7-day Trip Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang

Tour Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive to Vientiane

On your arrival in Vientiane airport, meet our guide and transfer to hotel for checking in. Begin a short walking tour of the Lao capital, strolling around the city sights including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Continue on to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Visit Ban Nong Buathong, Textile village (if time permit) and observing the evening sunset along the Mekong Riverside. You will be able to experience the city lifestyle of the local Lao people.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 2. Vientiane – Nam Ngum Dam – Vang Vieng (B, L)

After breakfast, leave Vientiane to drive to Vang Vieng in about 5 hour on land transfer. En route stop at Nam Ngum Dam about 70km round trip from main road. Enjoy boat trip to explore islands around Nam Ngum lake. After lunch at local restaurant, continue by land to Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled. On arrival in Vang Vieng, we cross the Nam Song River to Tham Jang caves and then enjoy a short trek through breathtaking mountain landscape to explore the Tam None Cave and some hill villages. Today ends with a superb panorama of the sunset reflecting over the Nam Song River.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 3. Vang Vieng – Xieng Khuang (B, L)

After breakfast, drive further about 6-7 hours to Xieng khouang which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, check in your hotel. Free to explore the city.

Overnight in Phonsavanh.

Day 4. Xieng Khuang – Plain Of Jars (B, L)

After breakfast, visit central market, then drive out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. You also have time, this afternoon seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Afternoon visit provincial national museum.

Overnight in Phonsavanh.

Day 5: Xieng Khuoang – Luang Prabang (B, L)

Early morning, we visit Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch different Hill tribes to barter and exchange merchandises. Then heading out this small town to Luang Prabang about 260km, on the way, stop and see a site more than 200 years old Buddha images in Thampra and varied Hmong and varied hill tribe minority villages along the road. They are nice, friendly and welcome you to visit. Continue driving up hill, enjoying mountain splendid natural scenery, forest and landscape.

After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, where the T-junction of bordering meets Vientiane – Xieng khouang – Luang Prabang. The journey will take us over mountainous region to Luang Prabang. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. Checking into hotel and relax after a long journey.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6. Luang Prabang City – Pak Ou (B, L)

This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple.

We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the distillation of local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand-made of Jute Sar paper.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7. Luang Prabang – Elephant Riding – Departure (B, L)

Today you will riding an elephant. Check out your hotel and transfer to Elephant Village. Enjoy an impressive experience of approx. 1.5 hours elephant ride on the Howdah (Elephant seat) to the Elephant Jungle Camp. Followed by approx. 1.5 hours walk through a unique natural jungle valley with limestone cascades. Lunch will be provided at the Elephant Jungle Camp (Picnic lunchbox and drinking water). Visit Tad Sae Waterfall, then take a short boat trip from the Tad Sae Waterfall to our Elephant Village and drive back to Luang Prabang and drop off at the airport for your departure flight or onward flight to next destination. End of the tour.