Rondreis Laos | Highlights of Laos

Arrive at the international airport of Luang Prabang and meet your driver outside the arrival hall. Transfer to your hotel in the city center.
The rest of the day remains free.

We depart after breakfast from the hotel by minivan and reach the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Longlao Nun and the Hmong village of Ban Longlao Song after a one hour drive. Dive deep into their lifestyles and see how, despite their differences, they manage to work and live together on a daily basis. From here we start out trek that lead us through rice paddies and vegetable farms until we reach the mountainous forest. Along the ways we will also explore a cave that was used as a bomb shelter during the second Indochina war.
After we have been in the cave, we will walk another hour to the springs of the Kuang Si waterfalls. A beautiful pond full of sacred fishes can be seen here. From the top we will walk down and enjoy a tasty Lao style lunch in this beautiful surrounding.
The afternoon is spent bathing and relaxing around the turquoise pools below the waterfall. You can also visit the bear conservation center which is located nearby and home for many bears which have been rescued from illegal farms.
Before we return to Luang Prabang, we take a short walk to the nearby Khmu village of Ban Thapene, which is home to some of the most beautiful pools of the Kuang Si waterfalls.

After breakfast, explore Luang Prabang. Start with a visit to the National Museum, which used to be the former Royal Palace. Inside the complex of the museum you will see the “Prabang”, or the sacred golden statue, giving its name to the town. Continue to Vat Mai, the former royal temple, which is Luang Prabang’s largest and most decorated temple. Not far stands Vat Sene, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful temples in town, with its red walls and golden bas‐reliefs. The nearby Heritage House is a perfect example of Luang Prabang’s traditional building style and is made of wood and stands on poles. Admire the complicated architecture style and learn why many houses in Laos, but also in neighboring countries were often build on poles. Visit afterwards the TAEC, the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre. The center depicts Laos‘ rich ethnic diversity with themed rotating exhibits. It is hosted in the former French colonial mansion of a judge.
After lunch we drive to the pier for a very scenic two and a half hour boat ride up the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. On the way observe the many limestone karst formations that dot the landscape surrounding Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at Pak Ou, climb the steps to the caves and admire the thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues that were left behind by pilgrims dating back dozens of years ago. The statues vary in size from a few centimeters tall to the size of a human being. Return to Luang Prabang and visit Vat Xieng Thong. The pagoda is one of the most emblematic temples in Laos and is located at the top of the peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers meet. At the end of the day visit the local hill‐tribe night market, which every night lightens up the central part of town.

We leave Luang Prabang after breakfast and transfer through beautiful landscapes and mountainous roads to Vang Vieng. Our first stop will be after a 3 hours ride at the strawberry farm Phou Khoun, where we will enjoy lunch.

After lunch we continue for another 3‐4 hours until we reach Vang Vieng.

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Vang Vieng.
In the early afternoon, meet your guide for a motorbike ride through the beautiful countryside that surrounds Vang Vieng. Your guide will lead you to the Blue Lagoon. Beautiful turquoise water await you for a refreshing swim.
Return to town for an aperitif at sunset, with beautiful views over the Nam Song River and the mountains.

We leave Vang Vieng and drive with our motorbikes through beautiful landscapes to Vientiane. On the way, we will make a stop at the fishermen’s market in Tha Heua, on the shores of the Nam Ngum Lake. The second stop before we will reach Vang Vieng, will be at Tha Lat and where we enjoy a lunch on a local boat.

Upon arrival, we enjoy some time at leisure.

Depart from the hotel by motorbike, a Suzuki Smash 115cc, and visit four of Vientiane’s amazing highlights. Start with Vat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese invasion of Laos in 1828. It shelters hundreds of statues of Buddha in its walls and is an infamous landmark in the city. Continue to Vat Phra Keo, which is now used as a religious museum where Lao and Khmer works of art are exhibited. It used to host the “Emerald Buddha” that is now on display in Bangkok’s Royal Palace. Later in the day, visit That Luang, the holiest place in Laos and object of an amazing pilgrimage each November. The structure is iconic and represented on all bank notes and official stamps of Laos. The golden stupa is built on a small hill and visible from afar. Its compound is just as impressive as its sight with many relaxing corners from where to observe the splendid architecture. Finally, visit the Patuxai Monument, also called Anousavari, and enjoy a panoramic view over the city from its roof. It is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe that is located at the top of Lan Xang Avenue, the Champs Elysees of the Lao capital. After lunch (not included), visit the COPE center and learn more about Laos and a part of its history that is not very well known among most visitors: the Secret War. Learn all you need to know about the complications and challenges that the Laotian people faced after the war. End the day on a high note and visit the eccentric Buddha Park, which is located around 30 minutes from the city by car. The locals refer to the park as Vat Xieng Khuan. The park contains numerous religious sculptures that mix up Hindu and Buddhist styles. With over 200 statues along the Mekong River bank, it certainly is a very intriguing sight to behold. Return to Vientiane afterwards and enjoy a free remainder of the evening.

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport of Vientiane. We wish you a safe continuing journey.