Amazed at Laos - Confirmed Departure 15/01/2027

• Arrival in Luang Prabang by flight from Bangkok or Hanoi, booked by you.

• After collecting your luggage, meet your local English-speaking driver-guide, Mr. Xa, who will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall.

• Transfer to your hotel and check-in.

Rooms are usually available from 2:00 PM. Early check-in may be possible depending on availability that day, directly with the hotel reception.

Breakfast at the hotel.

8:30 AM: Meeting with your guide at your hotel reception.

• You begin your discovery of Luang Prabang in a "Deluxe Tuk-Tuk", meeting the main monuments of this city classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

• You discover the cultural and spiritual heritage of Luang Prabang, between the former royal residence, Buddhist temples and traditional architecture.

• You start with the former Royal Palace, now transformed into a National Museum, before heading to the Vat Prabang, which houses the sacred statue of the Buddha Prabang that gave its name to the city. You then discover the Royal Vat Mai, located just a few steps away.

• You continue at the Centre for Traditional and Ethnic Arts (TAEC), installed in a colonial-era residence. Its collections offer a beautiful overview of the diversity of peoples and cultures of northern Laos.

• The visit continues through several emblematic temples: the Vat Visoun, recognizable by its amazing watermelon-shaped stupa, the Vat Aham and the Vat Xieng Mouane, where you also discover the transmission of craftsmanship linked to Buddhist art.

• You end the visit with the Heritage House (Heuan Chan Heritage House), an elegant traditional house on stilts that allows you to better understand the architecture of Luang Prabang and the efforts undertaken to preserve its heritage.

Lunch is at your leisure, to be coordinated with your guide. We recommend the Heuan Chan Heritage café, situated in the shade of the palm trees.

• If early mornings around 5:15 AM don't scare you, you'll be able to witness the alms offering to monks, an ancestral ritual locally called "Tak Bat". The monks leave the pagodas and walk through the streets to collect alms in their bowls from the faithful.

• You then head to the fresh produce market in the open air, set up in the alleys around the old Royal Palace. You can observe the products offered by local vendors and perhaps spot some curiosities, such as nutrias, bats or even ant eggs.

• Return to the hotel for breakfast.

You leave your room.

Vat Xieng Thong and navigation on the Mekong towards Pak Ou

• Next, enjoy a visit to Vat Xieng Thong, an emblematic monastery of Luang Prabang, recognizable by its architecture typical of the local style. This place of worship is located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River.

• You then head to the pier, where you board your slow wooden boat to sail up the Mekong towards the Pak Ou caves.

• You visit the Pak Ou caves, which house hundreds of Buddha statues. They constitute an important pilgrimage site for Laotians, particularly during the Lao New Year, celebrated in mid-April.

Lunch on the boat

• After the visit, you head back to Luang Prabang with a stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai, renowned for its rice alcohol production. To be consumed with caution, since the alcohol content varies between 25 and 45 degrees.

End of the boat trip and return to Luang Prabang

From Luang Prabang to Vientiane by train

• You are then taken directly to the station in Luang Prabang, where you are dropped off.

• You complete standard procedures individually, including identity and security checks, then wait for boarding.

14:58: Departure of train D87 (EMU, 2nd Class) for Vientiane.

16:44: Arrival in Vientiane.

• Disembarkation and exit from the station, where your driver welcomes you.

• Transfer to your hotel located in the city center.

Free time at your disposal.

Dinner on your own.

A break on the rooftop in Vientiane

• For this late afternoon or your early evening, we recommend the rooftop terrace "Tipsy Elephant" at the SureStay by Best Western hotel. Located on the side of Vat Chan, in immediate proximity to the night market, it offers a view of the market, the Mekong, Thailand on the opposite bank and the rooftops of Vientiane.

Night in Vientiane

• This morning, you meet your driver and guide at 8:45 AM to join Madame Phasouk's house, where a Laotian cooking class awaits you.

• You start by accompanying her to the Talat Kok Pho local market to select the necessary ingredients and discover the products that shape daily cuisine.

• Back at your host's home, you take your place behind the stove to prepare several Laotian specialties at her side. A convivial experience that ends around the table, with the tasting of the dishes you will have prepared yourselves.

Local coffee tasting workshop

• This afternoon, you participate at Dam Dam in a coffee tasting workshop led by David, a passionate English-speaking Franco-Laotian coffee roaster.

• Discover the secrets of local coffees, from grain selection to roasting, before letting yourself be guided through a sensory experience around the flavors of Laos. David shares his expertise and tips with you for appreciating the different nuances of these coffees.

Return to your hotel and free time at your discretion.

Dinner on your own.

We recommend the Asian cuisine of the Nuan restaurant, located near the Nam Phou Fountain, on Phangkham Street, in the heart of the city. The menu offers many dishes with generous portions and varied influences: China, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, etc. An opportunity to vary your pleasures while enjoying a few vegetarian and vegan options.

Night in Vientiane

Breakfast at the hotel.

9:00 AM: Meeting with your guide at the hotel reception.

You begin your discovery of Vientiane, capital of Laos, with two must-sees:

• Start with Vat Sisaket, where photography enthusiasts will appreciate the different perspectives offered by the Buddha statues arranged in a row. It is the oldest temple in the capital to have remained intact throughout history, since the mid-1500s.

• You continue with the Ho Pra Keo Museum of Sacred Buddhist Arts, particularly known for its standing statues.

• Then, you discover the Presidential Palace, located at the bottom of Lane Xang avenue.
  
  Tracing Vientiane's French heritage

• Your exploration continues in the "French" quarter, where a few dwellings from the colonial era remain. You pass notably in front of the French Embassy, the Mahosot Hospital, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Notre-Dame and the School of Medicine.

• If you feel like it, you can take a break at Bakery by Boris. Boris, a young Franco-Lao pastry chef and baker, offers pastry-making classes as well as a lovely café-shop located in an alley in the city center. Depending on traffic, you may find croissants, coffees, teas, juices and other cakes, as well as dining options. At your discretion.

• You then visit COPE, a center dedicated to the rehabilitation of victims of mines. This visit highlights the consequences of conflicts that marked Laos in the 1970s and whose effects are still felt today.
  
  That Luang, symbol of Vientiane

• You then head towards That Luang and its grand golden stupa, located at the top of a small hill. Symbol of Vientiane, it also appears on Lao banknotes and official seals.

Free lunch at your own expense, to be coordinated with your guide if necessary.

Traditional Lao textiles and natural dyes

• This afternoon, you continue your discovery of the capital at the Lao Textile Museum by Kanchana.

• You also participate in a textile coloring workshop using natural pigments, a concrete way to discover part of these traditional skills.

Return to your hotel.

Free end of afternoon, you can continue exploring Vientiane as you wish.

You can also admire the few dwellings from the colonial era still present in the city center and enjoy the sunset over the Mekong by walking through the night market or the Chao Anouvong Park where locals like to gather.

Free dinner.

We recommend the Phakhao Lao restaurant, located in an alley between the Mekong and Vat Ong Teu. This family restaurant offers a wide variety of Lao and Thai dishes. The setting is relaxed and unpretentious, while tables set up in the backyard offer a quiet and more intimate space, not far from the night market.

The place is particularly suited to shared dishes. The menu is in English and the dishes are illustrated.

Night in Vientiane

Breakfast at the hotel.

You leave your room.

Around 7:30 AM: Meeting with your guide and driver at the hotel reception.

You head south towards the village of Kong Lor, for a journey of approximately 6 to 7 hours.

• You pass through several towns and landscapes of central Laos, starting with Paksan, where the Nam Xan river flows into the Mekong, then Pak Kading, which offers beautiful views of the Kading river. In places, you also follow the Mekong, which marks the border with Thailand here.

• After passing Phou Phaman, you take a magnificent mountain road that crosses the valley and allows you to observe beautiful rocky landscapes. If you wish, you can coordinate with your guide to participate in optional activities on site, at your discretion.

Lunch at the restaurant on site (on your own).

• You gradually continue your journey through a mountainous area that you cross in the direction of the Vietnamese border. Along the way, beautiful viewpoints reveal themselves over the karst reliefs that extend as far as the eye can see.

• You then head towards the village of Ban Kong Lor, located approximately 40 kilometers away, where you spend the night.

Dinner on your own.

Night at Kong Lor.

Breakfast before continuing your discovery of the region.

• You head to the entrance of the famous Kong Lor caves, which you explore by canoe, in the darkness, by the light of your flashlight.

Return to your hotel and room checkout before noon.

• You then continue your journey via Lak Sao and Thalang. After approximately 4 hours of travel, you reach the small town of Thakhek, situated on the banks of the Mekong, facing the Thai city of Nakhon Phanom.

Lunch at your leisure, to be coordinated with your guide.

Discovery of Thakhek on the banks of the Mekong

• You discover the outdated charm of Thakhek, with its fairly well-preserved buildings dating from the colonial era and its peaceful atmosphere, where time seems to have stood still.

Dinner at your leisure.

For a simple evening on the banks of the Mekong, numerous stalls set up along the riverbanks will allow you to discover different local flavors. Near the main square, locals like to take time to meet at sunset, over a beer or a fruit shake, facing the banks of neighboring Thailand.

Night in Thakhek.

Breakfast at the hotel.

• You then take the road to Savannakhet, approximately 2 hours away, taking a small country road that runs along the Mekong.

• 6 kilometers south of Thakhek, you make a first stop at the Stupa Sikhottabong, located on the banks of the Mekong. It is one of the most sacred sites in Laos.

Lunch on your own during the journey or upon arrival at your destination.

You continue with a visit to That Hing Hang, a sacred Buddhist site located near Savannakhet.

Discovery of Savannakhet

• Arrival in Savannakhet and check-in from 2 PM.

• You then explore the city and its historic center, marked by buildings dating from the French colonial period.*

Rest of the day at leisure.

At sunset, we invite you to take a stroll along the Mekong and take time to observe the old colonial buildings that make Savannakhet's reputation. The city is also a true commercial crossroads in southern Laos.

Dinner on your own.

We can recommend Sooksavan Café and Bistro, located just steps from the main square, in a remarkable architectural setting. This charming little restaurant offers a warm welcome and Thai cuisine accompanied by a few homemade desserts.

Before returning to your hotel, you can continue your evening at the square, at the bar of the same name, « Sooksavanh », very popular every evening with the town's youth. An opportunity to enjoy a fresh Beerlao while soaking in the local atmosphere, to the sound of live Thai music.

Night in Savannakhet.

Breakfast at your hotel before checking out

You head towards Paksé, for approximately 4h30 of travel.

Lunch is on your own during the journey.

Upon arrival in Paksé, you change vehicles and continue towards Tad Lo waterfall. Along the way, you can stop to taste some local fruits offered by vendors set up along the roadside. A simple opportunity to discover the fresh and seasonal products of the region.

Discovering the Bolovens Plateau

• You head to the Bolovens Plateau, renowned for its waterfalls and fertile lands, which produce teas and coffees appreciated throughout Laos and the Indochinese peninsula.

• On the advice of your guide, you can enjoy some tastings as you explore the plateau.

• Several stops are planned, notably at the Tad Lo Falls.

Lunch is at your leisure, probably around Tad Lo.

You then continue your journey to Thatheng, to meet ethnic villages, including Lao Loum, Taoy and Lavenh.

The road continues to your hotel, located nearby, in a natural setting.

Free time to rest.

Dinner is at your leisure.

Night on the Bolovens Plateau.

Breakfast at the hotel.

• You take time to discover the Tad Yuang waterfall, on the Boloven Plateau. In recent years, the site has become more accessible and visitor-friendly thanks to the work of volunteers, who have notably set up safer observation platforms as well as other amenities.

• You continue your discovery with the impressive Tad Fane twin falls, located in Dong Hua Sao National Park, on the Boloven Plateau. Two rivers meet here to form two twin waterfalls 120 meters high.

• You then head towards the colonial village of Champassak.

Phou Salao and view over Paksé

Along the way, you stop at the Phou Salao (Golden Buddha) site to admire the view over the Mekong and the city of Paksé. The site is accessible on foot via stairs or by vehicle. We recommend the on-foot access.

Lunch free in a local cuisine restaurant, to be coordinated with your guide.

Our recommendation: Champasak With Love, appreciated for its beautiful views over the river, its dishes and its relaxed setting.

Vat Phou, UNESCO World Heritage

• This afternoon, you set out to discover Vat Phou, one of the major sites in southern Laos, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. Its architecture is in pre-Angkorian style.

The cultural landscape of Champassak, which includes the entire Vat Phou temple complex, bears witness to an area developed according to a design dating back more than a thousand years and which is remarkably well preserved.

• After discovering the site, you visit its museum.

Transfer to your hotel and check-in formalities.

Dinner free.

Night in Champassak

If the weather is clear, the sunrises from Champassak offer a beautiful moment to start the day.

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will need to vacate the rooms by 9am.

• You then cross the Mekong to reach the other bank aboard the local ferry.

• You then take the road further south and make a first stop at Vat Uomo, also called Oubmong, a temple dating from the same period as the Vat Phou. The site notably houses pre-Angkorian sculptures, including a beautiful Mukhalinga, a linga with a human head now preserved in the Vat Phou museum. Surrounded by many large tree species, the temple benefits from a forest atmosphere that gives the estate a peaceful and preserved ambiance.

Meeting the Taoy craftsmanship at Ban Nong Bune

• You continue with a visit to the Taoy village of Ban Nong Bune, renowned for its wood sculptures.

The village has succeeded in passing down the ancient craftsmanship of wood carving from generation to generation. You discover various objects manufactured in the village, notably ceremonial masks, sculptures as well as everyday objects such as wooden plates or outdoor lamps.

Phou Asa and the landscapes of Xe Pian Park

• You continue your journey to the Phou Asa site.

If you wish, a walk of approximately 2 kilometers, one way, allows you to reach the summit of Phou Asa. The path is quite steep, but the view over Xe Pian Park and the wetlands offers a beautiful panorama.

At the summit are also the ruins of an ancient civilization whose secrets have still not been revealed.

Lunch on your own, likely at the Kingfisher Ecolodge.

Navigation among the 4,000 islands of the Mekong

• You then head to the village of Nakasang, where you board a motorized pirogue to navigate through the heart of the Mekong's "4,000 islands".

• You reach the islands of Done Det and Done Khone, two peaceful lands marked by their French colonial past. You will be able to observe buildings from this period, the bridge connecting the two islands as well as the former railway that allowed goods to be transshipped on either side of the waterfalls.

Check-in at your hotel.

Free time to enjoy the places, contemplate the landscapes and stroll at your own pace.

Dinner on your own.

Night on Done Khone.

Breakfast at the hotel.

• This morning, you pick up your "motorcycle-drawn cart" and set off with your guide to discover the sandy paths of the islands of Don Det and Don Khone.

At the far south of Laos, the Mekong River crosses the region of Si Phan Don. A rocky formation blocks the course of the river here and creates waterfalls of approximately 15 meters drop over more than 10 kilometers wide.

This obstacle to river navigation led the French colonial administration to create a railway as early as 1893 in order to facilitate the transshipment of gunboats intended to ensure, upstream, the protection of the border then newly established between Siam, today Thailand, and Laos.

At its peak, the railway ran across the islands of Don Khone in the south and Don Det in the north over approximately 14 kilometers, with a transshipment dock at each end. It was built by French and Vietnamese masons, Chinese workers, and Lao peasants.

You travel along flat paths that lead you to several emblematic sites, notably the old locomotive, the 13-arch bridge dating from the early twentieth-century French colonial era and connecting Don Det to Don Khone, as well as the remains of colonial buildings.

Take time to go slowly and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the islands.

Free lunch, to be coordinated with your guide.

Lippi Falls and rural life in Si Phan Don

• You then set off to discover the Lippi Falls, locally called Tad Sompamit. The route, of very easy difficulty, takes place on a flat path and allows you to adopt the peaceful pace of the island.

This walk is an opportunity to observe, photograph and immerse yourself in local and rural life.

Return to your hotel and a quiet end of day on the island.

Free dinner.

Night in Don Khone.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

• You cross the Mekong by canoe to reach the mainland.

• You then head south towards the Khone Phapheng waterfalls, near the border with Cambodia. They are among the most impressive cascades in this Asian region and are renowned for being the widest in the world.

You then head up to Paksé.

Free lunch, to be coordinated with your guide.

Discovery of Paksé and its heritage

Located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sédone river, it is a lively and commercial city created by the French in the early twentieth century.

Paksé is a mixture of tastes, cultures and heritage of southern Laos, a land of encounters and crossroads.

• At the entrance of the Vat Chompet, you discover the small village of Ban Don Khor, renowned for its stone sculptors and their representations of Buddha.

• Take time to stroll through the village and observe the traditional stone carving work. Local artisans carve images of Buddha in hard stone using a hammer and chisel, and sometimes an angle grinder. The creations range from small sculptures that fit in the palm of your hand to the large 30-meter-high Buddha created for the neighboring Vat Chompet.

• You continue with the discovery of Vat SopSé, a little-known and isolated temple. "Sopsé" means the "lips of the Sé(done) river", while "Paksé" means "the mouth of the Sé(done) river".

Historic buildings of Paksé

• On the banks of the Sédone stands the Champasak Palace Hotel, whose history is linked to Chao Boun Oum, the last Prince of Champasak. Its construction began in 1969 and the building has six main floors, in a mix of French colonial and Lao styles.

• In the old city center, you also discover one of the best-preserved French colonial buildings in Paksé, recently renovated, which today houses the Paksé Chinese Association. This beautiful Franco-Chinese building is located in the heart of the city.

• You then pass by the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Unimpressive from the outside, it is mainly known for its interior decorations. If you are able to enter, you will discover several paintings depicting Jesus visiting different regions of Laos, notably the Khone Phapheng Falls and Vat Phou.

Transfer to your hotel.

Free dinner.

Night in Paksé.

Breakfast at the hotel.

• Free morning for your personal exploration.

• You check out of your room before noon.

Free lunch.

1:30 PM : Meeting at your hotel reception with your guide.

You head towards Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand. Crossing the underground No Man's Land. Exit formalities from Laos territory and entry formalities into Thailand territory.

Continuation by road.

Drop-off at Ubon Ratchathani airport (UBP).

Assistance with your luggage check-in.

Farewell to Mr. Xa.