Laos Through Your Lens

Arrive in Luang Prabang, the ancient first capital of Lane Xang kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and today the World Heritage City. Arrive in Luang Prabang and transfer to our hotel for check-in before we start our Laos 8 Days Tour.

In the afternoon, take a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty temples still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the 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. 

The day starts with a visit to the Big Brother Mouse shop to select some books for the village visit. Then head north by car along route 13, before taking an unpaved road to Ban Khia Luang village. After that, enjoy ample time to visit the school, play with the kids and watch them enjoy their new books. Also take some time to explore the rest of the village, where you can see weaving and visit the temple.  Stop for lunch at the village, which can be either a western picnic lunch, or traditional Lao food such as sticky rice, laap and fresh vegetables cooked by the villagers.

 
After lunch, say goodbye to the village and continue our Laos 8 days tours driving to Ban Khoklin, which takes us through some beautiful scenery of mountains and paddy fields. At Ban Khoklin, then board on a private boat down the Nam Ou River for 30 minutes to Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. And continue down the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang.
 
 
 

 After breakfast, drive to Hmong and Khmu village one hour's journey from Luang Prabang. This village is located in a beautiful valley is the starting point for a three hour trek that finishes at the Kuangsi waterfall. Guides are available to lead you to the falls (note they speak only Lao). You can also begin visit Kuangsi Waterfall from Ban Nong Heo, which has a spectacular view over the valley and river. Ban Nong Heo is 20 minutes from town by tuk-tuk.

To continue your Laos 8 days tour you will discover some of the most remarkable, most impressive landscapes of this still untamed river. The Landscape becomes more and more spectacular hills covered with tropical vegetation awe-inspiring rock formations along the riverbanks, and a fascinating array of fast currents and slower river parts. The power of the mighty Mekong will give your cruise the feeling of a real expedition, enjoy the beautiful views and watch natures’ wonders along the riverbanks before you will head again and stop at the small riverside community of Pak Lai, know for one possessing many colonial buildings. The purely landscape is only broken by the seldom sights of small villages and herds of cattle.

Spend a night in Pak Lai.

After breakfast, today your cruise begins with the departure from Pak Lai down steam to Capital of Laos Vientiane. Rest your night in Vientiane before you get on with the Laos 8 days tours.

Explore the town this with Wat Sisaket which is the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features frescoes and Buddha images. The following sight is Haw Prakeo, the former royal temple of Laos monarchy, where previously housed the Emerald Buddha Statue. We then visit the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph before continuing to That Luang Stupa.

Afternoon, take a trip by road to outskirts of Vientiane, following the road along the bank of Mekong river to visit the Buddha park of Xieng Khuan, the park (28km East of Vientiane), containing a combination of hundred status of Hindu divinities and Buddha. En route, we stop looms their stilt houses. Drive through villages on the bank of Mekong through beautiful views of vegetable garden, tobacco plantation ... etc. It’s very nice to take photo stops and see rural life of people. Also have a nice view of the Mekong Friendship Bridge as the border between Laos and Thailand after visiting then Buddha park, return along another road back to Vientiane.

You will be transferred from Vientiane to Ban Hatkhai, where a long-tail boat takes us up-stream on the Nam Mang River, before continuing along the smaller Houay Xai stream, one of its many tributaries. A 2 hours trek passes under an evergreen canopy, while slowly gaining height. A picnic lunch is served on the way. The magnificent pair of waterfalls, Tad Xay and Pha Xay and only about 800m apart, is particularly beautiful and thundering during and after the rainy season. Tad Xay has a pool which is great for bathing. You'll be there in the afternoon. From here, a pick-up takes the group to Ban Hatkhai, from where you stay overnight in the home of a villager (home-stay).

 After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Tad Leuk Waterfall. The Tad Leuk is a tourist attraction amidst mixed deciduous forest. A permanent exhibit at the Visitor Center gives some good information on the flora and fauna of the NPA. The Tad Leuk Nature Trail points out some interesting botanic details. You will have lunch at Tad Leuk.

In the afternoon, the trek following a path upstream along the Nam Leuk river to the Tad Sang ("Elephant") waterfall, another idyllic place for bathing and relaxation. Along the way, a large number of orchids can be seen, especially in the wet season. In the dry season you can cross the river to trek back to Tad Leuk on the other side of the river this is the end of our Laos 8 days tours.

Then return to Vientiane transfer to airport flight to next destination.