The diverse landscapes and rich culture of Laos are only truly discovered through overland travel. Explore the country from north to south, connecting the main tourist sites with hidden gems far away from the tourist trail. Expect the unexpected on this in-depth Laos holiday.
Itinerary Highlights
Overland adventure from North to South
Localised Food Tours
Stunning Boat on the Mekong River
Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Most In-depth Laos Tour Available
What’s included
Completely private tours for all activities included
Meet & greet airport service
China Railway First Class ticket as mentioned in the itinerary
Expert guides in each destinaton
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
22
Nights
Price Guide
$7995 – $8950 pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
start in chiang saen (Northern Thailand)
Day 2
HOUEY XAY – PAKBENG (slow cruise)
Cross the Mekong River from Thailand to the border town of Huay Xai where your Lao driver and guide will be waiting outside the immigration station. They will take you to the embarkation point for your 2-day slow cruise to Luang Prabang. Your first stop is at an ethnic village with a chance to learn first-hand about the traditional, rural life of these people. Located halfway between Huay Xay and Luang Prabang is Pakbeng where you will spend the night. Wooden stilt houses line a steep street on the hillside, and the town has a tranquil, laid-back vibe.
Day 3
PAKBENG – PAK OU – LUANG PRABANG
For early risers, visit the morning market where residents of the nearby villages and hill tribes gather to buy and exchange goods. Depart around 08:30 for the second part of the journey. While cruising along the Mekong, stop at Ban Baw village to observe the processing of traditional rice alcohol, called “lao lao” – try some if your dare! Reboard the boat for a delicious buffet lunch. You then stop at the Pak Ou Caves which contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues crammed into two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. The statues range in size from a few centimeters to the size of a human, and the view from the mouth of the cave provides sweeping views of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The climb to the caves is quite steep, not suitable for everyone. After a final 2 hour cruise takes you to the stunning town of Luang Prabang, arriving late afternoon. Your guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to your chosen hotel.
Day 4-5
EXPLORING LUANG PRABANG
The next couple of days is spent exploring Luang Prabang. There are multiple touring options to choose between here. Discuss with interests with your consultant and we will make recommendations for you, from cooking classes and foodie tours, cultural and historical tours to spending time at stunning waterfalls of Kwang Si and a visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary or an interactive afternoon spent with elephants. There are walking tours and cycling options as well as by private vehicle and boat trips. With so much on offer if you want to extend your holiday Luang Prabang is the place to add in that extra night or two.
The next couple of days is spent exploring Luang Prabang. There are multiple touring options to choose between here. Discuss with interests with your consultant and we will make recommendations for you, from cooking classes and foodie tours, cultural and historical tours to spending time at stunning waterfalls of Kwang Si and a visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary or an interactive afternoon spent with elephants. There are walking tours and cycling options as well as by private vehicle and boat trips. With so much on offer if you want to extend your holiday Luang Prabang is the place to add in that extra night or two.
Day 6-7
LUANG PRABANG – PLAIN OF JARS
After breakfast, begin the 6-7 hour drive for Phonsavan. A stop will be made en route for lunch in a local restaurant. Upon arrival to Xieng Khuang, the guide and driver will provide transport to the hotel for check in. After checking into the hotel, enjoy a city tour and visit the MAG Center in town. MAG is a humanitarian organization clearing the remnants of conflict for the benefit of local communities worldwide. Lao PDR is the most heavily bombed nation in the world (per capita). Spend time at The Plain of Jars, a huge archaeological complex filled with mysterious 2,500-year-old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters. While several archaeologists have hypotheses about their existence, their true origin remains a mystery. Also visit local temples and religious sites.
Day 8
XIENG KHOUANG – SAM NEUA
After breakfast, depart with the private guide and driver for the journey by car to Sam Neua, taking approximately 6-7 hours. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful scenery and see local village life. Lunch will be had in a local restaurant. After lunch, arrive in Sam Neua, check in to the hotel and take off for a tour of the town including Wat Phoxay Sanlam, which is home to a Buddha statue dating back to 1565, a visit to weaving and the market selling stunning Houaphanh textiles and clothes from different ethnic groups, woven bamboo items and traditional foods. Also visit the cave city of Viengxay where 20,000 people lived in a ‘hidden city’ they built inside these limestone peaks. Return to Sam Neua.
Day 9
SAM NEUA – VIENGXAY
Today drive to Viengxay (approximately 1 hour). Upon arrival, explore the traditional town and its surrounding limestone peaks and forests. The town contains hundreds of caves, which sheltered local people and the country’s future leaders during the Vietnam/American War. In the 1960s, when Laos was caught up in the middle of the war, more than 20,000 people lived in a ‘hidden city’ they built inside these limestone peaks. As they were only able to farm or work at night, the caves housed everything from schools and hospitals to markets a radio station and the headquarters of the Lao Patriotic Front. Take an audio tour that tells the story of the ‘hidden city,’ including interviews of people who lived through this time. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant. After the visit, drive back to Sam Neua.
Day 10-11
NAM NERN – NONG KHIAW
Staying in a simple ecolodge, experience a night safari, all of which has been developed and created by the local community. Learn about wildlife conservation, medicinal plants, traditional agriculture and the history of the Secret War from the local Khmu guide. Mid-afternoon afternoon travel by boat for a night safari. Stop near a salt lick, hike into the forest with your local guide, a skilled hunter and tracker, who will explain how local people track deer and other animals. Continue up river then after diner night safari in search of wildlife such as Sambar Deer, Otters, and Barking Deer, various species of Civets, Slow Loris, Porcupine and Owls. Next morning return by boat to the road and travel on to Nong Khiaw, approximately 4 hours drive away.
Day 12-13
NONG KHIAW – LUANG PRABANG – VANG VIENG
Return to Luang Prabang and take the train to the spectacular town of Vang Vieng. The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure with the driver and guide available to help you explore – or may just wish to rest up by the pool in the comfort of a nice hotel. Spend the next day exploring the area with your guide – try trekking, kayaking, mountain biking or rock climbing (some activities payable locally).
Day 14-15
VANG VIENG – VIENTIANE
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and take the new highway, for approximately 1.5 hours, through to the sleepy capitol city of Vientiane. The rest of the day is free at leisure in the peaceful capital. Day 15 takes in all the city highlights and can easily be adapted to suite your interests including trekking with a wild orchid expert, city temples, visit the eccentric statues of the Buddha Park or enjoy local style massages etc. Let us know your preferences and we can design the activities for you.
Day 16-18
VIENTIANE – BAN KONG LOR – THAKHEK – SAVANNAKHET – PAKSE
Today begin the journey south from Vientiane. The first leg takes around 3 hours, with a quick stop at Wat Prabath Phansane (‘Temple of the footprint of Buddha’). After lunch, leave the main road and enter the Phou Hin Poun NPA (National Protected Area). The scenery will become much more spectacular, featuring limestone karsts, forests and rice paddies. From leaving the main road to reaching the final destination will take approximately 2 hours. After breakfast, take a short drive (5-10 minutes) towards the Kong Lor Caves. Wearing life jackets and head torchesboard a longtail boat which will cover the length of this spectacular cave along the Hin Boun River – a length of 7.5km without daylight! During the cruise, explore the formations of stalactites and stalagmites partially from the water and partially on foot. Upon reaching the other side, stop for refreshments and walk to local villages. These villages are in an area only discovered relatively recently and are very rarely visited by travellers. Day 17 takes you to Savannakhet and on to Pakse.
Day 19
PAKSE – BOLAVEN PLATEAU – CHAMPASAK
Begin the day with a 09:00 pickup from the hotel for the short orientation tour of Pakse. Afterwards, depart for the Bolaven Plateau, a mountainous region home to dozens of hill tribes, waterfalls and coffee and tea plantations. Also stop at the small village of Ban Houay Houn, famous for its Katu textiles. Observe the village’s women weaving without a traditional loom, using their legs to stretch the fabric.
Day 20
EXPLORING WAT PHOU
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits among the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level is focused on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary. This site served as the most important economic and political centre of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.
Day 21-22
4000 ISLANDS
Spend the next couple of days visiting the unique 4000 islands area of southern Laos. Visit the impressive Lippi falls, just west of Don Khone, very close to the Cambodian border. Take a short boat trip offering a chance to spot the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin. See the remnants of the railway and some colonial buildings that still remain, making for the perfect place to relax and soak in the views.
Day 23
depart pakse to next destination
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $7995 – $8950 per person
When to travel
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The optimum time to visit Laos is between mid October and the end of February when the weather is time is generally very pleasant although it can get a little chilly in the mountainous north. (If entering Luang Prabang by boat from Northern Thailand or plan to undertake any river journeys in the North, remember to pack a warm fleece as the mornings on the river can be particularly cold). The hot dry season begins in February when temperatures can reach up to 40c and generally lasts through to April/May. Increasing humidity and temperatures bring on the wet season which lasts from June to October. During this time the Mekong River rises, and flooding of the surrounding area is not uncommon.
January is a dry and relatively cool month in Laos. The days are generally sunny, and the humidity is lower compared to other months. It's a great time for outdoor activities and exploring. Nights can be slightly cooler, so a light jacket or sweater will be needed, especially in the north. Temperature: 20°C - 28°C • Best
February is still dry and temperatures gradually start to warm up. The weather remains pleasant with comfortable temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor adventures and sightseeing. Evenings and early mornings can still be a bit cool, so packing a light layer is advisable. Temperature: 22°C - 31°C • Best
March marks the transition to hotter weather. Days become warmer, and the humidity begins to rise. It's advisable to carry sunscreen and stay hydrated while exploring outdoor areas. Light and breathable clothing is recommended. Temperature: 24°C - 34°C • Good
April is one of the hottest months in Laos. The weather is dry, and temperatures can reach their peak. It's important to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated. Light and breathable clothing, hats, and sunscreen are essential. Temperature: 26°C - 36°C • Good
May is characterized by high temperatures and increasing humidity. The rainy season begins towards the end of the month, leading to occasional showers. It's a good idea to have a raincoat or umbrella handy. Light and loose clothing is recommended to cope with the heat and humidity. Temperature: 26°C - 35°C • Mixed
June marks the start of the rainy season in Laos. Rainfall increases, and thunderstorms become more frequent. The temperatures are slightly cooler due to the rain, but humidity remains high. It's advisable to carry a raincoat or umbrella and plan outdoor activities accordingly. Temperature: 25°C - 34°C • Poor
July is part of the wet season with consistent rainfall and overcast skies. Expect frequent showers and occasional heavy downpours. It's recommended to carry rain gear, including a waterproof jacket and footwear, and plan indoor activities. Temperature: 24°C - 33°C • Worst
August experiences similar weather conditions to July, with regular rainfall and high humidity. Rain showers can be intense but are often short-lived. It's advisable to be prepared for wet weather, pack waterproof clothing and footwear, and plan indoor activities. Temperature: 24°C - 33°C • Worst
The rainy season continues in September, with occasional heavy downpours. The humidity remains high, and the weather can be unpredictable. It's recommended to plan indoor activities or visit locations that are less affected by the rain. Waterproof clothing and footwear are essential. Temperature: 24°C - 32°C • Mixed
October marks the transition period between the wet and dry seasons. Rainfall decreases gradually, and there are more sunny intervals. The temperatures become more pleasant, making it a good time for outdoor exploration. Light and breathable clothing is suitable. Temperature: 23°C - 31°C • Good
November is the start of the dry season in Laos. The weather becomes cooler, and rainfall decreases significantly. It's a great time for outdoor activities, as the humidity is lower, and the temperatures are comfortable. A light jacket or sweater may be needed for cooler evenings. Temperature: 21°C - 30°C • Good
December is part of the dry season, with cool and dry weather prevailing throughout the month. The humidity remains low, and there is minimal rainfall. It's an excellent time to explore outdoor attractions and enjoy the pleasant temperatures. A light jacket or sweater may be needed for cooler evenings. Temperature: 19°C - 27°C • Best
Add on’s
There are a multitude of add on holiday options to this Laos itinerary, for example you could head to Vietnam, over to Bangkok or perhaps take a flight to Siem Reap and spend a few days exploring the magnificent temples of Angkor, the opportunities are really endless.
Laos is accessed by the main flight hubs of Hanoi and Bangkok making city stopovers or beach extensions on Asia’s fabulous sandy shores easy to arrange.
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