Summary
This amazing Laos Vacation Package (2 weeks) from Vientiane (Si Phan Don, Vang Vieng) will offer you the possibility to visit Khong Island (Don Khong), the largest island in the Si Phan Don riverine archipelago (meaning 4,000 islands) located in the Mekong River in southern Laos, and take a boat to Don Khone, one of the most popular islands after Don Khong. You will enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River to watch Irrawaddy dolphins and discover the Li Phi and Khon Phapheng Waterfalls. You will also see the Tad Fane Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in South East Asia, and the Kuang Si Waterfall, a three-tiered waterfall that forms a series of shallow turquoise pools. You will discover the former royal capital of the Kingdom of Laos - Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city, and visit the temples of Wat Visoun, Wat May, Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Praphoutahbat. You will visit the Plain of Jars, a collection of more than 2,100 tubular-shaped megalithic stone jars interspersed throughout the Xieng Khouang plain and the cave of Tham Jang (Chang) in Vang Vieng, which is popular for the small pool outside the cave with clear spring water where you can swim. You will also visit the Archaeological Site of Vang Xang known for a group of Buddha sculptures carved into the rock, and Vientiane, the capital of Laos, where you will discover the Watt Sisaket and Watt Prakeo (Haw Phra Kaew) temples, Pra That Luang Stupa, local market and Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), which is home to over 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues, including a giant reclining Buddha. This is a private guided tour and can be customized upon request.
Individual travel request form Enjoy a private tour
Alfonso
Local travel expert in Vietnam
More than 10 years living and working in tourism in Southeast Asia. Based in Hanoi, but living for work periods in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos. In love with Asian culture and the wonders that I do not stop discovering in these amazing countries. They certainly do not stop surprising me with something daily.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Vientiane International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city.
Overnight in Vientiane.
On this day, you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Pakse.
Upon arrival in Pakse, you will be transferred to Paksong in Champasak province and visit the coffee plantations and surrounding villages of the ethnic groups. You will also discover Tad Fane Waterfall, which is located in Dong Hua Sao National Park on the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos and is one of the most impressive waterfalls in South East Asia. It combines two streams that come from two rivers, the Champi River and the Pak Koot River, forming two fabulous twin 120 m high waterfalls that look really splendid in the jungle.
You will continue your trip until you reach Tad Lo in Salavan province. This village is a popular trekking stopover for travellers who are attracted by its three waterfalls: Tad Suong, Tad Lo and Tad Hang.
After visiting Tad Lo, you will be transferred to the hotel where more you will enjoy some free time.
Overnight in Pakse.
After breakfast, you will depart to Champasak and on the way, you will visit some villages.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Wat Phou, a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex in southern Laos built during the late 10th to early 11th century. Located at the base of Phu Kao mountain, overlooking the plains towards the Mekong river, the Wat Phou was a temple dedicated to Shiva, one of the Gods of the Hindu Trimurti. In the 13th century it was converted into a Buddhist monastery and is still a place of worship for local Buddhists.
Next, you will discover Khong Island (Don Khong), the largest island in the Si Phan Don riverine archipelago (meaning 4,000 islands) located in the Mekong River in southern Laos.
Overnight on Khong Island (Don Khong).
On this day, you will take a boat to Don Khone, one of the most popular islands after Don Khong in the Si Phan Don riverine archipelago. You will visit Li Phi Waterfall, a series of white-water cascades and rapids located in the western direction of Don Khone Island. To admire the beauty of the falls, you should visit them in the rainy season or at the end of monsoon.
Next, you will make a stop is in the old French colonial area and take a ferry to the village of Ban Nakasong.
Then, you will be transferred to Veun Kham village, on the banks of the Mekong River at the border of Cambodia and Laos, and take a motor boat to see the freshwater dolphins. About a hundred Irrawaddy dolphins are thought to live here and the best times of day to watch them are early morning and late afternoon. They are the main tourist attraction of the area and people enjoy watching them making upward arches more while breaking the surface of the water as they swim in the area.
The populations of Irrawaddy dolphins have been declining quickly and now they are classified as endangered species. As a result of incidental injuries, habitat degradation and destruction, and pollution, they are at risk of extinction. To protect the dolphins, make sure that your boatman follows the dolphin watching guidelines. This approach should bring a win-win situation for all parties, from the dolphins and the environment to the local communities and travellers.
Later, you will visit Khon Phapheng Waterfall and you will be transferred to Pakse.
Overnight in Pakse.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Luang Prabang.
On arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be transferred to the hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
In the morning, you will enjoy a visit to the Kuang Si Waterfall, a three-tiered waterfall which is approximately 30 km far from Luang Prabang city. The vibrant water falls into a series of shallow turquoise pools from a 50-metre height, before flowing downstream into the jungle. The pools have cascades of up to 5 metres high and make great swimming holes for both locals and tourists.
Next, you will return to Luang Prabang and visit Ban Phanom, a village in Luang Prabang province located 6 km east of Luang Prabang that stands out in particular for its cotton and silk fabrics.
You will climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for the best view of Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
After breakfast, you will take a boat to enjoy a ride on the Mekong River.
You will reach the village of Ban Sanghai, famous for the production of rice alcohol, and visit the Buddhist caves of Tam Ting.
Later, you will be transferred to Nong Khiaw, a rustic little town on the banks of the Nam Ou River, where you will enjoy some free time.
Overnight in Nong Khiaw.
In the morning, you will take a boat from Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi Neua, a small riverside village in Northern Laos located between karst mountains at the confluence of the Nam Ngoi and the Nam Ou rivers.
Upon arrival, you will visit the village and enjoy a short trekking to visit the Tham Kang cave.
Later, you will take the boat back to Nong Khiaw.
Overnight in Nong Khiaw.
In the morning, you will depart for Luang Prabang and visit along the way some villages including Ban Nayang, a small village known for the traditional cotton weaving, tobacco and rice farming.
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will visit the temples of Wat Visoun, Wat May, Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Praphoutahbat.
Next, you will visit the Royal Palace, which is now the National Museum of Luang Prabang. Located between the Mekong River and Mount Phousi, the Royal Palace (Haw Kham) was built in Luang Prabang between 1904 and 1909 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. The architecture of the palace is a mix of traditional Lao motifs and French Beaux Arts styles. On the grounds of the Royal Palace Museum is the Haw Pha Bang (Royal Temple), a very ornate temple, which houses the Phra Bang, the country’s most sacred Buddha image, which is kept in a richly more ornamented shrine.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
After breakfast, you will travel to the province of Xieng Khouang enjoying the beautiful rural landscape with ethnic minority villages.
You will continue your trip to Phonsavan, the capital of the province of Xieng Khouang in Laos. Founded in the 1970s, it has a population of around 40,000 (mostly consisting of ethnic groups) and is known for its green hillsides and forests.
Overnight in Phonsavan.
In the morning, you will travel to Vang Vieng, and visit along the way the Plain of Jars, a collection of more than 2,100 tubular-shaped megalithic stone jars interspersed throughout the Xieng Khouang plain in the Laos Highlands. Scientists think that the jars may date back to 500 BC, but nobody can say for sure what was their real purpose. The biggest jar measures about three meters in length and weighs up to 14 tons. In 2019, the Plain of Jars was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Next, you will visit Muang Khoun village, which used to be the capital of the Phuan Kingdom in the 14th century. Muang Khoun is known for the Wat Phia Wat temple, that is said to have been built in 1322 by Chao Larn Kham Khong to house the first Buddhist statue transported from Burma to Xieng Khouang. The temple collapsed during the Second Indochina War, but the large Buddha statue sitting in the temple more survived. Of the old temple building, only the brick foundation and some columns remain standing.
Later, you will visit some ethnic minority villages on the road, including M'Hong village at Kiow Kacham.
Upon arrival in Vang Vieng, you will visit the cave of Tham Jang (Chang), which was used as a bunker to defend against the Yunnanese Chinese in the early 19th century. The site itself is not popular for the cave, but for the small pool outside the cave with clear spring water where you can swim.
Overnight in Vang Vieng.
After breakfast, you will depart for Vientiane.
You will make a stop at the archaeological site of Vang Xang known as the “Elephant Palace” that was built during the Hmong-Khmer Empire between 8th and 11th centuries. The site was a Buddhist sanctuary and is known for a group of Buddha sculptures carved into the rock and secluded within the woods. The biggest statues are about 3 metres high, but at the same time some smaller statues can be found in the area. The Buddhas have peaceful, serene expressions that reflect the undisturbed atmosphere of the shrine.
Arrival in Vientiane and free afternoon in the city.
Overnight in Vientiane.
On this day, you will visit Vientiane, the capital of Laos and discover Watt Sisaket and Watt Prakeo (Haw Phra Kaew) temples, Pra That Luang Stupa, local market and Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), which is home to over 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues, including a giant reclining Buddha.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy some free time in Vientiane.
Overnight in Vientiane.
On your departure day, you will be transferred to Vientiane International Airport to take your departure flight.
Prices
Travel dates
Upon request for individual travellers
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
4 Pers.
6 Pers.
Standard cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
2416€
1803€
1611€
Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
2484€
1870€
1678€
Superior cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
2714€
2108€
1919€
Superior cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
2866€
2264€
2074€
Luxury cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024)
2926€
2277€
2096€
Luxury cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024)
3036€
2375€
2189€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 4 Pers. | 6 Pers. | ||
|
Upon request for individual travellers |
Standard cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 2416€ | 1803€ | 1611€ |
| Standard cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 2484€ | 1870€ | 1678€ | |
| Superior cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 2714€ | 2108€ | 1919€ | |
| Superior cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 2866€ | 2264€ | 2074€ | |
| Luxury cat. hotels (May 1 - Sept. 30, 2024) | 2926€ | 2277€ | 2096€ | |
| Luxury cat. hotels (Oct. 1, 2023 - Apr. 30, 2024) | 3036€ | 2375€ | 2189€ | |
What's Included
- 13 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at Standard, Superior or Luxury category hotels;
- Breakfast at the hotels of your choice;
- Excursions with English speaking guide according to the itinerary;
- Entrance fees according to the itinerary;
- Transportation according to the itinerary;
- Domestic flights: Vientiane - Pakse / Pakse - Luang Prabang;
- Local SIM card with data package included.