Destinations: Vientiane – Kong Lor Cave – Budda Cave – Savannakhet – Pakse – Tad Lo – 4000 Islands.
Duration: 9 Days
Day 1: Arrival at Vientiane (DP)
Upon arrival in Vientiane, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Time permitting, you’ll embark on a half-day city tour to explore the major temples of Vientiane. You’ll visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple, known for its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which once housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. You’ll also see Laos’ national icon, That Luang Stupa, and have the opportunity to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 2: Vientiane – Pratbaht Ponsan – Kong Lor Cave (B, G)
You’ll be picked up from your Vientiane hotel this morning and travel south along Route 13. En route, you’ll stop at Prabaht Ponsan, an ancient stupa dating back to the 15th century. It is also home to the Ancient Buddha footprint, discovered in 1933 and now an important religious site in Laos.
After lunch, you’ll continue into Khammouane Province and the mountainous area. A stop at a viewpoint near Khoun Kham offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. You’ll then drive to Kong Lor for an overnight stay. Overnight in Kong Lor.
Day 3: Kong Lor Cave (B, G)
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a long-tail boat journey to the renowned Kong Lor Cave. You’ll traverse this impressive cave, which extends over 7 kilometers and features a stunning cavern soaring over 100 meters high. Following your exploration, enjoy lunch in a remote village on the opposite side of the cave. You’ll return to your hotel before sunset for an overnight stay in Kong Lor.
Day 4: Kong Lor Lor – Phou Pha Marn – Thakek (B, L, G)
Following breakfast, you’ll set off by road to Phu Pha Marn – The Rock Viewpoint.
The Rock Viewpoint serves as the gateway to the Phou Hin Boun National Protected Area, an untouched realm of ancient karstic forests, breathtaking views, and endemic wildlife in Central Laos. You’ll immerse yourself in one of the largest limestone forests in Asia with an exciting itinerary that includes zip lines, a spider net, and canopy walks.
You’ll start the adventure tour with an exhilarating zip line ride across the valley, followed by a thrilling circuit of via ferrata, suspended bridges, zip lines, and a spider net. The adventure concludes with a spectacular zip line ride across the rock formations, returning you to the Phou Pha Marn visitor center, where you can enjoy the views from the Khop Chai Der restaurant.
After the adventure, you’ll be transferred to Thakhek to visit Nang Aen Cave, a massive cave located 15 kilometers east of Thakhek and 1 kilometer south of Route 12 along Cave Alley. The cave, with its central chamber rising 30 meters high, is named after the legendary orphan Nang Samounta. You’ll also visit Tha Falung, which was once a boat ferry used during the French Colonial period. Overnight in Thakek.
Day 5: Thakek – Paske (B, L, G)
This morning, you’ll explore the town of Thakhek, including a visit to Pha That Sikhottabong, one of the most famous temples in the area. This historic site, part of a monastery built in the 19th century, is a highlight of the tour. Afterward, you’ll drive to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse.
Day 6: Pakse – Tadlo – Pakse (B, L, G)
This morning, you’ll be met and taken by road west into the Bolaven Plateau. Known for its cooler temperatures due to its high elevation above the Mekong Valley, the Bolaven Plateau is renowned for its stunning waterfalls. You’ll visit Tad Fan, the most beautiful of these falls, where twin waterfalls cascade into a deep gorge surrounded by lush vegetation.
A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing escape from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops along the way. You’ll then arrive at Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall and several ethnic minority groups. You’ll visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu before spending the night in Tad Lo. Overnight in Pakse.
Day 7: Pakse – Wat Phou – Khong Island (B, DP)
After an early breakfast, you’ll head towards Khong Island. On the way, you’ll visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated temples. Following lunch, you’ll continue your journey by car to Khong Island. Overnight on Khong Island.
Day 8: Khong Island – 4000 Islands and surrouding (B, L, G)
Following breakfast, you’ll enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside and embark on a long-tail boat tour of the Don Khone area. This tour will take you to see the remains from the French period and Liphi Waterfall, also known as “the Corridor of the Devil.” You’ll return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia, set in an area teeming with wildlife, making it one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. You’ll then drive back to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse.
What’s included:
- Breakfast and accommodation sharing double/twin rooms.
- Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.
- Boat cruises as specified in the programme.
- Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver.
- The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.
- Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
- Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the local restaurants.
What’s excluded:
- Other international flight tickets and airport tax.
- Visas
- Lunches and dinners, except as specified above.
- Drinks, tipping and personal expenses.
- Insurance.