Laos: Classic Tour via the Rivers

After transferring from Chiang Rai to the Thai-Lao border crossing at Houay Xai, our guide will meet you at the Lao immigration office and assist you with the visa process. 

The Luang Say boat leaves Houei Sai pier at 9.30 am (please be at the Lao immigration office no later than 8.30) for a cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. We will transfer you to the Luangsay cruise boat, which is parked at the slow boat pier in Houei Say (about 1 kilometer out of the town center). Every slow boat docks here from huge Chinese cargo boats to small cross-river ferries, to long low-slung Lao passenger boats, and many more.

The boat will stop at a traditional village after one hour of journeying along the river. This is a chance to observe rural life along the Mekong and witness the daily life of ethnic minorities and their talented craftsmanship. Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a main course from Laos’ main culinary delights as well as a choice of fish and meat dishes. The river cruise arrives at a Lodge near Pakbeng before sunset, giving plenty of time to refresh, enjoy the scenery of the river and admire the surrounding nature. A Laotian dinner is served on the open-air terrace overlooking the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng.

Mornings are special times for breakfast at the Lodge with stunning sights of the peaceful neighboring mountains, often shrouded in mist, while a full breakfast is served on the expansive teak terrace. The cruise departs for another day of nature discovery along the legendary river with two stops planned along the way to Luang Prabang. A few hours into the day after enjoying the sights of granite cliffs and sparkling sandy shores, the river boat makes a stop to visit the hill tribe village of Baw, where you can watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey.

Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a main course from Laos cuisine. A different choice of fish and meat dishes than on the first day is prepared for a greater culinary experience. Opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou village, the cruise stops to visit the Tam Thing cave. Translated as Rock Cave, it is famous for housing over 2,500 Buddha statues of all sizes and for being a place of pilgrimage for locals. Following a day along the wide Mekong River, with beautiful sceneries of mountains, wild nature, local life, and delicious food, the cruise arrives at Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos.

Get up early to observe the Buddhist Alms Giving Ceremony at 5:40 am if you like. You will continue to explore the open-air Morning Market in the old town on foot. There are only a few large grocery stores here—instead, food is still produced by small farming families and villages and was brought to Luang Prabang for sale from the surrounding rural areas. Your guide will explain some seasonal vegetables and fruits to you and he will also guide you to pick some snacks. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

A short walk from the market is Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham (“New Monastery”), National Museum (Royal Palace, closed on Tuesday and Sunday afternoon) and Hor Phra Bang. After the visit, continue to Heuan Chan Luang Prabang for a short activity and learn how to make Banana Leaf and Flower.

After lunch, continue to Wat Street and visit Wat Sene, Wat Sop Sickharam, Wat Sibounheuang and Wat Xieng Thong. You will finally walk along the Nam Khan River towards Mount Phousi where you'll enjoy a sunset view of the gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city and surrounding landscape.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll visit the local Phousi Market. Then we’ll travel by car to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls, stopping on the way to visit Hmong and Khamu villages. Hmong and Khamu villages have different structures and ways of life; here, we can learn about their traditions and the differences between Lao, Khamu and Hmong culture. The multi-tiered waterfall, which takes on a striking turquoise color in the dry season, is perfect for a refreshing bath in the afternoon. Clean and relaxed from the waterfall, we’ll travel back to town.

Free at leisure until your guide comes and escorts you to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by your private guide and escorted to check in the hotel.

Enjoy this guided tour to discover the charms of Vientiane, the quietest capital of South West Asia. Our tour begins with Wat Sisaket which was built in the Siamese style of Buddhist architecture, with a surrounding terrace and five-level ornate roof, unlike the Lao style. Wat Sisaket has a fence wall with more than 2,000 ceramic Buddha images and silver. Our next visit will be Wat Phra Kaew built between 1556 and 1565, it was the first housed the Emerald Buddha, who now reside in Wat Phra Keaw in Bangkok. The temple was destroyed many times and was rebuilt for the third time by the French in the 1920s.

On the way to the famous sacred stupa of That Luang, a golden-covered Buddhist stupa, the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol, we will visit the imposing monument of Phatuxay. The Victory Gate or the Triumphal Gate was built and dedicated to what was fought in the struggle for independence against France. Then we will visit COPE Centre. 

Our day will end with a visit to Sao Talat or Morning Market, where you can find an abundance of locally made handicrafts.

Free at leisure until your private guide escorts you to the airport for your onward flight.