12 Days South to North Laos Tour Vientiane-Vang Vieng-Xieng Khuang-Luang Prabang

Day 1: Arrival Pakse – Tadlo (Dinner)
On arrival at Pakse airport, you will be met and transferred to Tadlo, passing many charming villages and rolling hills. The deep contrast between the lush, green vegetation and the red surface of basaltic soil is an incredible thing to see as you pass along. You’ll have a stopover at the scenic Phasoume Waterfall and a nearby Katu village. You’ll then arrive at Tadlo by mid or late afternoon and spend time relaxing at the Tadlo Waterfalls or simply stroll around a nearby charming village before retiring for the evening.

 Day 2: Tadlo – Boloven Plateau – Done Khong – Khong Island (Breakfast)
The views of stumbling water and lush vegetation around the waterfall is nothing short of spectacular. You will depart Tadlo village and travel overland across the Boloven Plateau toward Khong Island. This back road gives you a chance to discover the real essence of southern Laos as you drive past lush plantations, rolling hills and peaceful villages. You’ll make a stop to observe the traditional making of coffee and possibly get a taste! Upon arrival in Khong Island, you will board a boat and begin venturing into the widest reaches of the Mekong River, from which thousands of islets become empty in dry season, giving this area a lovely name “Si Phan Done”. The longtail boat will pass Done Ket and Done Som before it races across the water towards the peaceful island of Done Khone. You will stroll through Ban Khone village to explore different local lifestyles close up and view relics of the French colonial period. Upon leaving this area, you will cruise upstream and admire the impressive sunset over the mighty Mekong River before an overnight stay on Khong Island.

 Day 3: Khong Islan – Done Phapheng – Watphou – Pakse (Breakfast)

Upon leaving Khong Island, you will make your way south to visit Khone Phapheng Waterfall, which is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The scenic drive delivers you to the former royal capital of Champasak, a gateway to the pre-angkorian temple of Wat Phu. The hillside edifice was once an important sanctuary of the Khmer Empire. The temple structure was partly destroyed during the areas turbulent history, however, it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. You will follow the walkway from the lower to the upper section, which features various iconic forms including Vishnu, Shiva and Kala. The temple upper ground also affords a spectacular view from the surrounding valley to the mighty Mekong River. You will visit Wat Phou Museum and Oum Moung temple before you travel by roads to Pakse, through the scenic countryside before retiring for the nigh in Pakse

 Day 4: Pakse – Vientiane (Breakfast) (QV522 @ 1140-1300)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to Vientiane. Upon arrival in Vientiane you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon there will be a tour of Vientiane . Although Vientiane is the capital city, it has the feel of a small provincial town. The wide boulevards are almost devoid of traffic and with its many temples; the city retains the feel of another age. Our tour includes visits to the major temples of Vat Sisaket, Vat Phrakeo and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country's most important monument. We will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum and the main market. In the evening, following the welcome dinner you can enjoy an evening stroll along the banks of the Mekong River. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 5: Vientiane – Vang Viengby road (Breakfast)
After breakfast you will visit Morning Market - the first market in Vientiane before leaving Vientiane for Vang Vieng - It takes around 3 hours drive from the capital. Vang Vieng was once a key military airfield during the Indochina wars, the town's central feature is the long-abandoned runway along the eastern side of town. On the west side, a small river separates the town from the nearby caves & mountains, which can easily be visited from town. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant en route. Free at leisure. Overnight in Riverside Boutique Resort Vang Vieng.

Day 6: Around Vang Vieng(Breakfast)
Vang Vieng is located mid-way between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Vang Vieng is both an ideal stop-over for tourists travelling between the two cities and an attractive weekend getaway for city residents. At an altitude of about 300 meters, the temperature there is a bit cooler than in Vientiane, warm in the day to cool at night in winter (Dec-Feb). While many visitors to Laos are initially attracted by the UNESCO heritage city of Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng captures best the natural beauty of the country. With its breath-taking views of rock and limestone mountains, caves and rock outcrops overhanging the Nam Song River, its offers unique sceneries and a range of outdoor activities. With tour guide you explore Vang Vieng and visit hill tribes villages or participate in outdoor activities here. You have an option of doing absolutely nothing, just relax in your newly built resort and recharge your battery for the road trip ahead. Overnight in Riverside Boutique ResortVang Vieng.

 Day 7: Vang Vieng –Xieng Khuang - The Plain of Jars (Breakfast)

Drive from Vang Vieng to Xieng Khoang on the stunning landscape. You reach Xieng Khoang at lunch time. After you have checked into your hotel there will be a tour to the mysterious Plain of Jars. The Plain of Jars is a extensive area around Phonsavan, surrounded by mountains, where massive stone urns of mysterious origin are scattered about in a least a dozen major groupings. Site 1, or Thoung Hai Hin (Stone Jar Plain), is 15 km southwest of Phonsavan, and the largest of the sites, featuring 250 jars, mostly weighing from 600kg to one ton each; the biggest of them weighing as much as six tons! Continue to visit some nearby hilltribe villages to experience their fascinating culture and a colorful history before back to hotel. Overnight in Xieng Khoang.

 Day 8: Xieng Khoang - Luang Prabang (Breakfast)

Leave Xieng Khoang, the plain of Jars, you drive to Luang Prabang - the old capital of the Lane Xang Kingdom with more than 30 gilded Buddhist temples to create a town rich in atmosphere and history.

In the afternoon there is a tour to discover the World Heritage site with visits to Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple which, more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture; Phousi Hill, the 328 steps leads to the summit of Phousi hill that dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang overlooking the finest panoramic view in the whole Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

 Day 9: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave (Breakfast)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos , being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual.

Following breakfast, you depart from hotel to the boat landing for an excursion by boat upstream on the Mekong to visit Pak Ou cave in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height.

En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. First stop will be at Ban Muangkeo, a well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky, namely Laoh-Khao to be distilled. We are welcome to taste it and also take away. Lunch is at a riverside restaurant. You drive back to Luang Prabang in late afternoon and continue by car to outskirt of town to visit Ban Xangkhong, a well-known village for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 Day 10: Luang Prabang - KuangSi Waterfall (Breakfast)
Today you take a drive (30 km South) to visit Kuangsi Waterfall, which, though not very high, is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National park. En-route, you stop to visit a fresh produced market namely Talad Phosy, and also visit Ban Na Oune , a small village of a hill-tribe group “Hmong”, probably the best-known minority group in Laos . Just before arriving at Kuangsi waterfall, there is another village of Khmu minority group, namely Ban Tha Pane that we will visit. Picnic lunch is served at the shady park nearby Kuangsi waterfall. There is plenty of time for relaxing and a swim in cool water, before you head back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is spent by visiting various craft-shops, including silver smiths' and also Hmong market in town, where some skilled embroidery-works of Hmong ladies can be seen. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 Day 11: Luang Prabang-Elephant Trek(Breakfast)

Breakfast at hotel and today takes you to discover the stunning landscape, tranquility and lush nature of Luang Prabang and experience riding elephant. You will proceed to the fun excursion to the elephant camp about 20km out of town and in the middle of green, natural surroundings just on the banks of the Nam Khan river. Enjoy the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 1hr ride. On the ride you make your way through forests and along the Nam Khan River.Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 Day 12: Departure (Breakfast)

There are no activities planned for today. You may enjoy your free time until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.