12 Day/11 Night journey

Private Guided Journey - Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall - Xieng Khouang - Plain of Jars - Vang Vieng - Vientiane - Pakse - 4000 Islands

From the sleepy town of Luang Prabang in the north, to the mysterious Plains
of Jars, Pakse and the ‘4000 Islands’ in the south.This is the perfect way to
explore this charming country - discover it whilst it is still undiscovered!

Day 1 Luang Prabang
Arrive into Luang Prabang and enjoy a half-day tour around this beautiful,World Heritage town. Visit the goldenWats (temples) and local sites and spend the afternoon exploring on your own at ‘local pace’. (B)

Day 2 Luang Prabang
Begin a Mekong Riverboat trip up river to visit the sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves, home to many thousands of Buddha images placed by local people since the 16th century. Visit the village of Ban Xang Khong where the weaving of traditional Lao textiles still takes place on ancient wooden looms. (B,L)

Day 3 Kuang SiWaterfall
It is worth rising early this morning to participate in the traditional Lao rite of alms giving to the monks. See some 300 monks file through silently collecting alms. After breakfast, drive to the Kuang Si waterfall, the falls cascade over calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Enjoy a local lunch before returning to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (B,L)

Day 4 Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang
The drive today is a long one to Xieng Khouang (about 8 hours), but well worth the journey and this is a fabulous way to see more of rural Laos. (B,L)

Day 5 Xieng Khouang - Plain of Jars
After breakfast transfer to the Plain of Jars - one of the most mysterious sites in Laos. More than 300 stone jars lie scatted across several sites on a grassy plain near the town of Phonsavan. Said to date back over 2000 years mystery and legend surround their origin, which is still unclear. Visit the old town, the stupa and temple at Muang Khoun and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before
returning to your hotel. (B,L)

Day 6 Xieng Khouang - Vang Vieng
Transfer to Vang Vieng, a charming, small town set amidst striking mountain scenery gorged with deep caves. Enjoy lunch enroute before arrival at your hotel. The remainder of your day is free to explore. (B,L)

Day 7 Vang Vieng
Today is yours to explore. Activities in the region tend to be more adventurous and include caving, kayaking, and tubing - where you float gently down the river in the inner tube of truck tyre. Alternatively simply relax
on your balcony, take in the stunning landscape and watch the world go by. (B)

Day 8 Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Travel onwards to Vientiane where on arrival you can enjoy a city tour of various golden Wats (temples) and monuments, followed by lunch. (B,L)

Day 9 Vientiane - Pakse
After an early breakfast, transfer for your flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, embark on an easy 4 hour hike up to the Dan Sin Say Plateau.Walk through a local village, coffee plantations, across a hanging bridge and on to the plains. Huge boulders, epiphytes and wild orchids abound. Large pine trees grow here, giving it a wholly different character of landscape. Return to your resort for lunch, afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 10 Pakse - 4000 Islands
Drive south to the famous Khmer Temple complex ofWat Phou. This UNESCOWorld Heritage Site represents the easternmost border of the Khmer empire. Visit an Elephant Camp to see how handlers ("mahouts") train these giant friendly beasts and if you want to ride one of the friendly pachyderms to the top of Phou Asa to see mysterious ruins there. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then continue to 4000 Islands. (B,L)

Day 11 4000 Islands
Enjoy a trip by boat to the largest waterfalls in Asia, Khone Phapeng and Li Phi Falls. If you are lucky you may also see a few of the 50-100 rare Irrawaddy (freshwater) dolphins. Spend the afternoon at leisure or exploring the islands on your own. (B)

Day 12 4000 Islands - Pakse
After breakfast, drive north to Pakse for your onward flight (B).