Beautiful Laos - 8 days
Beautiful Laos - 8 days
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Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through the enchanting landscapes of Laos with the "Beautiful Laos" tour. Begin your adventure in the UNESCO-listed city of Luang Prabang, where you'll explore the stunning Wat Xieng Thong Temple and experience a unique monks' life encounter, including a local market visit and cooking class. Marvel at the breathtaking Khouang Si Waterfall and immerse yourself in the vibrant Luang Prabang Night Market. Discover the laid-back capital of Vientiane, visiting the COPE Centre and Buddha Park. Travel to the provincial capital of Champasack and enjoy a scenic boat trip to Khong Island, exploring the picturesque 4000 Islands and witnessing the majestic Khone Phapeng Waterfall. With comfortable accommodations, private transportation, and expert local guides, this cultural tour offers a perfect blend of history, nature, and local experiences. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Luang Prabang
Location: Luang Prabang
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Welcome to Laos. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2: City Tour & Khouang Si Waterfall
Location: Luang Prabang
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning take in the highlights of enchanting Luang Prabang on a city tour. Visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the former Royal Palace which is now a National Museum and the sobering UXO Centre, where you will learn about Laos’ Hidden War. In the afternoon travel to the beautiful Khouang Si waterfall, where you can swim in the turquoise pools, and visit the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation centre that rescues animals from the wildlife trade. This evening explore the Luang Prabang Night Market before dinner at a local home, accompanied by a traditional Baci ceremony.
Day 3: Free Day In Luang Prabang
Location: Luang Prabang
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free for you to spend at leisure in Luang Prabang or choose one of the optional excursions
Alternatively there is an optional excursion to the Pak Ou Caves on a Mekong boat trip. Within the caves are thousands of tiny gilded statues of Buddha that were left by pilgrims and worshipped for centuries. Then stop at the village of Ban Xangkhong, known for its hand woven silk and traditional Saa Paper making. Alternatively, visit a local farm n Luang Prabang, to learn about the production of rice, using water buffalo for and other traditional processes.
Day 4: Monks' Life Encounter
Location: Luang Prabang
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Set off after breakfast for a visit of the Morning Market where, together with the guide and local host lady, you pick all ingredients needed for your upcoming cooking class. Then drive to a small village on the outskirts of Luang Prabang to enjoy a unique cooking class. Learn how typical Laos dishes such as Laap Laos, Orlam soup and papaya salad are cooked. The food is then brought to a local temple to offer for the monks’ lunch, and as part of this ritual, your name will be asked for a blessing chant. Later, join an open talk about Buddhism in Laos with the monks before returning to Luang Prabang for a light lunch, sampling the food you have cooked.
Early this evening board the train in Luang Prabang for a 2-hour rail journey to Vientiane. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 5: Vientiane City Tour
Location: Vientiane
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today visit the COPE educational centre, a compelling centre that teaches us about Laos’ Hidden War and the aid that is being given to help civilian victims of conflict. Afterwards we continue on to the unique Buddha Park or Xiang Khouan as it’s known locally, the park is filled with hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu statues creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Later, take a tour of Vientiane visiting Wat Sisaket, one of the oldest temples and home to thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and also visiting the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. En route to Lao’s national icon, That Luang Stupa, we pass the Patuxay Monument, known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe.
Day 6: Pakse And Khong Island
Location: Don Khong Island
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Luang Prabang - Pakse - Don Khong Island. Today fly to Pakse, the laid back provincial capital of Champasack and drive to the ancient temple of Wat Phou, one of the oldest archaeological sites in Laos. Then enjoy the beautiful lush scenery as you take a small boat across the Mekong to Khong Island. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure exploring this sedate and picturesque island and its villages on foot or by bike.
Day 7: 4000 Islands Boat Trip
Location: Pakse
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Don Khong Island - Pakse. Set sail this morning on a scenic 4000 Islands boat trip, exploring Khone Island and its highlights. Visit the old French heritage sites on Khone and see colonial buildings and the remnants of a locomotive from the first Lao railway. Visit Liphi Waterfalls – aka "Devil's Corridor", which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the Lao border with Cambodia. Then continue to visit Khone Phasoi Waterfall and witness
the daring fishermen with their fishing traps on Mekong River, with its many rapids. After the boat ride visit the famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfalls in South East Asia, also known as the Niagara of the east. After the boat trip return to Pakse.
Day 8: Pakse
Location: Pakse
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Pakse town your own way. Arrangements come to an end after breakfast and onward departure transfer to the airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Standard, Superior or Deluxe -
Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
Enjoy daily breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner during the tour.
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5 nights superior hotels and 2 nights standard hotels in Pakse and Khong Island
Stay in 5 nights superior hotels and 2 nights standard hotels in Pakse and Khong Island.
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Private 4000 Islands boat trip and boat trip out to Khong Island
Experience a private 4000 Islands boat trip and a boat trip out to Khong Island.
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Economy class flight from Vientiane to Pakse
Travel from Vientiane to Pakse with an economy class flight.
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Train from Luang Prabang to Vientiane
Take a train journey from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.
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Touring and excursions as per itinerary
Participate in touring and excursions as outlined in the itinerary.
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Entrance fees to all included sights
Entrance fees to all included sights are covered.
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Local English speaking specialist guides for all sightseeing
Benefit from local English speaking specialist guides for all sightseeing activities.
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An airport arrival transfer day 1 and a departure transfer day 8
Receive an airport arrival transfer on day 1 and a departure transfer on day 8.
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
All relevant transfers and transportation are provided in private air-conditioned vehicles.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
International flights and visa are not included in the tour package.
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Tipping
Tipping is an entirely personal gesture and is not included.
Age Policy
Minimum age 5 for SEA private tours.
Mode of Transport
Travel in private air-conditioned vehicles, with an economy class flight from Vientiane to Pakse, and a train journey from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. Enjoy a private 4000 Islands boat trip and a boat trip to Khong Island.
Accommodation
Enjoy 5 nights in superior hotels and 2 nights in standard hotels in Pakse and Khong Island, offering a comfortable stay with an accommodation rating detailed in the trip notes.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes travel in private air-conditioned vehicles, an economy class flight from Vientiane to Pakse, and a train journey from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. Additionally, there is a private 4000 Islands boat trip and a boat trip to Khong Island.
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What type of accommodation is provided on this tour?
The tour includes 5 nights in superior hotels and 2 nights in standard hotels in Pakse and Khong Island, ensuring a comfortable stay.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes breakfast daily, one lunch, and one dinner.
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What activities are included in the Luang Prabang city tour?
The Luang Prabang city tour includes visiting the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the former Royal Palace which is now a National Museum, and the UXO Centre. In the afternoon, you will travel to the Khouang Si waterfall and visit the Sun Bear Reserve.
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What can I expect from the monks' life encounter experience?
During the monks' life encounter, you will visit the Morning Market to pick ingredients for a cooking class. You will learn to cook typical Laos dishes and offer the food to monks for their lunch. This is followed by an open talk about Buddhism with the monks.
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What is the highlight of the 4000 Islands boat trip?
The 4000 Islands boat trip includes exploring Khone Island, visiting French heritage sites, Liphi Waterfalls, and Khone Phasoi Waterfall. You will also visit Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Beautiful Laos - 8 days
8 Days Starting in Luang Prabang, Laos and ending in Pakse, Laos
Visiting: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Don Khong Island, Pakse
Tour operator:
Tour code:
931/BLAO
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
5-
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History