10 Days / 09 Nights Premium Tour of Laos

Upon your arrival at Vientiane Airport ✈️, you will be warmly welcomed by Laos Travel’s professional guide and driver 👨‍✈️, who will assist you with your luggage and provide a smooth transfer in a private, air-conditioned cab 🚘 to your hotel 🏨 in the heart of the city. After checking in and settling into your room, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may choose to unwind at the hotel or take a gentle walk to explore Vientiane’s charming streets 🏙️, with an optional visit to the lively Mekong riverside area 🌅, known for its sunset views, night markets 🛍️, and riverside cafés. For dinner, you’ll find a variety of excellent dining options—from authentic Lao and Thai cuisine to French, Italian, Mexican, and Chinese 🍜🍝—and your guide will be happy to recommend the best local spots based on your taste.

Overnight: Vientiane 

After breakfast 🍽️, embark on a scenic and enriching journey from Vientiane to Vang Vieng, covering approximately 130 km in about 3.5 to 4 hours 🚘. Enjoy the changing landscapes along the way as your private cab, driven by a friendly and professional English-speaking chauffeur 👨‍✈️, winds through lush countryside, passing traditional villages, verdant rice paddies, and the occasional Buddhist shrine 🛕. Arrive in Vang Vieng, a tranquil town nestled along the Nam Song River, surrounded by towering limestone karsts and emerald-green fields 🌿⛰️.

Upon arrival, gear up for an unforgettable kayaking adventure 🛶 on the Nam Song River. After a quick safety briefing and basic instruction session, paddle gently downstream, soaking in the natural beauty of the region. Your destination is Tham None, or the "Sleeping Cave" 🕸️—one of the largest caves in the area, steeped in history as a wartime refuge and home to fascinating rock formations and a bat colony. Depending on the season, you may even need to swim through the entrance 🌊🦇. After exploring the cave and absorbing its mystical ambience, kayak back to town as the setting sun casts a golden hue across the surrounding mountains 🌄.

Overnight Stay: Vang Vieng 🏨.

After breakfast 🍽️, begin your picturesque journey from Vang Vieng to Phonsavan, covering approximately 240 km over 6–7 hours of scenic driving 🛣️. Settle into your private, air-conditioned cab, expertly driven by your English-speaking chauffeur 👨‍✈️, and enjoy the stunning natural vistas along the way. Your first photo opportunity comes at the Phatang Mountain viewpoint 📸, where breathtaking limestone peaks frame the lush landscape—perfect for memorable snapshots.

Continue the drive with an optional and curious stop at Koe Kuang Forest Market 🌿🐍, a true slice of local life where you’ll encounter exotic forest produce including edible snakes, rats, and various reptiles—fascinating for the adventurous! Proceed to Ban Hin Ngon, a charming Hmong village 🏘️, where you’ll witness traditional wooden houses and local life preserved through generations.

By lunchtime 🍱, arrive at Phou Khoun, a mountain junction town offering a break and delicious local fare amidst the highland backdrop. Resume your journey in the afternoon, winding through misty valleys and rolling hills until you reach Phonsavan, meaning “Hills of Paradise” 🌄—the peaceful capital of Xieng Khouang Province. Upon arrival, take a brief orientation tour 🗺️ around the town, followed by a visit to the UXO Information Centre 🧨, run by the Mines Advisory Group (MAG UK), which provides a moving insight into the legacy of war and the ongoing efforts to clear unexploded ordnance from Lao soil.

The remainder of the evening is at your leisure—relax at the hotel or stroll through this unique highland town to absorb its serene charm.

Overnight Stay: Phonsavan 🏨.

After breakfast 🍽️, embark on a captivating full-day journey through the mystique and history of the Plain of Jars, located within a short 30–60 minute drive from the town of Phonsavan 🏞️. Your private and exclusive vehicle, driven by an English-speaking chauffeur 👨‍✈️, takes you across the picturesque highlands and rolling fields of Xieng Khouang Province, where one of Southeast Asia’s most enigmatic archaeological sites awaits.

Visit Site 1, Site 2, and Site 3 of the Plain of Jars, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 🏛️ since 2019. Scattered across these sites are over 300 giant stone jars, some weighing up to 6 tons and standing 4 meters tall, dotting the landscape in a surreal and silent testimony to an ancient past. Their true purpose remains a mystery—some believe they were used as funerary urns dating back over 2,000 years, while others think they were used for fermenting Lao Lao rice wine 🍶 for grand feasts lost to history. Their origins may remain unknown, but their presence is hauntingly beautiful.

Continue your exploration with a visit to the peaceful Ban Xieng Di Village 🛖, where you can witness authentic rural life and the simple beauty of Laotian culture. Stop by a small Buddhist monastery 🛕 and pass former American war battlegrounds 🪖, where remnants of history still echo across the landscape.

After an enriching day immersed in ancient legends and serene countryside, return to Phonsavan in the late afternoon. The evening is at your leisure—perhaps stroll the quiet streets or reflect on the day over a warm local meal.

Overnight Stay: Phonsavan 🏨.

After breakfast 🍽️, embark on an unforgettable road journey westward from Phonsavan to Luang Prabang, travelling in comfort and style in a private, exclusive cab driven by your friendly English-speaking chauffeur 👨‍✈️. The distance of approximately 260 kilometers winds through stunning mountainous terrain, reaching altitudes as high as 1,500 meters, with a total drive time of 7 to 8 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.

As you ascend into the hills, pause for short stops at traditional ethnic minority villages 🛖, where you can stretch your legs and gain insight into the rural lifestyle of Hmong and Khmu communities nestled in the remote valleys. The scenic journey offers plenty of photographic opportunities 📸, with sweeping views of forested mountains, terraced fields, and deep river gorges along the way.

Upon arrival in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang 🏛️, the former royal capital of Laos, enjoy the rest of your afternoon and evening at leisure. Take a stroll along the quiet, lantern-lit streets 🏮, explore the charming riverside, or browse the famous Luang Prabang Night Market 🛍️ for handicrafts and local delicacies. Ask your guide for top dining recommendations—whether you’re craving authentic Lao cuisine, French bistro flavors, or a cozy café overlooking the Mekong.

Overnight Stay: Luang Prabang 🌙.

After breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel, embark on a serene and immersive journey along the legendary Mekong River, boarding a private boat 🚤 arranged exclusively for your group. Accompanied by your English-speaking chauffeur-guide 👨‍✈️, begin your upstream cruise to the revered Pak Ou Caves (Tam Ting) 🛕, located approximately 25 km north of Luang Prabang (around 2 hours by boat). As you glide along the waterway, take in the rural riverside life, spotting local fishermen casting their nets, children playing by the banks, and wooden houses nestled amidst lush vegetation 🌾🏘️.

Arriving at the base of a limestone cliff, explore the mystical Pak Ou Caves, a sacred pilgrimage site housing thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues 🧘, placed there over centuries by devotees. These spiritual relics, ranging from just a few centimeters to over a meter tall, rest quietly in the dimly lit caverns overlooking the mighty Mekong, offering a powerful and humbling atmosphere.

On the return cruise, stop at a traditional Lao village 🧵, famed for its handwoven textiles and the local production of Lao whiskey (Lao-Lao) 🥃. Walk through scenic rice paddies, meet friendly villagers, and witness their age-old weaving techniques—perfect for picking up an authentic souvenir. Continue your journey back to Luang Prabang by boat, arriving by late afternoon just in time to enjoy the golden hues reflecting off the Mekong at sunset 🌅.

Overnight: Luang Prabang 🌙

Following the breakfast 🍽️ at your hotel, begin your day with an early and deeply spiritual experience – the revered Tak Bat Alms Giving Ceremony 🙏. Just before sunrise, observe hundreds of saffron-robed monks walking silently from the 35 ancient temples 🛕 of Luang Prabang, collecting alms from devoted locals in a ceremony that has been upheld for centuries.

After returning to the hotel and enjoying your breakfast, embark on a scenic drive of approximately 30 kilometers (1 hour) through the lush Lao countryside in your private, exclusive cab driven by an English-speaking chauffeur 🚘. Your first destination is the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre 🐾, nestled in the jungle near the waterfalls. Founded in 2003, the center is dedicated to saving sun and moon bears from poaching and illegal trade. You’ll take part in the bears’ midday scatter feed 🍎, a unique and rewarding hands-on experience.

Next, continue on foot to the Kuang Si Waterfall 💦, one of Laos' most stunning natural landmarks. The 60-meter high cascade feeds into a series of serene turquoise pools perfect for swimming or relaxing. For those seeking adventure, follow the forest trail to the top of the waterfall for a breathtaking viewpoint and a refreshing dip in the upper springs.

Enjoy a tranquil picnic lunch 🧺 amidst the park's shady trees and misty air. In the late afternoon, return to Luang Prabang where the remainder of the day is yours to unwind or further explore the town’s colonial streets, riverside cafés ☕, or vibrant night markets 🎨 at your own pace.

Overnight Stay: Luang Prabang 🌙

After breakfast 🍽️, check out from your hotel and proceed for your airport drop-off ✈️, where you’ll catch a short domestic flight heading south to Pakse, the capital of Champasak Province. Upon arrival at Pakse International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your dedicated Laos Travel guide and English-speaking chauffeur 👨‍✈️. Set off in your private air-conditioned cab for a spectacular day of sightseeing and cultural immersion in the breathtaking Bolaven Plateau, located around 50 kilometers (1.5-hour drive) from Pakse.

This elevated region, formed from an ancient volcano 🌋, boasts a cooler climate and is home to lush rainforests 🌳, winding rivers, remote ethnic villages, and fertile farmlands. Begin your journey with a visit to the Tad Fane Waterfalls 💦, where twin cascades plunge over 120 meters into a deep gorge within the Dong Hua Sao Nature Reserve. Next, explore the equally mesmerizing Tad Yeung and Tad Champi Waterfalls, both surrounded by thick tropical greenery and serene natural pools — perfect for photos and peaceful moments.

Continue to a local coffee and tea plantation ☕🌿, where you’ll discover why Bolaven Plateau is one of Southeast Asia’s finest coffee-growing regions. Enjoy a freshly brewed cup of organic Lao coffee at the social enterprise Jhai Coffee House, while interacting with members of nearby ethnic minority communities such as the Laven, Alak, or Katu.

In the late afternoon, return to Pakse. If time allows, take a brief orientation tour of the town 🏙️ — admire its colonial French architecture, Chinese shophouses, and explore a local market 🛍️ to witness daily life and sample regional produce.

Overnight Stay: Pakse 🌙.

After breakfast 🍽️, check out from your hotel and embark on a picturesque drive along the majestic Mekong River towards the southern reaches of Champasak Province, bound for the serene Don Khong Island. The journey covers approximately 140 km and takes around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on road conditions and sightseeing stops, in your private, air-conditioned cab driven by an English-speaking chauffeur 🚘👨‍✈️.

Your first major stop is the awe-inspiring Wat Phou (Vat Phou) 🛕, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that predates even Angkor Wat. This mystical pre-Angkorian Hindu temple complex, nestled in the shadows of Phou Kao Mountain, was constructed more than 1,000 years ago. Wander through ancient causeways, weathered shrines, and moss-covered stone staircases that echo with the spiritual history of southern Laos. Capture the scenic beauty of temple ruins framed by lush rice paddies and tranquil waterways 🌾📸.

Enjoy a leisurely Laotian lunch en route 🍱, perhaps by the riverside or at a local eatery, before continuing further south toward the beguiling archipelago of Siphandon (4,000 Islands) 🏝️. This is where the Mekong River widens to 14 km, revealing thousands of islands, sandbars, and islets scattered across the shimmering waters.

Arrive in the late afternoon at Don Khong Island, the largest of the 4,000 Islands. This peaceful island is dotted with charming villages, palm-lined shores, and traditional plantations 🌴. After check-in, spend the rest of the day at leisure. You may wish to explore the island by bicycle 🚴 or tuk-tuk 🛺, enjoying the laid-back rhythm of island life and greeting the friendly locals.

Overnight Stay: Don Khong Island 🌙.

After breakfast 🍽️, begin your final day in southern Laos with a memorable long-tail boat ride 🚤 through the tranquil Siphandon (4,000 Islands) archipelago, where the Mekong River reveals its widest stretch, scattered with islets and simple riverside villages. Soak in the peaceful charm of Don Khong, once a modest French Indochina outpost, still dotted with remnants of colonial-era architecture including an old railway station 🚉. Cruise to the stunning Liphi Waterfalls 🌊, ominously dubbed the “Corridor of the Devil,” which forms a natural border with Cambodia and is historically known as a habitat of the rare Irrawaddy dolphins 🐬. Then, continue to the awe-inspiring Khone PhaPheng Falls, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, where millions of litres of water thunder over jagged rock formations — an unforgettable natural spectacle 💦. After a hearty local-style lunch 🍛 at a nearby restaurant, you’ll return to the mainland by boat 🛶. From there, a comfortable private transfer 🚖 will take you back to Pakse International Airport ✈️ for your onward journey. If your flight is later in the evening, you may store your luggage at the hotel 🧳 and enjoy some last-minute shopping 🛍️, try local delicacies 🍜, or take a final stroll by the river 🏞️ before being picked up for your airport transfer.

Safe Travels !