Classic Laos
Suggested Itinerary
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Overview
Landlocked and laid-back, Laos has always been considered one of the hidden gems of Southeast Asia. Located in the heart of Indochina, it has somehow managed to avoid the touristic attention received by neighbouring Cambodia and Vietnam, and remains untouched by modern demands. Its beauty lies in the gentle Lao people, century-old heritage, and its lush, pristine landscapes. It's a land of mountains, mists and untamed natural beauty, making it one of the few unspoilt destinations in the region....
Landlocked and laid-back, Laos has always been considered one of the hidden gems of Southeast Asia. Located in the heart of Indochina, it has somehow managed to avoid the touristic attention received by neighbouring Cambodia and Vietnam, and remains untouched by modern demands. Its beauty lies in the gentle Lao people, century-old heritage, and its lush, pristine landscapes. It's a land of mountains, mists and untamed natural beauty, making it one of the few unspoilt destinations in the region.
This trip introduces you to the hidden charms of Laos, from its rich paddy fields, fertile valleys and striking mountains to the mighty Mekong River. Along the way you’ll explore World Heritage Sites and indigenous villages, cruise through the timeless waters of the Mekong River and discover the rich jungles of Laos’ national parks, all the while enjoying the renowned hospitality of the Lao people and learning about their fascinating culture and history.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Wake up at sunrise to give monks morning alms and learn more about this daily Buddhist ceremony known as ‘Tak Bat’
- Soak up the artistic heritage of the picturesque town of Luang Prabang, home to skilled silk weavers and stunning colonial architecture
- Soak up Vang Vieng’s stunning limestone karst landscapes and vast caves as you explore by bicycle and kayak
- Delve into the daily lives of the rural communities as you visit family-run farms and Mekong villages
- Trek through mountain villages and cool off in remote waterfalls in and around Muang La
- Gain a very sobering and important insight into Laos’ tragic and very recent history
Suggested Itinerary
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
DAY 1: ARRIVE LUANG PRABANG
DAY 1: ARRIVE LUANG PRABANG
Arrive in Luang Prabang, and after freshening up you will be taken out on a local night out. Start with a game of petanque, a sport originally introduced by the French in the 1800s and remains a favourite pastime of the Lao people. After enjoying sunset views from the top of Mount Phousi, dive into the colourful night market, home to hill tribe textiles and local street snacks. Dinner time is a social affair for the Lao people and a sindat (barbeque) is considered the best meal to share with friends. Head to a popular riverside shop where a charcoal burner will be placed on the table along with baskets of meats and vegetables, complimented by a well-deserved cold beer.
DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG: RICE FARMING AND WATERFALLS
DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG: RICE FARMING AND WATERFALLS
After breakfast you will be taken on a scenic drive through the countryside to visit a local farm, where you will be introduced to Laos' most cherished and cultivated crop - rice! Arriving at a rice farm, you will be taken through the different steps of rice farming by your expert guide, and get the opportunity to meet with local farmers and learn more about this vital industry. From here continue on to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall, stopping along the way to visit the Kuang Si Butterfly Park, where you will be shown around by one of the founders, and then on to the Free the Bears Projects to learn about the conservation efforts led by this local organisation.
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG: SUNRISE TO SUNSET
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG: SUNRISE TO SUNSET
Wake up at sunrise to give monks morning alms and learn more about this daily Buddhist ceremony known as ‘Tak Bat’. After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the quaint and culturally rich Luang Prabang, with visits to the Royal Palace Museum as well as the beautiful historical Huan Chuan Heritage House. Make some time to visit the country’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xiengthong, before stopping at the ‘Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre’, which gives a great insight into the rich and diverse ethnic and cultural blend of Laos. Late afternoon, take a private boat and explore life along the Mekong, stopping at a local village to explore and enjoy the sunset.
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG - MUANG LA
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG - MUANG LA
This morning drive north through beautiful scenery before reaching Muang La, a lovely town situated in the splendid Nam Phaak Valley. After the five hour drive you may like to relax with the locals at the natural hot spring.
DAY 5: TREK TO BAN PHAVIE
DAY 5: TREK TO BAN PHAVIE
Enjoy a spectacular trek along a mountain trail today, following a mountain stream meandering through the lush vegetation. Along the trek you will meet local farmers working in their rice fields and learn how they cultivate their lands, hunt for small game and fish in the mountain stream, before you enter into the tropical rainforest, eventually reaching the village of Ban Phavie; a beautiful Khamu village which sits on the top of a hill. After taking your lunch in the village, continue to the nearby waterfalls. Relax in the cooling clear waters, lulled by the gentle breeze and tranquillity of the falls, before returning to your lodge for the evening.
DAY 6: MUANG LA - NONG KHIAW
DAY 6: MUANG LA - NONG KHIAW
This morning you will be driven to the riverside town of Muang Khua to board your local private boat for an unforgettable cruise down the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw. On arrival, you have the option of taking a short bicycle ride to the picturesque local limestone caves nearby.
DAY 7: NONG KHIAW - LUANG PRABANG
DAY 7: NONG KHIAW - LUANG PRABANG
This morning you head south by road to Luang Prabang, admiring the beauty of the Nam Ou River and the surrounding rice paddy fields. Where to Mekong meets the Nam Ou river, you cross the Mekong by local ferry to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves; two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Continue your short cruise down the Mekong to Luang Prabang, where you can enjoy an evening at leisure.
DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG – VANG VIENG
DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG – VANG VIENG
Set off south today for Vang Vieng, a journey of about 4 hours along winding mountain roads with some stunning scenery. Stop along the way to picturesque villages and enjoy some of the incredible limestone karst landscapes which Vang Vieng is famous for. Arrive late afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure.
DAY 9: VANG VIENG
DAY 9: VANG VIENG
This morning swap your vehicle for bicycles as you ride out of town on off road trails through rice paddies, villages of diverse ethnic origins, and through picturesque landscapes. Reaching the Nam Song river, here you can climb into your kayaks and enjoy some small but fun rapids as you float down through mountain caves, past organic farms and rice terraces and deep into Vang Vieng’s stunning landscape.
DAY 10: VANG VIENG - VIENTIANE
DAY 10: VANG VIENG - VIENTIANE
This morning you will visit the Tham Jang cave, which offers great views over the Nam Song River and surrounding karst scenery. You then set out on the road towards Vientiane. This afternoon explore some of the capital’s highlights, before visiting the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much-overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day-to-day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War area. This evening enjoy a delicious local dinner with traditional Lao music and a dance performance.
DAY 11: DEPART VIENTIANE
DAY 11: DEPART VIENTIANE
You will be transferred to Vientiane Airport in time for your onward flight.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Ansara Hotel, Vientiane
Previously the Thai Embassy in Vientiane, this beautiful Ansara Hotel is a boutique property superbly located on a quiet lane right in the centre of Vientiane, and is an excellent choice for the discerning traveller wanting high quality and personalised service in a comfortable environment. Consisting of 12 tasteful rooms and 2 suites, the property is elegantly decorated with a subtle blend of Laos and Asian design. Rooms feature luxurious hand-woven silk furnishings, rosewood parquet flooring, wood and rattan furnishings, and striking black and white photographs depicting Laos’ fascinating culture and spectacular landscape. From the hotel you can easily walk to the numerous cafes and shops nearby, or spend some time relaxing by the swimming pool or eating in the award winning Le Signature Restaurant which offers exceptional French cuisine.
Le Sen Boutique Hotel, Luang Prabang
A charming boutique property, which opened at the end of 2012, Le Sen Boutique Hotel is located in a leafy district about 15 minutes' walk from the Old Town. The hotel offers 19 rooms and suites, decorated in a contemporary style, each with rainforest showers and a balcony overlooking the lovely swimming pool.
Riverside Boutique Resort, Vang Vieng
Located on the banks of the Nam Song River, next to a small wooden bridge, the Riverside Boutique Resort is a luxury hotel set amidst lush tropical garden. Its thirty-four rooms and suites are set around a large swimming pool with stunning views over the limestone mountains of Vang Vieng. Prominent artists and artisans have contributed their talent in order to showcase various aspects of the country’s beauty and traditions throughout the property. The rooms, in particular, feature original decors inspired by eight ethnic groups: the Akha, Hmong, Katu, Lanten, Lao Lum, Tai Daeng, Tai Lue and Yao. The “Restaurant du Crabe d’Or,” named after one of Vang Vieng’s most famous caves, serves authentic Lao dishes, prepared with fresh local ingredients, or a more traditional Asian and French cuisine which can be enjoyed in a spectacular riverside setting.
Mandala Ou Resort, Nong Khiaw
A new addition to the scene in the remote village of Nong Khiaw in Northern Laos, Mandala Ou opened in November 2013 and boats the only swimming pool in Nong Khiaw. Set high on the banks of the scenic and tranquil Nam Ou river, offering spectacular sunset views over the virgin rainforest and karst limestone mountains of Nong Khiaw, Mandala Ou offer 10 bungalows, mixing traditional Lao style with all the modern conveniences you can expect from a home away from your home. The hotel has a good local restaurant, a traditional Lao herbal steam sauna, and a raised yoga and massage sala, all overlooking the river and mountains beyond. Yet another reason to visit this beautiful region of Laos - still largely untouched by tourism.
Namkat Yorla Pa Resort, Muang La
Namkat Yorla Pa Resort is an ideal blend of natural beauty, traditional Laotian architecture, and modern comfort located in a 6000 hector area of rainforests and mountains. This is an ideal place for those who are looking to explore Northern Laos or relax in stunning surroundings. For outdoor enthusiast, there is an abundance of pursuits to join in on, such as easy to moderate hiking, trekking to the rural villages of Khmu people or stunning waterfalls, cycling, and zip-lining, just to name a few.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT’S INCLUDED
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WILD MILES
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Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
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