Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Pakse Arrival - Bolaven Plateau

   Upon arrival Pakse Airport, transfer to Bolaven Plateau where you will stay overnight.

   Meal: None

2. Day 2

   Bolaven Plateau - Ban Kiet Ngong

   The Bolaven Plateau is an ancient volcanic region known for its tea and coffee plantations, home to many tribal villages. Enjoy a full-day tour of the area, admire twin falls Tad Fane and Tad Yeung Waterfalls, and visit a tea and coffee plantation. Overnight stay at Kingfisher Ecolodge with a delightful set dinner.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3. Day 3

   Wetlands Birdwatching Safari

   Before dawn, trek along the edge of the the Ramsar protected Ban Kiet Ngong Wetlands, one of the largest and least altered wetlands in the region. Enjoy the bird activity in the days early light. With over 320 species of birds present on the wetlands it is certainly one of the best places in Laos to view such a wide variety of wetland dwelling birds.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

4. Day 4

   Ban Kiet Ngong - 4,000 Islands

   After having breakfast, transfer to the 4,000 Islands and board a long-tail boat to the island of Don Khone. Hop on a tuk tuk or bicycle to visit the remnants of the French colonial area. Continue onwards with a visit to the Liphi waterfalls, nicknamed the “Corridor of the Devil”, where local daredevils put fish traps at the bottom of the falls to catch fresh fish each day. Enjoy a tasty lunch on the island. Take a local boat to go around on the waterways and slowly enjoy the simple beauty of life along the immersive Mekong River.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

5. Day 5

   4,000 islands - Pakse - Fly to Vientiane

   Visit the majestic 10km long Khone Phapheng Waterfall (also known as the Mekong Falls), the biggest waterfall in Asia and the main reason why the Mekong River is not navigable all the way to China. After the visit, transfer back to Pakse for your onward flight to Vientiane.

   Meal: Breakfast

6. Day 6

   Vientiane - Buddha Park & Lao Textile Studio

   Spend a relaxing morning exploring the quiet side of Vientiane. Drive 1hr southeast of the city to the Buddha Park. Built in 1958, the park is a fanciful sculpture garden full of Buddhist and religious images. Walking amongst the bizarre and sometimes ornate statues. Return to Vientiane. In the afternoon, visit the weaving home-studio of Mrs. Carol Cassidy, an American expert in textiles who arrived in Vientiane in 1989 as part of a United Nations project to promote traditional weaving. The studio now employs over 40 local weavers who create naturally dyed and woven silk pieces reflecting traditional Lao designs.

   Meal: Breakfast

7. Day 7

   Vientiane – Train to Luang Prabang

   Leave Vientiane to Luang Prabang on a speed train. Take a half-day walking tour exploring some of the highlights of this incredibly picturesque town including the Royal Palace (National Museum), Wat Xieng Thong and Mount Phousi.

   Meal: Breakfast

8. Day 8

   Half Day Elephant Experience

   Known as the “Land of a Million Elephants”, Laos once attracted a large population of elephants for its large grazing pastures. However today, there are only about 500 elephants left in the wild. Spend a half day at the Elephant Village, an elephant sanctuary set amid the jungle, cliffs and waterfalls near Luang Prabang. Learn about the elephants and their life at the village, enjoy the moment for interacting directly with elephant. Explore the Elephant Village, for example visit the elephant hospital, the museum and the dung paper-making facility! Later, take a traditional Lao long-tail boat upriver to visit the beautiful Tad Sae Waterfall.

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

9. Day 9

   Luang Prabang – Mountain Trek

   Leave your hotel for a 2-day adventure in the mountains of northern Laos, wind through bamboo forests and ascend uphill through the jungle whose summits offer breathtaking panoramic views. Later, arrive at Long Lao Mai village of Hmong people where you will have time to interact with the local people, learn more about their daily life and spend the night at a homestay. Enjoy dinner prepared by the villagers. Home stays act as supplemental income for the villagers – 100% of your accommodation fee is circulated back to the community.

   Difficulty: Easy

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

10. Day 10

    Long Lao Mai trek to Kuang Si Waterfall

    After breakfast, lace up your hiking shoes for another scenic trek through the wilderness. The hike will take about 3 hours, ending at the famous Kuang Si waterfall, a hidden oasis amidst a tropical jungle. You’ll also visit the Bear Rescue Center inside Kuang Si Waterfall where Moon bears (Asiatic black bears) live in a forest sanctuary protected by the Free the Bears Fund, a non-profit organization. You’ll have lunch in Kuang Si Waterfall before being transferred back to Luang Prabang.

    Difficulty: Easy

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

11. Day 11

    Luang Prabang at leisure

    Today is free at leisure or explore the town on your own.

    Meals: Breakfast

12. Day 12

    Luang Prabang Departure

    Free at leisure till transfer to the airport for your onward departure flight. Meals: Breakfast