Accommodation

7 nights in hand-picked hotels.

Guide

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader’s ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 7 Breakfasts

Others

All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.

Transport

Bus

Not included:

Others

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price. You can also book extra nights’ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately.

Optional

Optional experiences are available on this tour for an additional cost.

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

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Day 1 Day 1: Join Trip In Vientiane
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Join Trip In Vientiane

Located on the banks of the Mekong River, the Laos capital is a relaxed place that has a feel more similar to a provincial town than a capital city. Weathered French Colonial mansions give way to golden temples, and the languid pace of life here makes it an ideal place to explore by bicycle. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Vientiane at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you’ll need to arrive into Watty International Airport (VTE) which is 15 minutes from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up in the hotel lobby at 8am on day two. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to see the unique Buddhist stupa of Pha That Luang before enjoying a Beerlao by the river at sunset. This is the best way to end the day, start your adventure and meet your fellow explorers.
Day 2 Day 2: In Vientiane, Explore The Capital; Free Afternoon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: In Vientiane, Explore The Capital; Free Afternoon

This morning we include a sightseeing tour around the city. This is a low-built, red roofed attractive capital city, with a French feel and a relaxed atmosphere. We explore some of the best sights including the Victory Gate which is a Triumphal Arch with good views of the town, the That Luang stupa which is said to contain a hair of the Buddha, and Wat Sisaket, a beautiful temple packed with fine Buddha images. This afternoon is left free for further exploration. It is possible to visit nearby Buddha Park, a vast green expanse just 30 minutes from the city that houses a beguiling selection of Buddhist and Hindu statues. Alternatively you may choose to visit the COPE Museum, a not-for-profit organisation set up to provide prosthetic limbs to the many victims of the unexploded ordinance (UXO) left behind from the Vietnam war. The museum does an excellent job of giving some of the background to the bombing campaign, along with showcasing the important work the COPE foundation is doing. Most report it to be a sobering, emotive but rewarding experience that enhances one’s understanding of this fascinating country.
Day 3 Day 3: Take The Train To Vang Vieng, Afternoon At Leisure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Take The Train To Vang Vieng, Afternoon At Leisure

This morning we make our way to Vientiane railway station to board the newly constructed Boten-Vientiane Railway for the short two hour journey to Vang Vieng. Opened in December 2021, this ambitious collaboration between Laos and China connects the Chinese Railway system at the northern border with the Thai Railway system across the Friendship Bridge in the South. The railway now connects a series of rural villages in Laos and will be a huge booster to trade, in a country that has a poorly connected road network through mountainous terrain. Using a fleet of modern trains that travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h, they have also opened up traveller networks in Laos and made previously challenging journeys much more comfortable. The first leg of our train journey rolls past lush rice paddies and across a patchwork of farmers’ fields, with small pockets of villages visible as we whoosh by towards Vang Vieng. Upon arrival, the afternoon has been left free to explore our new surroundings. We recommend a short stroll down to the riverbank this evening in time for sunset, where there are a number of areas to sit and take in dramatic scenery. Watch people float down the river as the sun starts to dip behind the mountains and the sky turns a deep burnt-orange, just be sure to bring a camera to catch some sunset snaps.
Day 4 Day 4: Free Day In Vang Vieng. Optional Visit To Caves Or Kayaking On Nam Song River
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Free Day In Vang Vieng. Optional Visit To Caves Or Kayaking On Nam Song River

Vang Vieng enjoys an idyllic setting. Perched on the banks of the Nam Song river it is surrounded by a patchwork of lush rice paddies and set to a backdrop of towering jagged limestone cliffs. Once known as a party-town for backpackers, present-day Vang Vieng has now re-invented itself as the home of adventure travel in Laos, where its setting lends itself to a host of activities for anybody from casual walkers to adrenaline thrill-seekers. As there is plenty of choice available, today has been left free to choose from a number of optional excursions, such as a guided walk past rice paddies to nearby minority villages, a visit to the 2km underground cave network, or kayaking along the gentle Nam Song river.
Day 5 Day 5: Scenic Train Journey To Luang Prabang And Sunset Visit To Mount Phousi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Scenic Train Journey To Luang Prabang And Sunset Visit To Mount Phousi

We make our way back to the train station this morning for the second leg of our train journey through the heart of Laos. This journey takes us through the mountains in a series of newly constructed tunnels, with some spectacular mountain scenery to take in in-between tunnels. We arrive into Luang Prabang around two hours later, a journey which used to take a full day when travelling by winding mountain road. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is nestled in a valley of lush rolling hills and sits at the confluence of two rivers, the Khan and the mighty Mekong. Influence from its French occupiers is peppered all over the city, with grand white-washed Indochinese villas lining its leafy streets, oddly complementing the golden-tipped wats (temples) found around almost every corner. Time moves so slowly here that it almost stands still, and a must-do is grabbing a Lao coffee, sitting down outside one of the many cafes and just watching the world go by, in traditional Lao-style. This evening, there is chance to walk to nearby Mount Phousi and climb its 328 steps in time for sunset, offering excellent panoramic views over this sleepy city and beyond.
Day 6 Day 6: Morning Walking Tour Of Luang Prabang And Boat Trip To Pak Ou Caves
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Morning Walking Tour Of Luang Prabang And Boat Trip To Pak Ou Caves

Today, we’ll really get to have a closer look at Luang Prabang. All the main sights of interest are close together and we’ll have a chance to walk around the various wats (temples) including the splendid Wat Xieng Thong (the Golden Temple built in 1559), which is strikingly decorated in brilliant red and gold designs, with an imposing tiled roof and mosaic dragon motifs. We’ll also visit Wat Sen and the Royal Palace Museum. We then, board a traditional long-tail boat for the short journey up the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves. There a number of steps to climb here as we make our way up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine. Although now abandoned by the monks, there is an altar for incense burning, flower offerings and numerous rock shelves crammed with thousands of Buddha images of all shapes and sizes. The rest of the afternoon has been left free to further explore this charming city, or to relax at one of the many al-fresco coffee shops that pepper the street sides. A visit the Luang Prabang’s bustling night market is highly recommended.
Day 7 Day 7: From Luang Prabang, Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls; Optional Afternoon Cycle To Lao Loum Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: From Luang Prabang, Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls; Optional Afternoon Cycle To Lao Loum Village

This morning, we travel to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, approximately 45 minutes from Luang Prabang. Passing forested hills and several ethnic minority villages we arrive at the limestone falls that cascade into several turquoise pools below. qj We travel back to Luang Prabang where there is an opportunity to take an optional afternoon bicycle trip on the other side of the Mekong to the village of Ban Xieng Mene. Visit some temples and cycle to the ancient Royal temple of Wat Long Khoun, that was formerly used by past Kings and Queens for meditation purposes. Continue by bicycle for around 45 minutes along quiet unpaved roads to the village of Ban Chan, famous for its pottery making to meet the locals and learn about their daily lifestyle.
Day 8 Day 8: Trip Ends In Luang Prabang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Trip Ends In Luang Prabang

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Luang Prabang. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Luang Prabang at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ), which is 15 minutes from our hotel.

8 days tour

Highlights Of Laos

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Laos

Day 1: Join Trip In Vientiane

Day 2: In Vientiane, Explore The Capital; Free Afternoon

Day 3: Take The Train To Vang Vieng, Afternoon At Leisure

Day 4: Free Day In Vang Vieng. Optional Visit To Caves Or Kayaking On Nam Song River

Day 5: Scenic Train Journey To Luang Prabang And Sunset Visit To Mount Phousi

Day 6: Morning Walking Tour Of Luang Prabang And Boat Trip To Pak Ou Caves

Day 7: From Luang Prabang, Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls; Optional Afternoon Cycle To Lao Loum Village

Day 8: Trip Ends In Luang Prabang

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