Day 1 – Arrival in Vientiane
Arrive at Vientiane airport, meet with driver for private transfer to hotel.
Rooms will be available from 2 pm. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Accommodation: S2 Modern Boutique hotel * * * or similar
Day 2 – Vientaine > Vang Vieng
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet with your guide early in the morning for a visit to Vientiane, capital of Laos. Vientiane has been deeply influenced by French colonization but has retained, loud and clear, its own identity. The tour takes us to explore the Vat Sisaket and Vat PhraKeo temples, of the Pha That Louang stupa, a symbol of the country, and thePatuxay Triumphal Arch. Unique architectural styles, Emerald Buddhas, lush gardens, and breathtaking views will provide the backdrop to our discovery experience.
In the afternoon, transfer to Vang Vieng (130km) to climb to the viewpoint and watch the sunset over the karst rock formations that characterize the area. Return to Vang Vieng, free dinner and overnight stay.
Meal included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Silver Naga Hotel * * * or similar
Day 3 – Vang Vieng and Khmu Village
After breakfast, meet the guide and depart for our day exploring the Khmu ethnic group. We leave town traveling by tuk-tuk along a pleasant route along the Nam Song River and the beautiful karst limestone formations for which Vang Vieng is famous. We arrive at a local village along the river, where we spend the day learning about the daily life of the Khmu people.
Visit one of the elderly villagers who works as a blacksmith, using techniques passed down through generations, to observe and learn the art of knife making. We then proceed to the home of one of the Khmu families to share a typical Khmu lunch with them. A way to learn about their culture and the animistic traditions practiced not only by the Khmu but also by many other ethnic minorities in Laos. After spending some time chatting with the family, it is time to find out how they make the local rice wine, known in Lao as “Lao Hai.”
In the late afternoon, a guide takes us through the rice fields to visit a cave on the other side of the river, passing farmers working in their fields. On the way, we stop at one of the local rice paddy huts to taste the rice wine we bhave learned to make. We say goodbye to our new friends and return to Vang Vieng. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Silver Naga Hotel * * * or similar
Day 4 – Vang Vieng > Luang Prabang (by train)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Vang Vieng station in time to board the scenic train bound for Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, meet your local guide at Luang Prabang train station and begin sightseeing of the city, one of the most beautiful in Southeast Asia, due to its perfect location at the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and at the foot of a centuries-old mountain range.
Luang Prabang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and is recognized for its well-preserved cityscape that blends traditional Laotian and European colonial architecture. Visit the most iconic and culturally rich sites such as the Royal Palace, which now houses the National Museum with a huge collection of precious objects that belonged to the royal family. Here you can admire the Phrabang Buddha, considered the most sacred artifact in Laos, which gave the city its name.
Continue with a stop at the ancient Heuan Chan House, a traditional house dating back more than 100 years, and Vat Xieng Thong, the Royal City Temple, a complex of shrines and sacred temples that displays some of the finest traditional Laotian artwork, arguably the most beautiful site in Luang Prabang.
In the afternoon, visit the Ock Pop Tock Handicraft Weaving Center to learn the secrets of the fine and renowned local textiles. The visit concludes with a stop in the beautiful tropical garden with breathtaking views of the majestic Mekong River. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: My Dream Boutique*** or similar
Day 5 – Luang Prabang and Tak Bath > Kuang Sy > Luang Prabang
At dawn, respectful participation in the Tak Bath ceremony, the monks’ quest. During the ceremony, devout Luang Prabang residents kneel on the sidewalk, carrying food in their hands to offer to the monks passing by in their saffron orange robes. It is a culturally significant moment that takes place peacefully and respectfully, with no words exchanged between the monks and the villagers making the offerings. After this unique experience, walk to the local market before returning to the hotel for breakfast.
Depart Luang Prabang for Ban Nong Heo village, a Khmu village with traditional houses, water buffaloes and ducks roaming freely. Today we will hike through the countryside, passing through hilly forests and plantations, with beautiful viewpoints along the way to Ban Thapene, the village that lies at the entrance to the Kuang Sy waterfalls (hike duration: 4km – 1h30′, easy).
In the afternoon, visit a village famous for the production and art of Sa paper, a traditional handmade paper in Laos using mulberry bark, known locally as “sa.” This centuries-old technique, still practiced in some villages near Luang Prabang, reflects the deep connection between Lao culture and sustainable natural resources. Return to the city, free dinner and overnight stay.
Optional for the evening: A Taste of Laos – price per person € 69.00 (minimum 2 people)
Selection of popular Laotian dishes during a walking food tour near the city center. You will enjoy a delicious bowl of one of Laos’ main dishes, Khao Soi o Pho. It is one of the most popular dishes in all of Southeast Asia. You can also try steamed egg and pork buns called Salapao. If you are in the mood for something more refreshing, you might try Namvan, a sweet dessert-type drink that is especially popular when the weather is hot. From here it is a short walk down the street through the temple and into smaller streets where you can sample Namejun (spring rolls) and Tam Makteng (cucumber salad), popular dishes often shared among friends while having an evening drink. The last walk will be to the night market area, where you will end your culinary adventure with tasty Kaojee and Khao Nom Kok.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: My Dream Boutique*** or similar
Day 6 – Luang Prabang > Pak Ou Village > Luang Prabang
Breakfast at the hotel. The day begins with a drive through the Luang Prabang countryside to a charming village, Ban Muang Keo, to delve into the art of traditional flower arranging and learn the techniques and symbolism behind the creation of beautiful floral offerings to the monk, an important part of Laotian culture. We continue to a local temple to receive a monk’s blessing and then continue our cultural immersion with a visit to a Village to interact with locals and learn about their daily lives.
After a delicious appetizer on a picturesque beach, savoring local flavors and admiring the tranquil beauty of the Mekong River, lunch on traditional Laotian cuisine, followed by a cup of locally brewed coffee. After lunch, an easy 30-minute hike into the forest awaits, the perfect opportunity to reach the caves through a secret entrance, where you can admire the thousands of Buddha statues embedded in the rock. A site with deep spiritual and religious significance for the locals. Return to Luang Prabang by boat (2 hours), free dinner and overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, coffee/tea, soft drink/beer, snacks
Accommodation: My Dream Boutique*** or similar
Day 7: Luang Prabang > Train to Oudomxay > Namkat Yolapa
After breakfast, transfer to the station for the train to Oudomxay, arriving mid-morning. Our first destination is Namkat Yorla Pa, a resort nestled in a protected forest area along the Nam Kat River, among the country’s most popular ecotourism destinations. Time at leisure to relax in the lodge and go on excursions or activities to be arranged locally. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Namkat Yolapa
Day 8 – Muang La and meeting with northern ethnic groups
Breakfast. Meet with local guide and depart to an Ikhos village and a Hmong village, two of Laos’ many ethnic groups. The route climbs up to 1,000 meters above sea level and offers magnificent views of the beautiful mountain scenery. The first visit is a completely isolated Ikhos village; this ethnic group originates from Tibet and China’s Yunnan province. Experiencing the daily life of the community, it is easy to discover how the inhabitants still follow customs handed down through the centuries. After a picnic lunch, an optional short walk leads to an abandoned Hmong village with a breathtaking view and then on to an inhabited Hmong village. For this ethnic group, which also originates from the plains of Tibet, livestock have spiritual as well as livelihood importance related to their animist religion. At the end of the visit, return to our resort. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Namkat Yolapa
Day 9 – Namkat > jungle walk > Oudomxay > Luang Prabang
After breakfast, we set off on a journey along narrow, winding roads through dense forests to the beginning of a small jungle trail. Continue on foot through the forest until we reach the waterfall crossing pristine nature and narrow suspension bridges. Stop at the waterfall for a swim or some relaxation before turning back along a new trail and returning to our lodge. In the afternoon, transfer to Oudomxay station for the train to Luang Prabang.
Upon arrival, meet your driver for transfer to your hotel. Rest of the afternoon at leisure, free dinner and overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: My Dream Boutique *** (or similar)
Day 10 – Departure from Luang Prabang
After breakfast, free time waiting for transfer to the airport in time for boarding operations on your intercontinental flight back to Italy. End of services.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Optional (for flights after 5:00 p.m.): Half-day with elephants.
Depending on the departure time of your flight, option to take this excursion that offers the opportunity to experience firsthand a close encounter with these incredible pachyderms. Not surprisingly, Laos was once called the Land of a Million Elegants. Upon arrival at Elephant Village Camp, welcome and briefing on elephants before a leisurely river cruise aboard a long-tail boat to Tad Sae Waterfall, where you can relax or swim in its cool natural pools (during the dry season, January to June, Tad Sae Falls has no water). Once refreshed, return to Elephant Camp to enjoy a delicious lunch at the restaurant. Return to the hotel at 1:00 pm. Price per person € 105.00 – minimum 2 people.
