Day 1: Arrival Vientiane

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos. After a short rest, an orientation walk of the Lao capital is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some French colonial architecture. We’ll enjoy sunset on the banks of the Mekong. Overnight in Vientiane.

DAY 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we’ll 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, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe. From there, we visit the central or ‘Morning Market’ – a great place for browsing antiques, handmade textiles and gifts. In the afternoon, we’ll tour the Lao capital, visiting the National Museum (closed Tuesday) formerly known as the Revolutionary Museum, which exhibits artifacts, photos and legends of Laos’s historical fighters and leaders from ancient times through to the new revolution period. We then board a short flight to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City of Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. On arrival, we transfer you to your hotel. After a short rest, we stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of locally made textiles from the hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient city and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On our way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun and Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 4: Luang Prabang – Departure

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual. Later, we visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market. After visiting these sights in the morning, there may be free time (depending on your flight) to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. Transfer to airport for departure flight. End of services