Laos Impression

★ Experience Cycle of Kindness in Traditional Alms-giving Ceremony

This early morning, your private guide will accompany you to experience the alms-giving ceremony, the most significant daily religious ritual in Luang Prabang. In the mid-14th century, the first Laotian king married a Khmer princess. With the marriage, Buddhism spread and gradually became the state religion. The devout Laotian people believe that offering food to monks brings them blessings, and they would wait by the roadside since 5:30 am, wearing a slanted scarf and kneeling on a mat with a basket of sticky rice. The thoroughfare Sisavangvong Road is a classic and commercialized route; nevertheless, some alleys in front of temples like Wat Mai provide more local settings. Your guide will accompany you to your preferred spot. If you like, purchase some food at a store beforehand, and then mingle with the locals to participate in the alms-giving. During the time, remember to remove your shoes, refrain from direct eye contact with the monks, and maintain a respectful distance from them.

Afterward, let’s embark on a boat trip along the Mekong River to explore Buddhist treasures and local villages. We’ll first disembark and pay a brief visit to Ban Xang Hai Village, where you can sample the traditional lao-lao rice wine. Then, proceed by boat to Pak Ou Caves, a sacred landmark housing thousands of Buddha images in double-layered caves on the cliff! For centuries, locals have continuously placed their Buddha sculptures here instead of discarding them, creating a breathtaking sight. You’ll also see that small flower towers are properly placed in front of the images as offerings. On the way back, drop by Ban Phanom Village, which is famed for fabric manufacture and natural dyeing techniques. In Laos, women are the primary force in textile production, which is their main source of income, with a monthly salary of around USD 350.

After returning to downtown, your guide will accompany you to visit Luang Prabang’s oldest temple, Wat Visoun, and the simple yet venerated Wat Aham. At last, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Victoria Xieng Thong Palace, Luang Prabang (4 stars) - Palace Deluxe Room or similar

In the morning, your guide will accompany you to the Royal Palace Museum, where you can learn about the Laotian royal history, including the Lan Xang Kingdom (1353-1707 AD), the first Laotian kingdom, from the displays of royal artifacts like weapons, sculptures, and paintings. Then, experience the bustling morning Phousi Market. Luang Prabang lacks large modern shopping malls, so residents usually purchase daily necessities at the market, making it a place full of local charm, with vendors offering a wide range of goods under colorful canopies on the narrow alleys.

Then, have a blast in Kuang Si Falls, a natural wonder in Luang Prabang, renowned for its turquoise pools and cascading waterfalls surrounded by tropical rainforest. During the dry season (Nov.-Apr.), the falls are slender and elegant with clear pools; while, in the rainy season (May-Oct.), although the water is slightly murky, they are magnificent and breathtaking. Ascend to the summit for a sweeping view of the falls and the surrounding jungle. Go with caution as some sections are quite steep and slippery. Don’t miss having fun with the rope swing in the top pool and enjoying a free fish pedicure! Besides, it’s better to cover your phone with a waterproof bag.

A temples tour is arranged for you in the afternoon. We’ll go back to downtown and first admire Wat Xieng Thong, the city’s most famous temple. Marvel at the gleaming mosaic mural, the "Tree of Life," and the striking main hall with its typical Luang Prabang-style roofs that almost touch the ground. Then, tour Wat Mai, which features finely carved walls and wooden pillars depicting ancient rural life, Buddhist elements, and Indian epics. Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

► Lao Spa Recommendation (at your own expense)
Luang Prabang boasts notable and highly cost-effective spas, and you can try the traditional Lao massage at Rendez-vous-Spa House, featuring friendly and professional staff and a variety of treatments, including foot and oil massages. The price ranges from LAK 150,000 to 300,000 (USD 7-14), depending on the type and duration of the massage. As most spas in the city close at 22:00, and some even have an earlier cut-off for new clients at around 20:30, it’s best to make an online reservation in advance.
Address: Kingkitsarath Road, Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Victoria Xieng Thong Palace, Luang Prabang (4 stars) - Palace Deluxe Room or similar

Today, bid farewell to Luang Prabang. Your guide and the driver will escort you to Luang Prabang Railway Station, where you’ll take a 1-hour express train to Vang Vieng, a paradise for outdoor lovers with breathtaking karst landscapes and lagoons! Upon arrival, the Vang Vieng local guide and the driver will greet you and escort you to your hotel.

► Free Time Activities in Vang Vieng (at your own expense)
If you are a hot air balloon enthusiast, you can enjoy a romantic sunset hot air balloon ride on your own. It costs less than USD 100 per person, and it’s advisable to book in advance. Then, consider having dinner at Kiwi Kitchen, a cozy family-run eatery located at 1 Namsong Bridge Road, offering scenic mountain views. Try the yummy Laab salad, yellow curry, and chocolate brownie, or Western cuisine, such as delectable burgers and tacos, as well as a special Sunday roast on weekends! Additionally, vegetarian options are available. It costs around LAK 160,000-220,000 (USD 7-10) per person.

► Necessities for Outdoor Activities in Vang Vieng
1. Clothing: It’s advisable to wear water shoes rather than flip-flops. Bring your swimwear, or wear it under a quick-drying shirt or a lightweight sun-protective shirt.
2. Other items: Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a waterproof bag, and insect repellent. Some of the caves in Vang Vieng are dimly lit, so you can bring a small flashlight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Riverside Boutique Vang Vieng (4 stars) - Classic Room or similar

★ Vang Vieng: Pristine Caves and Azure Lagoons Await!

After breakfast, follow your guide to explore the Tham Jang Cave, once a hiding spot for the locals during wartime in the early 19th century. Walk up 200 steps and enter a passage leading deeper into the cave, where the various forms of well-lit karst stalactites and stalagmites will catch your eyes. In addition, another passage leads to a viewing platform outside with expansive views of the rural scenery and rolling mountains. Below Tham Jang Cave is a clear pool of water, which is connected to a water cave by a rope. If you are a good swimmer, consider exploring it, and sometimes you might also see local children and monks playing in the pool. Tham Phoukham Cave, amid lush rainforest, is our next stop. Ascending the 120-meter (400-foot) steep and rocky path to the cave is quite challenging and requires clambering, but it will be well worth it for the amazing stalactites, underground rivers, and a sacred mood created by a bronze reclining Buddha! The cave remains in its original state, dark and damp, with slippery stones and no steps or lights, so proceed cautiously. In front of the cave is the Blue Lagoon. Jumping into the water from the crooked tree’s 3- to 5-meter-high branch is the most thrilling part! And don’t miss snapping a photo of yourself striking funny poses on the water swing! Watch out for the slippery moss at the lagoon’s edge.

Your Vang Vieng outdoor adventure ends here, and your guide and the driver will then escort you to Vientiane by a 2-hour scenic drive. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and rest. If you are still energetic, you can take a stroll along the river, sip refreshing beverages, or sample local snacks by yourself.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (4 stars) - Superior City View or similar

After breakfast, follow your guide to experience the locals’ vibrant daily life at the morning market. Scour the stalls teeming with a wide variety of goods, ranging from traditional handicrafts and Lao fabrics to authentic delicacies, such as sticky rice and grilled meat skewers, as well as lively bargaining. Afterward, explore Wat Si Saket and marvel at the thousands of Buddha images collected from all over Vientiane. It’s also worth mentioning that the temple is the only one that survived the Siamese-Lao War in the 19th century due to its Siam-style architecture. Then, proceed to Wat Ho Phra Keo to admire the king's throne, Khmer statues, and various gold, jade, and crystal Buddha statues. In the National Museum, learn about Lao history from the prehistoric civilization to its struggle for independence in 20th century through numerous exhibits, including fossils, pottery, and ethnic costumes.

In the afternoon, visit Pha That Luang Temple, Laos’ most sacred Buddhist site, where there is an imposing golden stupa encircled by 30 smaller ones. Despite numerous damages and plundering during wars, it remains a national treasure. Every November, the grand Phra That Luang Festival draws monks and devotees from all over the country, and numerous activities will be held, including a large alms-giving ceremony, monks chanting, and sports games. Wrap up the day with a visit to the Patuxai Monument, which is the symbol of Laos' independence and features both a French-style outline and Buddhist embellishments. Finally, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (4 stars) - Superior City View or similar

After breakfast, your guide and the driver will pick you up from your hotel and see you off at Vientiane airport, where you’ll board a 35-minute flight to Phonsavan, the capital of the province Xieng Khouang. The local guide and the driver will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Then, unwind for a while and continue this best Laos tour package with your guide.

First, take a stroll around the central market, which is brimming with rich goods, including agricultural products, freshly grilled fish, and bamboo baskets. Then, visit the headquarters of MAG (Mines Advisory Group) to learn about Xieng Khouang’s present landmine clearance status. During the 1960s, the US military conducted over 580,000 air strikes in Laos, dropping 2 million tons of bombs, with Phonsavan being the area most heavily bombarded! Today, over 30% of the explosives remain unexploded, and some locals have been injured by accidentally triggering them. MAG has done a great job clearing and marking safe areas, but the task will take nearly a century to complete! Areas that have been cleared out are marked with MAG signs, and please closely follow your guide and avoid wandering around randomly.

★ Unveil Mysterious Standing Stones on the Plain of Jars

Today's highlight is the UNESCO-listed Plain of Jars, dubbed one of the most mysterious places on earth, along with Stonehenge in England and Easter Island in Chile. These stone jars with various shapes and sizes are all carved from a single piece of granite, some even taller than a person! Regarding the purpose of the jars, there are various opinions. Some speculate the jars were used as sarcophagi, wine containers, or water tanks, but the truth remains a mystery. Among the currently open ruins, Site 1 is the largest, with over 300 jars scattered around on the expansive plain; Site 2 is located on a small hill; and Site 3 is hidden in a hill behind rice paddies, and some of the jars here have been split or pierced by growing trees! Finally, the guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Vansana Plain of Jars, Phonsavan (3 stars) - Deluxe Room or similar

Today, we’ll embark on an excursion to Muang Kham, a charming town in northern Laos. En route, make a brief stop at the hill tribe village of Ban Thajok, where sloping-roofed dwellings line up along the flat dirt roads and a lot of the locals’ daily essentials, such as flower pots and stilts for cottages, are made of casings of unexploded bombs. After a bumpy ride, unwind in the natural hot springs in Muang Kham.

Afterward, let’s visit the Tham Piu Cave, where the residents sought refuge during the Vietnam War (1955-1975 AD). Sadly, the US military launched a missile at the cave on November 24th, 1968, killing 374 people, most of whom were women, children, and the elderly. At the foot of the path to the cave, you’ll see a statue of a soldier cradling a dead child. To honor the deceased, people have piled up clumps of gravel inside the cave mouth, and locals would host memorial events 9 days from November 16th. The cave is dark inside, so walk with caution. After the visit, your guide and the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Vansana Plain of Jars, Phonsavan (3 stars) - Deluxe Room or similar

Today, your best Laos tour comes to an end! Your private guide and the driver will meet you at the hotel lobby and escort you to the airport to take the flight we’ve booked for you to Vientiane, where you’ll make your own arrangements for your flight home. Wish you a pleasant journey home!

Want to explore more around Laos? We’ll be glad to extend your journey to nearby countries, such as Thailand, famous for the Grand Palace and Phuket Island; Vietnam, which boasts water coconut groves in the Mekong Delta and stunning Ha Long Bay; and China, renowned for the Great Wall and Terracotta Army. Feel free to contact us!

Meal: Breakfast