Laos In Style

Day 1: the UK to Laos

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang

 Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be escorted from the plane immediately as part of your VIP transfer service. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be greeted and enjoy welcome drinks. The rest of the day is at leisure.

 Day 3: Luang Prabang

 You can discuss with your guide an optional early morning start (5.30 am) to witness and partake in the daily morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’  giving alms to the monks. Tak Bat is a unique ritual still followed by the locals in Luang Prabang. You can also visit the fresh local market to see how the locals shop before returning to your hotel for breakfast.

 After breakfast, your half day city tour starts with a visit to Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape. Next, you visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style. You also visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre, which will give you a great insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos.

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 Day 4: Luang Prabang

This morning you depart Luang Prabang and drive for around 1 ½ hour north to the village of Ban Don Nguyen. You then board your private boat for a cruise down the beautiful Nam Ou River. Along the way, you pass by stunning limestone karst scenery before stopping for a delicious picnic hamper (wine included), organised by one of Luang Prabang's best restaurants. You’ll enjoy lunch on the banks of the Nam Ou with fantastic views.

 In the afternoon, you continue your cruise with a stop at Ban Vanglae, a Lu tribe village where traditional weaving and dyeing takes place. You continue by boat before reaching the Mekong River, where there is time to visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves crammed with thousands of Buddha images. Continue your cruise down to Luang Prabang arriving there by early evening.

You will then be transferred by private car to your hotel.

 Day5: Luang Prabang

 The day starts with an introductory tour of the Shangri Lao elephant camp, where your guide will teach you about elephants. You can talk with the veterinarian, feed the elephants, and relax by the riverside.

 Your morning expedition begins with an elephant ride through a diverse landscape. After crossing the river, the trail enters the jungle and then teak forest over the hills to the beautiful Tad Sae Waterfall. Along the way, you can stop to see the gorgeous Nam Khan river valley. There is a chance to rest at the Tad Sae Waterfall and enjoy this beautiful place with its fantastic limestone formations and turquoise blue pools in the forest. The Huay Sae stream ends here falling over several cascades into the Nam Khan River, so you have the option to swim in the natural pools.

Down at the Nam Khan River, a luxury bamboo raft awaits with a typical Lao lunch on board, relax and watch the traditional village life of farmers and fishermen along the river as you enjoy lunch.

 Day 6: Luang Prabang – Vientiane

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Vientiane. After an express VIP transfer on arrival in Vientiane, you will be met by your guide and driver and begin a short city tour. The tour begins with a visit to the oldest wat in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Brakeo, which now serves as a museum of arts and antiques. You then travel up Lanexang Avenue, where you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxai Monument, which resembles its Parisian inspiration, the Arc de Triomphe. The climb to the top offers great views over Vientiane.

Following lunch, you participate in a traditional ‘Baci Ceremony’. This tradition is important for Lao people before significant events such as weddings, births, travel, or when welcoming friends, to bring good luck.

 In the afternoon the final visit of the day will be to the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting an much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day to day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of massive bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War area.

 A special dinner is organised for you tonight with the best table in the house at Ansara, where you can enjoy the Chef’s exquisite degustation menu.

 Day 7: Vientiane - €Don Daeng

 You will be transferred to the airport early this morning, for an express check-in, onto your flight to Pakse. Upon arrival in Pakse, you will be driven a short distance to the boat pier, where you will board a traditional private boat for a 2-hour cruise to Champassak. On arrival in Champassak, there is a chance to visit Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th Century. This dramatically sited temple is one of the highlights of any trip to Laos.

After stopping to visit Wat Phou, the boat will take you across to Don Daeng Island, in time for lunch. You’ll have the rest of the day to relax or explore this peaceful island. Your accommodation for the next three nights is at La Folie Lodge, where you can either stay in one of their delightful rooms or a beautiful private villa overlooking the Mekong River.

 Day 8: Don Daeng

 After early breakfast, you travel to Ban Hatsaikhone, where you board a local private boat for a boat tour of the 4000 Islands.  On the picturesque island of Don Khone, you can hop on a tuk tuk and trace the route of an old abandoned railway admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings and the beautiful Liphi Waterfall. At Don Khone, there will be a delicious picnic lunch overlooking the falls. Before you head back to Don Daeng for the evening, you’ll visit the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia.

 Day 9: Don Daeng

Today you can enjoy a whole day at leisure, relax by the pool or hire bicycles to explore the island and its enchanting little villages.

 Day 10: Don Daeng – Departure

Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before crossing back to the mainland by boat, then onto Pakse or Ubon Ratchathani airport for your departure.

We offer versions of this same tour, including an extension to Cambodia or a Thai beach at the end.

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
• 24-hour in-country backup while away
• Your dedicated travel expert in the UK