Laos Revealed – 11 Days of Heritage & Serenity

After breakfast, begin your discovery of Luang Prabang with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, constructed in 1904 during the French colonial period for King Sisavang Vong and his family. You’ll then set off on a leisurely cruise upstream on the Mekong River, soaking the tranquil scenery before reaching the Pak Ou Caves – two sacred caverns filled with thousands of Buddha statues of varying shapes and sizes, creating an atmosphere both solemn and deeply spiritual. For the people of Luang Prabang, this site has long been a sacred place of worship and devotion.

On the return trip, stop by Ban Xanghai Village to see how locals produce traditional Lao rice wine. Back in town, visit the elegant Wat Sene and the exquisite Wat Xieng Thong, an architectural masterpiece adorned with detailed mosaics and a shimmering “Tree of Life” mural.

Continue to Heuan Chan Heritage House, a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion that showcases Lao traditions through exhibits, crafts, and family stories. Enjoy a cup of authentic Lao coffee or tea before heading to Wat Prabath for a serene sunset view over the city.

End your day exploring the Night Market, where you can browse an array of handmade textiles crafted by local artisans and hill tribes. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: breakfast 

Optional: Visit the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center to learn more about Laos’ diverse ethnic cultures (closed on Mondays).

Rise early this morning to witness one of Laos’ most sacred traditions – the daily alms-giving ceremony, dating back to the 14th century. Watch as hundreds of saffron-robed monks walk quietly through the streets to collect offerings from local residents.  Continue to the morning market near the former Royal Palace, a lively spot where vendors sell fresh produce and handmade goods. After breakfast, journey to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall, the largest in the Luang Prabang area. Here, turquoise pools cascade over limestone formations, creating the perfect setting for a refreshing swim. Nearby, visit the peaceful Butterfly Park, where you can relax with homemade cookies and tea surrounded by fluttering butterflies.

You may also explore Ban Thapene Village and its hidden waterfalls or stop by the Bear Rescue Center, home to rescued Asiatic black bears. On your way back, visit Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre on the banks of the Mekong River to learn about traditional Lao weaving techniques.

Late this afternoon, climb the 329 steps of Mount Phousi for panoramic views of the city and the river at sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: breakfast 

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and some free time before transferring to the train station for your scenic journey to Vang Vieng. After about an hour, arrive in this laid-back riverside town known for its limestone mountains and lush countryside. You’ll be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in and relaxation. 

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Meals: breakfast 

After breakfast, begin exploring Tham Chang Cave, once used as a refuge during wartime and today admired for its crystal-clear spring water and stunning views of rice fields and mountains. Continue to Tham Nangfa (Angel Cave), where striking stalactites and stalagmites form shapes resembling Buddhas, animals, and daily life scenes.

Next, visit the famous Blue Lagoon, a perfect spot to swim or simply relax in the cool turquoise waters. You’ll also have the chance to stop at nearby weaving villages and enjoy a scenic boat trip along the Nam Song River, surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs.

In the afternoon, drive to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. This riverside city blends French colonial charm with Buddhist serenity. Enjoy free time to stroll around or unwind at a local café. 

Overnight in Vientiane.

Meals: breakfast 

After breakfast, explore Vientiane’s highlights, starting with the Thong Khan Kham Market, where locals shop for fresh produce, herbs, and traditional goods. Continue to the iconic Patuxay Monument, Laos’ own “Arc de Triomphe,” before visiting the revered That Luang Stupa, the national symbol of Laos.

Next, visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple still standing in the city, housing thousands of Buddha images, and Haw Phra Kaew, the former royal temple that once enshrined the Emerald Buddha.

In the afternoon, discover Wat Si Muang, believed to be blessed with spiritual power, and then drive out of the city to the famous Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan). Here, over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues are scattered across a peaceful riverside meadow.

On the way back, stop for photos at the Friendship Bridge, which links Laos and Thailand. Return to the city and enjoy your evening at leisure — perhaps with a cup of coffee on a shaded terrace as the sun sets over the Mekong. 

Overnight in Vientiane.

Meals: breakfast 

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Pakse (QV513, Tue/Thu/Sat: 08:30–10:10). Upon arrival, meet your guide and journey toward the lush Bolaven Plateau, known for its cool climate, coffee plantations, and dramatic waterfalls.

Stop at Tad Fane Waterfall, where twin cascades plunge into a deep gorge, and visit traditional villages such as Ban Lak Sipchet (famous for iron knives) and Ban Lak Samsip (renowned for bamboo weaving). End the day with a visit to a local coffee plantation before checking in at your hotel. 

Overnight in Bolaven 

Meals: breakfast 

This morning, visit Tha Teng Market, a colorful gathering place for ethnic minority communities. Continue to Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village known for its sacrificial altar, and Ban Kokphung, a Katu village where families keep ancestral coffins under their homes — a unique cultural practice.

In the afternoon, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phou, a pre-Angkorian temple complex dating back to the 5th century. Set amidst rice fields and waterways, Wat Phou was once a major spiritual and political center of the Khmer Empire.

Later, drive through Champasak Town to admire traces of French colonial architecture before continuing to Don Khong Island. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring at your leisure. Overnight on Don Khong Island

Meals: breakfast 

After breakfast, take a long-tail boat through the Si Phan Don (4000 Islands) region, where the Mekong River fans out into a maze of islets. Visit Ban Khone Village, dotted with remnants of the French colonial era, including old buildings and a historic railway.

Continue by tuk-tuk to Liphi Waterfall, also known as the “Corridor of the Devil,” one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the border between Laos and Cambodia.

The rest of the day is free for your own exploration — you might rent a bicycle to ride around the island, meet local villagers, or watch the sunset over the Mekong. Overnight on Don Khone Island.

Meals: breakfast 

After breakfast, take a boat back to the mainland at Ban Nakasang, then journey south to the impressive Khone Phapheng Waterfall — the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia. Located near the Cambodian border, this breathtaking natural wonder is set amid pristine landscapes teeming with wildlife.

In the afternoon, travel back to Pakse, a riverside town established by the French in 1905 at the meeting point of the Mekong and Se Don Rivers. Stop by Ban Khoh Village, renowned for its traditional stone carving, and continue to Wat Chomphet, where the country’s largest seated Buddha rests peacefully.

As the day draws to a close, make your way up to Wat Phou Salao to take in a magnificent sunset view over Pakse and the Mekong River. 

Overnight in Pakse.

Meals: breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: breakfast