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Day 1:
Upon arrival at Vientiane International Airport, you're welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. You are at leisure for the remainder of the day. Overnight in Vientiane.
Accommodation in Vientiane: (4*+) Crowne Plaza Vientiane Hotel (Deluxe room) (two nights)
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Day 2:
After breakfast, you will visit the major sights of the capital including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. The morning market will be the last stop before enjoying sunset by the Mekong Riverside.
Later in the day, you will take part in a cooking class with your Laotian Chef. One of the best ways to take in the local culture of Laos is to join a half-day cooking class led by talented Laotian chefs. The traditional food seems to be strange but soon becomes more impressive than ever because you have the opportunity not only to taste it but also to prepare it.
After being picked up by your chef at your hotel, you can start the session by visiting a wet market to get familiarized with various Laos ingredients and buy the necessary ones to fit your diet whether you are a meat lover or a vegetarian. Then you are fully ready to come to her home to prepare such an enjoyable meal.
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Day 3:
After an early breakfast, transfer to airport for a flight to Pakse (additional charge applies). Upon arrival, you will meet your guide for an excursion by road (the old coffee road) to Bolaven Plateau. En route, stopover at Km35 to visit the famous Tad Fan, Tad Yeung Waterfalls and ethnic villages in the surrounding countryside. Enjoy a massage at Dok Champa with the rest of your day at leisure.
Accommodation in Pakse: (4*) Champasak Grand Hotel (Superior room) (1 night)
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Day 4:
After breakfast, you will drive on the National Road No. 13th south to Champasak and visit the ruins of Wat Phu, which are well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between 9th - 13th centuries. Here is also a chance to visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines. After a short stop, you will continue to Khong Island, the biggest island in south Laos and the start of the 4000 Islands Region.
Accommodation in Khong island: (4*) Pon-Arena Hotel (Superior room) (two nights)
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Day 5:
Today, enjoy a cruise 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 "Siphandon". Along the way, stop at the Liphi Waterfalls and the fisherman village of Ban Khone. On return, you will take a short drive to the Laos-Cambodia border at Weukham and the sight of Khone Phapheng, which are both South East Asia's biggest waterfalls.
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Day 6:
After breakfast, you will take a boat trip back to Champasak. Your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for flight to Luang Prabang (additional charge applies). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation in Luang Prabang: (4*+) Victoria Xiengthong Palace Hotel (Palace room) (three nights)
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Day 7:
After breakfast, you board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives you a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Return to the town by noon in time for lunch at your own expense.
In the afternoon, visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Continue your city tour with the impressive stupa of Wat Mai and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of a Luang Prabang temple. Then you will climb to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collections and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
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Day 8:
After breakfast, you will drive through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Along the way by the Mekong River you will see gorgeous landscapes of many rice fields, hills and villages. You will visit an ethnic minority at a village where their local culture has remained unchanged for centuries. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfalls, relax and enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings. Afterwards, return to the Luang Prabang.
In the late afternoon, travel by tuk-tuk to a local house for a private Baci ceremony (additional cost) and home-hosted dinner. You will be warmly welcomed by your host before taking part in a Baci ceremony where you will have white cotton strings tied around your wrist for good luck! Baci is a ceremony to celebrate a special event, whether a marriage, a homecoming, a welcome, a birth, or one of the annual festivals. The Baci ceremony can take place any day of the week and all year long, preferably before noon or before sunset. The term more commonly used is su kwan, which means “calling of the soul”.
After that, enjoy authentic home cooked Laos cuisines, chat with the locals and then return to your hotel.
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Day 9:
After breakfast, you will be transferred by boat and road to Voeun Kham for border-crossing to Cambodia or you will drive back to Pakse for a flight out to the next destination.
