6 Days / 5 Nights
A classic Laos itinerary covering the highlights of UNESCO World Heritage site Luang Prabang and the capital Vientiane. Perfect for first-time visitors to Laos.
Luang Prabang – Vientiane
Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang
The driver greets visitors on arrival and accompanies them to the hotel. We love to recommend a visit to the night market on the first evening so visitors can explore local Lao food and enjoy a pleasant stroll through the town.
Day 2: Luang Prabang
Rise early to the sound of the temple gong and witness Luang Prabang’s mystical ritual of alms giving to the monks. The practice is linked to a Buddhist tradition in which monks beg for their daily food to demonstrate humility. Then, tour the town’s temples with their gilded facades and visit the national museum in the old Royal Palace. In the afternoon, travel by boat up the tea colour waters of the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. The caves are home to hundreds of statues of Buddha, big and small, that have been left by devotees. Returning to town, visit some local weavers to see how their work on the way.
Day 3: Living Land Farm Experience and Kuang Si Waterfall
Spend half a day on our Living Land Farm, ran by Lao locals, situated in the idyllic countryside surrounded by mountains in the middle of ancient rice terraces. The hosts will explain the rice farming process, and visitors can get hands-on with some activities on the farm. Also, get to meet Susan, Bentley, and Betty – the buffaloes. Later, take a short drive to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. On the way back, stop to visit Buffalo Dairy Farm – a social enterprise – to learn more about buffaloes.
Day 4: Fly to Vientiane
A day of leisure combined with the internal flight to Vientiane.
Day 5: The Hungry Tuk Tuk Local Experience
We’ll start the tour by watching the making of and then tasting kao larm, the delicious traditional dessert of sticky rice and coconut roasted in bamboo tubes. Visit a local fresh food market, then stop by a Lao coffee shop to try some of the local brews. We visit the most popular kao piak shop in town for lunch- a traditional Lao soup. Watch the preparation for the lunchtime rush and learn how this delicious soup is made. Then sit down and enjoy your lunch with the locals! Stop at a tham mak houng (green papaya salad) stall where you’ll learn how to make papaya salad just the way you like it. Finish up with a cold beer and some fried bugs in a bar by the Mekong.
Day 6: Departure
Free time until airport transfer for departure flight.
12 day / 11 night itinerary
Hanoi – Sapa – Mai Chau – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay
12 day / 11 night itinerary
Hanoi – Sapa – Mai Chau – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay
12 day / 11 night itinerary
Hanoi – Sapa – Mai Chau – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay
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and stay at the forefront of new product offerings, Discova behind-the-scenes, destination news, travel trends and thought leadership articles from our on-the-ground experts