Destinations: HOUEI SAY – PAKBENG – LUANG PRABANG – PAKSE – DON KHONE
Laos: a Mekong Adventure is a 5-day tour that lets you discover the beauty and charm of Laos along the Mekong River. You will cruise from Houei Say to Pakbeng and then to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a city with a rich history and culture. You will also see the forest, the villages, the elephants, the waterfalls, and the caves along the way. You will then fly to Pakse and drive to Don Khone, the biggest island in the 4000 islands area, which is one of the most scenic places in Laos. You will see the Mekong River and its islands, as well as the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. This tour will give you a wonderful and memorable experience of Laos.
Itinerary in brief:
| Day | Destination | Meals* | Location |
| Day 1 | Arrival – Houei Say – Pakbeng | – | Pakbeng |
| Day 2 | Pakbeng – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang | B | Luang Prabang |
| Day 3 | Exploring Luang Prabang | B | Luang Prabang |
| Day 4 | Luang Prabang – Pakse – Don Khone | B | Don Khone |
| Day 5 | Done Khone – Departure | B | – |
*B = Breakfast
You will cross the Mekong River from Thailand to Laos, where your Lao guide will welcome you at the immigration point. You will complete the border formalities and board a traditional boat for a cruise down the Mekong River (the cruise departs at 8am).
Experience the serene and timeless beauty of Laos, one of the most unchanged and unvisited countries in Asia. Laos was once a powerful kingdom called Lane Xang (Million Elephants), which was founded in the 14th century with the help of the Khmers. It was one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia until it collapsed in the late 19th century. Laos is influenced by many cultures, such as Theravada Buddhism, animism, French colonial heritage, and socialism. It is a peaceful place, where the Lao people are known for their hospitality, resilience and friendliness. Laos is a place where Old Asia is preserved.
As you cruise down the river, stop at some villages of the tribal minorities, such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu.
Arrive in Pakbeng, where you will visit the local market and see the colorful hill-tribe traders exchanging their goods.
Overnight in Pakbeng
After breakfast, continue your cruise down the Mekong River, where you will see the unspoiled forest and the villages along the riverbanks. You may also spot some elephants and their mahouts. Visit a village where they make fishing nets and another village where they make rice wine. You may even get to taste some of the rice wine, which is a local specialty. Next, visit the Pak-Ou caves, where you will see thousands of Buddha statues that have been placed there by the faithful.
Arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset and transfer to your hotel.
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a charming city on the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, surrounded by mountains. It was the capital of Laos until 1545 and the seat of the royal family until 1975. It has the legacy of 63 kings and a rich history and culture.
Discover the beauty and culture of this city, which is often called one of the last Shangri-La’s of Southeast Asia.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
You have the option to wake up early and join the daily morning ritual of the monks in saffron robes collecting alms (sticky rice) from the devout locals. This is a unique and sacred tradition in Laos, the only Buddhist country that still preserves this practice.
In the morning, visit the Phosi Market, where you will find a variety of local products, such as dried buffalo skin, tea, saltpeter, chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe textiles. Laos is famous for its traditional crafts, and you will have the opportunity to see the local villages where different ethnic groups live such as Ban Ouay (Hmong), Ban Ou (Laoloum), and Ban Thapene (Khmu).
After that, drive to the stunning Khouangsi Waterfall, where you can swim in the clear blue pools or hike along the forest trails. Continue to the Bear rescue center and learn about the efforts to protect the endangered Asiatic black bears.
In the late afternoon, return to Luang Prabang and visit the National Museum, which used to be the Royal Palace of Laos. You will see the elegant and ornate rooms, as well as the Buddha and other artifacts, such as the Prabang, a holy image that was given by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum in the 14th century. Also, visit some of the most impressive temples in Luang Prabang, such as Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, and Wat Mai. Admire the stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai, which are decorated with gilded stuccoes and doorways. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, a magnificent temple that is located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan Rivers. Admire the temple’s architecture and the mosaic of the ‘tree of life’ on an outer wall. Next, climb to the top of Mount Phousi, where you will see the sacred and gilded stupa and the panoramic view of the city and the river at sunset.
At the end of the day, stroll through the Night Market, where you will find a variety of textiles made by the local and the hill-tribe people.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse. On arrival, meet your new local guide and driver and visit Wat Phu Champasak, an ancient temple complex that dates back to the 5th century. See the ruins of the Khmer civilization, which are located at the base of Mount Phu Kao. Wat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is older than the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Learn about the history and culture of this place.
Later, drive to Don Khone Island, the biggest island in the 4000 islands area, which is one of the most beautiful places in Laos. Enjoy the Mekong River and its islands in all their glory.
Overnight in Don Khone
After an early breakfast, explore the local villages of Ban Khone and see some relics from the French colonial era, such as old buildings and the remains of the first Lao railway with its locomotive. Learn about the old colonial past of this area. After that, take a boat to see the Liphi waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls that marks the end of the Lao border with Cambodia. It is also known as the Samphamith waterfall. Next go back to Ban Nakasang and drive to the Khone Phapeng waterfall, the largest waterfall in South East Asia. It is also called the Niagara of the east because of its size and power.
The tour ends with transfer to the Dong Kalor Lao/Cambodian border, where you will go through the immigration office for the customs procedures.
As below or similar: double/twin shared rooms:
| OPTIONS | LOCATION | HOTEL NAME & ROOM TYPE | # NIGHTS |
| Option 1 | PAKBENG | Mekong Riverside Lodge (3*) – Standard | 1 |
| LUANG PRABANG | Villa Chitdara Hotel (3*) – Standard | 2 | |
| DON KHONE | Sala Donkhone (3*) – French Studio | 1 | |
| Option 2 | PAKBENG | Pakbeng Lodge (3*) – Superior | 1 |
| LUANG PRABANG | Bel Air Resort (4*) – Garnier | 2 | |
| DON KHONE | Sala Donkhone (3*) – French Studio | 1 | |
| Option 3 | PAKBENG | Le Grand Pakbeng (4*) – Mekong Villa | 1 |
| LUANG PRABANG | Maison Suvannaphum (4.5*) – Garden Wing | 2 | |
| DON KHONE | Sala Donkhone (3*) – French Studio | 1 |
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