Upon arrival Laos Vientiane- a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American Influences.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Note: English speaking guide and private driver

After breakfast, departure to visit the colorful Thong Khan Kham market. There are many markets in Vientiane. There you will find all the foods that constitute the daily diet of Laotians but also all kinds of products (household appliances, jewelry, etc.). Dried red peppers are widely used in Laotian cuisine, particularly for macerating meat and fish.

Continuation of the discovery of the city of Vientiane. We start with serene Wat Sisaket, the largest temple in the capital. Continue to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, a religious museum displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. The Presidential Palace, a reflection of Vientiane's colonial past, is nearby. Continue to the holiest site in Laos, the 16th-century temple of That Luang. Next is a visit to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where it is possible to climb to the peak, offering panoramic views of the city.

In the afternoon: you go to Buddha Park which takes around 45 minutes. Along the way, stop to take photos of the Friendship Bridge which was built by the Australian government in 1994 and connects Laos and Thailand. Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a walk in the park. Also known as XiengKhuan, this park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The concrete sculptures are bizarre, yet intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful grounds. The peaceful setting of the park on the banks of the Mekong contrasts radically with the somewhat eccentric works sculpted in 1958 by a Laotian shaman-priest-yogi. The concrete sculptures are bizarre, yet intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful grounds.

Return to Vientiane city center. The rest of the day is free to take a stroll in charming, relaxing colonial neighborhoods or you can enjoy a cup of coffee in shaded terraces while contemplating scenes of river life as the sun sets on the Mekong.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Note: English speaking guide and private driver

Breakfast at the hotel, you have free time for your personal discovery until transfer to the station to take the day train to Luang Prabang. After nearly two hours by train, you arrive in Luang Prabang, welcomed by our driver and our guide then departure for an excursion of the City. Vat Visoun built at the beginning of the 16th century. It was partially destroyed during a fire in 1887 and the architects responsible for its renovation chose to give it an architecture inspired by the Khmer Vat Phou temple. A few steps away, discovery of Vat Aham.

Then from the city's first monastery, Vat Saen.

Discovery of the Vat Xieng Thong temple, the monastery of the City of Gold, whose ornaments, mosaics and stupas are most refined. In this temple, you can discover a spectacular reclining Buddha in a purely Laotian style.

Then explore the Royal Palace, converted into a museum, that the history of the region and the royal family will be told to you, the National Museum displays the famous Pha Bang, a golden Buddha statue.

Finally, visit Vat May built in typical Luang Prabang architecture. Its wooden “sim” and five-sided roof are characteristic.

At the end of the day, you will slowly climb Mount Phousi to admire the sunset, and you will be able to discover the large night market of Luang Prabang which opens from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m., you will find local products, the atmosphere and the culture of Laos.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Note: English speaking guide and private driver

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets. From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. This is the best way to experience the taste of local life.

Two hours upstream from Luang Prabang, disembark to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves. Locally called Tam Ting, the caves are filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. The statues range in size from a few centimeters tall to the height of a human and are crammed into the cave which is nestled in a limestone cliff. The caves are a destination for local pilgrimages.

After visiting the caves, reboard the boat for a cruise back to Luang Prabang. En route, stop at Ban Xang Hay, a village which specializes in making traditional rice-wine.

This afternoon, enjoy a visit to Kuang Si Waterfall, south west of Luang Prabang (32km). Along the way, stops will be made to visit some villages of the various ethnic minorities of the area. Upon reaching the falls, relax and enjoy the scenery, and if the weather is good, you can enjoy a swim in the cool, clear waters. For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views await you at the top. After leisurely time at the waterfalls, back to your hotel for refreshing time.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Note: English speaking guide and private driver

Breakfast at your hotel, you may have free time before being transferred to the Airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.

End of services.

Note: Private driver