Day 1: Arrive in Vientiane at Wattay Airport

You will be warmly welcomed at Wattay Airport - Laos' international airport. You will also be escorted to your hotel in downtown Vientiane. Travel to Vang Vieng by minivan. Vang Vieng Village is a small, quiet village located at the bend of the Nam Son River. Its stunning landscape of quiet water and limestone outcroppings has remained untouched by recent tourism. Upon arrival in Vang Vieng, check into your hotel and the rest of the day is free.

Day 2: Vang Vieng -Vientiane (B, L)

Early in the morning you will be pick up at 6 am to take a Hot air balloon ride over Vang Vieng around 800 meter high and around 40 minutes in the air! Incredible scenery of Vang Vieng town, river and mountains at sunrise. Then come back to the hotel for your breakfast and continue your amazing trip in Vang Vieng. The rest of this morning is free to choose to explore Vang Vieng. The recommended activities range from exploring the cave system of Tham Phoukham and taking a dip into the cool clear Blue Lagoon to hiking to the top of Pha Ngeun mountain or kayaking along the gentle of Nam Song River. After returning to town and enjoying lunch, we will head to Vientiane for tomorrow's flight.

Day 3:  Vientiane City Tour, Flight to Pakse (afternoon flight) - Don Daeng   (B, L)

You will get to know the capital on a city tour and visit major attractions such as Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and Wat Phra Keo, the former royal temple where the famous Emerald Buddha statue was located. On the way to the famous sacred structure, the That Luang Stupa, a national treasure of Laos, we will also have the opportunity to photograph the imposing Patuxai Monument, known as the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane. The first welcome dinner in Laos will be an authentic Lao meal at Kualao Restaurant, which is also used to entertain foreign dignitaries. 

The 15:30 pm QV303 will take you to Pakse to begin your southern journey.  Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to Done Daeng, and home to La Folie Lodge where you have the rest of the day to relax or to explore the island. Overnight on Done Daeng

Day 4: Wat Phou - Don Daeng  (B, L)

After spending a relaxing morning in Don Daeng, we visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao.  Following lunch, we continue our journey to the extreme south of Laos in the area of the 4000 islands. It dues its name because the Mekong becomes extremely wide and hosts many islands. On the way, visit the pre-Angkorian site named Wat Tomo (Uo Moung). Get on board a traditional boat to the peaceful islands of Don Khon and Don Det. 

Day 5: Khong 4000 islands: Liphi waterfalls, visit old train - Pakse (B, L)

In the morning, we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands by boat and visit the beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng - the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the 'Niagara of the east'. In the afternoon head to Pakse for the next day's flight.

Day 6: Pakse - Luang Prabang by flight (B, L)

We will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Vientiane. (QV306 departing at 9:50  and arriving at 10:50) Upon arrival Vientiane and our driver will pick you up at the airport and ready to transfer to the railway station. After a quick lunch break in Vientiane, you will take the high speed train to Luang Prabang at 14:30, arriving at 17:00. After being picked up at Luang Prabang Train Station, check into your hotel. Your guide will take you to Phousi Hill. You will explore the sacred, gilded stupa and a sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Day 7 Luang Prabang City / Pak Ou Caves / Mekong River Cruise (B, L)

Wake up early this morning to participate in a ceremony in which monks dressed in saffron-colored clothing carry black alms bowls and receive offerings of glutinous rice and other items from the local people. After breakfast, you will be picked up at 8:30 a.m. and taken to a small park at the tip of the peninsula. We will briefly explain about Luang Prabang, which stands where the Nam Khan River joins the Mekong River. From there, we will walk to the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple. For centuries, this temple was considered the ceremonial gateway to the city and the arrival and departure point for foreign dignitaries. We will walk up the stairs to the main gate and enter the temple like ancient dignitaries. Next, we will take a tour of the nearby temples. Then we will drive to Heuan Chan Heritage House. There we will visit a well-preserved traditional Lao house and take a short break in its gardens; the royal palace, built by the French colonial rule in 1904-09, houses a collection of artifacts reflecting the rich culture of Laos and is now a national museum.

After touring in the city, we leave for Manifa Elephant Camp. Have lunch at a restaurant facing the Mekong River at the Elephant Camp and watch free elephants playing on the river. Board your cruise boat in the afternoon. Enjoy the peaceful countryside and visit the mystical Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of golden Buddha statues from different shapes and sizes. On the return trip, stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai, where the local rice wine is distilled. Then, head to Luang Prabang for a scenic sunset cruise on the Mekong River.

Day 8 Kuang Si Falss /  Departure from Luang Prabang (B)

We will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall. Upon arrival, enjoy 1.5 hours of leisurely time to enjoy the spectacular waterfalls. After that we will return to the city, and head to the airport around 11:00 for your flight.