Essential Highlights | Laos | Experience Travel Group

Ideal for a first visit to Laos, this two-week holiday will give you a sense of what makes the sleepy country so unique and special. The journey takes you from the top to the bottom of Laos, travelling easily by slow boat and train. On the way, you'll pass dramatic river gorges and karst scenery, stopping to explore magical Luang Prabang, the capital, Vientiane and the peaceful islands of the south.

Highlights include:

Take in the remarkable scenery as you spend two days on a slow boat travelling along the Mekong River.
Explore the romantic, beautifully preserved town of Luang Prabang with your expert local guide
Travel by train to the sleepy capital Vientiane
Relax at a lovely retreat on a small island in the south.

This is a sample itinerary which we will tailor to suit you. Prices are dependent on destination, flights & dates but ETG holidays always include the following:

International flights (if required)
Guides, drivers & their tips
Accommodation
Specified meals & snacks
Your immersive experiences
Internal & regional transfers

Get in touch with us for your bespoke proposal
or see more on our ETG Pricing Guide

Call for a bespoke proposal 020 7924 7133 1-888-577-8452

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Chiang Rai in Thailand

DAY 2 & 3 THAI/LAOS BORDER

Relax after your flight with two nights immersed in nature near Chiang Rai at the Thai/Laos border, staying at a delightful property in the hills, offering privacy and opportunities for adventure and exploration. You can get involved in activities, such as trekking, bird watching, cooking classes and yoga.

DAY 4 & 5 DOWN THE MEKONG

You'll be driven to the border crossing at Chiang Khong, where you will take a short boat ride across the river to Laos. Once you've completed immigration formalities, you'll depart on your private boat cruise down the Mekong towards Luang Prabang. The journey takes two days and includes an overnight stop by the river in Pakbeng. This is a lovely way to experience the dramatic mountain scenery and rural day-to-day life along the Mekong. On the second day, you'll arrive in Luang Prabang in the afternoon.

DAY 6-8 LUANG PRABANG.

With your private guide, you'll get an insider's perspective of the temples, learn more about the country's diverse traditions and experience one of the most traditional and ancient Laotian rituals – a Baci Ceremony.

Experience the life of a Lao farmer through a fascinating visit to the Living Lands Organic Farm and get involved in ploughing, planting and harvesting the rice crops.

DAYS 9- 10 VIENTIANE

Board the train for the journey from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. Until 2021 this would have been an epic drive taking a couple of days, but the train has reduced the trip to just a couple of 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. 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.

DAYS 11-13 THE SOUTH

For express check-in, transfer to the airport early this morning onto your flight to Pakse. Upon arrival in Pakse, the boat pier is a short distance, 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 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 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.

Your time here is free to relax. If you'd like to explore in more depth, you could hire a bike, cycle around the nearby little villages, or take a trip to Don Khone Island. On the island of Don Khone, you can trace the route of an old, abandoned railway, admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings and the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia.