Laos Explorer - 15 days/14 nights

Chiang Rai – Pakbeng – Luang Prabang – Xieng Khuang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane – Pakse – Tadlo – Khong Island – Done Daeng

Explore the far corners of Laos including the Pak Ou Caves, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. This itinerary is designed to show you every corner of this enchanting country, demonstrating the huge variety of sights and activities Laos has to offer. From a luxury Mekong Cruise, to Hmong villages, mysterious archaeological sites, and ornate temples—this tour has it all!

• Itinerary
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Privately-Guided! Whether you are a single person, a couple, or a group, you'll have your own guide and driver for all airport pickups, drop-offs, and daily excursions. 
 
Choose Your Own Dates! This is not a fixed-departure-date tour. Just let us know the dates that work best for you and we will arrange everything.
 
Customizable! Need more time? Less time? Want to see or do something that isn't included? Just let us know, and we will arrange it for you and let you know the change in costs.
 
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Trip Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage City, Luang Prabang
• Mekong River cruise
• The Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang
• Limestone Karsts of Vang Vieng
• UNESCO World Heritage Site Wat Phu

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive Chiang Rai
Upon arrival at the Chiang Rai, Thailand airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.  Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 2:  Chiang Rai to Huay Xai to Pakbeng
Transfer early in the morning to the Lao-Thai border town of Huay Xai. The Luang Say Cruise boat leaves Huay Xai pier at 9:00am for a cruise down the Mekong to Pakbeng. Stop en route to visit a rural village along the Mekong and meet minority ethnic groups before heading back to the boat for lunch. Arrive in Pakbeng before sunset and check-in at Luang Say Lodge. Enjoy dinner on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng. (All meals)

Day 3:  Pakbeng to Luang Prabang
Enjoy a full breakfast at the lodge and take an optional walk if you choose to Pakbeng market, where people from the surrounding minority villages exchange their goods. Board the boat at 8:30am for the second leg of the cruise. Take a short stop along the way to visit a Hmong village and return to the boat for a buffet lunch. Continue to Pak-Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, and then visit Pak Ou Caves, "Cave of a thousand Buddhas." Continue on to Luang Prabang stopping briefly to observe the traditional process of making local rice alcohol. Arrive in Luang Prabang before sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 4:  Luang Prabang
Begin your morning walking tour taking in some the city’s most beautiful temples. Depending on the rest of your program this may include the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its traditional Lao architecture, as well as Wat Mai and Wat Sene, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang. Also visit Kinnaly Gallery, where your guide will show you the different ethnic minorities that live in Laos. End the tour with a climb up Mount Phousi, which offers a spectacular panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (Breakfast)

Day 5:  Luang Prabang
After breakfast take a guided walk through the local Phosi Market. Stop at Ock Pop Tok, a silk weaving center and enjoy a tour of the silk weaving process. Next drive to Ban Thinkeo, a Hmong village, and start trekking with the villagers. Learn how the Hmong people use their plants as you walk through their gardens. Upon arrival in the village, you will learn to cook some local dishes in a traditional house. Lunch will be your collective efforts! Enjoy a demonstration of Hmong Khene and local games. In the afternoon, drive to Kuang Si and relax at this magnificent multi-tiered waterfall. Return by road to Luang Prabang at the end of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (Breakfast)

Note: during rainy season the itinerary is subject to change due to the weather conditions, an alternative program is available.

Day 6:  Luang Prabang to Xieng Khuang
After breakfast, embark on a full day’s drive to Xieng Khuang. Stop along the way for photo opportunities and to visit with hill tribe villagers. Upon arrival, transfer out to visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. Overnight in Xieng Khuang. (Breakfast)

Day 7:  Xieng Khuang
In the morning visit the Central Market in Phonsavan, and the MAG UXO information center showing the fantastic work they do in clearing unexploded ordnance in the area. Continue on to jar site 2, then walk to site 3 via the Pathet Lao camp. Arrive in Ban Xieng Di village to watch broom making and then walk to jar site 3. In the afternoon drive out to Muang Khoun, the former capital of the Phuan Kingdom where you can walk around the remains of the stupas and temples. Return to the hotel by late afternoon. Overnight in Xieng Khuang. (Breakfast)

Day 8:  Xieng Khuang to Vang Vieng
After breakfast, visit Mulberries Silk Farm, a Lao Sericulture company specializing in fair trade silk production. Get back on the road again for your journey to Vang Vieng. Arrive in this tranquil town nestled on a bend in the Nam Song River in the afternoon. Take the rest of the day to relax amongst the stunning scenery where quiet water and limestone outcrops remain unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. On arrival check into your hotel.
Overnight in Vang Vieng. (Breakfast)

Day 9:  Vang Vieng to Vientiane
This morning take a short walk to visit the impressive Tham Jang caves as well as enjoy a boat ride on the Nam Song River to admire the impressive limestone karst scenery. In the afternoon drive south to the Lao capital of Vientiane. En route stop off at the salt mines of Ban Kheun, for a fascinating tour to see how the salt is produced. Arrive in Vientiane by late afternoon where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane. (Breakfast)

Day 10:  Vientiane    
Your half day city tour enables you to explore the Vientiane capital by visiting the major sights of the capital including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.  Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, That Luang Stupa, visit the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. The final visit of the day is an optional trip to the excellent COPE exhibition center, highlighting a 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 ordinance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane. (Breakfast)

Day 11:  Vientiane to Pakse to Tadlo
Transfer to the airport early this morning for your flight to Pakse. On arrival in Pakse, you will be welcomed and taken by road east into the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley and its many waterfalls. Stop first at Tad Fan, spectacular twin falls that plummet into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route. In the afternoon arrive at Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall and numerous ethnic minority groups including the Alak, Nge, and Katu.  Stay at Tad Lo Lodge, located uniquely right next to the beautiful waterfall itself. Overnight in Tadlo. (Breakfast)

Day 12:  Tadlo to Pakse to Wat Phu to Khong Island
After an early breakfast, head out towards Khong Island. On the way make a short detour to visit Pha Suam waterfall and to explore the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung. Continue on via Pakse town crossing the Mekong by ferry to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. Wat Phu is one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001. This wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 5th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Continue by car and then ferry to Don Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 Islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight on Khong Island. (Breakfast)

Day 13:  Khong Island to Khone Island to Don Daeng
Following breakfast, enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a long tail boat tour of the Don Khone area, where you will see the remains of the French period and Liphi Waterfall. Return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia and the surrounding area is teeming with wildlife. Drive back north, then take a boat to the delightful island of Don Daeng. Overnight on Don Daeng. (Breakfast)

Day 14:  Don Daeng
Enjoy a free day to relax by the pool or hire bicycles to explore the island and its enchanting little villages. Overnight on Don Daeng. (Breakfast)

Day 15:  Don Daeng to Pakse for Departure
After breakfast, transfer back to Pakse and onto the airport for your departing flight. (Breakfast)

Rates

Per Person Rates (based on double-occupancy):
Prices good through April 30, 2011. Discounts available for groups of 3 or more!

Please note that peak season supplements may apply at La Residence Phou Vao from Nov 1-30 and Dec 23-Feb 28.

4-Star Hotels: $ 3395
5-Star Hotels: $ 4055
 
Single Person Rates
4-Star Hotels: $ 5895
5-Star Hotels: $ 7215

 
Rates Include

• All airport and hotel transfers
• All private tours and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
• All surface transportation as per the itinerary by private, air-conditioned car
• Hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast basis inclusive of all taxes and service charges
• All entrance fees
• Services of a private, local English-speaking guide for all visits and excursions
• Luangsay Cruise from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang
• Internal flight - Vientiane to Pakse

 
Rates Do Not Include

• International airfare
• Visa fees
• Airport departure taxes
• Tips
• Expenses of a personal nature

Hotels

Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. If a hotel listed below is not available, an alternative hotel of similar quality will be substituted.

To Book This Tour

1. Download, print, and fill out the Reservation Form for each person.
2. Fax the form to 206-529-4803, or mail it with your non-refundable $500 per person deposit to:
   
   Red Lantern Journeys
   1000 N. Northlake Way
   Suite H Seattle, WA 98103
   
   
3. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment will be due upon confirmation of hotels and flights.

 
Payments must be made by personal check, bank wire transfer, or credit card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will initiate the reservations and send you a statement showing your payment. Approximately 4 weeks prior to your departure, we will send you a final confirmation package containing your itinerary and detailed information on the logistics of your trip.
 
Forms to Download (pdf file)
Reservation Form with Complete Terms and Conditions