In the morning after breakfast, the cruise boat leaves from the Houai Xay pier at 8:30am for your cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. A stop is made along the way to visit ethnic villages, and observe rural life along the Mekong River. A buffet lunch is served on board. Before sunset, you arrive in Pakbeng where you disembark and check in to the Pakbeng Lodge.

Overnight in Pakbeng lodge. Lunch and Dinner included.

After breakfast we walk to the Pakbeng Market, where ethnic groups from villages in the surrounding countryside come to buy and sell their goods. Then, a little later in the morning, you board the cruise boat for the second part of the cruise. While cruising, there is a short stop to explore a Hmong village, and then a buffet lunch is served on board. The cruise continues to Pak-Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, and we visit "The Cave of a Thousand Buddhas". Then we resume our cruise to Luang Prabang, and we make a brief stop to observe the traditional process of making local rice alcohol. Arrival in Luang Prabang is before sunset, and transfer to your luxury hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

If you get up early enough, you can see the daily morning procession of monks along Sisavangvong Road with residents lining the street waiting to make offerings of food. After breakfast, we drive to Kuang Si Waterfall in the forest of a National Conservation Area. Along the way, there are stops at the small villages of Ban Na Oune, a Hmong village, and Ban Tha Pane, a Khmu minority village. Then in the late afternoon, we visit Wat Siphouthabath to see the footprints of the Buddha.

Overnight in Luang Prabang hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

After an early breakfast, we leave Luang Prabang and drive to Xieng Khouang. This province and the ancient capital were devastated by heavy American bombing between 1964 and 1973. There are very few other travelers on the road, and you get to see the rural backcountry of Laos. The drive is very long, but we make stops when we want to stretch our legs, and take photos of the beautiful countryside. When we arrive, we explore the old capital of Xieng Khouang, now called Muang Khun. If time permits we will also explore nearby villages.

Overnight in Phonsavanh hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

In the morning we set out to explore the mysterious Plain of Jars. This is a remarkable archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars lie scattered over the plateau. It is estimated that the huge jars are some 2,000 years old, but it is still a mystery as to what they were actually used for. We also have time today to explore nearby Hmong hill tribe villages and learn about their culture and history.
Then we are off on a drive to Vang Vieng. This was once a small and tranquil village but it is rapidly developing into a tourist town. However, the scenery around Vang Vieng is beautiful, with quiet rivers, limestone cliffs and many caves. Depending on the road conditions and the traffic, we should arrive in Vang Vieng by mid or late afternoon.

Overnight in Vang Vieng hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

The area around Vang Vieng is famous for it’s beautiful valleys and limestone cliffs with many caves and caverns. After breakfast, we take a short boat trip on the Nam Song River to explore the most famous of these caves, the Tham Jang Cave. Around 200 years ago, this cave was used by local people as a bunker against Chinese invaders. After visiting the cave, we take a walk to the Tai Deang and Souay hill tribe villages. The people are very friendly and we talk to them and they show us how they live.

Overnight in Vang Vieng hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

After breakfast, we start the day with a walk around the bustling central market. Then we cross the river to the village of Ban Huai Ngai where we explore the local lifestyle of the village. We are then on our way to the capital of Laos, Vientiane. When we arrive, you check into your luxury hotel.

Overnight in Vientiane hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Today we take a tour of the capital. First we visit the oldest temple in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature statues of Buddha. Then across the road is the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo that previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha. We then head to the Patuxay Monument or “Victory Gate” for the obligatory photograph taking. Next is the famous and revered Buddhist monument, the That Luang Stupa. We will also have time to visit the Talat Sao Market, Vientiane’s main market where you can shop for a variety of Lao handicrafts and souvenirs.

Overnight in Vientiane hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

After breakfast, you will have free time until your departure transfer. You can visit the Morning Market for some last minute shopping, or if you have more time, you can visit the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong. When it is time for your departure, you will be transferred to your departure point.

Breakfast included.