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18 Days Itineraries Laos Vietnam

Hanoi to Luang Prabang Overland

Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
October- March

This itinerary is a breathtaking overland journey through some of the most beautiful, remote and fascinating parts of Vietnam and Laos.

This 18-day overland journey blends the cultural vibrancy of Vietnam with the raw beauty and tranquillity of Laos. Starting with the street-food buzz and colonial charm of Hanoi, you’ll explore hidden valleys, limestone peaks and peaceful rural villages before crossing into Laos. From remote war-era caves and night safaris in the jungle to the golden temples of Luang Prabang, this is an adventure filled with diverse landscapes, history and immersive experiences.

      

Trip Highlights

Discover Hanoi’s lively street food culture while sipping a cold local beer at a roadside stall

Laos wildlife

Track animals on a night safari in Laos’s jungle

NINHBINH33

Sail past the towering peaks of craggy limestone in the Trang An ecosystem

Hanoi to Luang Prabang Overland

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

Depart your home country on your flight to Hanoi.

Days 2 - 4

Hanoi

After arrival, spend three days in Hanoi, enjoying a range of exclusive, tailored experiences, accompanied by your private guide.

Rise early to explore the colourful, markets and stroll around the lake as the Hanoians practise badminton, t’ai chi and aerobics in the street. Immerse yourself in the old town which is dissected by Hanoi’s main railway artery; here the residents go about their daily chores almost oblivious to the slow-moving trains!

Sip Vietnamese coffee, discover the city’s lively street food culture and try a cold local beer at a roadside stall. Marvel at the French colonial architecture and explore the labyrinthine alleyways of the old quarter. Peruse the museum of your choice: ancient history, military history, fine arts or the serene Temple of Literature.

Hanoi alleys
Days 5 - 6

Ninh Binh

With your guide and driver, you’ll head about 2 hours south to the province of Ninh Binh and its ancient capital.  Spend two days exploring the region by boat and bike: the glorious landscape of rice fields and lakes surrounded by towering peaks of craggy limestone, and the meandering waterways of Trang An Ecosystem which are often compared with Guilin in China and with Halong Bay.

Ninh Binh
Days 7 - 8

Mai Chau Farmstay

Head northwest from Ninh Binh towards the Mai Chau valley where you’ll check into your resort in the paddy-fields.

During your stay there will be a chance to take a walk through the hills to the local villages, to learn how to cook local delicacies or help out on the farm

Day 9

Vietnam/Laos border crossing

Spend today travelling through the mountains from Vietnam to Laos. The border crossing is about halfway between Mai Chau and the next stop, Sam Neua. Following the completion of border formalities, you will transfer into the hands of your Laos guide and travel through stunning countryside and beautiful limestone karst scenery to the Sam Neua. Enjoy your evening at leisure.

Days 10 - 11

Sam Neua and Vieng Xai Caves

Opt for a walking tour around Sam Neua followed by a visit to the Vieng Xai Caves where Laos’s communist leaders lived during the Vietnam War. An audio tour includes a visit to the leaders’ caves and the Artillery Cave which offers stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

Day 12

Nam Et National Park

Depart Sam Neua for the 3-hour drive to the village of Ban Son Koua. Here you’ll board a longtail boat for a cruise on the Nam Nern River to your jungle camp, where you’ll have lunch. Mid-afternoon you’ll depart for the night safari, stopping along the way at a salt lick where your local guide – a skilled hunter and tracker – will identify animal tracks. After sunset, relax around a campfire and enjoy a BBQ dinner. A couple of hours after dark, float down the river while your local guide looks out for wildlife by torchlight. Accommodation is in basic, traditional Lao style huts in the forest. Surrounded by jungle noises, an atmospheric night is guaranteed!

Days 13 -14

Nong Khiaw

Rise early for a morning jungle tour and then, after breakfast, cruise downstream, making a stop at a prime location for birdwatching. Then it’s on to Nong Khiaw through more breathtaking scenery.

Today you’ll cruise along the river and trek through hilltribe villages, passing several cascades en route. When you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with what must be one of the best views in Laos. Here you can also enjoy a delicious Lao style picnic lunch, served on banana leaves, before hiking back down and boarding a longtail boat to take you back to Nong Khiaw.

Day 15

Luang Prabang by road

Today, head south by road to Luang Prabang. The morning drive brings you out into rolling countryside where you can admire the beauty of the Nam Ou River and the surrounding rice paddy fields. Along the way you’ll stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River and crammed with thousands of Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Arrive in Luang Prabang around lunchtime where you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Days 16 - 17

Luang Prabang

Spend two full days in beautiful Luang Prabang. Your guide will bring the city’s most impressive structures to life, including the country’s most historic and enchanting temple Wat Xiengthong. You’ll also visit Mt Phousi, which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River.

It’s worth rising early one day to witness and partake in the daily almsgiving to the monks. Your guide will also offer you the chance to visit the fresh market to see how the locals shop and take you to beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall for a luxury gourmet picnic breakfast before other tourists arrive.

luang prabang
Day 18

Fly home

Depart Luang Prabang for your flight back 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 goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.

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

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

Pricing:

As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:

Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp

Meet Our South East Asia Experts

Ella is one of our Travel Team members for all things South East Asia. From travelling across Vietnam to getting under the skin of Thailand, she can’t wait to help you design your adventure of a lifetime.

“Travelling overland through Vietnam and Laos lets you feel the dramatic shift in landscapes and cultures. You’ll swap Hanoi’s lively street scene for misty paddy fields, remote caves and river journeys that show you parts of Indochina few travellers see.”

Ella
Regional Expert
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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.

Hanoi - Superior

La Siesta Hanoi

Ninh Binh - Comfort

Tam Coc Garden

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Hanoi, Vietnam

La Siesta Hanoi

La Siesta Hanoi is a charming boutique hotel in the Old Quarter with spacious rooms, top-rated dining, and ideal access to city sights.

Highlights

Highlights

Central location,

Spacious family suites,

 

Best for

Couples,

Families,

Solo Travellers

Gallery

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Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Tam Coc Garden

Tam Coc Garden is an intimate retreat in Ninh Binh’s rice fields, with bikes, local experiences and views of Vietnam’s most dramatic landscapes.

Highlights

Highlights

Soul-stirring scenery,

Secluded oasis,

Best for

Couples

Gallery

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 and Vietnam

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

Luang Prabang Temple

Laos

Luang Prabang Full Day Tour

Tat Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang, Laos - Exotic travertine turquoise blue cascading waterfalls in Asia.

Laos

Breakfast at Kuang Si Falls

Hanoi alleys

Hanoi

Hanoi's Secret Alleyways

Street food ladies Hanoi

Hanoi

Hanoi Street Food Tour

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Vientiene

Vientiane, Laos

Vientiane Tuk Tuk Tour

Join your local guide for a tuk-tuk tour of Vientiane. Begin with a visit to a Mak Beng shop. A traditional temple offering, ‘mak beng’ is the name given to a colourful creation that combines banana leaves and marigold flowers. You’ll have an opportunity to learn how to make one of these offerings, as well as ‘pasaat peung’, which is made with palm leaves and yellow wax, before then visiting Wat Simaung. Built in the 16th century, this temple is one of the city’s most popular places of worship, offering a fascinating insight into Vientiane’s rich traditions of ancient animistic ritual and Theravada Buddhism. Your guide will explain the temple’s history and its importance to the local people before you can to present your own handmade offerings.

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Luang Prabang, Laos

The Nam Ou River Boat & Trek

The alluring town of Nong Khiaw, divided by the Nam Ou River, is one of the most scenic in Laos and like much of the country, it is best explored by boat and on foot. In the morning, you will board a boat, cruising down the river to the Khmu village of Ban Don Khoune. After a short exploration of the village, you’ll begin your trek, climbing uphill for about three hours, passing by a number of cascades. By lunchtime, you’ll reach the summit where you can enjoy what is one of the most impressive views in Laos. With a stunning backdrop, enjoy a delicious Lao style picnic lunch served on banana leaves before hiking back to Ban Don Khoune where your longtail boat will take you back to Nong Khiaw.

 

View Experience Page
ETG Laos - Luang Prabang - Petanque - 2019- 0002 - Reduced Size

Luang Prabang, Laos

Evening Game of Petanque

One of Laos’ most popular past times and sports, you’re likely to see many locals playing a friendly game of Petanque (Boules) as you wander the streets. Experience this evening activity for yourself as you battle it out on the green with locals. The team who rolls their balls closest to the stationary ‘jack’ will come out on top! Battle weary, you will end the night with a lovely local-style dinner before heading back to your hotel.

 

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Luang Prabang Temple

Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang Full Day Tour

Visit some of Laos’s timeless monuments on a full day tour around the old city, now under UNESCO protection as a World Heritage Site. At about 8.30am head off with your guide to visit Wat Xieng Thong – often said to be Luang Prabang’s most beautiful. It is characterised by roofs sweeping low to the ground and the impressive “tree of life” mosaic. Next visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That Makmo. Then walk to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines.

After lunch at a local restaurant visit Luang Prabang’s National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace (not open on Tuesdays). Displayed inside is a collection of personal artifacts of the former Laotian Royal Family. Continue on to visit nearby Wat Mai – the five-tiered roof epitomises the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. There is also time to take a stroll through the Hmong Market where locals and ethnic minorities from the surrounding villages sell an overwhelming array of handicrafts. Phou Sii hill stands right in the centre of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns! Sunset can be enjoyed with a cold drink at one of the cafes located along the Mekong River.

 

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Tat Kuang Si Falls near Luang Prabang, Laos - Exotic travertine turquoise blue cascading waterfalls in Asia.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Breakfast at Kuang Si Falls

After a stroll through the morning markets, you’ll head out to the remarkable Kuang Si falls to enjoy a gourmet picnic breakfast in a peaceful and tranquil setting before most other tourists visit the area. Journey back to Luang Prabang on a private cruise down the Mekong, with an opportunity to visit the famous pottery village of Ban Ou.

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Hanoi alleys

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi's Secret Alleyways

Uncover the hidden corners of Hanoi’s Old Quarter with a guided exploration of secret alleys, pagodas, and unique architecture. Starting with coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake, this tour offers an authentic glimpse into the city’s history and charm.

This tour begins with a relaxing coffee: Vietnamese style, of course, and on the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. Once you’re appropriately caffeinated, let the fun begin: a maze-like discovery of the 36 winding streets in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. This secret labyrinth is full of surprises, and it’s all hidden away from the busy streets. One narrow, dark alleyway will lead you to a charming pagoda. An ancient staircase might reveal an unexpected historical relic. Peer down water wells, admire the unique architecture, hear the fascinating stories and save time for a refreshment at a local store most tourists would never get the chance to visit.

Gallery

Hanoi
Hanoi Market Vietnam
HAnoi Food Tour
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Street food ladies Hanoi

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi Street Food Tour

It’s the whack of chilli in a Banh Mi, the hit of steam from a bowl of Pho, the crackle of grilled pork, the slippery noodles, the fistfuls of fresh herbs. Vietnamese food, if you’ll allow us a cliché, is an assault on all of the senses, and maybe some you didn’t know you had.  

Anthony Bourdain said the food here has the power to change your life, and we’re certainly not going to quarrel with him. Hanoi is one of the world’s great food capitals and it deserves a properly guided exploration.  

Our expert local good guide will take you on a journey through the sights, scents, and sounds of the Old Quarter, a neighbourhood known as ‘36 streets’. Weaving through people and motorbikes you’ll duck into hole-in-the-wall restaurants and hidden markets to meet the cooks, chefs, and characters that bring life to the area. 

 

Gallery

Hanoi

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