Depart your home country on your overnight flight to Laos.
Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
October- March
This isn’t the fast-paced Southeast Asia route that most travellers follow.
Southern Laos moves differently: slower, softer, and with a sense of calm that feels like stepping back in time. This journey reveals its quiet wonders, from river island life to misty plateaus, ancient temples and warm rural communities.
You’ll drift through the 4000 Islands, soak up the cool air of the Bolaven Plateau and explore Champasak’s evocative landscapes. Along the way, you’ll stay in small, characterful places that bring the region’s charm to life. It’s a thoughtful, unhurried way to experience Laos, and one that lingers long after you leave.
Southern Laos Explorer
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
Days 2 - 4
The Sleepy Capital Vientiane
You can choose to head out to start exploring on your first day or just settle into your hotel and relax.
During your time in Vientiane, you’ll experience the sleepy capital from an insider’s perspective. With your local guide, you’ll explore vibrant Chinatown, discover ex-residences of colonial rulers and follow the Mekong River downstream to the historical temple of Wat Inpaeng. Head to the top of Patuxai monument (a replica of the Arc de Triomphe) at dusk for a panoramic view of the city, and then take an evening tour of the food stalls where you can taste a traditional barbecue and experience typical Lao-style dinner culture.
Day 5
The backroads of Hin Boun
Today you will drive along the backroads of Laos towards Hin Boun. Stop for lunch and see the 15th-century stupa of Prabat Phonsan and the interesting Ban Ton Na Mae Markets. Arrive in Hin Boun in the evening and check in at your hotel.
Day 6
Kor Long Caves
After breakfast, take a private cruise to the stunning Kor Long Caves. This is a beautiful must-see destination with over 7km of subterranean rivers passing through jungle-clad caves. There is a spectacular cavern over 100 metres high and full of beautiful stalagmites.
Accommodation is in a hotel, but for more adventurous travellers, it is possible to spend the night camping in this region. A fantastic experience for those who are up for it!
Day 7
Journey to Thakek
Today you’ll continue your guided journey south, making the first stop at the Phou Pha Marn viewpoint, where you can enjoy some impressive vistas of the ancient Karstic forests. Daredevils can climb the Via Ferrata and cross the exhilarating suspended bridges.
You’ll reach Thakek in the afternoon to explore this riverside town and enjoy the sunset over the Mekong. Thakek was once a French trading post, and as such, the streets feature an evocative combination of faded colonial villas and Chinese shophouses.
Day 8
Transfer to the Bolaven Plateau
Today is a full day’s road journey through the countryside. You’ll reach the small city of Savannakhet around lunchtime, where you can stop for noodle soup. Continue into the Bolaven Plateau, known for its cooler temperature and high above the Mekong Valley.
At the village of Ban Beng, you’ll be met by a Coffee expert, and you’ll switch to a vintage jeep, an ideal vehicle for the next bit of terrain, which is on a route rarely visited by foreigners. By early evening, you’ll arrive at the coffee plantation in time for a delicious home-cooked meal.
Day 9
Bolaven Plateau Jeep Tour
Wake up early if you’d like to see how pretty the sunrise is above the surrounding fields. Your host will roast some fresh coffee while explaining the coffee-growing process from seed to cup.
After breakfast, begin your 1-2 hour trek. Along the way, you’ll pass farms of lettuce, peppers, ginger, cucumber, cabbage and more. Later you’ll take a jeep to Tad Moan waterfall, where there is time to relax and go for a swim.
In the afternoon, head out by jeep, visit some interesting villages, and trek up to a mountain peak where you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Plateau. There is even time to see a cave used as a shelter by villagers during wartime.
Days 10 -13
The 4000 Islands
Leave the Boloven Plateau and head to Pakse and then Don Daeng Island. Your accommodation for the next four nights is at La Folie Lodge, where you can stay in one of their delightful rooms or a beautiful private villa overlooking the Mekong River.
There will be plenty of time to rest and enjoy the peaceful island or take a cycle along rice fields.
On your last day, cross by boat to the mainland for breakfast at Wat Phou Temple Complex. This is the oldest Khmer temple in Laos, with outstanding architecture. Stairs lead to the main sanctuary on a terrace, where you will be rewarded with stunning views over the surrounding land and the Mekong River. Enjoy a Picnic breakfast while enjoying the captivating landscape.
Day 14
Fly home
Transfer to nearby Pakse to board 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 2025Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
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 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.
“This itinerary blends Southern Laos’ gentle landscapes with rich culture and characterful stays. A wonderfully relaxed way to explore the region.”
Ella
Regional Expert
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.
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 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.
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.
