Laotian Immersion
Between sacred temples and turquoise waterfalls, an authentic immersion in the heart of traditional Laos.
Duration
10 days
From
€1,100/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
During this 10-day circuit, we have the opportunity to explore the unmissableLuang Prabang which represents an ancient royal capital, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage. We set out to discover the Mekong, away from the usual tourist routes. The journey includes moments of relaxation in the turquoise pools of Kuang Si Falls. We explore some wonders of the southern region of the territory, which lives peacefully to the rhythm of the river, its waterfalls as well as tea and coffee plantations. We venture into Laos through numerous participatory activities allowing us to have a better understanding of the country, its people and its culture.
Through numerous participatory activities and privileged encounters with the inhabitants, we discover a Laos deeply attached to its traditions, its heritage and its environment. This immersion allows us to better understand the country, its people and its culture, while living unique experiences filled with sharing, simplicity and authenticity.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Luang Prabang
We land at Luang Prabang airport according to our flight booking. We take care of arrival details: VISA and other entry formalities for the country, then collect our luggage. Welcome by our English-speaking local guide and transfer to our hotel for check-in.
Lunch is free at your leisure, with recommendations from our guide.
If you wish, a visit to an ethnology museum can occupy your afternoon (closed Mondays). With this option, you will have the opportunity to better understand the ethnic diversity of Laos as well as its culture.
In the evening, we enjoy a group cruise departing from 5 p.m. to witness the beautiful sunset over the tranquil waters of the Mekong.
Our dinner is served on board the vessel in front of a traditional dance performance, which allows us to experience the local culture in another way. A lovely private evening ahead.
Return to our hotel after the cruise. We spend our first night in Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang: City Tour
We set out to visit the main monuments of Luang Prabang, a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. We start with the National Museum, former Royal Palace and Vat Mai.
At Vat Xieng Mouane, we will have the opportunity to discover craftsmen dedicated to Buddhist art through its training center. We then walk along the facade of the French Institute of Luang Prabang, former residence of comedian Pierre Desproges.
We take a short detour to the Heritage House to better understand the city's protection and enhancement policies. We find a small manual workshop there.
We have lunch at Café Ban Vat Sene restaurant which faces the primary school of Luang Prabang, in a building from the French colonial era.
During the afternoon, we discover the ancient temples Vat Visoun or Phra That Makmo and Vat Aham. One impresses us with its watermelon-shaped stupas and the other by the fact that it houses the city's guardian spirits.
We will have the opportunity to end the day with an outing to the Mont Phou Si. This place proves to be a highly sought-after spot for its spectacular panoramic views of the entire city, especially at dusk.
On our way down, we can make a brief stop at its night market to discover some samples of Lao handicrafts (visit possible another day depending on your preferences)
We enjoy a free dinner, but the night market stalls are recommended.
Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves – Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden
We have breakfast at the hotel before visiting the Vat Xieng Thong located at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River. It is an emblematic temple of the city that stands out for its typical local architecture. Countless devotees consider it a major pilgrimage site.
Around 10 a.m., we take a shared boat to head to the Pak Ou caves. We stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai which is known for its rice alcohol production. The alcohol content varies from 25 to 40 degrees, so it should be used with great caution.
We then explore the Pak Ou caves where you can see hundreds of Buddha statues. It is an important pilgrimage site for Laotians, especially at New Year, which is held in mid-April.
We take the boat again to have lunch while peacefully returning to Luang Prabang and dock early in the afternoon.
During the afternoon, we depart from the Ban Vat That pier to enjoy a short descent of the Mekong for 15 minutes.
Arriving at the Pha Tad Ke botanical garden, we attend its presentation to better understand the diversity and history of its creation. We then continue our visit along the trail to enjoy a stunning view of the karst landscape and the Mekong.
In the hunter's lodge, we get our hands dirty by crafting our own bamboo hiking stick. We continue the journey by exploring the arboretum and the palm garden. We then discover a bamboo forest as well as rice paddies. On the side of "the house of mists", we have the opportunity to give a presentation to better understand the importance of biodiversity and its conservation. We head towards the nursery to discuss orchids in Laos.
At the end of the day, we enjoy the last rays of sunlight with a visit to the Vat Prabat Tai to admire the twilight sunset reflected on the Mekong.
Optionally, we can play a game of pétanque with experienced locals. It's ideal for immersing yourself in the region's laid-back atmosphere.
Dinner on your own. To discover the quintessential Laotian dish, namely Sindat, we can opt for the Dyen Sabai restaurant which is located on the opposite bank of the Nam Khan River, in a peaceful, family-friendly and intimate atmosphere. This specialty is a kind of barbecue where you boil your vegetables around a metal dome that holds the meat for grilling.
Luang Prabang – Ban Long Lao village
Luang Prabang → Ban Xeng Mouk
We wake up early to attend the « Tak Bat», a Buddhist ritual consisting of giving offerings to monks. Laotian and Thai believers and any respectful person can participate in or observe this ceremony. Only a correct attitude and respect for usual rules of etiquette are required.
We visit the fresh morning market, which takes place in the alleyways near the Royal Palace. We find the main ingredients and spices used to prepare the favorite dishes of the Laotian people.
We have breakfast before departing at 8:30 a.m. in local transport to Ban Xeng Mouk, a village renowned for its production of vegetables and pineapples. This village is located about forty minutes from Luang Prabang.
We can observe the daily life of Laotians from the plains (Lao Loum) and the Hmong before embarking on a half-hour hike through pineapple plantations and rice fields; and thus enter a denser jungle teeming with a great variety of trees. We alternate climbs and descents for approximately 2 hours, reaching the first summit of the hike, which offers a picturesque view of the area. There we have the opportunity to have our Laotian lunch.
Ban Xeng Mouk → Ban Long Lao
In the afternoon, we continue the trek through a more sparse forest. This offers the possibility to detect animal tracks. We also pass through the small Hmong village of Ban Nong Touk after 90 minutes.
After an hour and a half of hiking, we arrive at the village of Ban Long Lao where we spend the night. This mixed location brings together Hmongs and Khamus.
Dinner and night at Ban Long Lao.
Ban Long Lao – Kuang Si Waterfalls – Luang Prabang
Ban Long Lao → Kuang Si Falls
We have breakfast in the village and then continue our hike through the forest with some steep climbs in order to reach a cave. The latter represents a place of pilgrimage. We still have an hour of hiking to reach the top of the Kuang Si Falls. We make the final descent to arrive at the base of the falls.
It is then time for us to relax and swim at the falls. We also visit the Southeast Asian black bear preservation center.
Apart from the waterfalls which constitute a major attraction in the region, we have the possibility to enjoy swimming in natural pools with turquoise and crystal-clear waters.
Lunch in the countryside in the form of a picnic near the falls.
Kuang Si Falls → Luang Prabang
Before returning to the city, we will make a small detour of half an hour to the buffalo farm « Lao Buffalo Dairy ». We will receive clarifications about the situation of this animal in Laos and the care administered to them.
We will also be able to get close to some of them and bottle-feed the young ones. At the end of the visit, we will enjoy artisanal ice creams made from buffalo milk. Available flavors: fruits, sesame, lemongrass (depending on the seasons).
It should be noted that this animal is emblematic of the countryside of Asian countries. However, this species of bovine is facing extinction despite its importance. The mortality rate at birth is around 50% because at this stage, buffalo calves do not have access to sufficient nutrients. With this in mind, the Lao government has organized itself to multiply its herds with prevention and reproduction projects. This is how the Buffalo Farm in Luang Prabang expanded by coupling these programs with local breeders. This farm also focuses on the dairy and cheese industry.
At the end of the visit, we taste ice creams made from buffalo milk which are flavored differently depending on the season: with fruits, sesame, lemongrass…
We have a free evening at the hotel to relax before the evening.
Dinner is free, but the restaurant of our lodge is recommended.
Luang Prabang – Paksé – Bolaven Plateau
After breakfast, we are transferred at 8 a.m. to the airport to take a flight to Paksé, in the south of the country.
Once we arrive, an English-speaking guide who knows the region well welcomes us.
We have a quick lunch before leaving for a visit to the Bolovens Plateau. This region enchants us with its beautiful waterfalls as well as its coffee and tea plantations on its fertile lands. It produces the best teas and coffees in Laos and the Indochinese peninsula. We thus have the opportunity to taste them.
From Paksé
A few sites are not to be missed during the journey. We first stop at the Phasuam and Tad Lo waterfalls before heading to Thatheng to explore its ethnic villages, such as Lao Loum, Taoy, Lavenh…
We pass through the Maisavanh farm which is distinguished by its commitment to sustainable and community development with the villagers of the region. It developed around mulberry silkworm breeding for silk production and then turned to other products including insect farming or healthy organic products, such as sacha inchi and different types of tea. This farm aims to promote sustainable and ecological practices in collaboration with the local population.
To Bolaven Plateau
We finally reach our hotel which surprises us with its exceptional natural setting. It is located near Paksong, on the Bolovens plateau.
Dinner is at your leisure at the resort restaurant.
We reach our hotel which surprises us with its exceptional natural setting. It is located near Paksong, on the Bolovens plateau.
4x4 Jeep Excursion / Paksong
Bolaven Plateau → Paksong
After breakfast, we depart at around 8 a.m. to reach Paksong, the starting point of the adventure.
Our Soviet or Chinese Jeeps await us there for a genuine immersion in the heart of the Plateau between rivers, villages, trails and coffee plantations.
We head towards Jhai Coffee house to enjoy a cup of coffee.
We continue the journey for 30 minutes to reach the Tad Moun waterfalls. Along the way, we observe all kinds of vegetable crops, including cucumbers, ginger, cabbage, lettuce and many others.
Next, it is time to explore the Khamsone Coffee plantation. We travel for 30 minutes on a relatively smooth trail. This unique experience allows us to discover the world of coffee, before tasting many types such as: Robusta, Arabica, Typica…
We have lunch at the farm with tea and fruit.
We resume the journey for one hour before arriving at the Laven minority village. Daily life there is based on the agricultural sector.
We have an additional 30 minutes of travel to reach the Suay village where there are some traditional dwellings. Consisting of a single room, these houses serve as living spaces for sleeping, eating and cooking. Most often, they are made of bamboo and accommodate many generations of the same family.
We visit the Lao Ngam market to make a small discovery, then join a homestay to spend the night.
Dinner and overnight at the farm.
Bolaven Plateau – Champassak – Vat Phou Temple
After breakfast, we head to the impressive twin waterfalls of Tad Fane, then take the road towards the village of Champassak which we visit late morning. We admire beautiful houses still standing, but often left abandoned.
We have lunch at Nakorn Café guesthouse and restaurant, on the banks of the Mekong.
We can now discover the marvel of southern Laos, namely the Vat Phou temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011. After visiting this pre-Angkorian style sanctuary, we also explore its museum.
We return to our guesthouse for a free afternoon. It is possible to enjoy a massage and spa treatments at Champassak Spa (service to be booked the day before).
We can enjoy a beautiful sunset cruise and a privileged moment for aperitifs.
Dinner is free and overnight stay in Champassak.
Champassak – 4000 Islands / Done Khone
From Champassak
After breakfast at the hotel, we head due south to board a motorized pirogue at Ban Hat Xay Khun which takes us towards the 4,000 islands of the Mekong.
We make a stop at Taoy of Ban Nong Beung, a charming village renowned for its wood carvings.
We have lunch on the island of Done Khong, in a local restaurant.
To Done Khone
Then we arrive on the islands of Done Det and Done Khone. These pieces of land with colonial past stand out for their buildings, the port connecting the two islands as well as the railway allowing goods to be transported across the cataracts.
We settle into our room before cycling to discover the Lippi Falls, known locally as Tad Sompamit, taking the island's tranquil pace.
We return to the hotel to enjoy free time. We can stroll at our own pace, on foot or by bicycle.
It is also possible for us to go observe the Irrawaddy dolphins. However, these wild animals are not always present in the area.
Dinner is free, but our resort's restaurant is recommended.
4,000 Islands – Khone Phapheng Falls – Departure
We have breakfast before heading to dry land and driving to reach the Khone Phapheng Falls. These gems are located further south, on the border with Cambodia. They are among the most impressive waterfalls in this region of Asia.
We are transferred to the Lao-Cambodian border. After completing the exit formalities from Laos, we say goodbye to our English-speaking guide.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Laos residence visa (from 31 USD per person for a French passport, up to 42 USD per person depending on nationality. You will need an ID photo and a valid passport valid for at least 6 months after your stay dates).
- Domestic and international flights as well as related taxes.
- The framed options presented in the program.
- Beverages, tips, personal expenses (internet, laundry, mini bar, etc.), meals not mentioned.
- Travel Insurance.
- Luggage handling.
- Additional charges that may apply during peak season.
- Any services not clearly indicated in the program.
- Bank fees.
Included
- Accommodation in double/twin shared rooms in selected hotels (subject to change depending on availability at the time of confirmation).
- All types of transport (Minivan, Tuk-Tuk, bicycle…) mentioned in the program.
- Cruises as indicated in the itinerary.
- Trekking fees, site entrance fees, and the various activities mentioned in the program.
- Meals as follows: (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
- Experienced English-speaking local guide.
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Laos for a tourist stay. Entry rules may change, so we recommend verifying this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Laos, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after your entry date into the country and must contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps and visa affixing.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Visa
Unlike some Southeast Asian destinations, Laos does not offer visa exemptions for nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada for tourist stays. A visa is therefore mandatory and can be obtained through several methods.
Visa on Arrival: available at most international entry points (airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse, as well as certain land border crossings). It allows stays of up to 30 days and is issued in exchange for payment of approximately 30 to 42 USD depending on nationality. A recent identity photograph is generally required.
e-Visa: it is also possible to submit an electronic visa application online before departure through the official portal of the Laotian authorities, for a tourist stay of up to 30 days.
Embassy Visa: the application can be submitted to the embassy or consulate of Laos in your country of residence before departure.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the country (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
confirmation of an accommodation reservation.
Health and Vaccinations
No vaccinations are mandatory to enter Laos from the EEA, Switzerland, or Canada. However, certain vaccinations are strongly recommended by health authorities:
hepatitis A and hepatitis B,
typhoid,
rabies (depending on activities and areas visited),
Japanese encephalitis (for extended stays in rural areas).
A preventive antimalarial treatment may be recommended for certain regions, particularly rural and forested areas. Consult your doctor or a travel medicine center before departure.
Traveling with Children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay, as well as their own visa.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the country may be required according to the regulations of their country of residence.
Other Nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Affected travelers should inquire at the embassy or consulate of Laos in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have assistance-repatriation and medical expense coverage abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partners CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to an insurance plan, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy document detailing all coverage and claim declaration procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claim declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy document with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
Yes, a tourist visa is required, obtainable on arrival at major entry points (Visa on Arrival, approximately 30-40 USD depending on the entry point) or online (e-visa). Valid for 30 days, extendable. A valid passport required for at least 6 months beyond entry, and two blank pages required.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between €130 and €210 per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (€800-1,200 return) are additional. Laos is a preserved and charming destination, often combined with Cambodia or Vietnam.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor every itinerary to our travelers' profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and depart with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your entire trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Northern Luang Prabang
Ambassador for a gentle Laos, based in Vientiane
In Laos, you need to embrace slowing down. It's often when you take the time that the most beautiful encounters and moments reveal themselves.
— Lay
