Arrival in Vientiane, where you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is a peaceful and charming city on the banks of the Mekong River, on the border with Thailand. Unlike other bustling Southeast Asian capitals, Vientiane boasts a relaxed atmosphere, shady boulevards, golden temples and a rich mix of Lao, Thai, French and Chinese influences. Check in at the hotel and check into your room. End of the day at leisure; optional sunset stroll along the Mekong and night market.

Dinner at the Kualao restaurant with dinner show, dance performance and traditional Laotian music.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning our driver and guide pick us up at the hotel lobby. You’ll discover Wat Sisaket, the only temple in Vientiane to have been spared the Siamese invasion of 1828, making it the oldest. The inner walls of its cloister are riddled with small niches lined with over 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddhas. Across the street, visit one of Vientiane’s most important temples, the Ho Phrakeo, a royal chapel converted into a museum. Discover That Luang, the most famous monument in Laos. Rumor has it that it contains a hair, a sternum bone or even one of Buddha’s genitals. The large reliquary has a perfect square base, topped by three levels on which sits a monumental That. Then, not far from there, a look at the Patuxay, one of Vientiane’s most remarkable sites. Similar in style to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, this Laotian triumphal arch is built at the end of Lane Xang Avenue, which leads to the Presidential Palace and is also known as the “Champs Elysées of Vientiane”.

Lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon we leave the capital for our next destination, Vang Vieng. Located 130km north of Vientiane (2h30 drive), Vang Vieng lies at the center of a basin cut by the Nam Song River, and surrounded by mountains rising to 2000 meters to the north and 1000 meters to the south. These spectacular limestone sugar loaves and cave-pierced karst mountains have earned it the nickname of the “Guilin of Laos”.

Arriving in Vang Vieng, we visit Tham Chang Cave, a sacred cave that provided shelter to the locals during the war. Climb the 147 steps to the Tham Jang (Chang) cave to enjoy the view over the valley. Check-in at the hotel in the late afternoon. We’ll then have the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and facilities of our hotel. It’s possible to take a stroll along the Nam Song River in Vang Vieng to soak up the charm of this small town as night falls.

Dinner on own account.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

This morning, after breakfast, we’ll visit the turquoise-blue lagoons of Vang Vieng, which make Vang Vieng what it’s known and loved for (Lagoon 3 and/or 6). During our excursion, we’ll discover local landscapes surrounded by karst cliffs and visit a local village; a chance to soak up the local Lao way of life. Followed by a pirogue ride on the Nam Song River to admire the surrounding environment. Lunch at a local restaurant along the Nam Song River at the Phubarn Vimarn restaurant with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains (maximum capacity 2 people per pirogue boat).

We are then transferred to the Vang Vieng train station (25km) for our transfer by TGV train from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, our next destination: Luang Prabang.

Once the royal capital, Luang Prabang owes its name to the Pra Bang (Fine Golden Buddha), housed in the former royal palace. Built at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, Luang Prabang impresses with its green hills, sumptuous palaces, gleaming temples and pagodas, and pastel French-style houses. You’ll be charmed by its cultural, historical and religious heritage, so rich that UNESCO declared the city a World Heritage Site in 1995.

Train C82, departing at 2:29 pm, arriving at 3:40 pm, arriving in Luang Prabang to be picked up by our driver. Transfer to Luang Prabang (20 km), then check-in at the hotel.

Tonight we have the evening free to discover the heart of the UNESCO city at our own pace. This evening, we recommend a stroll through the night market. Down the street from the old palace, dozens of vendors display both authentic Lao handicrafts, such as woven silk, embroidered textiles and silver jewelry, and Chinese-made products, such as counterfeit Beer Lao T-shirts and cotton scarves. The serene atmosphere and beautiful wares make this one of the best places to buy souvenirs. (Daily: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm).

Option 1 | Baci ceremony at a local house and dinner included (D)
Details This evening, after sunset, you’ll be invited to take part in one of the most important ceremonies for the Laotian people: the Baci ceremony. Baci is a ceremony specific to Laos, practiced for hundreds of years. The term commonly used is “sou khuan”, meaning “improvement of the spirit or calling of the spirit”. The ceremony involves tying white cotton cords around a person’s wrists and reciting a prayer or wishing well to the person for whom the ceremony is intended. The Baci ceremony is held on various occasions and events throughout the year. It can take place on any day of the week, but it must be a favorable day in the lunar calendar. These favorable days are known to the elders, elderly monks or ex-monks. The ceremony can be organized for both sad and happy times. Here, the baci is organized to wish us a safe journey home. The baci is followed by dinner with the family at the local house.

[Duration: approx. 30 minutes for the baci – dinner included – min. 2 pax]

Dinner on own account.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we’ll visit the morning market where the locals come to do all their shopping. This local market can be considered the Laotian supermarket.
We then board a traditional boat for a cruise on the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. With an impressive cliff entrance in the middle of lush jungle, these 2 caves are home to hundreds of Buddhas deposited by Laotians over the centuries.

Local lunch after visiting the caves. Return to Luang Prang by boat. Stop to visit Ban Xang Hai, a village renowned for its production of Lao Lao handicrafts and local alcohol, which can be tasted and purchased on site. A final stop to visit the Ban Xang Khong craft village, which has specialized for years in the manufacture of paper from mulberry bark.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Breakfast at the hotel. On opening, we begin our day’s excursion with a visit to the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace. The museum houses an important collection of weapons, jewelry, crockery, furniture and clothing belonging to Sisavang Vong, the last king of Luang Prabang. We then visit Wat Xieng Thong, the city’s most beautiful temple, built in the most Lao style in Luang Prabang in the 18th century. Kings were crowned here. We then leave the peninsula for the Kuang Si waterfalls, a spectacular sight. We take a scenic road (45km), passing through Hmong and Lao Loum villages along the way.

Lunch near the falls at the Carpe Diem restaurant. Walk through the forest (15-20 min.), passing numerous natural pools of turquoise water. You can swim in the turquoise waterfalls, so don’t forget your bathing suit and water shoes. Visit to the Conservation Center for Asiatic bears, known as “Free the Bears fondation”, rescued from poachers. This bear rescue center focuses on the black bears of Southeast Asia and India. By creating partnerships adapted to each country and situation, the center has been able to support a wide range of projects. Return to Luang Prabang by road (45km).

Option 2 | Meet the giants in the land of a million elephants (join in)
Mandalao Elephant Sanctuary is an elephant sanctuary located in Luang Prabang, whose mission is to offer the elephants of Laos a safe, peaceful home and a sustainable future. It offers these gentle giants a safe haven from abuse, while supporting the people of remote areas by rescuing elephants and employing their mahouts to maintain their livelihoods. They also preserve the surrounding landscape and its pristine river valley by signing a multi-year lease with the Lao government to establish a sustainable tourism project. Ride with the elephant and mahout for a Lao jungle trek across the river. No lift.

[Duration: approx. 4 hours – afternoon 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm – transfers included – local English-speaking guide included – capacity limited to 7 people for the comfort and respect of the pachyderm]

Dinner at local restaurant.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

This morning we check out. Then off for a final visit to the Ock Pop Tock weaving workshop. Visit the textile workshop, with its hand-woven silks and natural dyes. This weaving center and social enterprise, created by Laotian women for Laotian women, aims to preserve traditional weaving techniques and provide weavers with an income to support their families and improve their living conditions. Ock Pop Tok (meaning “East meets West” in Lao) was founded on the principles of fair trade and sustainable business practices. The company was a pioneer in social business and ethical fashion even before these terms became part of our lexicon. Possible lunch at Ock Pop Tok’s own Silk Road Cafe restaurant, for one last breathtaking view of the Mekong.

Transfer to the airport.