Highlights of Laos

Welcome to Laos! Enjoy an airport arrival transfer and hotel check in. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure.

After breakfast we explore the charming and laid-back capital of Laos with a city tour. We visit the oldest Buddhist monastery temple in the country - Wat Si Saket - and the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaeo, built to house the famed Emerald Buddha. Today it serves as the national museum of religious art. Learn about Laos' tragic past and present suffering at the COPE Centre, an organization that works with victims of unexploded bombs and mines.

Next visit Pha That Luang, the most important monument in Laos and a symbol of both Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. We also stop to view the imposing Patuxay monument - Vientiane's own Arc de Triomphe.

Later in the afternoon enjoy time exploring the hundreds of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures scattered throughout Buddha Park. End the day with a sunset dinner besides the Mekong River. (B/D)

We leave the capital early and journey north through lush countryside to Vang Vieng, peaceful village of Vang Vieng, situated on a curve of the Nam Song River.

In the afternoon, we cross the Nam Song River and venture to the other side, traversing a picturesque, unpaved route that winds through the Vang Vieng countryside, passing small villages and rice fields. This journey leads us to the blue lagoon and the Tham Pou Kham cave. The striking landscape, with its towering karst rock formations between Vang Vieng and the blue lagoon, is a sight to behold and makes the trip truly worthwhile. Inside the cave, we find a maze of chambers, galleries, and crevices adorned with stalagmites and stalactites, and the air inside is cool and damp.

Following our exploration of the cave, we descend to the Blue Lagoon, where you can relax, swim, or simply unwind in the refreshing waters.

Returning to Vang Vieng, we continue our sightseeing with a visit to the famous Tham Jang caves, once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. From here, we journey to Ban Na Khae village, home to both the Hmong and Kamu communities. As we explore the village, we gain a fascinating insight into the daily lives, traditions, and culture of the locals. (B/D)

After breakfast, we transfer to the station for our one-hour express train to Luang Prabang. With its gleaming temple roofs, graceful colonial architecture, and stunning mountain backdrop, this charming town has been recognised by UNESCO as the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The streets are quiet and relaxed, where orange-robed monks carrying umbrellas drift peacefully between temples.

We arrive in Luang Prabang in the early afternoon, and the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. (B)

Consider rising early this morning to view the daily ritual of saffron-clad monks and their procession down the streets of Luang Prabang collecting alms from the residents. After breakfast this morning we hop on a vintage tuk-tuk and explore the old town of Luang Prabang.

Our first stop is the bustling morning market where we learn about some of the local products on offer. We will then visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its low sweeping roof, representing traditional Laotian architecture. We end our morning at the impressive former Royal Palace which is now a national museum filled with ornate reception rooms and spectacular artifacts.

This afternoon we make our way to Khouangsi Waterfall, stopping en route at local villages to discover the different ethnic groups in this region. At the falls we can take in a dip in the turquoise pools, enjoy the scenery or explore the forest on one the walking trails. (B)

This morning we head into the countryside to visit the Living Land Farm for a fun and hands on half day farming experience. Learn how rice is planted and cultivated in the rice paddy, experience the life of a rice farmer and plough the rice paddy with a water buffalo. Then we enjoy a tasty lunch of traditional Lao dishes at the farm's Rice House, while soaking up the spectacular views of rice terraces and mountains beyond.

The afternoon is free for you to independently explore more of Luang Prabang. Consider visiting the sobering UXO Centre to learn more about the Second Indochina War, take in more of the city's beautiful temples or head to the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre set in beautiful tropical gardens. (B/L)

Spend the morning further exploring this delightful city before hotel check out and an included departure transfer to the airport. (B)