Spirit of Laos 16 Days

This morning, we will visit several key landmarks, including the Victory Gate, the That Luang Stupa (believed to enshrine a relic of Buddha), and Wat Sisaket, renowned for its collection of exquisite Buddha statues. In the afternoon, we’ll venture to Buddha Park, located just 30 minutes from the city. This intriguing park features a fascinating array of Buddhist and Hindu statues amidst its lush green surroundings.

This morning, we head to the airport and take a short flight from the Lao capital to Phonsavan. This area was heavily bombarded during the 'Secret War,' making Laos the most bombed country per capita in the world. After lunch, we travel to the historic town of Muang Khong, passing through Hmong and Black Thai villages. Many of these villages are adorned with military remnants, such as old mine casings and bomb shells repurposed as flower pots or cattle troughs. Although Xieng Khouang town was rebuilt in 1975, remnants of its temples, stupas, and French colonial architecture are still visible.

Today, we will visit the three sites that make up the Plain of Jars. The origins and purpose of these mysterious jars remain uncertain; some theories suggest they may be ancient funeral urns dating back around 2,000 years, while others propose they were used to store and transport 'Lao Lao,' a fermented rice liquor. According to local lore, these jars were prepared for a grand celebration that was interrupted during transportation, which explains the scattered jars found at nearby sites. Despite being in a region heavily affected by the Indochina War, most jars have survived intact and continue to intrigue researchers. We will explore the vast, rolling fields where over 300 of these giant stone jars are scattered, with the largest weighing six tons and standing four meters high. In the afternoon, we will return to Phonsavan and enjoy some free time.

Today, we embark on a lengthy drive westward to Luang Prabang. The route takes us through winding mountainous roads, reaching an elevation of up to 1,500 meters at its peak. To make the journey more manageable, we'll make brief stops at local villages along the way. The entire trip is expected to take around seven hours, though this may vary depending on local conditions.

This morning, we’ll explore the main attractions, which are all conveniently located near each other. We’ll start with a visit to Wat Xieng Thong, also known as the Golden Temple, built in 1559. Its vivid red and gold decorations, grand tiled roof, and mosaic dragon motifs make it particularly striking. We’ll also visit Wat Visoun, home to the notable Thad Makmo Stupa. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. You might consider climbing to the small temple on Mount Phousi to watch the sunset and take in the stunning views of the town.

This morning, we’ll visit the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls. The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. You might choose to take a tuk-tuk to the nearby blacksmiths' village of Ban Hat Hien or the papermaking village of San Khong. Alternatively, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Luang Prabang, with its craft shops, bustling market, and diverse selection of bars and restaurants. Enjoying a coffee at a riverside café and watching the world go by could be a perfect way to spend your afternoon.

Today, we travel by road to the picturesque town of Nong Khiaw. The condition of the roads in this region can be unpredictable due to weather, so we should anticipate potential delays and landslides. Despite this, the journey offers breathtaking scenery, with lush forests and visible 'slash and burn' farming practices. Along the way, you'll see numerous hill tribe villages. Slash and burn typically occurs in April and May, during which you might encounter smoke and rural fires that can create a hazy atmosphere. We expect to reach Nong Khiaw in the early afternoon, leaving you free to relax and explore this tranquil riverside town at your own pace for the rest of the day.

Nong Khiaw is a quaint village situated along the serene Nam Ou River, surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts and lush, forest-covered hills. This morning, we'll embark on a longboat journey upriver to the remote village of Muang Ngoi Neu. Here, you'll have the chance to interact with locals and gain insight into traditional life in this rural area of Laos. We’ll enjoy lunch near a waterfall, where you can also take a refreshing swim in the natural pools. Afterward, we'll continue our river adventure, this time in kayaks, as we paddle downstream back to Nong Khiaw. The kayaking portion will last about two hours, and those who prefer not to kayak can return to Nong Khiaw by longboat.

This morning, we embark on a boat trip down the Nam Ou River, heading south towards Luang Prabang. The river journey is breathtaking, offering views of numerous villages, dense forests, and towering rolling mountains. We’ll disembark at Dong Ngern to bypass the Nam Ou River dam and then continue our journey by road to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, we board longtail boats on the Mekong River to explore the Pak Ou Caves. Here, we’ll ascend steps carved into the limestone cliffs to reach the revered Buddhist shrine. Although the monks no longer inhabit the caves, there remains an altar for incense and flower offerings, along with rock shelves adorned with thousands of Buddha images of varying shapes and sizes. We then proceed to Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos.

Today, we fly south to Pakse and then board a charter boat to journey down the Mekong River to the Champassak district and Don Daeng Island. This tranquil island offers a glimpse into traditional village life in this serene part of Laos. Located within the Champassak Cultural and Natural Heritage Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Don Daeng Island is a peaceful retreat. We will then return to the mainland at Ban Muang, where we’ll switch to a charter bus for our drive further south to Don Khong, making a stop en route at Oupmoung Temple.

Don Khong is the largest island in the Khong district, part of the renowned 'Four Thousand Islands' in southern Laos. Near the Cambodian border, this is where the Mekong River branches into a complex network of channels and reaches its widest expanse. As we explore this watery landscape by boat and on foot, we will visit traditional Lao Loum villages to observe their daily activities. Our journey also includes a look at sections of the Old French Railway, constructed at the turn of the century to bypass the challenging rapids caused by the river’s numerous channels. We will also visit Don Khon Island, where we’ll take small boats in hopes of spotting the rare Irrawaddy river dolphins. In the afternoon, we return to the mainland to see part of the Khong Phapheng Waterfalls, reputedly the widest waterfall in Southeast Asia.

This morning we travel north, passing along the western edge of the Bolaven Plateau. En route, we visit Wat Phou, a remarkable Khmer temple from the 6th century, renowned as one of Laos' archaeological marvels. Initially constructed at the base of a sacred mountain—symbolic of Shiva in Hinduism—Wat Phou later transformed into a Buddhist sanctuary. Each February, pilgrims from across Thailand and Laos flock here for the full moon festival, participating in various local festivities. During this period, Wat Phou is adorned with offerings meant to honor the earth spirit of Champassak. Afterward, we continue east into the heart of the Bolaven Plateau, a region known for its fertile soil. Here, the cultivation of Arabica and Robusta coffee, as well as tea, dominates, alongside small-scale farming of fruits, vegetables, cardamom, and rattan. We plan to reach our hotel in the late afternoon, giving us some leisure time to unwind or take a dip in the natural pools by the waterfall.

This morning, we embark on a leisurely walk through the vibrant forests and coffee plantations that characterize the region. As we stroll, we aim to catch a glimpse of local coffee farmers and gain insights into their cultivation techniques. Our route will take us past various limestone formations before we enjoy a picnic lunch with picturesque views of the Bolaven Plateau. We conclude our walk at the stunning Tad Fane Waterfalls, the highest in Laos with a dramatic drop of 120 meters. The entire walk, which is rated easy, lasts about three hours. In the evening, we plan to visit a nearby village for a homestay experience and share our final group meal.

This morning we bid farewell to Laos as we drive to Pakse and then board a flight to Bangkok, Thailand's bustling capital. The afternoon is yours to explore the vibrant city or to do some final souvenir shopping at one of Bangkok's numerous markets.

Today, there are no scheduled activities, so you can leave Bangkok at your convenience. For those with later flights, our hotel offers luggage storage facilities. If you wish to use the complimentary airport transfer, please ensure your flight departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), located 45 minutes from the hotel.