With this Laos 12 days classic tour, you’ll experience an immersive journey through the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Starting in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you’ll explore the city’s temples, including Wat Xieng Thong and the Royal Palace Museum. The tour also includes an excursion to the Kuang Si Waterfalls and a visit to the Pak Ou Caves, famous for their thousands of Buddha statues.
In the capital city of Vientiane, you’ll visit significant landmarks such as the Patuxai Monument and Pha That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos. The tour then takes you to Champasak, which is home to the historic site Wat Phou. End your 12 days in Laos with an adventure to Siphandon, where you will explore many magnificent natural wonders.
In addition, you’ll experience traditional Laotian culture with visits to local villages, boat rides on the Mekong River, and participation in a traditional Baci ceremony. This comprehensive tour provides a deep dive into Laos’ history, culture, and natural beauty, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Welcome to Luang Prabang.
Upon your arrival at the airport, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. Check in and relax.
Free for dinner and overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.
Included: Accommodation and airport pickup.
Start your day at the bustling Morning Market, where locals purchase a variety of goods, including vibrant vegetables, unique fruits, and even live frogs.
After that, visit the tranquil Wat Mai, one of the city’s most ornate monasteries. Then, explore the former King’s Palace to learn about the history and current life in Luang Prabang.
Wat Xieng Thong Temple in Luang Prabang
Your next stop is the ancient Wat Xieng Thong temple, renowned for its distinctive low sweeping roof and as one of Luang Prabang’s most iconic monasteries.
After enjoying lunch at a local eatery, head to the UXO Visitor’s Center for a poignant look at the devastating bombings that affected Laos and their ongoing impact. This NGO does commendable work in addressing this significant issue.
Next, visit the 16th-century Wat Visoun temple, famous for its large stupa and collection of ancient gilded Buddhas.
Continue to the Traditional Art and Ethnology Centre (TAEC), the only independent center in Laos dedicated to the nation’s diverse ethnic groups. If time allows, you can also visit the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, a beautiful riverside workshop where artisans create high-quality fabrics, offering free tours every half-hour.
Conclude your day with a climb to Mount Phousi for panoramic views of the city and the Mekong River.
Return to your hotel for an evening of leisure. Free for dinner.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Begin your day early by participating in Laos’ most sacred tradition, the morning almsgiving, a practice that has been part of the culture since the 14th century. Each morning, hundreds of monks walk through the streets to collect alms.
After breakfast, take a 40-minute drive with our guide to Pak Ou Village to explore local crafts. Then, cross the Mekong River by boat to reach the Pak Ou Caves at the base of a limestone cliff. The lower cave is filled with Buddhist statues and relics, offering a serene scene with incense and a view of the Mekong. Climb a series of stairs to another cave, and with a flashlight, discover more ancient Buddhist relics.
Pak Ou Caves
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before crossing the Mekong again. Drive 1.5 hours downriver to the Kuang Si Waterfall, a stunning spot for swimming, surrounded by lush jungle. The waterfall varies from tranquil turquoise pools in the dry season to powerful falls in the rainy season.
Before swimming in Kuang Si Falls, visit the Free the Bears sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates sun, moon, and sloth bears from bile farms.
Next, visit an organic farm and the new Lao Buffalo dairy, where you can learn to milk a buffalo, take a selfie with one, and try some delicious dairy products, including ice cream. This initiative supports the local community by providing sustainable income.
Conclude the day with a drive back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon, stopping at the popular Whiskey Village to sample locally made Lao Lao whiskey.
Free for dinner and overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Today, you will visit the Elephant Park Project, situated along the banks of the Khan River, 15km from Luang Prabang. This visit offers an intriguing insight into a significant aspect of history.
The Elephant Park Project focuses on community-based eco-programs to provide a new home for Lao elephants. As deforestation progresses, elephants previously used for logging often face neglect. The project’s goal is to secure a better future for these majestic animals.
Laos Elephant Village
At the park, you have the option to go on an elephant ride, enjoy the natural surroundings, and take a brief boat trip to visit the Tad Sae waterfalls. Your visit supports elephant conservation in Laos, promising an enriching and enjoyable experience.
At the end of the day, return to your hotel in Luang Prabang to relax. Free for dinner.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and move to the airport for a short 30-minute flight to Xieng Khouang, home to the enigmatic “Plain of Jars.”
Upon arrival, your private guide and driver will greet you and take you to the famous Plain of Jars, a vast area stretching around Phonsavanh from the southwest to the northeast. This ancient site features over 300 massive stone jars, carved from solid rock, scattered across the plateau. The jars, ranging from 1 to 3.25 meters in height and weighing up to six tons each, are believed to be 2,500 to 3,000 years old. There are various theories about their purpose, adding to their mystery.
Plain of Jars
You will explore Sites I and II, among the many discovered so far, and stop at Ban Na Pia (War Spoon Village) before heading to your hotel in Phonsavanh for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang air ticket, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Start your day early with a visit to a local market and an exploration of the ruins of the ancient Phuan Kingdom Capital. Enjoy a traditional Lao noodle soup for breakfast and visit the Buddha statue at Wat Piawat and an old stone stupa.
Later in the morning, you’ll be transferred to the airport for a short, 30-minute flight to Laos’ capital, Vientiane. Upon arrival the airport, your private guide and driver will take you to your city center hotel for check-in.
Begin a brief sightseeing tour of Vientiane with a visit to the Patuxay Monument. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the top. This monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe, is located at the end of Lan Xang Avenue, Vientiane’s version of the Champs Elysees.
Patuxay Monument
Next, visit the COPE Visitor Centre, a non-profit organization that provides prosthetic limbs, mobility assistance, and rehabilitation for Lao people in need. The center also educates visitors about the ongoing impact of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) from the Vietnam War.
After your visit to the COPE Centre, check in to your hotel in Vientiane, where you can spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, Phonsavanh – Vientiane air ticket, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, retains a relaxed charm with its tree-lined boulevards, captivating temples, and vibrant markets. This city is a fascinating blend of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French influences.
After breakfast, our guide and driver will pick you up to continue exploring this delightful city. Start with Wat Sisaket, the only temple that remained intact after the Siamese invasion of 1828, housing hundreds of Buddha statues within its walls.
Wat Si Saket
Next, visit Wat Prakeo, which now serves as a religious museum displaying Lao and Khmer art. This temple once held the “Emerald Buddha,” now located at Bangkok’s Royal Palace.
Continue to the iconic Pha That Luang, a shining golden stupa and the most significant national monument in Laos.
After lunch at a local restaurant, explore other key sites including the Buddhist monasteries of Wat Ong Tue and Wat Haysoke. Then, visit the Lao National Museum, housed in a charming French colonial building, and Wat Si Muang, a Khmer temple with a captivating legend that remains important to the Laotian community.
Finish your day at the Vientiane Central Markets of Talat Sao and Talat Kouadin, where you can find fresh food, household goods, textiles, gold, silver, and unique souvenirs.
Return to the hotel to relax. Free for dinner.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast and checking out, you’ll transfer to the airport for a short flight to Pakse in southwestern Laos, a region renowned for its stunning waterfalls, lush jungles, and serene islands.
Upon arrival, our private guide and driver will meet you and take you to explore the Bolaven Plateau. Begin with a visit to Ban Katuu, an agricultural village home to the Katu ethnic minority. Located within a coffee plantation surrounded by natural beauty, you’ll learn about local coffee production and sample fresh Lao coffee.
Bolaven Plateau
Next, visit the Talat Dao Heung Market near the Japanese Bridge, where you can haggle for coffee and browse vibrant stalls filled with spices, dried fish, fresh fruits, and Lao sweets.
After lunch at the coffee plantation, continue exploring the Bolaven Plateau’s highlights, starting with the Tad Fane waterfall. Nestled in dense rainforest, this impressive waterfall features twin streams cascading from 800 feet. Then, head to Tad Yeung waterfall, where you can swim in its cool, clear waters and explore the surrounding coffee plantation.
Conclude your excursion with a transfer to your hotel in Champasak. After checking in, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, Vientiane – Pakse air ticket, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, our guide and driver will escort you to Wat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you will begin your journey into the remnants of Khmer history in the area.
Wat Phou
You will explore its ruins, known as one of the most significant Hindu sanctuaries of the Khmer Empire. Nestled among rice fields and waterways, this impressive three-level temple offers a stunning sight. The original temple on this site dates back to the 5th century, though the current remains are from the 11th to 13th centuries. Your comprehensive 2-3 hour tour includes a challenging climb to sacred shrines on the upper level, where you will find elements of Hindu, Buddhist, and Animist worship.
You will also visit the Wat Phou Museum exhibition hall on the lower levels, where you can delve into the rich heritage of Khmer art and Buddhist sculptures.
After your exploration, return to your hotel for a leisurely afternoon.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast.
After breakfast, you’ll head south for a full-day excursion to Siphandon, a breathtaking archipelago of over 4,000 islands where time seems to slow down and stunning views are everywhere. This unique group of islands is located in a section of the river that spans over eight miles wide, adorned with rapids and waterfalls.
Upon arrival, you’ll visit the village of Ban Nakasang, then board a boat to cruise to the serene island of Done Khone. This small island in Si Phan Don is home to rural villages and plantations, providing an ideal setting for a leisurely bike ride.
Liphi Falls
Next, you’ll journey to the remarkable Liphi Waterfall. From afar, you’ll hear the powerful roar of the falls. These falls are known for the Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins that frequent the area. Ban Hang Khon is one of the rare places in the world where you might spot these endangered creatures. Additionally, you’ll see the old locomotive, railway, and colonial bridge built by the French to bypass the rapids and waterfalls in this part of the Mekong River.
After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll continue exploring the river. By late afternoon, you’ll return to your hotel in Champasak, just in time to watch the sunset.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
After an eventful holiday filled with sightseeing and experiencing the local Laos culture, today is dedicated to relaxation and reflection.
Take a full day to bask in the sunshine, whether by the pool at your hotel or on one of the nearby sandy beaches.
Included: Accommodation and breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Champasak. Upon your flight schedule, our driver will transfer you to Pakse airport for a flight back home. End of Laos 12 days classic tour with unforgettable memories.
Goodbye and see you on the next journey to Southeast Asia.
Included: Airport drop-off and breakfast at the hotel.
– There may be cancellation fees charged by suppliers (hotels, airlines, boats, trains…) once these bookings are made and paid. These fee shall by paid by travelers.
– These are maximum cancellation fees to be flexible applied:
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