Laos Outlook

Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Arrival - Pakse - Tadlo
Day 2: Tadlo - Boloven Plateau - Done Khong - Khong Island
Day 3: Khong Island - Khone Phapheng - Watphou - Pakse
Day 4: Pakse - Vientiane
Day 5: Vientiane - Luang Prabang
Day 6: Luang Prabang - Pakou Caves - Luang Prabang
Day 7: Luang Prabang - Departure

This impressive trip is designed for anyone seeking a vacation from south to north. You soak up the fresh climate at Tadlo waterfall, see some nearby tribal villages and relax on a cruise to Watphou Temples. The boat excursion gives a chance to explore the widest part of the Mekong River and various sized islands. You fly north to see the sleepy town to Vientiane and the delightful Luang Prabang with old temples, funny shopping areas.

Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival - Pakse - Tadlo
On arrival at Pakse Airport you are met by our guide and transferred to Tadlo past many charming villages and rolling hills. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible all along the way. We make stopover at the scenic Phasoume Waterfall and a nearby Katu village. This ethnic group was originally in Vietnam but immigrated into Laos down centuries. They are very poor , but have an interesting culture and a colorful history. We arrive at Tadlo by mid or late afternoon and spend our time to relax at Tadlo waterwalls or simply stroll around a nearby charming village. O/N in Tadlo.

Day 2: Tadlo - Boloven Plateau - Done Khong - Khong Island
The views of stumbling water and lush vegetation around the waterfall is nothing short of spectacular. We depart Tadlo village and travel overland across the Boloven Plateau towards Khong Island. This back road gives a chance to discover the real southern Laos as we drive past many lush plantations, rolling hills, and peaceful villages. We make stop en route to observe the traditional making of coffee and possibly get a taste. On arrival in Khong island we embark a boat venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islets jut out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name "Si Phan Done". The longtail boat passes Done Ket and Done Som before it races across the water towards the peaceful island of Done Khone. We stroll through Ban Khone village to explore different local lifestyle close up and some relics of the French colonial period. Upon leaving this area we cruise upstream and admire the impressive sunset over the mighty Mekong River. O/N in Khong Island. (B)

Day 3: Khong Island - Khone Phapheng - Watphou - Pakse
Upon leaving Khong Island we make our way south to visit Khone Phapheng Waterfall which boast the largest one in Southeast Asia. The scenic drive deliver us to the former royal capital of Champasak, a gateway to the pre-angkorian temple of Wat Phu. This hillside edifice was once an important sanctuary of the Khmer Empire. The temple structure was partly destroyed in turbulent history however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. We follow the walkway from the lower to the upper section, which features various forms including Vishnu, Shiva and Kala. The temple upper ground also affords a spectacular views from the surrounding valley to the mighty Mekong River. We visit Wat Phou Museum and Oum Moung Temple before we travel by roads to Pakse, past scenic countryside. O/N in Pakse. (B)

Day 4: Pakse - Vientiane
The bustling town of Pakse is ideally located at the confluence of the Mekong and Xedone Rivers therefore it is a gateway to southern region and nearby plateau. Today we enjoy a short walking tour to explore this riverside town before we travel by air to Vientiane. On arrival you are greeted by our guide and driven to hotel. We start our half day city tour with Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha statues. Close to this masterwork is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Afterwards we continue driving to Patouxai. This imposing monument standing in Lane Xang Avenu, is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triomphe and provides a stunning views of the city. We round off our day with a visit to the great sacred masterpiece and symbol of Laos, That Luang Stupa. O/N in Vientiane. (B)

Day 5: Vientiane - Luang Prabang
The morning central market in the heart of Vientiane, sells a wide away of local treasures. We include this famous trading center in a short walking tour. By late morning we board a flight to Luang Prabang. The royal capital of the former Lane Xang Kingdom, Luang Prabang with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop, retains an unique charm rarely found in all Asia. There are plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the Srilankalese styled temple of That Marko, the shrine of Wat Aham and the five tiered roof Wat Mai. We visit these sites in a half day guided tour and embark on a climb up to Phousi Hill for a beautiful panorama view from the town center to the mighty Mekong River. There are 329 steps leading us on zigzag way past various temples to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat Phousi at the summit. O/N in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 6: Luang Prabang - Pakou Caves - Luang Prabang
Today we continue seeing this charming town with the famous Wat Xieng Thong, which nestles at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. The temple structures are decorated in various ways with gilded stuccoes ,doorways and marvellous tree life mosaic pattern on an outer wall, representing the ancient temple architecture of Luang Prabang. We board a boat for a leisurely trip on the Mekong River, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai to visit the distillation of potent local rice wine. Upon leaving this riverside village we wave our way through the stunning mountain landscape to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. They are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, all brought there by devout villagers. We explore these famous grottos and cruise back to Luang Prabang Town. On arrival we catch a short drive to Ban Phanom , a well known weaving village of the Tai Lue people who used to make royal silk weaving textiles for the Lao former royal family. O/N in Luang Prabang. (B,L)

Day 7: Luang Prabang - Departure
The exploration of Luang Prabang Town would not be complete without a visit to the national museum at the former Royal Palace. This interesting structure displays a lovely collection of treasures and artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. We spend our time to see this museum and enjoy a walk around the nearby old quarter streets or simply relax at riverside bar. The trip ends after your transfer to Luang Prabang Airport for departure. (B)

Inclusions:
Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver + Domestic flight Pakse - Vientiane + Accommodation: twin sharing room at mentioned hotels or similar one + English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights + Meal as indicated : B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner + Boat trips in Khong Island and Luang Prabang

Exclusions:
Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa, flight in / out of Laos, any optional additional tours or activities during free time, surcharge for peak season, local holiday days and gala dinner