Day 1: Vientiane (arrival)

Upon arrival at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, transfer to your hotel in town (early check-in upon availability).

• Overnight in Vientiane.
• None

Day 2: Vientiane (city tour)

Start your morning with a visit to the famous Wat Si Muang, known for its supernatural power, then drive 45 minutes to Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) to see over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. Returning to town, visit COPE, an association aiding landmine victims, to learn about the impact of unexploded ordinances from the American/Vietnam war.

In the afternoon, visit That Luang, Laos’ holiest site, then climb Patuxai for panoramic city views. Continue to Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the 1828 Siamese invasion, and nearby Wat Phra Keo, which houses a collection of Lao and Khmer art. End your tour with a sunset stroll along the Mekong River, enjoying local snacks and drinks.

• Overnight in Vientiane.
• B,L

Day 3: Vientiane (Rice Experience)

After breakfast, your tuk tuk driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to an organic farm near Vientiane. There, you can try rice farming with friendly farmers who will guide you through planting rice seedlings or harvesting rice, depending on the season. You can also fish, collect duck eggs, learn about organic fertilizer, and harvest seasonal vegetables and bamboo. After working in the field, you’ll cook a traditional Lao lunch with the farm’s produce, including sticky rice and papaya salad, and enjoy a picnic-style meal.

On the way back to town, you’ll visit a local market to explore Lao food, enjoy traditional Lao coffee or sweets, and then return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

• Overnight in Vientiane.
• B,L

Day 4: Vientiane →  Ban Thaheua

You have ample time to relax and stroll around the town of Vientiane before leaving the capital early for our journey northbound to Ban Thaheua via the highway Vientiane – Vang vieng.

We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. We will arrive in Ban Thaheua around noon, which locates at the north side of Nam Ngum Lake, the “sea of Laos”.

We will check in the bungalow overlooking the lake. Leisure time for the rest of the day to relax or stroll around for your own exploration.

• Overnight in Ban Thaheua.
• B,L

Day 5: Ban Thaheua → Vang Vieng

After breakfast, Embark on a journey from the Resort, passing by the local primary school with opportunities to visit children on school days. Explore Tha Heua local market and the village temple, immersing yourself in the local culture. Observe the vibrant displays at the town’s fish stalls and make a noteworthy stop at the renowned dry fish market, a must-visit for local travelers in the region. Take a break in Houy Pa Mom village for a coffee/tea session in a local home, appreciating the art of hand weaving. Continue with a visit to a Hmong village nestled along the banks of the Nam Ngum lake. Conclude the excursion with a scenic cycle ride back to the Sanctuary Nam Ngum Beach Resort.

In the afternoon, transfer to Vang Vieng. You are free for the rest of the day.

• Overnight in Vang Vieng.
• B,L

Day 6: Vang Vieng → Luang Prabang

We will take the morning train to Luang Prabang, which takes about 1 hour. After that, our guide will take you on an in-depth walking tour of the city. The walk is oriented towards the lesser-known parts of the town including charming lanes showing the more traditional atmosphere of the heritage town. Along the way, we will see the four different types of buildings categorized by UNESCO.

The first one is the traditional Lao house which is made from tropical hardwood or bamboo and built on stilts. The second is a half wood and half cement house built after the arrival of the French. The third is the traditional French colonial building that are similar to those found in Vietnam and Cambodia. The last form of architecture you will see is the old Chinese shop houses that were built to be used for both commercial and residential purposes.

• Overnight in Luang Prabang.
• B,L

Day 7: Luang Prabang (city tour & surroundings)

Wake up at sunrise to join the sacred Lao tradition of daily morning alms giving, where over 200 Buddhist monks collect their daily meals from residents. Afterward, visit the morning market near the former Royal Palace to see fresh produce, handmade crafts, and textiles. Following breakfast, explore the Royal Palace Museum, then enjoy a leisurely cruise on the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues. Stop at Ban Xanghai village to see local rice wine production before returning to visit Wat Sene, Wat Xiengthong, and Heuan Chan, a 19th-century mansion showcasing Lao culture. Conclude the day with a sunset stop at Wat Prabath and a visit to the Night Market for handmade textiles.

Optional: If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday).

• Overnight in Luang Prabang.
• B,L

Day 8: Luang Prabang (visit the surroundings)

Start your day with an immersive visit to a community-based rice farm near Luang Prabang, where you can participate in or observe rural farming activities amidst serene mountains and rice paddies. Explore local artisan workshops, including bamboo weaving, blacksmithing, and sugar cane processing. Learn about traditional Laotian medicine in an organic garden before heading to the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls for a swim and a visit to the Bear Rescue Center. Finally, visit the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center by the Mekong River to see weavers, spinners, and batik makers at work, before returning to your hotel in Luang Prabang.

• Overnight in Luang Prabang.
• B,L

Day 9: Luang Prabang (elephant village)

Start your day with an 8:00-8:30 am pick-up by an English-speaking guide from your hotel in Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at the Elephant Village Camp, receive a welcome greeting and briefing about the elephants, followed by a feeding session. Explore the camp’s elephant hospital, museum, gallery, and dung paper making facility. Enjoy a one-on-one Mahout experience, then take a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall for relaxation or swimming. After a buffet lunch at the camp’s restaurant, depart at 1:00 pm for a transfer back to your hotel, with the rest of the day free.

• Overnight in Luang Prabang.
• B,L

Day 10: Luang Prabang → Siem Reap

Morning, breakfast at hotel.

Spend your leisure time in the city until we transfer you to airport for flight to Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L)

Day 11: Siem Reap (explore Angkor Wat)

In the morning, you will visit Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Then, you will continue your visit to Ta Prohm, a stunning temple complex with trees and vegetation growing around and through its structures. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat, the most famous of all the temples in Angkor. Angkor Wat is a massive temple complex and is one of the largest religious monuments in the world.

In the evening, enjoy buffet dinner and watch Khmer Traditional Dance Show at a local restaurant.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.
• B,L,D

Day 12: Siem Reap (visit Beng Mealea)

We depart the city at 8:00am and head to Koh Ker, which takes about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, we will venture into the deserted ruins and surrounding forest and explore the Koh Ker temple complex, the former capital of the Angkorian empire during the years AD 928 to AD 944.

10.30am, we drive back to Siem Reap. On the way back, we stop at two famous temples: Prasat Neang Khmaw & Prasat Pram. Lunch at a local restaurant near Beng Mealea temple.

1.30pm, we visit Beng Mealea temple. Enjoy a short walk through the dense jungle and discover the wonders of an overgrown temple, Beng Mealea, which lay undiscovered for centuries. We proceed to the last one that we visit today, Banteay Srey, the “gem” of the Angkor area.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.
• B,L

Day 13: Siem Reap (departure)

Morning, start the tour by visiting the National Museum. Here, you can explore a collection of Khmer art, artifacts, and historical exhibits that provide insights into the culture and history of Cambodia.

After the museum, take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, one of the largest lakes in Asia. This is an opportunity to enjoy stunning views of the lake and see some of the local fishing villages and floating communities that call it home.

After the lake tour, head to downtown to visit Artisan's D'angkor, the carving art school, where you can witness the intricate art of stone carving and other traditional crafts. Next, continue your visit to Wat Thmei, a beautiful pagoda that is known for its memorial stupa that contains the skulls of Khmer Rouge victims.

Afterward, enjoy lunch and spend some leisure time in Siem Reap until it is time for your departure flight home.

• -
• B,L

End of the tour!