Laos Retreat 11 days

Morning 

Welcome to Luang Prabang, you will receive a friendly welcome from our guide and driver. Then transfer to check in the hotel. 

After a brief rest, our guide will walk you through the small streets of Luang Prabang, providing an initial experience of local life and culture. The journey will include a visit to a petanque course, where we will engage in a game with a local team.

Afternoon

Late afternoon, we will take part in a private Baci ceremony with a local family. The traditional ao ritual serves as a cultural expression of the country’s spirituality, offering a profundity of memorable experiences for all participants.

Following the ceremony, you will have dinner with the host family. Transfer back to your hotel after that overnight in Luang Prabang.

Morning 

After breakfast, our guide will take you on a walking tour of the city with a retired UNESCO specialist.

The walk is oriented towards the lesser-known parts of the town including charming lanes showing the more traditional atmosphere of the heritage town.

As you follow the path, you will see the four different types of buildings categorized by UNESCO, including traditional Lao house architecture, and architecture that are inspired by French and Chinese architecture.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, our exploration continues with visits to some famous attractions nestled within the city center including the oldest temple Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong.

We then continue with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. From there, our steps lead us to the nearby Wat Mai, a temple that stands as one of Luang Prabang's largest and most intricately adorned.

In the late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

Descending from the hill, we will join the Royal Ballet Theatre at the National Museum, where we are treated to a traditional performance of Phralak Phralam.

NOTE: Shows are held every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 1800h in the high season (October to March) and 18h30 in the low season (March to September).

Evening

For dinner, we will try a bowl of Khaupoon at a local restaurant, which will be the highlight of your culinary exploration of Luang Prabang.

Optional: Early morning, we recommend joining a morning Yoga class at Luang Prabang Yoga, which will take about 1 hour starting at 07:30 at Utopia Bar & Restaurant before returning to your hotel for breakfast. 

The class fee is KIP 40,000/person ~ $5 (payable on the spot in KIP only – pre-reservation not accepted).
Note: You need to come on time if you are interested. In case you come late, you are not allowed to join. Here is the class schedule & pricing.

Morning

Relax time before transferring to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center, a diverse collection representing various Lao ethnic groups. We take a stroll, gaining deeper insights into the unique traditions, crafts, and ways of life of different ethnic communities.

After that, we will join the seminars on “Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos”. This fascinating 60-minute presentation offers you a chance to immerse yourself in Laos’ ethnic communities, their history, and their cultural practices.

Afternoon

The sample ethnic Khmu lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Evening

Our dinner will be served after that while the boat leisurely cruises back to Luang Prabang. 

Morning

Wake up early, we will join Laos' sacred morning almsgiving tradition, dating back to the 14th century. Then we will explore the nearby morning market, before returning to the hotel for breakfast and rest.

Around 10:00, we head to Kuang Si, Luang Prabang's largest waterfall, known for its three cascading tiers and stunning azure pools. Enjoy swimming in the pools or opt for a visit to the rarely explored hidden waterfalls near Ban Thapane village. 

You can also stop by the Bear Rescue Center to see animals rescued from poachers.

Afternoon
After Kuang Si, you can visit the nearby Butterflies Park for afternoon tea amidst colorful butterflies. On your way back to Luang Prabang, make a quick visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, where artisans create top-quality fabrics.

Transfer back to your hotel after that. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Evening

The dinner is recommended at the restaurant before returning to your hotel (not included – payable on the spot)

Morning

Savor a delicious breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the boat pier where we will take the i-Mekong boat upstream the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves.

We reach Pak Ou Caves around 11:30. This is a site of ancient spiritual significance. Inside the two caves of Tham Ting (local name of Pak Ou Caves), are stupas, shrines, and carvings of Buddha.

Afternoon

Then we are back on board i-Mekong to savor local cuisine for lunch while cruising back to Luang Prabang.

From there, we will transfer to Hillside Nature Lifestyle Resort, which is located just 10km from the city center amongst the ever-green nature. Enjoy the afternoon exploring at your own pace.

You are to take a stroll around the resort or the nearby area. There is an option of trekking to the jungle. 

For the kids, there is an option of Led Pony riding program which is designed for the younger visitors of the Hillside Lodge. Children will ride a pony accompanied by the instructor.

If you are into adventure, you should walk to the nearby Nahm Dong Park, which has plenty of activities such as trekking, ziplining, or flying bridge. You can join a cooking class as well if you are interested in the traditional Lao cuisine.

Morning

After breakfast, we embark on a journey back to Luang Prabang for our flight to Pakse, the largest town in southern Laos 

Upon reaching Pakse, we will drive to the enchanting Tad Phaseum waterfalls. Here, we engage in an easy trek, exploring nearby villages inhabited by ethnic minorities such as Laven, Alak, Taoy, and others.

Our exploration then leads us to Tadlo Waterfalls, where we will trek to witness the beauty of the falls and visit the neighboring minority villages of Ban Kiengtanglae and Ban Nanong. 

Continuing our journey, we traverse the plateau to Paksong, making captivating stops along the way, including the vibrant Tha Teng Market, showcasing the rich diversity of ethnic minority food.

Our route further unveils a couple of fascinating minority villages of Ban Pong and Ban Kokphung.

Morning

After breakfast, we start to visit Tad Fane and admire the scenery around the waterfall, which is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation.

Next, we transfer directly to Khong Island and take a 1.5-hour long-tail boat to explore the widest reach of the Mekong River. In the dry season, the receding waters leave behind thousands of islets, giving this area the lovely name "Si Phan Done."

Upon arrival, deep into the serene local villages of Ban Khone, uncovering relics from the French colonial era and remnants of the first Lao railway. 

We continue to discover the 4000 islands by tuk-tuk and marvel at the Liphi waterfall, known as the 'Corridor of the Devil,' a stunning landmark on the Lao-Cambodian border.

With luck, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, perhaps biking around the island to witness local life and catch the sunset along the Mekong River bank. Overnight on Khone Island.

Morning

After breakfast, we return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng, which is considered the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia

Then we transfer back to Champasak and take the boat crossing the Mekong river to the island of Daeng, home to the enchanting La Folie Lodge—a car-free oasis in front of Champasak Town. Known as the 'Red Island,' Don Daeng offers tranquility within the protected Vat Phu area. 

You have free time to rest and relax by the pool of the lodge.

Afternoon

Around mid-afternoon,  we will embark on another boat journey to visit Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th Century. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a breathtaking pre-Angkorian temple surrounded by southern Laos' rice fields and waterways. Finally, take the boat back to Done Daeng before dusk. 

You are free to stroll around the island at your own exploration. The lodge has free bicycles and maps for you to borrow and explore the island on the marked route on your own.

There is also a free boat transfer to the town of Champasak. Overnight in Done Daeng.

Enjoy the last day at your own pace before transferring back to Pakse to take the departure flight to the next destination. Tour ends.