Laos Adventure Tour 13 Days

Day 1: Arrival at Vientiane (D, G)

Arriving at Vientiane airport, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. After a short rest, you’ll set out on our orientation short orientation walk of the Lao Capital, strolling around the city, and observing the sunset by the Mekong Riverside and imbibing the lifestyle of the Lao people. You’ll spend the night in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane/Luang Namtha (B, D, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will take you to visit the Wat Si Saket, Vientiane’s oldest and easily most impressive temple, and Wat Pha Keo Museum. From there you’ll visit That Luang Stupa, stopping en-route to photograph the imposing Patuxay Monument, widely referred to as as Vientiane’s ‘Arc de Triomphe’. Later, we will visit the local ‘Morning Market’ – it’s good for antiques (occasionally a genuine item turns up!), handmade textiles and other souvenirs.

After lunch, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your afternoon flight to Luang. On arrival, you’ll be driven to the town. After checking the Boat Landing Guesthouse, you will be free at leisure. You will spend the night in Luang Namtha.

Day 3: Luang Nam Tha/Ban Nam Yang/Ban Nam Ngaen/Luang Nam Tha (B, L, G)

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be transferred to Ban Nam Yang (40 minutes). You’ll then follow the old French road to Muang Sing. An easy walk through forest and upland fields will take you to the highest point of the trek, where there is an Akha resting place. The road is wide and gains gradually in elevation. You’ll reach to the top of the mountain where you’ll stop for picnic lunch and enjoy the wide views of surrounding hills and high mountains.

After lunch, you’ll head downhill. And visit the Akha village of Nam Yang where you will have a chance to learn a bit about the life of the Akha, travelling with an Akha hunter, who will display his bird calling skills. On the way back you’ll have time to visit to the Black Tai village of Nam Ngaen where villagers make Lao Whisky. The whole trip should last around 6 – 7 hours and you’ll arrive back at your hotel in the late afternoon. Your overnight accommodation will be in Luang Namtha. (Ban Nam Yang Trek in the NPA) (Approximately: 2 hours 20 minutes transfer/ 3 and 1/2 - 4 hours trekking)

Day 4: Luang Namtha/Ban Namha/Nam Goy (B, L, D, G)

Today’s trek starts in the village of Ban Namleu, a Lanten village. The trail rises from Ban Nam Leu to the ridge, passing through upland fields and forest in various stages of regeneration, and are likely to meet local villagers on their way, or returning from market. Descending from the ridge you will the visit the village of Ban Nalan Tai on the banks of the Nam Ha River.

In order to distribute the benefit between villages, trips alternate overnight stays between the lodges of Ban Nam Goy and Ban Nalan Tai (Khmu) Ban Nam Goy ( Lanten). If you are staying in Ban Nam Goy you will walk another 40 minutes along the banks of the Nam Ha River from Ban Nalan Tai. (Approximately: 1 hour transfer/ 6 hours trekking)

Day 5: Ban Nam Goy/Ban Hot Yawng/Luang Namtha (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will wander along the banks of the Nam Ha for a forest picnic, before crossing the river on a bamboo raft to the Nam Ha National Protected Area. Passing through primary forest and following streams on the lookout for wildlife, you will head over the ridge through rice paddies and over the Nam Tha Ban Hat Yawng.

You can return to Luang Namtha either by motor boat or pick-up truck. The river option will provide a relaxing opportunity to watch waterbirds, whilst the pick-up will suit those who enjoy the thrill of a bumpy ride over the dusty tracks. You’ll spend the night in Luang Namtha. (Approximately: 5 hours trekking / 1 ½ hour boat or 1 hour transfer)

Day 6: Luang Namtha/Oudomxay/Pakbeng (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be driven to Pakbeng passing through itsl mountainous scenery with some short stops en-routes for photographs. Arriving in Pakbeng, you’ll be taken to the Pakbeng Lodge, a beautiful lodge overlooking the Mekong River where you will spend the night.

Day 7: Pakbeng/Pak Ou Cave/Luang Prabang (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast, you will pass areas of un-spoilt forest and riverside villages, including a fishing village rice-wine making village. Later, we will visit the Pak-Ou caves, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. Arriving in Luang Prabang around sunset, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax before your car arrives to take you to a fine restaurant for dinner. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Luang Prabang City (B, L, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will take you to visit the Wat Xieng Thong the roofs of which sweep low to the ground, typical of the classical architecture of Luang Prabang. The morning will culminate with a stroll around Wat Mai temple, Wat Visoun and a visit to the ‘Day Market’.

After lunch, a climb up the steps to the top of Mount Phousi provides a panoramic view of the ancient royal city and the Mekong River - the evening views can be spectacular if there’s a good sunset. Mount Phousi also has many shrines and votive statues, topped by a large gilded stupa. The rest of the day will be free. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 9: Luang Prabang/Kuangsi Waterfall/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

This is the morning when you need your alarm clock! Early in the morning after a sustaining beverage and a small snack, you’ll witness one of Laos’ unique ceremonies – the daily ‘alms giving’ ritual of saffron-clad monks walking in a long line holding black bowls to receive offerings from local people. The traditional gift is a handful of ‘sticky rice’, but nowadays money is equally acceptable. You’ll then return to your hotel for a proper breakfast.

Later, you’ll cycle to the Kuangsi Waterfalls, a serene beauty spot where you can splash around in the pools or stroll the forest paths. From there, you’ll return to Luang Prabang and continue to the weaving village of Ban Phanom. It’s quite commercial, but if you look carefully you can pick up some authentic hand-woven material – they make good souvenirs.

Day 10: Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng (B, L, G)

After breakfast, your guide will arrive to drive you to Vang Vieng passing through spectacular mountainous scenery. Arriving in Vang Vieng in the afternoon, the rest of the day will be free at leisure. You’ll spend the night in Vang Vieng.

Day 11: Cycling and caving in Vang Vieng (B, L, G)

Your day will start with an exploration of one of the most unusual caves in the area, the Tham Poukham cave, the highly auspicious and venerated "Cave of the Golden Crab".

The mountain bike tour of approx. 32 km describes a loop behind the karst range of the Nam Song and Vang Vieng. After reaching the far side of the ridge, a steep hike leads to the main Tham Poukham Cave. Its hidden corridors are filled with an endless array of stalagmites and stalactites, underground lakes, deep wells and chimneys of up to 80m.

Continuing westwards, the trail gets increasingly rough. You’ll follow the narrow Houay San to Pha Deng ("red cliff"). We will then ride through the villages of Phonxay and Ban Nathong Tai on the banks of the Nam Khouang river. The road continues south as a dirt track in good condition running parallel to the Nam Khouang. At the crossroads in Ban Nathong Tai on the road back to Vang Vieng, where a riverside sunset drink by the river marks the end of a great cycling adventure. Your overnight accommodation will be in Vang Vieng.

Day 12: Vang Vieng/Vientiane (B, L, G)

In the morning, your car will take you back to Vientiane. After checking into hotel we will visit ‘Buddha Park,’ a blend of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created by a monk on parkland beside the Mekong River, and the impressive Friendship Bridge linking Laos and Thailand. You’ll spend the night in Vientiane.

Day 13: Vientiane departure (B, DP)

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to the airport for your departure flight. Tour ends.