First Impressions Of Laos

Your first landing place is at Chiang Rai, a Thai city nearby the famous Golden Triangle and the fabled Mekong River (Mae Khong). Relax, or discover the city on your own.

Enjoy morning breakfast. Then travel about an hour and a half to Laos, passing through Chiang Khong. Cross the Mekong River, you will step into Laos’ territory at Houeixay and be met by our Laotian guide. Enjoy a Mekong River cruise for seven hours, discovering the banks of the Mekong, the mythical river that crosses China, separates Laos from Burma and from Thailand, plunges toward Cambodia and emerges in Vietnam. The landscape is splendid. As the main entry to northern Laos and Luang Prabang, it’s a busy route bordered by villages all along the way. You’ll stop in a village bordering the river, enjoy lunch onboard, and arrive at Pakbeng towards the end of the afternoon. Check in to the lodge and then discover this area on foot. Located halfway between Houeixay and Luang Prabang, it is a mixing point for local hill tribes including H'Mong, Lue, Khamou, among others.

The morning is devoted to the discovery of the Mekong Elephant Camp. First, you cross the Mekong River to attend a show of elephant bathing. And then, you’ll ride an elephant for about two hours through the villages of the ethnic groups that are still undiscovered by most tourist routes. Return to Pakbeng Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you’ll take a tuk-tuk to visit the local market Pakbeng. On the way, you will visit the village of Xang Keng Khmus, a beautiful village situated on the edge of the forest. When you head back to the hotel in the late afternoon, you also visit the local temple, Wat Chom Si Cheng, overlooking the Beng River. 

Begin cruising again, descending the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. You’ll be cruising for about seven hours through beautiful landscapes. The Mekong is at the bottom of a steep-sided valley, with tropical forest invading its banks, and from time to time a village appears out of the forest. The famous Mekong giant catfish live on this part of the river and it is not unusual to see fishermen waiting patiently their chance. You’ll have lunch onboard and before arriving, stop to visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou, which shelter hundreds of statuettes of Buddha. The caves offer a splendid view of the Mekong which, here, mixes its water with those of the Nam Ou River. Arrive at Luang Prabang, the old royal capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel. 

Luang Prabang is a town of great charm, a combination of centuries-old Buddhist temples and colonial residences stretching on a peninsula formed by the confluence of the Mekong and the Namkha river.

Previously a religious capital, Luang Prabang is home to more than 100 temples, some considered among the most beautiful in Laos. During your today’s visit of the town, you’ll discover:

● Vat Xieng Thong, the Temple of the Royal City, a vast collection of sacred buildings, one of the jewels of Laotian art and the most beautiful temple of the city.

● Vat May, built at the end of the 18th century, a capped sanctuary featuring a five sided roof topped by three parasols.

● Vat Visoun, the oldest temple of the city, which resembles no other with its wooden windows inspired by the Khmer temple of Vat Phou.

● Vat Aham, located just beside Vat Visoun, framed by two large Banyan trees.

● Vat Senna, the first monastery whose roof was covered with yellow and red tiles.

Towards the end of the afternoon, climb Mount Phousi to watch the sunset. Coming back down, discover the H’mong Night Market which sets up every day in the main street between 5 and 10 p.m, where you can stroll among all the stalls, try your hand at bargaining and bring home some beautiful Laotian handicrafts.

In the morning, visit the Royal Palace, which today is the National Museum, before heading off to Khouang Sy waterfall, a journey of about 30 km. The road is bordered by villages and rice fields. You’ll stop in some of these villages and continue on to the waterfalls. As you approach the falls, you will feel cooler as the  area is in higher altitude and surrounded by a forest. Have a countryside lunch at the waterfall. These places are frequented by locals and villagers. The waterfall is spectacular, scattering into many clear, turquoise basins in which you can have a swim. Return to Luang Prabang and continue to visit the city. It is sheer pleasure strolling along the riverbank and watch villagers going about their daily life.

In the morning, cross the Mekong River to its right bank to see two small temples now abandoned to nature. Then, after a few minutes on a motor boat, discover a pottery village which, encouraged by the Department of Culture & Heritage, keeps this ancient craft industry alive. Return to Luang Prabang about midday. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to Vientiane, where you’ll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. Vientiane is the quietest capital of South-east Asia! Although in recent years, Vientiane has been a bit waken up by the vertiginous development of neigbouring countries, it has retained much of its leisurely pace, content with its large boulevards and charming villas –a heritage of its colonial past, alongside a number of old, interesting Buddhist temples.

 Visit Vientiane, and see:

● Vat Sisaket, which, in spite of the Siamese influence, presents an architecture all its own. The largest temple in Vientiane, it is considered the most beautiful and its old “Bangkok” style has saved it from destruction.

● Vat Phra Keo, built in 1565, celebrates the Emerald Buddha it shelters. It was rebuilt identically in 1942. Located in a stunning garden, it shelters the Buddha under sloping, superb carved wood panels and elegant colonnades built in typical Lao style with a northern Siamese roof.

● Pha That Louang, a cloister guarding a large stupa that was saved when the city was raided by the Siamese. Damaged by the Ho plunderers in 1873, it was restored by the French in 1930. It has become the symbol of the nation, representing both Buddhism and Lao’s sovereignty. This large relic is a masterpiece of Laotian architecture. 

● Patuxay, a monument established in memory of the war’s victims. A panoramic view of Vientiane can be seen from the top.

● Talat Kua Din, the local market opposite Talat Sao and which has less of a tourist ambiance.

At the end of the day, transfer to Vientiane airport for your departure flight. Your room is available for you until noon.