This is an inspired journey travelling the length and breadth of Laos. You’ll cruise along the mighty Mekong River, explore the ancient capital of Luang Prabang and discover the mysterious Plain of Jars. This trip is specially designed to see the beautiful Laotian countryside and gain an insight into the many hilltribes that are the spirit of Laos.
Enriching tailormade journeys – for you
This bespoke journey features some of our favourite spots in Laos. You can choose to take our destination experts’ recommendations and travel just as you see the itinerary here, or contact us to add your own special touches; maybe add on extension to awe-inspiring Angkor Wat in Cambodia or some extra time to explore Bangkok. We’re here to design your perfect holiday. Call us on 0844 875 1897.
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Located in the centre of Bangkok's business, entertainment and shopping district, this smart, modern hotel provides a full spectrum of services and amenities including a fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool. All the guest rooms are designed with a contemporary Thai flavour and come with high speed internet access.
Day 2:
Ban Houei Sai
Fly to Chiang Rai before continuing by road to Chiang Khong on the Mekong River. From here you take the ferry across to Laos and the small, sleepy town of Ban Houei Sai.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Riverside Hoauixay Included meals: Breakfast
Riverside Hoauixay
This is a largish hotel, well-located in Hoauixay. There’s a restaurant nearby and rooms have TV, fridge and air-conditioning. Accommodation options are limited here, but this is a good option with nice rooms with good facilities.
Day 3:
Luang Namtha
Begin your journey through Laos to Luang Namtha; your fabulous journey takes you into the heart of the jungle, passing scenic rivers and numerous ethnic minority villages along the way. In the late afternoon we will reach Luang Namtha, a colourful market town.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
in Boatlanding Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Boatlanding
The Boatlanding is a rustic eco-lodge with bungalows constructed in a traditional Lao style using local materials. Each bungalow is en-suite and all have verandahs, where you can watch locals fish or just enjoy your natural surrounds; sleep to the relaxing sounds of the river.
Day 4:
Namha National Biodiversity and Conservation Area
Today, there’s a full day’s walk in the UNESCO controlled Namha National Biodiversity and Conservation Area, visiting several minority villages, too. This is a beautiful area where the local people are friendly but quite shy.
A spectacular drive through forested scenery with hilltribe villages along the way.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
in Boatlanding Included meals: Breakfast
Boatlanding
The Boatlanding is a rustic eco-lodge with bungalows constructed in a traditional Lao style using local materials. Each bungalow is en-suite and all have verandahs, where you can watch locals fish or just enjoy your natural surrounds; sleep to the relaxing sounds of the river.
Day 6:
Journey on the Nam Ou River
Board your boats for the journey on the Nam Ou River south to Luang Prabang. The river journey is stunning, passing many villages and forests, with the backdrop of large rolling mountains. You’ll also visit the Pak Ou Caves, with a sacred Buddhist shrine.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
in Nong Khai Riverside Included meals: Breakfast
Nong Khai Riverside
Set in one of the most beautiful locations in Northern Laos, Nong Kiau Riverside Resort stretches along 300m of the Ou River. This small lodge is comprised of simple bungalows, built on stilts and constructed from local materials. The rooms are spacious, with large bathrooms and a balcony overlooking the river and surrounding mountains.
Day 7:
Explore Luang Prabang
Explore the sights of Luang Prabang, including Wat Xieng Thong, strikingly decorated in brilliant red and gold designs, with an imposing tiled roof and mosaic dragon motifs. The afternoon is free.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Maison Souvannaphoum Included meals: Breakfast
Maison Souvannaphoum
Maison Souvannaphoum was once home to Laotian royalty and now has a mix of colonial style and contemporary design. This small hotel offers a spa and restaurant.
Day 8:
Kuang Si waterfalls
This morning, you’ll go to see the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls. This afternoon is left free to explore the local area; perhaps by tuk tuk to the nearby blacksmiths village of Ban Hat Hien or the papermaking village of San Khong.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Maison Souvannaphoum Included meals: Breakfast
Maison Souvannaphoum
Maison Souvannaphoum was once home to Laotian royalty and now has a mix of colonial style and contemporary design. This small hotel offers a spa and restaurant.
Day 9:
Phonsavan
Drive east to Phonsavan.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
in Vansana Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Vansana
A mid-sized hotel set on top of a hill. Facilities include a snack bar, tea and coffee bar and restaurant. Each room has a mini-bar, cable TV and a verandah to soak up the views.
Day 10:
Plain of Jars
Today you visit the Plain of Jars. Nobody knows how long the jars have actually been here or what they were used for; some speculate they are funeral urns dating back some 2,000 years. Another theory says that they were probably made to contain and transport ‘Lao Lao’ (glutinous wet rice) for a huge celebration. Continue to the old capital, Muang Khong, passing mainly Hmong and Black Thai villages on the way; lots of military paraphernalia cluster the villages.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Vansana Included meals: Breakfast
Vansana
A mid-sized hotel set on top of a hill. Facilities include a snack bar, tea and coffee bar and restaurant. Each room has a mini-bar, cable TV and a verandah to soak up the views.
Day 11:
Vientiane
This morning, there’s another visit to a different site of the Plain of Jars. In the afternoon, you fly to Vientiane.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Ansara Hotel
Ansara Hotel
Ansara Hotel offers a quiet place to stay in the historic centre of Vientiane close to all the main temples. The hotel is designed to offer the best of Lao and Asian décor, with a touch of class; simple and traditional yet elegant. You’ll find a private terrace and bathroom attached to your room and a good selection of dining options.
Day 12:
Vientiane
This morning, explore some of the main sights including the Victory Gate, That Luang stupa (said to contain a bone of the Buddha) and Wat Sisaket, which is packed with fine Buddha images.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Ansara Hotel Included meals: Breakfast
Ansara Hotel
Ansara Hotel offers a quiet place to stay in the historic centre of Vientiane close to all the main temples. The hotel is designed to offer the best of Lao and Asian décor, with a touch of class; simple and traditional yet elegant. You’ll find a private terrace and bathroom attached to your room and a good selection of dining options.
Day 13:
Mekong and islands
Today, you fly south to Pakse and then take a boat down the Mekong to Champassak to visit delightful Wat Phu, an impressive Khmer temple dating back to the 6th century and considered to be one of the archaeological wonders of Laos. Next you continue to Don Daeng Island for further exploration of typical village life in this sleepy corner of Laos. You then continue by bus to Done Khone.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
in Pon Arena Hotel Included meals: Breakfast
Pon Arena Hotel
Pon Arena Hotel is set along the Mekong River. Locally owned by Mr Pon, the rooms have been tastefully decorated in local style and are air-conditioned. Balconies look out over the river, and you can enjoy dinner in the riverside restaurant.
Day 14:
Four Thousand Islands
Known as the ‘Four Thousand Islands’, it is here that the Mekong splits to create a maze of channels and also where it reaches its widest point. Exploring by boat and foot, you visit traditional villages, see parts of the old French railway, see the widest waterfalls in South East Asia and hopefully see Irawaddy river dolphins.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
in King Fisher Eco Lodge Included meals: Breakfast
King Fisher Eco Lodge
This small eco-lodge consists of rooms built in wooden bungalows on stilts. Each has a glass front and balcony in order to give guests the best views of the surrounding national park. The restaurant overlooks the wetlands and is open, to give guests the chance to listen to and observe the natural life around them.
Day 15:
Tad Lo
Head through the western edge of the Boloven plateau to Tad Lo, centre for several Mon-Khmer ethnic groups. En-route to Tad Lo, you may have the opportunity to do some elephant riding.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
in Tad Lo Lodge Included meals: Breakfast
Tad Lo Lodge
The location of Tad Lo Lodge is spectacular; sitting above the Sexet River with great views of the Tad Lo and Tad Hang waterfalls. Rooms are in Lao-style villas set on stilts, each with its own balcony. There is a terrace restaurant and the lodge is also home to 2 rescued elephants.
Day 16:
Tad Lo
This morning is free in charming Tad Lo before heading back into Thailand for your evening flight from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
in Narai Hotel Included meals: Breakfast
Narai Hotel
Located in the centre of Bangkok's business, entertainment and shopping district, this smart, modern hotel provides a full spectrum of services and amenities including a fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool. All the guest rooms are designed with a contemporary Thai flavour and come with high speed internet access.
