. From there, you'll drive through rice paddies and farmland toward Kuang Sy Falls, where scenic trails lead you to a bear rescue centre and the main attraction: those turquoise tiered pools. On the way back, stop at a local village to watch people working with cotton spinning and weaving, then visit the Ok Pop Tok Centre to check out traditional Lao textiles and crafts. You'll have time for a sunset drink before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Phou Si market
- Walk trails at Kuang Sy Falls
- Visit bear rescue centre at Kuang Sy Falls
- Visit local village with local guides
- Visit Living Crafts Ok Pop Tok Centre
Landmarks/POIs Phou Si Market Kuang Sy Falls Living Crafts Ok Pop Tok Centre - Day 4
Nong Khiew to Muong Ngoy
After breakfast, drive north toward Nong Khiew (takes about 4 hours total). You'll stop at Nam Bak market and Ban Nayang weaving village along the way. After lunch on your own, board a long-tail boat for a 1.5-hour cruise down the Nam Ou river, passing through scenic landscape and stopping at a village to learn about how people live there. Then it's on to Muong Ngoy where you'll stay overnight at a simple but comfortable guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nam Bak market
- Visit Ban Nayang weaving village
- Long-tail boat cruise on Nam Ou river
- Visit local village on Nam Ou river
Landmarks/POIs Nam Bak Market Ban Nayang Nam Ou River - Day 5
Muong Ngoy to Luang Prabang
Following breakfast, take a boat back to Nong Khiew with a stop at Houi Hoy, an authentic village along the Nam Ou river. Drive from there back to Luang Prabang, and on the way visit Pak Ou Caves where the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers meet. Inside you'll find hundreds of old Buddha images housed in the caves. You'll arrive in Luang Prabang in the afternoon and check in to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Houi Hoy village
- Visit Pak Ou Caves
Landmarks/POIs Houi Hoy Pak Ou Caves - Day 6
Elephant Village & Train to Vang Vieng
After breakfast, head to the Elephant Village conservation centre to get close to elephants and learn about their care and rehabilitation. You'll see the elephant hospital and museum, and have a chance to experience being a Mahout to understand how people communicate with these animals. Later, take a traditional long-tail boat to Tad Sae Waterfall where you can relax or swim. Grab a buffet lunch at the Elephant Camp restaurant, then transfer to the train station for your ride to Vang Vieng. Check in to your hotel there, and if you have time left, consider an optional long-tail boat cruise on Nam Song river with limestone mountains all around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Buffet lunch at Elephant Camp restaurant with coffee/tea and drinking water; vegetarian options available)
Included Activities
- Visit Elephant Village Camp
- Participate in elephant feeding
- Explore Elephant Village facilities (hospital, museum, gallery, dung paper making)
- Learn Mahout elephant communication experience
- Boat trip to Tad Sae Waterfall
- Buffet lunch at Elephant Camp restaurant
Optional Activities
- Descend Nam Song river by long-tail boat
Landmarks/POIs Elephant Village Camp Tad Sae Waterfall Nam Song River - Day 7
Vang Vieng to Vientiane
After breakfast, climb the 172 steps up to Tham Jang cave for spectacular views of the city and surrounding landscape. Then drive toward Vientiane, the capital. You'll visit Wat Sisaket to see its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, check out the golden That Luang monument (considered holy by Lao citizens), and end your day at Victory Monument Patuxay with its striking arches inside that resemble the Arc de Triomphe. Stay overnight in Vientiane.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tham Jang cave
- Visit Wat Sisaket
- Visit That Luang monument
- Visit Victory Monument Patuxay
Landmarks/POIs Tham Jang Cave Wat Sisaket That Luang Victory Monument Patuxay - Day 8
Vientiane Departure
After breakfast, you have free time before your scheduled transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
