OVERLAND LAOS

We take a short tour with a guide to see the oldest temple in the city, Wat Mai, and the beautiful Wat Xiengthong, whose roofs sweep low to the ground and are a good example of traditional Laotian architecture. Then, we take a cruise upstream on the Mekong River. This gives us a great view of the peaceful countryside and a chance to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These are two caves that are connected and are full of thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues in different shapes and sizes that pilgrims have left behind.

We stop at Ban Xanghai, a small town on the way where the local rice wine is made. In the afternoon, we drive back to Luang Prabang and continue our trip to Khouangsi Waterfall. On the way, we stop at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, a Laoloum village, and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. Then, we drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall, where you can swim in the turquoise pools or hike through the forest trails. In the late afternoon, we go back to Luang Prabang and then continue to Ban Xangkhong, a town known for hand-weaving silk and making traditional Saa paper. By late evening, we get back to the city. The rest of the day is yours to do as you please, and you'll spend the night in Lauang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

For people who get up early, there is a very special visit at dawn to watch the monks gathering alms. As the sun starts to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot through the streets of Luang Prabang, asking people for donations.Return to the hotel to eat breakfast.

After breakfast, we leave this beautiful city early in the morning for our trip to Vang Vieng. Our trip will be hard because we will be driving along one of the most beautiful but also one of the roughest roads in Asia. In the afternoon, we arrive in Vang Vieng, a small, quiet town on a bend of the Nam Song River.

Even though tourism has grown in recent years, its beautiful scenery of calm water and rocky rocks of limestone has not changed. If we have time, we go to Tham Chang Cave, and we stay the night in Vang Vieng.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng

After breakfast, the first cave, Tham Xang (Elephant Cave), is a 14-kilometer ride away. On the banks of the Nam Song River is where the cave is. It is a very important Buddhist Temple, and its name comes from a unique rock formation near the temple. Then you will go through a small Lao farm and town with green rice fields. After that, you can swim in the clear, cool spring water at the entrance to Tham Nam (Water Cave), where you can tube up to 500 meters into the cave.

After the tubing, there is a free BBQ lunch next to Tham Nam (Water Cave). Then, you'll walk back to a town for 30 minutes, where you'll be picked up to start kayaking. You'll be taken to Khmu Village, which is 10 km north of Vang Vieng and where the trek begins. Before you start this 3-hour kayaking trip, the friendly guides who speak English will show you how to use the paddles. You'll be able to stop at bars along the river as you go further down. You can relax by the river, get a drink, or even a bite to eat if you're hungry. It's a great place to swim with great views or play games with other travelers, like pool or table tennis. After rowing, we'll take a truck to the famous Blue Lagoon, where you can swim or just relax in one of the small bamboo huts. The tour will end when we get back to Vang Vieng. We'll take you to your hotel and stay the night in Vang Vieng.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng

We leave town early in the morning and drive to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. It is a lovely and interesting city. With its strange mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French inspirations, this city makes you think of faraway places. This afternoon, we are going to go on a tour of the city. Wat Sisaket is the oldest temple in Vientiane that is still standing. This amazing building has beautiful frescoes and pictures of Buddha. We continue our tour by going to Haw Prakeo, which used to be the royal temple of Laos and was where the famous Emerald Buddha Statue was kept. Then we go to the impressive Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph, before going to the famous That Luang Stupa. Stay in Vientiane.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll have free time until our guide and car pick you up and take you to the International Wattay Airport for your flight to another place. Trip ends

Meals: Breakfast