Laos Insight
18 days 17 nights Photo Gallery for this trip
Introduction
Looking for a
complete view and insight into Laos? You’ve found it! The essential highlights of Luang Prabang,
boat rides on the Mekong and other beautiful rivers, the Plain of Jars, fresh
water dolphin spotting along the border with Cambodia,
Vientiane’s
slow pace of life, and the restful haven of Vang Vieng are all explored. In addition, we get out to National Protected
areas, visit minority villages, ride on gentle elephants, swim in tropical
waterfalls and make offerings to monks.
This trip can be started in Houeisai or Pakse
and tailored to your arrival time. Email
us for information on how to reach the starting points as we’ve done it many
times.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1:
Boat trip Houeisai - Pak Tha - Ban Khonekham
Day 2:
Boat trip Ban Khonekham - Na Le - Luang Nam Tha
Day 3: Ban Nam Yang Trek in the NPA and Akha
Minority Visit
Day 4: Luang Nam Tha -
Udomxai - Pak Mong - Nong Khiaw
Day 5: Boat trip Nong Khiaw - Pak Ou
Cave - Luang Prabang
Day 6:
Khao Niew Offering - Luang
Prabang City
Tour - Ban Phanom - Ban Xang Khong
Day 7: Luang Prabang Hill Tribe
Villages Tour
Day 8: Luang Prabang - Phou Khoun
- Phonsavan
Day 9: Plain of Jars Tour
Day 10: Phonsavan - Vang Vieng
Day 11: Vang Vieng Discover
Day 12: Vang Vieng - Nam Ngum Reservoir - Vientiane
Day 13: Vientiane
City Tour and Buddha Park
Day 14: Vientiane – Fly to Pakse - Tad Fan Resort
Day 15: Tad Fan Resort - Day trek
– Pakse
Day 16: Pakse - Wat Phou - Ou
Moung - Kiet Ngong Elephant Riding - King Fisher Lodge
Day 17: King Fisher Lodge - Don
Det - Don Khone - Don Khong
Day 18: 4000 Islands
– Khone Phapheng Waterfall - Boat to see dolphin – Laos Cambodia Border or
Pakse
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1:
Boat trip Houeisai - Pak Tha - Ban Khonekham
At 8.30, we meet
the guide and the boatmen in Houeisai. We then sail down the Mekong River
for 1 hour to the old trading town of Pak Tha to the confluence of the Nam
Tha River
and Mekong. The boat will turn and proceed up
the Nam Tha from this point. We will travel for 7 hours up the Nam Tha passing
remote villages that can only be accessed by river or foot path. For lunch we
stop at a sand bar and enjoy a Lao style picnic.
Near the village of Ban Peng, we stop for a view of Buddhist
cliff art. We stop again in the village
of Ban Peng
for a break and to view the small village temple. If fortunate, there will be a
local trader fair in Ban Peng village on that day. We arrive in Ban Khone Kham between 4 – 5 PM. Accommodation
for the evening will be in the boatman’s home. The boatman’s family will cook a
traditional Lao family meal for us.
Accommodation: Dormitory style on
the floor of the boatman’s home. Bathing can be done at the village tap, in the
river or some homes will have a splash bath in their bathroom. Toilets will be
squat toilets. Bedding and mosquito nets will be provided by the family.
Transit: 15 minutes by local
transport/ 6 hours by boat
Transit time: 4 – 5 hours
Trekking time: limited
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L, D
Day 2:
Boat trip Ban Khonekham - Na Le - Luang Nam Tha
We depart from Ban
Khone Kham at 8:30. It is a 3 hour trip to the district town of Nalè,
a charming village located half way point between Pak Tha and Luang Nam Tha.
In
the dry season (Mar – June), we change to a
pick-up truck with benches for the onward 3 hour journey to Luang Nam Tha.
Lunch will be provided in a local restaurant.
In
the wet season (July- Feb), the boat will
continue up river after a short stop to see the district market in Nalè. Lunch
will be a Lao style picnic along the river. Going up river, the boats will pass
the Nam Ha Protect Area and several small but exciting rapids along the way. Arrive at the Luang Nam Tha Boat Landing 4 – 5 PM.
Luang Nam Tha is a
mountainous province with a largest number of ethnic minorities of the country.
Nam Ha protected Area contains some of the most densely forested region which
is home to a number of rare mammals’ species.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 5
hours by boat wet season/ 3 hours by boat in dry season plus 3 hours by vehicle
Trekking time: limited
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Note: The boat of the
above 2 day river trip is uncovered boat. Luggage will be covered. For reason
of comfort and safety the passenger load on the boats is calculated at 6
persons per boat. In high water the boats may take as many as 8 persons.
However, this may not be very comfortable. In the dry season due to low water
it is recommended that there not be more than 4 persons per boat. In the event
that a transfer from Nalè is required, no additional fees will be charged.
Day 3: Ban Nam Yang Trek
in the NPA and Akha Minority Visit
An
early transfer of 40 minutes will take us to Ban Nam Yang. We follow the old
French road to Muang Sing. This is an easy trek through forest and upland
fields to the highest point of the trek, where there is an Akha resting place.
The road is wide, gains gradually in elevation. We reach to the top of the
mountain where we stop for picnic lunch and enjoy wide views of surrounding
hills and high mountains.
After lunch, we come downhill to a
stream where we may see animal foot print. The trip is 6 – 7 hours long. You
will walk along the road which is really more a track up to the Akha village of Nam Yang where you will have a chance to learn a bit about the life of the Akha
in the hills. An Akha hunter will accompany you and display his bird calling
skills. We return the same way back and have time to visit to the Black
Tai village of Nam Ngaen where villagers make Laos Whiskey. If there is
time, we will visit That Poum Pouk.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 1
hour 20 minutes by vehicle
Trekking time: 6 hours
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 4: Luang Nam Tha - Udomxai - Pak Mong - Nong
Khiaw
After break fast, we drive to Nong
Khiaw. We make a half way stop at Udomxai, often simply called Muong Xai, a
booming Lao/Chinese trading centre. There is time to take a walk through Chinese Market, a charming hill tribe
market.
After lunch, we continue to Nong Khiaw
via Pak Mong. On arrival at Nong Khiaw, a 40 minutes walk takes us to Tham Pa Thok, a limestone cave where
villagers lived during the Second Indochina War, and to a nearby waterfall.
Nong Khiaw is a scenic town surrounded
by limestone mountains.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 6
hours by mini bus or car
Trekking time: 1 to 2 hours
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 5: Boat trip Nong Khiaw - Pak Ou Cave - Luang Prabang
After breakfast, we take a boat down the Nam
Ou River. Nam Ou is the longest inland river in Laos. The cruise along the Nam Ou
offers us an enjoyable time of viewing the beautiful scenic landscape and
stunning mountains. At the confluence of the Mekong
and the Nam Ou, we stop to visit Pak Ou
Cave that is crammed with Buddha Images of all styles and sizes.
After lunch at a restaurant nearby the cave,
we continue down the Mekong
River. On the way, we
stop at Ban Xang Hai, which means Jar-Maker Village at one time. Nowadays, the
village is famous for its Lao sticky rice wine making, lao lao.
We return in Luang Prabang in the late
afternoon. If you feel like ready for a climb, ascend the steps to the summit
of Phousi, where we’ll find a good
view of the town. We’ll be amazed by the sunset vitas from the western side of
the hill next to the 19th century That Chomsi.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 10
– 15 minutes by mini bus or car from the boat landing to hotel/ 5 hours by boat
Trekking and
caving time: 1 to 2
hours
Trekking and caving difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 6: Khao Niew Offering - Luang
Prabang City
Tour - Ban Phanom - Ban Xang Khong
We
start the day in the early morning at 05:30 for Khao Niew Offering. This
unique experience gives us the chance to offer sticky rice to the adolescent
monks and to join the tradition of Laotian people.
We
continue to visit Phosi Morning Market before returning to hotel for breakfast
Following
breakfast, we’ll visit old Royal Palace
which was built in 1904 during the early French colonial era as a residence for
King Sisavang Vong and his family. The building features a blend of Lao motifs
and French beaux-arts styles. We continue to Wat Visoun which was
built by Visounnarat in 1513. It is the oldest operating temple in Luang
Prabang. We finish the city tour at Wat
Xieng Thong which was built by King Setthathirat in 1560. It is Luang
Prabang’s most magnificent temple.
We then drive east
to Thai Lu village
of Ban Phanom,
which is well known for cotton and silk hand – weaving. We finish our half day
tour at Ban Xang Khong, Sa paper
making village and back to the town by lunch time.
After noon time is
free at your leisure. You can visit some more temples or relax. You should not
miss the night market where ethnic
minority people gather to sell and buy. You may find an exotic souvenir for
your trip.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 2 to
3 hours by mini bus or car
Trekking time: 2 to 3 hours
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 7: Luang Prabang Hill Tribe Villages
Tour
We depart at: 9:00am and drive up hill toward
North-East of the air port via Hath
Hien Village.
We make a stop at the village to lean how villagers make iron knife. We
continue to Ban Pickngai of Yuan ethnic
minority. Passing the paddy rice field, we arrive to Ban None Tan of Khmu & Low Land
ethnic minority and to Ban Kok Wan (Khmu & Low Land).
Our guide will prepare picnic lunch cooked out of local food while we enjoy the
beautiful landscape of Hmong ethnic minority village.
After lunch, we have time for swimming in Nam
Pa River, one of the most scenic rivers. We then drive along the Nam Pa River
bank to Ban Bo Hae, Ban Tha Oui and Ban Kok Muang to visit the Hmong villages. There is time to visit
2 more villages on the other river bank by crossing the wooden bridge. We
return to Luang Prabang around 4:00pm
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 5
hours by minivan or 4x4 depending on the seasons
Trekking time: 2 hours
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 8: Luang Prabang - Phou Khoun
- Phonsavan
Depart from Luang Prabang early by
car and we drive south on Highway 13. The ride offers some fantastic panoramic
views over stunning mountains of Northern Laos.
We stop for lunch at Phou Khun and time for stretching the legs.
After lunch, we continue east to
Phonsavan. The road twists while offering stunning views or rolling hills and
roadside villages. There is time to visit some of the local villages along the
way (Khmu and Hmong ethnic minorities). We arrive in Phonsavan in the late
afternoon.
Phonsavan
is the main town of Xieng Khoang
Province, surrounded by
huge mountains, the highest of which is Phu Bia. The town has a ‘wild west’ character but
won’t win any beauty contests.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 7
hour by mini bus or car
Trekking time: limited
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 9: Plain of Jars Tour
After
breakfast, we drive to Site
1 of Plain of Jars for a visit. We continue by car to Site 2 and hike to Site 3
(hiking is difficult in the rainy season from June to September). The sites are
covering an area of around 1000 square
kilometers, at an altitude of 1000 metres. It gets its name from the hundreds of stone
jars scattered across the landscape, ranging in site from 1-2.5 meters in
height. There is considerable
speculation as to the origin of the jars.
After
exploring 3 sites with interesting stories about the Indochina War, we drive to
Muong Khoun for lunch.
Muong Khoun was once the capital of Xieng Khoang
Province. There is time
to visit temples such as Wat Chom Phet
and Wat That Phoun which were built
the same time as That Luang in Vientiane.
We can also visit some colonial building and old Lao Military Base that was seriously damaged by American bombs.
On the
way back to Phonsavan, we can stop by village where local people collect scrap
metals which are partly from UXO and bomb shell.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 2
hour by mini bus or car
Trekking time: 3 hours
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 10: Phonsavan - Vang Vieng
Depending on the
season and advice from local authorities, we have two options for the drive to Vang
Vieng. The first takes us south from
Phonsavan to Tha Viang, a remote Lao village.
We then turn west to Xaysomboune and before reaching town, have a
roadside picnic in the shadow of Phu Bia, the highest mountain in Laos. From here we continue on to Tha Heua and turn
north to Vang Vieng.
The second optional drive is back along Highway 7 to Phou Khoun retracing our
steps and stopping along the way at locations seen previously but not stopped
at. The turn south on Highway 13 to Vang
Vieng offers some of the most dynamic viewpoints of Laos and as we descend, we stop at
Kasi for lunch. We arrive in Vang Vieng
mid afternoon.
Vang Vieng is a
small town nestled beside the Nam
Song River
amid stunningly beautiful limestone karts terrain. The main attractions are
caving, trekking, kayaking and rock climbing.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 7
hour by mini bus or car
Trekking time: limited
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 11: Vang Vieng Discovery
After
14 km transfer to the north of Vang Vieng, we visit the first cave, Tham
Xang (Elephant Cave)
on the opposite bank of the Nam
Song River.
It is an important Buddhist temple and owes its name to a remarkable limestone
formation. The nearby Tham Hoi cave (Snail cave) winds its way deep into the
mountain. One hour of exploration through numerous corridors ends at a crystal
clear spring. Here, swimming in the stream - in a cave lit up by candles - is
possible all the year round. Another cool pool of spring water lies at the
mouth of Tham river (Water cave), also a good place for a swim.
After
a picnic lunch, we trek to the Hmong village of Phathao passing through rice paddy fields and vegetable
gardens. The trip back to Vang Vieng varies according to the level of the Nam Song.
An easy kayak trip leads us through
idyllic scenes of rural life: a unique area with limestone mountains in the
background.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 25
minutes by local transport
Activity: 1½ hours trekking/ 2 hours kayaking/ 2 hours caving
Activity difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 12: Vang Vieng - Nam Ngum Reservoir - Vientiane
We
leave Vang Vieng on the road No 13 for an excursion to the Nam Ngum
Reservoir 100 km from Vang Vieng. Nam Ngum is the vast artificial lake
created by damming of the Nam
Ngum River.
We embark for a boat cruise to visit fishing villages in the picturesque
islands. Our lunch will be served at a boat restaurant on the lake.
After
lunch, we continue our journey to Vientiane
via road No 10, a traditional salt abstraction site at Ban Keun and
continue to Dong Ma Khai Market where local people gather to sell a
variety of animals and large selection of insects.
We
arrive in Vientiane
in mid afternoon for check in. Vientiane, literately named the city of the fullmoon is an
ancient city, situated on the bend on the left bank of the Mekong as the
largest city and the capital of Laos.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 3 ½ hours by mini bus or car/ 1 hour by boat
Trekking time: 1 hour
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 13: Vientiane
City Tour and Buddha Park
In
the morning time, we take a sightseeing tour of
Vientiane, to visit religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple
to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains
more than 8000 Buddha statues; Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the
Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo from
the early time of Lane Xang Kingdom until 18th century,
but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all
artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most
important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa
containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha, That
Luang serves as the main and symbolic stupa in Laos. It's also our national
symbol and recognizable throughout the world, gathering place for national
Buddhism ceremony. It's also the biggest stupa in Laos; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration
of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark
of Vientiane. We make a lunch stop at a riverside restaurant.
In the afternoon,
we continue the sigthseeing tour to Carol
Cassidy House, a Gallery weaving Lao textiles and
natural dye making process from A-Z. We
then transfer to Buddha Park on the Mekong of which Buddha statues
are built in various shapes and sizes. One of them is the largest reclining
Buddha in Laos.
They were built by a Lao man in order to teach following generations about
religions worldwide after his study in India. A larger park was built in Nong Khai, Thailand
and his body has been kept there. We return to Vientiane in the
afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 2 hours by mini bus or car
Trekking time: 4 hours
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 14: Vientiane – Fly to Pakse - Tad Fan Resort
We take an early flight to Pakse.
On arrival in Pakse, our guide will meet you at the airport. We drive eastward
to Tad Fane Resort for check in.
In the afternoon, you can take a
walk around the Tad Fane Resort located on top of the thickly forested gorge
with stunning view of the tall Tad Fane
Waterfall far below, this is a truly idyllic place for relaxing. Tad Fane
is the most spectacular waterfalls in Laos, with parallel streams from
Huay Bang Liang plugging out of dense forest and down more than 120m.
Accommodation: Tad Fan Resort
Transit: 45 minutes by mini bus or car
Trekking time: 1 hour
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 15: Tad Fan Resort - Day trek
– Pakse
Following breakfast, we take a
short drive to Katoun hill tribe village where we start our trekking. We
then trek under the shade of huge coffee plantation farm. The specialty of
Bolaven Plateau! We’ll cross the road to Tad Yieng Waterfall for lunch.
After lunch, there is time for
swimming. We’ll continue trekking back to Tad Fan thru growing secondary forest
full of big trees. When arrive back to Tad Fan Resort, we
drive back to Pakse.
Pakse is the capital of Champasak Province, one of the most visited province in Laos, sitting at the confluence of the Mekong River
and the Se Don River. Wat Phou, the islands of Si Phan
Done and Bolaven Plateau are the main attractions.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our List
Transit: 1 hour by mini bus or car
Trekking time: 5 hours
Trekking difficulty: Moderate
Meal plan: B, L
Day 16: Pakse - Wat Phou - Ou
Moung - Kiet Ngong Elephant Riding - King Fisher Lodge
In the morning, we’ll visit Wat Phou,
occupying a dramatic mountainside site over looking the Mekong
valley. The wat is divided into lower and upper parts and is joined by a steep
stairway. After visiting Wat Phou, we stop for lunch at the boat restaurant.
We’ll head south via Ou Moung where all
rocks to build Wat Phou had go by. We arrive at Kingfisher Resort. After
check in, there is time for a short rest. We’ll enjoy elephant riding
from Ban Kiet Ngong up to the archeological site of Phou Asa which
overlooks the Pha Pho wetland, rich with bird life.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 2 hour by mini bus or car
Activity time: 2 hours waking/ 2 hours elephant ride
Activity difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Day 17: King Fisher Lodge - Don
Det - Don Khone - Don Khong
After breakfast at the lodge, we
travel to Ban Nakasang. From here, we’ll take a short boat ride to Don
Det. We then drive by truck thru Don Det and cross the railway bridge
(the only line the French ever laid in Laos) to Don Khone, and continue
to the dramatic Somphamit Waterfall, a well worth visiting place. We’ll enjoy
lunch at Don Khone before driving to Done Khong for the night.
4000 Island (Si Phan
Don) is one of nature’s marvels. Here the Mekong
suddenly fans out, forming an intricate, beautiful network of channels, rocks
and sandbars and island of 14km wide.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 3 hour by mini bus or car
Activity time: 2 hours waking/ 15 minutes by boat
Activity difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L
Note: In summer time, Si
Phan Don gets very high in temperature. On the small islands, there is no
electricity except on Don Khong.
Day 18: 4000 Islands – Khone
Phapheng Waterfall - Boat to see dolphin – Laos
Cambodia
Border or Pakse
We leave 4000 Islands
and head toward south. We’ll visit Khone Phapheng Waterfall and boat to see dolphin. Si Phan Don is
home to the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, which can often be spotted at the southern
tip of Don Khone Island,
along with two impressive waterfalls.
You will be drop off at Veun Kham Border to
continue your trip to Cambodia
by road/ or by river (see below) or return to Pakse to fly to the next
destination.
Accommodation: None
Transit: 3 hour by mini bus or car/ 2 hours by boat
Meal plan: B
Our trip
includes
- English speaking
guide
- Accommodation as
indicated
- Meals as
indicated
- Transportation by
car or minivan and boat
- One way flight Vientiane - Pakse
- Tour as indicated
- Entrance fee
Our trip excludes
- International
flights
- Visa & visa
arrangement
- Meals not
indicated
- Drinking water,
soft drink and alcohol
- Tips
& personal expenses
Prices contact info@remoteasia.com
