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Laos - Nong Khiaw - 2019- 0008
15 Days Itineraries Laos

Laos Highlights & Beyond

Most suited for
Couples
Ideal time to visit
October- March

This journey is designed for travellers who want to experience the magic of Laos, while avoiding long journeys in the car. Travel is largely by boat and train, letting the landscapes dictate the pace.

Beginning in Luang Prabang, you’ll explore the the mysterious sleepy city with your guide before travelling north along a Mekong tributary into the limestone landscapes around Nong Khiaw and deeper into Oudomxay Province, where villages and forested valleys feel far removed from the usual circuits. From here, the route gradually arcs south via Vientiane, with its French influences, and continues to Pakse and the scenic 4000 Islands, where the river slows, widens and defines daily life at the Cambodian border.

The result is a considered passage through Laos that reveals its depth without reducing it to a rushed circuit.

      

Trip Highlights

Luang Prabang Temple

Explore Luang Prabang’s temples, markets and charming backstreets

Cruise the Nam Ou River, stopping at remote villages and caves

Tuck into a private breakfast at Kuang Sii Waterfalls before the crowds arrive

Laos Highlights & Beyond

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you. 

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Day 1

Your adventure begins

Step away from your everyday and board your flight to Luang Prabang.

Days 2 - 5

Luang Prabang

Your guide and driver will welcome you to Laos and whisk you to your first hotel. After settling in, explore the layers of the sleepy town with your guide: where gilded Buddhist temples sit alongside Indochinese villas, all framed by dense jungle and the slow curve of the Mekong.

One morning, you’ll rise early to visit Kuang Sii Waterfalls, arriving before the crowds under a special permit. Here, a brilliant breakfast is served beside the cascades: a quiet, unhurried experience.

There’s also time built in to wander and be spontaneous: to meander peaceful backstreets, browse the evening markets, join in with the popular local street sport pétanque, or simply sit and soak in a spellbinding sunset along the river.

Days 6 - 7

Nong Khiaw

Begin your journey by boat along the Nam Ou, travelling through dense forest and dramatic limestone scenery. En route, you’ll stop to visit local villages and explore the cave shrines of Pak Ou before reaching your destination in the late afternoon.

This area lends itself naturally to gentle exploration by bike or kayak. Your hotel has bicycles, so you can head out with your guide to nearby limestone caves and surrounding countryside. Alternatively, the 100 Waterfalls trek and boat trip offers a more active option: a three-hour uphill climb through jungle terrain, rewarded with far-reaching views across one of the most striking landscapes in northern Laos.

Days 8 -9

Oudomxay

This morning, travel north to your next hotel in the Oudomxay province. It’s set within a protected forest reserve beside a river in a beautiful, rural part of Laos where daily life continues at its own pace. Staying here offers the chance to experience village life more closely, without feeling that you are just one of many tourists passing through.

For adventurous travellers, there’s excellent trekking and other outdoor activities in the jungle-clad hills. If you’d prefer something a bit easier, there are some lovely countryside walks, that could wind up with a picnic at a waterfall.

Days 10 - 11

Vientiane

Board the train for the journey from Oudomxay to Vientiane. Until 2021, this route required a long overland drive spread across a couple of days; the railway now reduces it to just a few hours.

During your time in Vientiane, you’ll experience the sleepy capital from an insider’s perspective. You’ll explore vibrant Chinatown, discover ex-residences of colonial rulers and follow the Mekong River downstream to the historical temple of Wat Inpaeng. At dusk, climb Patuxai (Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe) for wide-open views across the city, before heading out on an evening foodie tour to taste traditional barbecue and experience everyday Lao dining culture.

Vientiene
Days 12 - 14

The South

You’ll be transferred early to the airport for your flight to Pakse with express check-in. On arrival, your driver will whisk you to the pier to board a private traditional boat for a two-hour cruise to Champassak. Here, you may visit 5th-century Wat Phou, a Khmer temple complex set on the hillside and one of Laos’ most significant heritage sites.

Afterwards, cross the Mekong to Don Daeng Island in time for lunch and a three-night stay at La Folie Lodge, either in a room or private villa overlooking the river. Time here is free to relax or explore by bike, visit nearby villages, or venture to Don Khone to see colonial remnants and the powerful Khone Phapheng Falls.

Bungalow-Mekong-View-Nah_compressed3_compressed
Day 15

Fly home

Today, it’s time to wave goodbye and make your way home.

An Epic Adventure Across Southeast Asia

There were moments while I was out and about where I thought that everyone should experience this kind of mindful travel that Experience Travel organises, as it's not backpacking where you tick off the standard party hotspots, and it's not the typical cruise for tourists to visit the standard sightseeing destinations, but an experience where I really felt I got to know the countries, meet great people and do fun stuff that most people miss.
Sven
3 March 2025

Excellent850 Reviews

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What’s included:

With ETG, what’s included is shaped around ease. We take care of the practical details that can distract from the experience itself, so you’re free to relax into the journey and enjoy it as it unfolds. 

Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:

All flights (unless you’ve booked your own)
Carefully selected guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transport
Gratuities
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout

Pricing:

Each journey is shaped around you, so costs vary depending on season, flight choices, accommodation and how much is built in. 

As a guide, most of our two-week trips fall between £5,000 and £10,000 per person. 

Some fall below that, particularly for families or travel outside peak periods. Others go beyond it when the brief includes business-class flights, longer stays, or more ambitious hotel choices. 

We discuss budget early, so everything is clear from the start. 

 

Meet Our Laos Experts

Ella has a soft spot for Laos – and it shows. She’s wandered the sleepy streets of Luang Prabang at dawn, cruised the Mekong’s hidden stretches, and found those little riverside bungalows that feel like they belong only to you.

“Laos is all about slow travel and hidden beauty. From the peaceful charm of Luang Prabang to cycling through tiny Mekong islands and enjoying luxury riverside stays, this trip captures the country’s essence in a relaxed and meaningful way.”

Ella
Regional Expert
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0207 924 7133

Explore Our Hotels & Villas

Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of the destination. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.

Laos - Comfort

Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort

Pool La Folie Lodge

Laos - Superior

La Folie Lodge

Laos - Superior

Lao Poet Hotel

Laos - Eco/Adventure

Nong Khiaw Riverside

Le Sen Swimming Pool

Laos - Superior

Le Sen

The ETG Guarantee

We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had. 

The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.

Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?  

We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.

And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.

Experiences in Laos

Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.

Vientiene

Laos

Vientiane Tuk Tuk Tour

Laos

The Nam Ou River Boat & Trek

ETG Laos - Luang Prabang - Petanque - 2019- 0002 - Reduced Size

Laos

Evening Game of Petanque

Laos

Luang Prabang Full Day Tour

kuang si waterfalls

Laos

Breakfast at Kuang Si Falls

Important FAQs about Laos

Laos is a country of gentle rhythms, rich traditions, and extraordinary natural beauty. Travelling with ETG means uncovering the quiet charms of this land in a thoughtful and immersive way. From drifting along the Mekong at sunset to exploring golden temples in Luang Prabang or cycling through rural villages, we design holidays that let you experience Laos at its own pace. Our local guides and carefully curated experiences ensure every moment feels authentic, personal, and rewarding, with 24/7 support to keep everything seamless and stress-free.

The best time to visit Laos is during the cool, dry season from November to March, when the weather is pleasant and ideal for exploring cities, temples, and river life. April and May bring hotter temperatures, while the green season from June to October offers lush landscapes, quieter travel, and excellent river cruises thanks to higher water levels. For those looking to avoid crowds, the shoulder months of October and early November are particularly appealing.

 

Every ETG holiday to Laos is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.

You’ll experience Laos in a way that’s completely bespoke to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our Laos specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.

The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Laos

Discover a peaceful culture, beautiful scenery and exciting adventure, all in one handy guide.

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Curious Guide to Laos