Kuang Si Waterfalls
OUR TOURS OF LAOS
ALL RATES UPON REQUEST
ALL RATES UPON REQUEST
We propose to you 7 tours in a private car with driver and English-speaking guide :
• 5 days Luang Prabang and surroundings ;
• 8 days Luang Prabang and surroundings + the astonishing Plain of Jars ;
• A sensational tour of the North in 12 days, staring from Luang Prabang and ending in Vientiane;
• A shorter tour of the North (10 days) starting from the Vietnamses border south of Dien Bien Phu and ending in Vientiane ;
• A superb 8-days tour of the South starting from Vientiane ;
• A 20-days complete tour of Laos combining the 12-days tour of the North and the 8-days tour of the South ;
• A second complete tour of Laos, shorter (15 days), starting in Luang Prabang and ending in Vientiane, but without the mountains nort of Luang Prabang.
HA NOI - LUANG PRABANG AND SURROUNDINGS - HA NOI ( 5 days)
Day 1: HA NOI - LUANG PRABANG (no meals)
Transfer to Hanoi Airport for a short flight (55 mn) to Luang Prabang. Welcome at the airport and registration at your hotel. Visit of the Old Town, completely rehabilitated by international organisations: The Royal Palace Museum and some of the numerous Buddhist temples of the town. Free meals.
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Day 2: GUIDED VISIT OF LUANG PRABANG (breakf) After breakfast, we continue the visit of Luang Prabang and its treasures, with a lunch on a restaurant terrace overlooking the Mekong River. Free afternoon for a walk or bicycle ride through the town. |
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Day 3: ELEPHANT VILLAGE SANCTUARY & RESORT (3 meals)
 Pak Ou 1000-Buddha Grotto |
After breakfast, a minibus comes to pick you up and takes you to the famous Elephant Village Sanctuary & Resort. Nestled in the jungle alongside the Nam Khan River 15 km from Luang Prabang, the center is operated by international specialists who adopt young elephants to take them away from the exhausting labor in Laos lumber camps. A fascinating day awaits you: • A one-hour elephant ride in a howdah, the traditional "platform" to ride those gentle animals. • Short lesson on how to "drive" an elephant like a true mahout • Buffet lunch • Another elephant ride, this time sitting on its neck, to bring it back to the jungle • Visit of the nearby waterfall of Tad Sae • Diner and night in a comfortable bungalow |
Day 4: ELEPHANT BATHING AND THE 1000-BUDDHA PAGODA (breakf)
After breakfast, and before going back to Luang Prabang, you have the unforgettable experience of bathing your elephant in the river. Free lunch in Luang Prabang. After lunch, a car takes you to the 1000-Buddha Pagoda (Pak Ou Grotto), 25 km from Luang Prabang, a magnificent site at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Ou River. You cross the Mekong on a small boat until the two grottoes filled up with Buddhas of all kinds, sizes, and age. Return at your hotel. Free diner.
Day 5: THE KUANG SI WATERFALLS AND RETURN TO VIETNAM (breakf, picnic lunch) After breakfast, the car takes you to the marvelous Kuang Si Waterfalls, 32 km south of Luang Prabang. Nature has carved a series of waterfalls and small basins so perfect that it is difficult to imagine that they are not the work of a landscape architect. Swimming in one of the ponds and picnic facing a waterfall. Return to Luang Prabang, from where you take the plane to return to Ha Noi. |
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Rates on request
Not included: the roudtrip air ticket Ha Noi-Luang Prabang.
HA NOI - LUANG PRABANG AND SURROUNDINGS - PLAIN OF JARS - HA NOI ( 8 days)
Day 1: HA NOI - LUANG PRABANG (no meals)
Transfer to Hanoi Airport for a short flight (55 mn) to Luang Prabang. Welcome at the airport and registration at your hotel. Visit of the Old Town, completely rehabilitated by international organisations: The Royal Palace Museum and some of the numerous Buddhist temples of the town. Free meals.
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Day 2: GUIDED VISIT OF LUANG PRABANG (breakf) After breakfast, we continue the visit of Luang Prabang and its treasures, with a lunch on a restaurant terrace overlooking the Mekong River. Free afternoon for a walk or bicycle ride through the town. |
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Day 3: ELEPHANT VILLAGE SANCTUARY & RESORT (3 meals)
 Pak Ou 1000-Buddha Grotto |
After breakfast, a minibus comes to pick you up and takes you to the famous Elephant Village Sanctuary & Resort. Nestled in the jungle alongside the Nam Khan River 15 km from Luang Prabang, the center is operated by international specialists who adopt young elephants to take them away from the exhausting labor in Laos lumber camps. A fascinating day awaits you: • A one-hour elephant ride in a howdah, the traditional "platform" to ride those gentle animals. • Short lesson on how to "drive" an elephant like a true mahout • Buffet lunch • Another elephant ride, this time sitting on its neck, to bring it back to the jungle • Visit of the nearby waterfall of Tad Sae • Diner and night in a comfortable bungalow |
Day 4: ELEPHANT BATHING AND THE KUANG SI WATERFALLS (breakf, picnic lunch)
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After breakfast, and before going back to Luang Prabang, you have the unforgettable experience of bathing your elephant in the river. Lunch in Luang Prabang. After lunch, a car takes you to the marvelous Kuang Si Waterfalls, 32 km south of Luang Prabang. Nature has carved a series of waterfalls and small basins so perfect that it is difficult to imagine that they are not the work of a landscape architect. Swimming in one of the ponds and picnic facing a waterfall. Return to Luang Prabang. |
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Day 5: LUANG PRABANG - PLAIN OF JARS (breakf)
We drive on an excellent road offering sumptuous panoramas to Phonsavan (Xien Khuang), the capital of the famous Plain of Jars. 250 km of a magnificent road on which you will discover the charm of “Deep Laos” and its h’mong minority. Arrival around 17:00h. Free diner and night in Phonsavan. |
Day 6: VISIT OF THE PLAIN OF JARS (breakf, lunch)
We spend the day visiting 3 fascinating jar sites, one of the greatest world mysteries, for we know neither by whom, nor when -we think 2000 years ago- and why those hundreds of stone jars have been carved in the rock and carried to 20 sites scattered among the hills. We start with the visit of Site 1, which counts over 250 jars, including a 6-ton one. Site 2 counts 90 jars only, but presents the advantage of having a good restaurant where to taste local specialties for your free lunch.
After lunch, we cross the beautiful countryside to Site 3 (150 jars), the nicest, for it is reached after a 2-km walk through rice fields and it offer a 360° view of the plain and surrounding mountains. Return to the Auberge around 17:00 for a second delicious diner.
After lunch, we cross the beautiful countryside to Site 3 (150 jars), the nicest, for it is reached after a 2-km walk through rice fields and it offer a 360° view of the plain and surrounding mountains. Return to the Auberge around 17:00 for a second delicious diner.
Day 7: PLAIN OF JARS - LUANG PRABANG (breakf)
Return to Lung Prabang by the same road and night at your hotel. Free diner.
Day 8: LUANG PRABANG - HA NOI (breakf)
| After breakfast, a car takes you to the 1000-Buddha Pagoda (Pak Ou Grotto), 25 km from Luang Prabang, a magnificent site at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Ou River. You cross the Mekong on a small boat until the two grottoes filled up with Buddha of all kinds, sizes, and age. Return to your hotel, free lunch and transfer to Luang Prabang Airport for your return flight. |  |
Rates on request
Not included: the roudtrip air ticket Ha Noi-Luang Prabang.
OUR TOUR OF THE NORTH OF LAOS
Starting from Luang Prabang
(12 days)
Starting from Luang Prabang
(12 days)
Les pics de Phou Khoun
This sensational takes you in the mountains between the charming town of Luang Prabang and the Vietnamese border, among superb scenery and all the minorities who inhabit the region since centuries. This itinerary starts in Luang Prabang and takes you first to the north, up to 50 km from the border (Muang Khoua), followed by the magnificent descent of the Nam Ou River by boat, an incursion East to the village of Vieng Khong, and the visit of the famous Plain of Jars. We then go South down to Vang Vien and end the tour in Vientiane. Of course, the tour can be done from Vientiane to Luang Prabang if you prefer. |
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Day 1 : WELCOME IN LUANG PRABANG AND FREE VISIT OF THE TOWN (no meals)
We welcome you at the Luang Prabang airport and take you to your hotel for registration and to give you all the necessary information about your tour. Rest of the day free. Before diner, we suggest you a visit of the Night Market. Free diner and night in Luang Prabang.
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Day 2 : GUIDED VISIT OF LUANG PRABANG (breakf)
Guided visit of the Old Town, with its myriad of temples and pagodas, the Royal Palace and its museum, and of strolling leasurely in the small streets with their beautiful old houses perfectly rehabilitated by the Unesco, Luang Prabang being classified as w World Heritage site. |
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Day 3 : UP THE MEKONG IN A SAMPAN AND THE PAK OU GROTTOES (3 meals)
 Le village de Pak Ou |
We live Luang Prabang on a sampan to sail up the Mekong River a «3-hour cruise up to the sacred grottoes of Pak Ou, located among magnificent scenery at the junction of the Mekong and the Nam Ou River. Those 2 grottoes in a cliff overlooking the river contain over 1000 buddha statues of all sizes, most of them standing in the style of the Classic Luang Prabang Period. We then go to the Kamu Lodge for lunch, a simple ecolodge of curious rooms with tent walls and thatched roofs, each with a terrace offering a sweeping view of the Mekong. The afternoon is a cultural one, during which we admire the dexterity of cross-bow archers and gold diggers, and discover the local minorities. Diner and night at the Ecolodge. |
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Day 4 : THE MEKONG (breakf, lunch)
We continue our cruise up the Mekong up to the village of Pak Beng, a day of relaxation and discovery of the life alongside the rapids of the mythical river. Lunch on board and night in a guesthouse. |
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Day 5 : MEETING THE NORTHERN MINORITIES (breakf)
Today, we the the road northwards, crossing the valleys of Oudomxay and Muang La. Our destination: the small village of Muang Khoua, 50 km south of the Vietnamese border. You will discover the various mountains tribes such as the Akhas (Ikor), Tais Lu, and also the K'mous, considered as the autochtones of the Indochina Peninsula. Arrival in Muang Khoua at the end of the day. Night in a guesthouse.
Day 6 : DESCENT OF THE NAM OU RIVER (breakf, lunch)
 Descente de la Nam Ou |
This morning, we leave Muang Khoua for a superb descent of the Nam Ou down to the village of Nong Khiew, an adventurous day through the river rapids. Sensations guaranteed! Since centuries, that river road has been used by travelers and traders to reach not only Vietnamese Tongking, but also the rich Chinese province of Yunnan, the ancient Kingdom of Sipsong Banna, through the border village of Phonsaly. It is the region of the Tai Lu Ethnic Minority, originated from Yunnan from which they were pushed in the 19th century by the terrifying Black Pavilions pirates. Arrival in Nong Khiew in the afternoon and free visit of the village. Night in a guesthouse alongside the Nam Ou. |
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Day 7 : NONG KHIEW, THE PHA TOK GROTTOES AND THE TAI LU MINORITIES (breakf)
This morning, we pay a visit to the Nong Khieu Tai Lu Ethnic Minority. This village of weavers –an ancestral trade- and farmers (tobacco, cotton, rice) kept its authentic houses, some of them centuries old. We then visit the Pha Tok Grottoes, which were used as a shelter by the communist Pathet Lao. Free afternoon and 2nd night in Nong Khiew. |
 Thai Lu house |
Day 8 : THE RIDGE ROAD OF THE HOUA PHAN MASSIF (breakf)
We leave Nong Khiew and its picture-perfect scenery for the small town de Vieng Thong (Muang Hiem), using the magnificent Ridge Road of the Houa Phan Massif. Visit of K'mu and H'mong minority villages and of a hot spring, before reaching Vieng Thong in the afternoon. Night in Vieng Thong.
Day 9 : THE KINGDOM OF THE PHOUANS AND THE TAD KHA WATERFALLS
Our itinerary continues through the valley of Muang Kham and h'mong villages until the town of Phonsavan (Province of Xieng Khouang). Visit en route of a Tai Dam (Black Thais) village, a minority of weavers, rice farmers, and producers of the local rice alcohol Laolao.
Visit of the Tad Kha waterfalls, flowing in stages and surrounded by a primary forest unique in the province. Arrival in Phonsavanh, capital of the province, stretched in the middle of the famous Plain of Jars. Free diner and night in the beautiful Auberge de la Plaine des jarres, owned by your guide Sanya, with its bungalows and restaurant considered as one of the best in Laos.
Breakfast.
Visit of the Tad Kha waterfalls, flowing in stages and surrounded by a primary forest unique in the province. Arrival in Phonsavanh, capital of the province, stretched in the middle of the famous Plain of Jars. Free diner and night in the beautiful Auberge de la Plaine des jarres, owned by your guide Sanya, with its bungalows and restaurant considered as one of the best in Laos.
Breakfast.
Day 10 : THE JAR SITES AND THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF MUANG KHOUN (breakf, lunch)
We spend the day visiting 3 fascinating jar sites, one of the greatest world mysteries, for we know neither by whom, nor when -we think 2000 years ago- and why those hundreds of stone jars have been made and carried to 20 sites scattered among the hills. We start with the visit of Site 3 (150 jar), the most beautiful for we access it with a small 2-km climb through rice fields and one can admire a 360° panorama of the plain and surrounding mountains. We then go to Muang Khoun, the ancient Thais Phouan capital, where we admire a superb XVIth century stupa. |
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Lunch in the house of Mister Pae, who shows you how to catch, swallows, a local specialty, even if it is off season (the hunting is in January-February).
Our tour of the plains ends with Site 1, which counts over 250 jars, including a 6-ton one, and Site 2 (90 jars on a small hill). Nous return to Phongsavan and visit the Demining Center (UXO Lao), a visit alas necessary to understand the past tragedy of the Secret Lao War – during which poor Laos received over 2 million tons of bombs - more than during the entire Second World War – and the present one, with its thousands of unexploded bombs, shells and rockets. 2nd night in Phonsavan.
Day 11 : THE PHOU KHOUN PEAKS AND VANG VIEN (breakf)
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In the morning, we visit the local market of Phonsavan and the Mulberry Farm Weaving Center. We then drive southwards and cross the magnificent region of the Phou Khoun Peaks on the famous "Road of a Thousand Turns". It is the last stage of the tour to meet mountains minorities. En route, we the Grotto of Tham Pha, at the entrance of which one can see a standing Buddha and some graffitis confirming the beginning of Buddhism in those animist regions (VIth and VIIth century). Arrival in Vang Vieng at the end of the day, a superb site alongside the Nam Song River, with its limestone peaks which gave it the surname of « Halong Bay in Laos ». Night in Vang Vieng. |
Day 12 : VANG VIEN - VIENTIANE (breakf)
This morning, we visit the Grotto of Tham Pou Kham, with its small lake, and of Tham Chang, from which we have a sweeping view of the region. We then take the road to Vientiane, with, en route, the visit of the fishing village of Houey Mo, near the Nam Gnum Lake, a center of production of dry fish which is eaten in a soup or grilled. Arrival in Vientiane end of the afternoon. We leave you at your hotel and regretfully say « Goodbye ! ».
Rates on request
OUR TOUR OF THE NORTH OF LAOS
Starting from Dien Bien Phu
(10 days)
Starting from Dien Bien Phu
(10 days)
Descente de la rivière Nam Ou
This beautiful tour takes you from the Vietnamese border 30-km south of Dien Bien Phu, and through the whole North going through Muang Khoua, followed by a amazing boat ride down the Nam Ou River, the visit of charming Luang Prabang, eastwards to the village of Vieng Khong aqnd the famous Plain of Jars. We then go southwards to Vang Vien and end the tour in Vientiane. Of course, this tour can go from Vientiane to the Vietnamese border if you wish. |
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Day 1 : VIETNAMESE BORDER - MUANG KHOUA (no meals)
This tour requires that you spend the previous night in Dien Bien Phu, which you can reach either by plane from Hanoi, or by public bus or private car on the road Hanoi-Mai Chau-Son La-Dien Bien or the road Sapa-Dien Bien. If you arrive by plane or bus, the Day 1 30-km ride between Dien Bien Phu and the Lao border is at your charge ; a minibus leaves Dien Bien Phu around 6h30 and takes you to the border, which you cross by foot and your Lao driver and guide wait for you on the Lao side. If you use our agency driver and guide, they take you to border on Day 1.
Our destination? The small village of Muang Khoua, 50 km south of the border. Registration at your hotel, free lunch and visit of the surrounding villages, where you have the pleasure of discovering the various lmountains minorities : Akhas (Ikor), Tai Lu and K'mous, the latter thought to be the first inhabitants of Indochina. Before diner, we suggest that you visit the night market. Free diner and night in Muang Khoua.
Our destination? The small village of Muang Khoua, 50 km south of the border. Registration at your hotel, free lunch and visit of the surrounding villages, where you have the pleasure of discovering the various lmountains minorities : Akhas (Ikor), Tai Lu and K'mous, the latter thought to be the first inhabitants of Indochina. Before diner, we suggest that you visit the night market. Free diner and night in Muang Khoua.
Day 2 : BOAT RIDE ON THE NAM OU RIVER FROM MUANG KHUA TO NONG KHIEU (breakf)
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This morning, we leave Muang Khoua for a boat ride on the Nam ou River down to the village of Nong Khiew. Since centuries, this river has been the link between the north of Laos and, the Center, Northern Vietnam, and southwest China (former Sipsong Banna Kingdom) passing through the province of Phonsaly. |
It is the region of the Tai Lu minority, originating from Yunnan, out of which they were driven by the terrible Black Pavillons Chinese pirates. Arrival in Nong Khiew in the afternoon, free stroll through, free diner and night in a homestay alongside the river.
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Day 3 : NONG KHIEW, THE PHA TOK GROTTOES AND THE TAI LU MINORITIES (breakf)
This morning, we pay a visit to the Nong Khieu Tai Lu Ethnic Minority. This village of weavers –an ancestral trade- and farmers (tobacco, cotton, rice) kept its authentic houses, some of them centuries old. We then We then visit the Pha Tok Grottoes, which were used as a shelter by the communist Pathet Lao. Free afternoon and 2nd night in Nong Khiew. |
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Day 4 : NONG KHIEW - LUANG PRABANG (breakfast)
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A beautiful road snakes through the mountains and partially alongisde the Nam Ou River until the charming town of Luang Prabang. registration at your hotel, free lunch, followed by the vist of the superb Khuang Xi Waterfalls. Free diner and night in Luang Prabang. |
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Day 5 : GUIDED VISIT OF LUANG PRABANG (breakf)
Guided visit of the Old Town, with its myriad of temples and pagodas, the Royal Palace and its museum, and of strolling leasurely in the small streets with their beautiful old houses perfectly rehabilitated by the Unesco, Luang Prabang being classified as a World Heritage site. |
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Day 6 : UP THE MEKONG IN A SAMPAN TO THE PAK OU GROTTOES (breakf, lunch)
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We leave Luang Prabang on a sampan to sail up the Mekong River in a 3-hour cruise up to the sacred grottoes of Pak Ou, located among magnificent scenery at the junction of the Mekong and the Nam Ou River. Those 2 grottoes in a cliff overlooking the river contain over 1000 Buddha statues of all sizes, most of them standing in the style of the Classic Luang Prabang Period. |
We then go to the Kamu Lodge for lunch, a simple ecolodge of curious rooms with tent walls and thatched roofs, each with a terrace offering a sweeping view of the Mekong. The afternoon is a cultural one, during which we admire the dexterity of cross-bow archers and gold diggers, and discover the local minorities. Return to Luang Prabang for free diner and a last night.
Day 7 : LUANG PRABANG - PHONGSAVAN (breakf)
A beautiful mountain road taks you to the small town of Phongsavan (Xien Khouang), « capital » of the famous Plain of the Jars. Free diner and night in Phongsavan.
Day 8 : THE JAR SITES AND THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF MUANG KHOUN (breakfast)
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We spend the day visiting 3 fascinating jar sites, one of the greatest world mysteries, for we know neither by whom, nor when -we think 2000 years ago- and why those hundreds of stone jars have been made and carried to 20 sites scattered among the hills.
We start with the visit of Site 3 (150 jar), the most beautiful for we access it with a small 2-km climb through rice fields and one can admire a 360° panorama of the plain and surrounding mountains. We then go to Muang Khoun, the ancient Thais Phouan capital, where we admire a superb XVIth century stupa. Lunch in the house of Mister Pae, who shows you how to catch, swallows, a local specialty, even if it is off season (the hunting is in January-February). |
Our tour of the plains ends with Site 1, which counts over 250 jars, including a 6-ton one, and Site 2 (90 jars on a small hill). Nous return to Phongsavan and visit the Demining Center (UXO Lao), a visit alas necessary to understand the past tragedy of the Secret Lao War – during which poor Laos received over 2 million tons of bombs - more than during the entire Second World War
Day 9 : THE PHOU KHOUN PEAKS AND VANG VIEN (breakf)
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In the morning, we visit the local market of Phonsavan and the MulberryFarm Weaving Center. We then drive southwards and cross the magnificent region of the Phou Khoun Peaks on the famous "Road of a Thousand Turns". It is the last stage of the tour to meet mountains minorities. En route, we visit the Grotto of Tham Pha, at the entrance of which one can see a standing Buddha and some graffitis confirming the beginning of Buddhism in those animist regions (VIth and VIIth century). Arrival in Vang Vieng at the end of the day, a superb site alongside the Nam Song River, with its limestone peaks which gave it the surname of « Halong Bay in Laos ». Free diner and night in Vang Vieng. |
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Day 10 : VANG VIEN - VIENTIANE (breakf)
This morning, we visit the Grotto of Tham Pou Kham, with its small lake, and of Tham Chang, from which we have a sweeping view of the region. We then take the road to Vientiane, with, en route, the visit of the fishing village of Houey Mo, near the Nam Gnum Lake, a center of production of dry fish which is eaten in a soup or grilled. Arrival in Vientiane end of the afternoon. We leave you at your hotel and regretfully say « Goodbye ! ».
Rates on request
Tadlo Waterfalls
OUR TOUR OF THE SOUTH OF LAOS
The Plateau of the Bolovens, The Cham Temple of Wat Phou (Champassak) and the 4000 Islands
(8 Days)
The Plateau of the Bolovens, The Cham Temple of Wat Phou (Champassak) and the 4000 Islands
(8 Days)
This superb tour starts in Vientiane, the peaceful capital alongside the Mekong. We then take you to the Plateau of the Bolovens, region of the Kha Allak Minotities, to Champassak, famous for the Pre-Angkor ruin of Wat Phou, to Dong Khan Island in the « Region of the 4000 Islands », and end the tour in Paksé, from which you can easily enter Thailand or Cambodia.
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Day 1 : WELCOME IN VIENTIANE AND FREE VISIT OF THE TOWN (no meals)
We welcome you at the Vientiane airport and take you to your hotel for registration and to give you all the necessary information about your tour. Rest of the day free to visit the pagodas, the Black Stupa, the Museum of the Lao revolution, etc.). Night in Vientiane. Repas libres |
 The Stupa of Phrat That Luang |
Day 2 : VIENTIANE - SAVANNAKHET (breakf)
Your tour of Southern Laos starts by the descent southwards of Road 13 until the regional capital of Savannakhet, through the plains of Vientiane and Khammouane. Visit en route of the Temple of Pha Bat Phonsan and the famous grottoes of Tham Pa Fa, discovered by chance by a bat hunter ; they contain several hundreds Buddha statues of all sizes, forgotten for centuries. Arrival at your Savannakhet hotel end of the afternoon.
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Day 3 : PAKSE AND THE PLATEAU OF THE BOLOVENS (breakf)
We continue our road towards the Plateau of the Bolovens, passing through Paksé. En route, we visit the 9th-century ruins of Heuan Hine, a pre-Angkor site. Lunch in Paksé and we then enter the Territory of the Khas. There, we visit tea and coffee plantations around Paksong and arrive a tour destination, the superb site of Tadlo and its 3 waterfalls. Night in Tadlo in a guesthouse located a few minutes walk from the Waterfalls of the Sexet. Petit déjeuner. |
 Temple of Heuan Hine |
Day 4 : THE ELEPHANTS OF TADLO (breakf)
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This morning, you meet Moune, Bounma, and Nouan, 3 gentle elephants with which you are going to admire the surrounding countryside during an hour and half. You will discover the villages of Kok Phoung and Na Nong of the Kha Allak Minority, considered as the autochthones of the Indochina Peninsula. Return to à Tadlo and free afternoon. 2nd night in Tadlo. Petit déjeuner. |
Day 5 : CHAMPASSAK AND THE CHAM RUINS OF WAT PHOU (breakf)
| We leave Tadlo for the small town of Champanakhone (Champassak), ancient capital of the Cham kingdom, where we arrive in the the afternoon after having crossed the Mekong on a ferry. Registration at your hotel and visit of the Pre-Angkor Temple of Wat Phou. Classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 2001, it is the cradle of the Khmer Civilization, well before (5th century) the Angkor Period. This Cham town was built over a Lingam temple erected by the Brahman monks who came from India at an even more remote time, very likely because of the phallic shape of the mountain overlooking the site. |
 Wat Phou |
The present ruins (the large basin– the Baray – the North (for men) and South (for women) Temples, the Pavilion of Nandi the Sacred Bull, the large Terrace and the Sanctuary – are all dated Xth-XIIth century. The site remains sacred for Buddhists, who come from as far as Thailand and Cambodia for the big January-February festivals. Night in Champassak.
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Day 6 : THE DESCENT OF THE MEKONG (breakf)
We board a sampan for the descent of the Mekong down to Don Khong Island, in the middle of the famous Region of the 4000 Islands (Region of Siphandone, which means « Four thousand islands » in Laotian), a very pleasant cruising day through a peaceful scenery. Lunch on board and arrival beginning of the afternoon in Don Khong Island. Registration in your hotel and we then admire the sunset in the small fishing village of Muang Sene. |
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Day 7 : THE FOUR THOUSAND ISLANDS (breakf)
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You spend the morning bicycling to visit temples, a school, and the peaceful island countryside. In the afternoon, you cruise down the Mekong for one and half hour, to reach the small Don Khone Island and the Somphamit Waterfalls, also called Liphi (« Place where the spirits hide »). We land in the small fishing village of Nakasang, to visit the Khone Papheng Waterfalls. We then go through the Vang Nam basin, where we admire the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins, which we observe in a small craft. Return to Don Khong Island end of the day. 2nd night in the island. |
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Day 8 : RETURN TO PAKSÉ (breakf)
We have a rendez-vous at 6 am with the local monks gathering their day meal in exchange for prayers. We then visit Dong Khan Market and return to Paksé, where we arrive end of the afternoon. Night in Paksé. Breakfast. The 9th day, your possibilities are multiple : - Flight to Vientiane and return flight ; - Passage to Thaïlande via the road Paksé-Ubon Ratchatani or by plane Paksé-Bangkok (one-and-half hour flight) ; - Passage to Cambodia via the road or flight Paksé-Siem Reap (one-hour flight) - Passage to Central Vietnam, at the level of Kontum, via the road Pakse-Attapeu-Bo Y (border-post)-Kontum. |
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Rates on request
OUR COMPLETE TOUR OF LAOS IN 20 JOURS
(20 days and 15 days)
(20 days and 15 days)
This superb tour combines the 12-days tour of the North starting from Luang Prabang and the 8-days tour of the South, as described above, with two modifications, on the last day of the tour of the North and the first day of the tour of the South.
Day 12 of the North tour : VANG VIEN - VIENTIANE (breakfast)
This morning, we visit the Tham Pou Kham Grottoes, with their small undergoround lake, and Tham Chang, from which we enjoy a superb panorama of the region. We then take the road to Vientiane, with visit en route of the fishing village of Houey Mo, near the Nam Gnum Lake, a center of fish drying which Laotians eat in a soup or grilled. Arrival in Vientiane end of the afternoon. Free diner and night in Vientiane. Breakfast and lunch |
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Day 1 of the South tour : GUIDED VISIT OF VIENTIANE (breakf)
The day is spent visiting the superb monuments of Vientiane :
Rates on request
OUR COMPLETE TOUR OF LAOS IN 15 DAYS
This shorter tour eliminates the region north of Luang Prabang. It nevertheless allows the visit of numerous superb Laos sites.
Day 1 : WELCOME IN LUANG PRABANG AND FREE VISIT OF THE TOWN (no meals)
We welcome you at the Luang Prabang airport and take you to your hotel for registration and to give you all the necessary information about your tour. Rest of the day free. Before diner, we suggest you a visit of the Night Market. Free diner and night in Luang Prabang.
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Day 2 : GUIDED VISIT OF LUANG PRABANG (breakf)
Guided visit of the Old Town, with its myriad of temples and pagodas, the Royal Palace and its museum, and of strolling leasurely in the small streets with their beautiful old houses perfectly rehabilitated by the Unesco, Luang Prabang being classified as a World Heritage site. |
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Day 3 : THE PAK OU GROTT0ES AND THE KHOUANG XI WATERFALLS (breakf, lunch)
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We leave Luang Prabang on a sampan to sail up the Mekong River in a 3-hour cruise up to the sacred grottoes of Pak Ou, located among magnificent scenery at the junction of the Mekong and the Nam Ou River. Those 2 grottoes in a cliff overlooking the river contain over 1000 Buddha statues of all sizes, most of them standing in the style of the Classic Luang Prabang Period. We then go to the Kamu Lodge for lunch, a simple ecolodge of curious rooms with tent walls and thatched roofs, each with a terrace offering a sweeping view of the Mekong. We theN drive to the superb Khouang Xi Waterfalls (swimming if possible). Return to Luang Prabang for free diner and another night. |
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Day 4 : LUANG PRABANG – PHONGSAVAN (breakf)
A beautiful mountain road taks you to the small town of Phongsavan (Xien Khouang), « capital » of the famous Plain of the Jars. Free diner and night in Phongsavan.
Day 5 : THE JAR SITES AND THE ANCIENT CAPITAL OF MUANG KHOUN (breakf, lunch)
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We spend the day visiting 3 fascinating jar sites, one of the greatest world mysteries, for we know neither by whom, nor when - we think 2000 years ago - and why those hundreds of stone jars have been made and carried to 20 sites scattered among the hills.
We start with the visit of Site 3 (150 jar), the most beautiful for we access it with a small 2-km climb through rice fields and one can admire a 360° panorama of the plain and surrounding mountains. We then go to Muang Khoun, the ancient Thais Phouan capital, where we admire a superb XVIth century stupa. Lunch in the house of Mister Pae, who shows you how to catch, swallows, a local specialty, even if it is off season (the hunting is in January-February). |
Our tour of the plains ends with Site 1, which counts over 250 jars, including a 6-ton one, and Site 2 (90 jars on a small hill). Nous return to Phongsavan and visit the Demining Center (UXO Lao), a visit alas necessary to understand the past tragedy of the Secret Lao War – during which poor Laos received over 2 million tons of bombs - more than during the entire Second World War – and the present one, with its thousands of unexploded bombs, shells and rockets.
Day 6 : THE PHOU KHOUN PEAKS AND VANG VIEN (breakf)
| In the morning, we visit the local market of Phonsavanh and the Mulberry Farm Weaving Center. We then drive southwards and cross the magnificent region of the Phou Khoun Peaks on the famous "Road of a Thousand Turns". It is the last stage of the tour to meet mountains minorities. En route, we visit the Grotto of Tham Pha, at the entrance of which one can see a standing Buddha and some graffitis confirming the beginning of Buddhism in those animist regions (VIth and VIIth century). Arrival in Vang Vieng at the end of the day, a superb site alongside the Nam Song River, with its limestone peaks which gave it the surname of « Halong Bay in Laos ». Free diner and night in Vang Vieng. |
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Day 7 : VANG VIEN - VIENTIANE (breakf)
This morning, we visit the Grotto of Tham Pou Kham, with its small lake, and of Tham Chang, from which we have a sweeping view of the region. We then take the road to Vientiane, with, en route, the visit of the fishing village of Houey Mo, near the Nam Gnum Lake, a center of production of dry fish which is eaten in a soup or grilled. Arrival in Vientiane end of the afternoon.
Day 8 : GUIDED VISIT OF VIENTIANE (breakf)
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Guided visit of the monuments of Vientiane : the pagodas, the Black Stupa, le Museum of Laotian revolution, etc. Free diner and night in Vientiane. |
Day 9 : VIENTIANE - SAVANNAKHET (breakf)
Your tour of Southern Laos starts by the descent southwards of Road 13 until the regional capital of Savannakhet, through the plains of Vientiane and Khammouane. Visit en route of the Temple of Pha Bat Phonsan and the famous grottoes of Tham Pa Fa, discovered by chance by a bat hunter ; they contain several hundreds Buddha statues of all sizes, forgotten for centuries. Arrival at your Savannakhet hotel end of the afternoon.
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Day 10 : PAKSE AND THE PLATEAU OF THE BOLOVENS (breakf)
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Temple of Heuan Hine |
Day 11 : THE ELEPHANTS OF TADLO (breakf)
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This morning, you meet Moune, Bounma, and Nouan, 3 gentle elephants with which you are going to admire the surrounding countryside during an hour and half.
You will discover the villages of Kok Phoung and Na Nong of the Kha Allak Minority, considered as the autochthones of the Indochina Peninsula. Return to à Tadlo and free afternoon. 2nd night in Tadlo. |
Day 12 : CHAMPASSAK AND THE CHAM RUINS OF WAT PHOU (breakf)
| We leave Tadlo for the small town of Champanakhone (Champassak), ancient capital of the Cham kingdom, where we arrive in the the afternoon after having crossed the Mekong on a ferry. Registration at your hotel and visit of the Pre-Angkor Temple of Wat Phou. Classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 2001, it is the cradle of the Khmer Civilization, well before (5th century) the Angkor Period.
This Cham town was built over a Lingam temple erected by the Brahman monks who came from India at an even more remote time, very likely because of the phallic shape of the mountain overlooking the site. The present ruins (the large basin– the Baray – the North (for men) and South (for women) Temples, the Pavilion of Nandi the Sacred Bull, the large Terrace and the Sanctuary – are all dated Xth-XIIth century. The site remains sacred for Buddhists, who come from as far as Thailand and Cambodia for the big January-February festivals. Free diner and night in Champassak. |
Wat Phou |
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Day 13 : THE DESCENT OF THE MEKONG DOWN TO DON KHONG ISLAND (breakf, lunch)
We board a sampan for the descent of the Mekong down to Don Khong Island, in the middle of the famous Region of the 4000 Islands (Region of Siphandone, which means « Four thousand islands » in Laotian), a very pleasant cruising day through a peaceful scenery. Lunch on board and arrival beginning of the afternoon in Don Khong Island. Registration in your hotel and we then admire the sunset in the small fishing village of Muang Sene. |
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Day 14 : THE FOUR THOUSAND ISLANDS (breakf)
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You spend the morning bicycling to visit temples, a school, and the peaceful island countryside.
In the afternoon, you cruise down the Mekong for one and half hour, to reach the small Don Khone Island and the Somphamit Waterfalls, also called Liphi (« Place where the spirits hide »). |
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Day 15 : RETURN TO PAKSÉ (breakf)
The 16th day, your possibilities are multiple : |
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Rates on request
