After breakfast, begin your city tour with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, renowned for its thousands of Buddha images. Continue to Haw Phra Kaew, the former royal temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha and now serves as a museum showcasing an impressive collection of religious art.

Next, visit the magnificent Pha That Luang, Laos' most important national monument and a symbol of both Buddhism and Lao sovereignty. Standing 40 meters high and covered in gold, the stupa dominates the city's skyline. Continue to the COPE Visitor Centre to learn about its important humanitarian work in Laos.

In the afternoon, discover the unique Buddha Park, home to more than 200 striking Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, including a giant three-level pumpkin symbolizing Hell, Earth, and Heaven. Wander among the fascinating statues and enjoy views across the park.

Overnight in Vientiane

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Transfer to Vientiane airport for flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, transfer to the Bolaven Plateau. As you leave Pakse, the road gradually climbs in elevation as you ascend to the plateau. Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the area is renowned for its fertile soil and cooler climate, making it ideal for producing some of Laos' finest tea and coffee.

Continue to Tad Yuang Waterfall, where you can enjoy a pleasant walk through the surrounding coffee plantations. Then proceed approximately 2 km to Tad Fan Waterfall, the highest waterfall in the country. It features two spectacular parallel cascades, each plunging around 120 metres into a deep gorge.

Overnight at the hotel in Pakse.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Wat Phou, a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple set amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple was built on three levels: the lower level is centred around the baray (water reservoir), the middle level features quadrangular pavilions and intricately carved galleries, while the upper level houses the sanctuary itself. Constructed by the rulers of the Khmer Empire several centuries before Angkor Wat, Wat Phou served as the region's most important political, economic, and religious centre. Today, it remains one of the most sacred and revered temples in Laos.

Continue your journey by road to Don Khong, the largest island in the Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands) region. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore this charming island at your own pace.

Overnight at the hotel in Don Khong.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning, transfer to Khone Phapheng Falls, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia by volume and one of the highlights of southern Laos.

Continue to Ban Nakasang, where you will board a boat for a cruise through the Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands) region to Don Khone, a peaceful island renowned for its unspoilt landscapes and laid-back atmosphere.

Explore Don Khone, where lush vegetation, rice fields, coconut palms, and remnants of the French colonial era create a unique and charming setting. Continue to Li Phi Falls (also known as Tad Somphamit), located on the western side of the island near the Cambodian border. According to local belief, the name Tad Somphamit, meaning "Spirit Trap," refers to the falls' power to trap evil spirits as they pass through the rushing waters.

After the visit, cruise back to Ban Nakasang, then drive back to Pakse.

Overnight at the hotel in Pakse.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning, transfer to Talat Dao Heuang Market, the largest local market in Pakse. Open daily from 05:00 to 18:00, this semi-open-air market is covered by a distinctive wavy roof and offers a vibrant atmosphere. While it is best known for its fresh vegetables, fruits, and local produce, you will also find household goods, kitchen utensils, clothing, and a variety of local souvenirs.

Continue to Wat Luang, the largest and one of the most beautiful temples in Pakse. Located near the old French Bridge on the banks of the Sedone River, the temple also serves as a Buddhist monastic school. It is common to see novice monks and monks in their distinctive saffron robes studying or going about their daily activities.

Cross to the opposite side of the Japanese Bridge to visit the impressive Golden Buddha at Wat Phousalao. Climb the 250 steps to the hilltop temple and enjoy panoramic views over Pakse, the Mekong River, and the surrounding countryside.

Afterwards, transfer to Pakse Airport to take an afternoon flight to Luang Prabang.  Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

An early start offers a wonderful opportunity to witness and participate in the daily alms-giving ceremony to saffron-robed monks. This centuries-old tradition is one of Laos' most cherished cultural and spiritual practices. Then, watch the town come to life as you visit a bustling morning market filled with local produce and traditional Lao ingredients. Experience the vibrant atmosphere before returning to your hotel.

This morning, visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, showcasing a remarkable collection of royal artifacts and a blend of French Beaux-Arts and traditional Lao architecture.

Continue to Mount Phousi for panoramic views over Luang Prabang, the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, and the surrounding mountains.

Then explore some of the city's most celebrated temples, including Wat Xieng Thong, a masterpiece of traditional Lao architecture.

In the afternoon, travel to the spectacular Khuangsy Waterfalls, where turquoise waters cascade into a series of limestone pools amid lush jungle scenery. Along the way, there is an opportunity to visit a local hill tribe village.

Enjoy a walk through the surrounding natural park and visit the Asian Bear Rescue Centre, home to rescued Asiatic black bears living in a protected forest environment.

Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

This morning, you are invited to join a hands-on Lao cooking class (join-in class).

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide and driver will escort you to a local restaurant in the city. Upon arrival, you will be accompanied by the restaurant's culinary instructor to a nearby morning market. During this one-hour visit, you will discover local daily life while learning about the fresh ingredients commonly used in Lao cuisine. Your guide will explain the different herbs, spices, and seasonal produce, as well as their culinary uses, and share fascinating stories and insights into local food culture.

Return to the restaurant, where the chef will introduce some of Laos' most iconic dishes through a live cooking demonstration. Depending on the day's menu, these may include Khao Piak Gai (Lao chicken noodle soup), Kaeng Phet (Lao red curry), and Khao Khua or other traditional specialties.

After the demonstration, you will choose one of the featured dishes to prepare yourself under the chef's guidance. Once your dish is ready, sit down and enjoy a delicious lunch featuring your own homemade creation.

In the afternoon, visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC), where fascinating exhibits showcase Laos' rich ethnic diversity through traditional textiles, clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, household items, and ceremonial artifacts.

Continue to a Lao social enterprise on the banks of the Mekong River to discover the country's textile traditions. Tour the workshop, meet local artisans, learn about silk production and natural dyeing techniques, and gain insight into the craftsmanship behind Laos' renowned handwoven textiles.

In the late afternoon, climb to the summit of Mount Phousi to visit its sacred gilded stupa and enjoy panoramic views over Luang Prabang, the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, and the surrounding mountains. As the sun sets, take in one of the city's most memorable vistas.

To conclude the day, you may wish to browse the lively Luang Prabang night market, where local vendors offer an array of handicrafts, handwoven silks, wood carvings, textiles, natural products, and locally produced souvenirs.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

This morning, board a traditional long-tail boat for a gentle cruise along the Mekong River, passing sleepy riverside villages, wooden boats, and fishing nets set along the shore.

On the way, visit the traditional handicraft villages of Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek, known for silk weaving and Saa paper production. Observe local artisans at work and learn about these time-honored crafts.

Continue to the Pak Ou Caves, where you will explore two sacred cave levels. The lower cave features a striking group of Buddha statues set against the river backdrop, while the upper cave requires a short climb and reveals hundreds of Buddha images of various sizes, reflecting deep Buddhist devotion.

After the visit, leave Luang Prabang behind and travel to Nong Khiaw. Nestled amid dramatic limestone peaks along the serene Nam Ou River, Nong Khiaw enchants visitors with its stunning karst scenery, fascinating caves, and unspoiled natural surroundings.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw

The area surrounding the villages of Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi offers an idyllic glimpse into the Lao countryside, where local communities live in close harmony with nature and the land.

This morning, travel upstream by a longtail boat along the Nam Ou River to Muang Ngoi, a charming riverside village surrounded by towering karst peaks and dramatic limestone cliffs rising spectacularly from the landscape.

Upon arrival, disembark and set out on foot to explore the surrounding villages and countryside. Along the way, enjoy postcard-perfect scenes of rice paddies, villagers harvesting river weeds, distilling Lao whisky and fishing with nets.

Visit Tham Kaang Cave, a vast cave that served as a natural bomb shelter for local residents during the Indochina War. Take time to admire its impressive natural formations before continuing to Sopkhong Village, home to a Khmu ethnic minority community.

Continue hiking through lush rice fields to reach the beautiful Tad Mok Waterfall. Here, enjoy the soothing sound of cascading water, admire the surrounding limestone landscape, and take in the tranquility of this scenic natural setting.

Return to Nong Khiaw and stay overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, visit Pha Tok Cave, a remarkable historical site that served as a refuge for local villagers and members of the Lao communist movement during the Indochina War. The cave was organized into three distinct sections, including a hospital, military quarters, a police area and sheltered more than 300 people during times of conflict.

A walk through picturesque rice paddies and dense tropical vegetation, followed by a climb up a steep staircase, leads to the cave entrance. Exploring this hidden sanctuary provides a fascinating glimpse into the challenges of life during wartime and the enduring resilience of the Lao people.

Time at leisure until return to Luang Prabang (approximately 3-hour drive).

Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

Enjoy leisure time to explore Luang Prabang on your own pace, from peaceful temples to local markets and sunset views over the Mekong.

Transfer to the Luang Prabang airport for your departure flight. Check out your room at 12:00.