Spirit of Laos – 8 Days

Each journey tells a story and this journey to Laos will deliver you a story of a beautiful country with its dense forests, limestone caves, endless waterways and especially ancient Khmer temple ruins. The ‘land of a million elephants’ is unquestionably a must-see for plucky adventurers seeking an off-the-beaten-track corner of Asia…

Category: Laos Tours

General Information

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Tour Type: Landscape, Nature, Culture and adventure
Starts / Ends: Vientiane / Pakse
Tour Route: Vientiane – Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Pakse – Tad Lo – 4000 Islands – Pakse
Dates: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Tour level: Deluxe
Activity Level: Easy & comfort
Group size: Private only for any group
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Big Brother Mouse – Ban Khia Luang – Pak Ou Caves
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khuang Si Waterfall and Ban Chan
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vientiane – half day city tour (Flight)
Day 5: Vientiane – Pakse – Tad Lo
Day 6: Tad Lo – Wat Phou – 4000 Islands
Day 7: 4000 Islands and surrounding
Day 8: 4000 Islands – Pakse – Departure

Day: 1 Arrival – Vientiane (D)

Upon arrival at Wattay Airport, Vientiane, we will be welcomed by local tour guide and driver, then we transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we start visiting the major sights of the capital such as Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple 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 icon, the precious and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph and romantic sunset on Mekong River.
Tonight we enjoy our welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant in town. Overnight in Vientiane.
Accommodation: Mercure hotel – 4 stars

Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)

Breakfast at the hotel, we then transfer back to the airport to take our short flight to Luang Prabang.
Welcome upon arrival in Luang Prabang by local tour guide and driver, we transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we will visit the impressive stupas of Wat Visoun; the shrine of Wat Aham & Wat Mai; climbing up to the top of Mount Phousi, explore the sacred, gilded stupas as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.
Tonight, we are free to explore the Night market in the centre of city. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation: Villa Maly – Boutique 3 stars+

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pakou Cave (B)

Today, we enjoy a short guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to another small village Ban Phanom, which famous for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation: Villa Maly – Boutique 3 stars+

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vientiane (Flight) (B)

Free at leisure in the morning.
11:30, we transfer to the airport to take a flight back to Vientiane.
Arriving in Vientiane, we will meet our tour guide and driver again then transfer to hotel. Free at leisure in the rest of the day. Overnight in Vientiane.
Accommodation: Mercure hotel – 4 stars

Day 5: Vientiane – Pakse – Tad Lo (B)

Transfer via: Laos Airlines at 06:30 – 07:45
Today we take our takeaway breakfast from reception at 05:00 AM, meet the tour guide and driver at the lobby of the hotel, transfer to the airport, take a flight to Paske at 06:30 AM.
Welcome upon arrival in Paske airport, transfer to the Bolevean Plateau. The Bolevean Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. The area is famous for its many waterfalls, and the most beautiful of these falls, Tad Fan. Tad Fan waterfall is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows us to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route.

In the afternoon we arrive at Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall and numerous ethnic minority groups. We visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu before overnight in Tad Lo. Overnight in Tad Lo.
Accommodation: Tadlo Lodge

Day 6: Tad Lo – Wat Phou – 4000 Islands (B)

After an early breakfast, we leave Tad Lo. On the way, we make a short detour to visit Pha Suam waterfall and to explore the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung. We continue to travel by road 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. Following lunch, we continue our journey by long tail boat to the 4000 Islands, where we have the rest of the day to relax. Overnight in 4000 Islands area.
Accommodation: Senesothexuene hotel

Day 7: 4000 Islands and surrounding (B)

After early morning breakfast, we head south by road and boat to Done Khone. Here we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands by boat and visit the beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng – the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the ‘Niagara of the east’. Overnight in 4000 Islands area.
Accommodation: Senesothexuene hotel

Waterfalls of Khone Phapeng - the largest waterfall in South East Asia — Waterfalls of Khone Phapeng – the largest waterfall in South East Asia

Day 8: 4000 Islands – Pakse – Departure (B)

Transfer via: Domestic Laos to Luang Prabang or Vientiane & International flight
Today we will take the domestic flights in Laos to Vientiane or Luang Prabang airport then transit to an International flight to home or next destination. Trip ends.

about price	– Since this is a private tour, the price per person varies and depends on many aspects, such as your group size, the hotel ratings and your departure date. If you want to get a custom price quote for this tour, please fill out the online inquiry form and give you as much information as possible about your trip. Your online travel consultants will be at your service and help you make the most of your travel time and dollars! Inclusion
inclusions	– Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver and English-speaking guide (as listed above). Your comfort is our priority! – Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available. – Hotels: Hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with twin beds. – All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily Western or Local breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified. – Entrance Fees: To scenic spots as listed in the itinerary. – Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary. – Transportation: – Vientiane To Luang Prabang; Luang Prabang To Vientiane; Vientiane To Pakse: Transfer via: Flight, TBA (Our arrangements) – Airport Tax and Fuel Fee – Service Charge & Government Taxes: – Luggage Transfers: Between airports and hotels. – Arrangements: The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and -communication charges. – Government tax and service charge – Drinking water – Boat trip stated in the itinerary
exclusions	– Excess Baggage Charges. Passengers holding an adult fare or half fare ticket are entitled to a free baggage allowance of 20kg, for economy class. Total weight of carryon baggage for each passenger may not exceed 5kg . The size may not exceed 20x40x 55cm . – Personal Expenses: Expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary. – Meals: Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary.
meals	– If you have any specific food requirements (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies) please inform us in advance so that we can provide notice to our restaurant, tour guide or our partners so that they san server you better. If you are a food lover, Viet Vision Travel can be your culinary guide and provide you the opportunity to savor tempting local food and world-famous dishes. – Meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.