Itinerary
- Day 1
Vientiane
You'll arrive in Vientiane and your guide meets you at the airport for the drive to your hotel. The afternoon and evening are open, so take some time to walk around the capital at your own pace. It's a relaxed place to get your bearings before things pick up tomorrow.
Optional Activities
- Explore faded colonial mansions
- Stroll along tree-lined boulevards
- Visit ancient temples from the Khmer era
- Walk along the Mekong River
Landmarks Mekong River 
- Day 2
Vientiane
Start this morning at Wat Si Muang, where locals come to pay respects to the guardian spirit. From there, head to Buddha Park to see the 200 statues scattered around the grounds, then check out handmade crafts at the Lao Disabled Women's Development Center. After lunch, you'll see the golden That Luang, climb up Patuxai for views across the city, visit Wat Sisaket and Wat Phra Keo. Finish with a walk along the Mekong River as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Si Muang
- Explore Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan)
- Visit Lao Disabled Women's Development Center
- Visit That Luang
- Climb Patuxai
- Visit Wat Sisaket
- Visit Wat Phra Keo
- Mekong River sunset stroll
Optional Activities
- Purchase handmade crafts at Lao Disabled Women's Development Center
Landmarks Wat Si Muang Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) That Luang Patuxai Wat Sisaket Wat Phra Keo Mekong River - Day 3
Vientiane to Tha Heua Village
You'll drive north to Tha Heua Village on Nam Ngum Lake, Laos' largest reservoir. Check into your lakeside resort and spend the rest of the day getting to know the area. Rent a bike if you want to pedal through the countryside and see how locals live around the water and villages.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bike rental and exploration of Tha Heua Village countryside
Landmarks Nam Ngum Lake Nam Ngum Dam - Day 4
Tha Heua Village
Start early visiting nearby villages to see how the day begins for locals. Then you'll kayak out to explore small islets on Nam Ngum Lake, where white sand beaches appear during the dry season. Stop at Houay Phanom Village to meet a host family and learn about traditional weaving. Back at the resort by afternoon, relax at the pool with lake views, or walk through the local market to see what vendors sell.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit nearby villages
- Kayaking adventure on Nam Ngum Lake
- Visit Houay Phanom Village
- Learn traditional weaving techniques
Optional Activities
- Relax by the pool
- Visit local market
Landmarks Nam Ngum Lake Houay Phanom Village - Day 5
Vang Vieng
Drive to Vang Vieng, tucked between limestone cliffs along the Nam Song River. Explore Tham Jang cave with its lit pathways and rock formations, then visit Tham Phu Kham where a bronze reclining Buddha sits inside a 100-meter-deep cave. Cool off at the Blue Lagoon's clear water. Spend the afternoon walking along the river or planning dinner with a view.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tham Jang cave
- Visit Tham Phu Kham cave
- Swimming at Blue Lagoon
Optional Activities
- Leisurely stroll along riverbank
- Candlelit dinner
Landmarks Tham Jang Nam Song River Tham Phu Kham Blue Lagoon 
- Day 6
Vang Vieng
Today is yours to shape in Vang Vieng. You can try ziplining on cables across the landscape, hike to Nam Xay Viewpoint for river and countryside views (about 20 to 30 minutes up), or catch a hot air balloon ride at dawn or dusk for aerial views. Pick what interests you most and make the day your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Ziplining in Vang Vieng
- Hike to Nam Xay Viewpoint
- Hot air balloon ride
Landmarks Nam Xay Viewpoint Nam Song River - Day 7
Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
Board a high-speed train this morning for the one-hour trip to Luang Prabang, traveling at speeds around 160 km/h. You'll arrive at the UNESCO-listed former royal capital known for its 33 gilded stupas and saffron-robed monks. Your driver meets you at the station and takes you to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day checking out the town, maybe grab a drink at a riverside café to watch the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Riverside café visit at sunset
Landmarks Mekong River Nam Khan River 
- Day 8
Luang Prabang
Walk through Luang Prabang's lanes this morning, seeing traditional stilt houses mixed with French colonial buildings. Visit the Royal Palace Museum, built in 1904 and once home to the royal family. Later, take a leisurely cruise on the Mekong River and stop at Ban Xang Hai village to see how locals make rice wine. Check out the Pak Ou Caves, packed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. In the afternoon, visit Wat Sene and Wat Xiengthong temples, then head to Xieng Lek Village to see traditional Saa paper being made.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation walk through Luang Prabang
- Visit Royal Palace Museum
- Leisurely Mekong River cruise
- Visit Ban Xang Hai village
- Visit Pak Ou Caves
- Visit Wat Sene
- Visit Wat Xiengthong
- Visit Xieng Lek Village
Landmarks Royal Palace Museum Mekong River Ban Xang Hai Pak Ou Caves Wat Sene Wat Xiengthong Xieng Lek Village 
- Day 9
Luang Prabang
Get up early to watch the Tak Bat ceremony, centuries-old ritual where Buddhist monks in saffron silently receive offerings from townspeople. Walk through the morning market with fresh produce and local energy. Climb Mount Phousi (100 meters) to Wat Chom Si's golden stupa as the sun rises. Later, visit Kuang Si Waterfall cascading down three tiers and dropping 50 meters into pools, and swim in the water. Relax at the Butterfly Park garden afterward, then see skilled weavers at Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Witness Tak Bat ceremony
- Explore morning market
- Climb Mount Phousi to Wat Chom Si
- Visit Kuang Si Waterfall
- Swimming at Kuang Si Waterfall
- Visit Butterfly Park
- Visit Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center
Landmarks Mount Phousi Wat Chom Si Kuang Si Waterfall Butterfly Park Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center - Day 10
Xieng Lom Village
Travel to Xieng Lom Village and Mandalao Elephant Conservation, a sanctuary in Laos' 'Land of a Million Elephants.' Have coffee or tea while a local guide talks about elephant behavior and respectful interaction. Cross the Nam Khan River by boat to meet the elephants, feed them treats, and watch Mahouts bathe them in the river. You can join in if the elephants are comfortable. Walk alongside them as they cross Houay Nok Stream. End the day at Chateau Orientale, an old hermitage in the jungle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Mandalao Elephant Conservation
- Meet and feed elephants
- Watch elephant bathing
- Walk alongside elephants
- Visit Chateau Orientale
Optional Activities
- Join elephant bathing
Landmarks Xieng Lom Village Mandalao Elephant Conservation Nam Khan River Houay Nok Stream Chateau Orientale - Day 11
Chateau Orientale
Spend the day at Chateau Orientale relaxing in the jungle surroundings. Kayak down the river, pedal a bike through countryside, or hike into the jungle on foot. Or choose a traditional Lao massage and time by the pool instead. As evening comes, have dinner featuring local ingredients with jungle views and the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Kayak journey down the river
- Bicycle exploration of countryside
- Jungle trekking on foot
- Traditional Lao massage
- Swimming pool
- Lao cuisine dinner with jungle sunset view
- Day 12
Chateau Orientale
Another day to relax at Chateau Orientale and the jungle setting around it. Try kayaking down the river, cycling through the countryside, or walking trails into the jungle. A traditional Lao massage or time at the pool are good options too. Later, eat dinner with local flavors while watching the jungle turn colors at sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Kayak journey down the river
- Bicycle exploration of countryside
- Jungle trekking on foot
- Traditional Lao massage
- Swimming pool
- Lao cuisine dinner with jungle sunset view
- Day 13
Departure
Your time in Laos ends today. The morning has no planned activities, so enjoy things at your own pace. Whenever you're ready, your driver will take you to the airport for your flight home.
