Hiking, Cruising & Exploring in Laos - 12 days

Itinerary

1. Intro

   Introduction
2. Day 1

   Vientiane

   Vientiane Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Explore Vientiane at leisure
   • Dine at a local restaurant
   • Visit a café
3. Day 2

   Vientiane to Vang Vieng

   Vientiane to Vang Vieng Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Visit Vat Sisaket temple
   • Explore Vat Phra Keo temple gardens
   • Visit Pha That Louang golden stupa
   • Climb Patuxay Arch for panoramic city views
   • Guided walk to scenic viewpoint near Vang Vieng with sunset viewing

   Landmarks
   Vat Sisaket
   Vat Phra Keo
   Pha That Louang
   Patuxay Arch

   

4. Day 3

   Vang Vieng

   Vang Vieng Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch with local Khmu family in their home or shaded garden)

   Included Activities

   • Tuk-tuk ride along Nam Song River to Khmu village
   • Visit traditional blacksmith and attempt blacksmithing
   • Share traditional lunch with local Khmu family
   • Learn about Khmu customs and animist beliefs
   • Discover traditional Lao Hai rice wine brewing process
   • Walk through rice fields to nearby cave
   • Sample Lao Hai rice wine at farm hut
5. Day 4

   Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang

   Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch

   Included Activities

   • Train journey Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang (1st class air-conditioned carriage)
   • Guided city tour of Luang Prabang
   • Visit Royal Palace / National Museum
   • Explore Heuan Chan Heritage House
   • Visit Vat Xieng Thong temple
   • Guided visit to Ock Pop Tok Weaving Craft Centre

   Landmarks
   Royal Palace / National Museum
   Heuan Chan Heritage House
   Vat Xieng Thong
   Ock Pop Tok Weaving Craft Centre

   

6. Day 5

   Luang Prabang

   Luang Prabang Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch

   Included Activities

   • Attend Tak Bat ceremony with monks (around 5:30-6:30am)
   • Visit bustling morning market
   • Explore Ban Nong Heo Khmu village and observe daily life
   • Guided hike through countryside and forested hills (4 km / 1 hour 30 mins)
   • Visit Ban Thapene village
   • Learn about traditional Sa paper making craft

   Optional Activities

   • Guided culinary walking tour (5-6pm) tasting Lao cuisine including Khao Soi, Pho, Salapao buns, Namvan, spring rolls, cucumber salad, and night market street snacks like Kaojee and Khao Nom Kok

   Landmarks
   Kuang Sy Waterfalls

7. Day 6

   Luang Prabang

   Luang Prabang Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Lao dishes lunch followed by locally grown coffee)

   Included Activities

   • Learn traditional Lao floral offering art at Ban Muang Keo
   • Visit local temple and receive blessing from monk
   • Meet local residents and experience rural village life
   • Enjoy aperitif at scenic riverside spot
   • Guided 30-minute forest walk to Pak Ou Caves
   • Explore Pak Ou Caves with thousands of Buddha statues
   • Relaxing boat ride back to Luang Prabang on Mekong River

   Landmarks
   Ban Muang Keo
   Pak Ou Caves

8. Day 7

   Luang Prabang to Pakse

   Luang Prabang to Pakse Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Visit Tad Fan waterfall and observe surrounding coffee plantation
   • Short walk around coffee plantation to observe local farming practices

   Optional Activities

   • Hike to Tad Yuang waterfall (3.5 km / 1 hour 15 mins) through National Biodiversity Conservation Area with staircase to waterfall base
   • Shop for handmade crafts at coffee plantation
   • Relax at restaurant with jungle views

   Landmarks
   Tad Fan Waterfall
   Tad Yuang Waterfall

   

9. Day 8

   Paksong - Bolaven Plateau

   Paksong - Bolaven Plateau Show on map

   Meals

   Breakfast, Lunch (Freshly prepared lunch at peaceful countryside spot)

   Included Activities

   • Jeep journey through remote landscapes with local farmer guide
   • Visit secluded waterfall
   • Explore coffee plantation
   • Observe traditional coffee roasting methods
   • Guided walk through fields and plantations
   • Visit Laven and Souay bamboo villages
10. Day 9

    Pakse - Si Phan Don

    Pakse - Si Phan Don Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast, Lunch

    Included Activities

    • Visit local blacksmiths
    • Stop at tea and coffee shop
    • Visit Vat Hatxaikhun
    • Visit Ban Ponsaad

    Optional Activities

    • Countryside stroll in Bolaven Plateau
    • Sample local coffee

    Landmarks
    Vat Hatxaikhun

    

11. Day 10

    Don Som - Don Thorlathee - Don Xang - Don Khon - Si Phan Don

    Don Som - Don Thorlathee - Don Xang - Don Khon - Si Phan Don Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Visit lowland Lao village and learn rice paper and noodle making
    • Boat journey to Don Som Island
    • Palm-leaf farmers' hat making workshop at Ban Thapho
    • Visit Keng Koum temple
    • Visit Don Thorlathee bamboo craftwork village
    • Walk on Don Xang
    • Visit Don Khone

    Landmarks
    Keng Koum Temple

12. Day 11

    Si Phan Don to Champasak

    Si Phan Don to Champasak Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Ride electric car to Mount Phou Kao
    • Walk ancient pathway with stone pillars at Vat Phou
    • Climb to upper sanctuary at Vat Phou
    • Visit natural spring at Vat Phou
    • View stone carvings at Vat Phou
    • Visit Vat Muang Kang temple
    • Guided walk through Champasak countryside
    • Visit villages crafting sticky rice containers and handmade goods
    • Visit Vat Phanon riverside temple

    Landmarks
    Vat Phou
    Mount Phou Kao
    Vat Muang Kang
    Vat Phanon

    

13. Day 12

    Don Daeng Island - Pakse

    Don Daeng Island - Pakse Show on map

    Meals

    Breakfast

    Optional Activities

    • Explore Champasak and nearby villages at leisure