Adventures In Laos (17 days)

International flight: Depart Hanoi Noibai Airport on Vietnam Airlines flight VN921 to Vientiane Airport.  The flight departs at 09:35 and arrives at 10:45.

Private transfer to your hotel: Upon arrival at Vientiane Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in a private chauffeur driven car.

Accommodation: Salana Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Those served on your flights

Half day tour of Vientiane: Your tour of Laos' capital city starts with a visit to the enchanting Si Muang Temple. Continue to the Siamese style Wat Si Saket and the That Luang Stupa, the bright golden monument which represents a lotus bud and is used as a symbol of the Lao nation, and Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s very own Arc de Triumph. The tour ends with a visit to the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much-overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day to day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era.

Accommodation: Salana Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer to the airport: At the advised time today, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Vientiane Airport in time for your onward flight.

Domestic flight: Depart Vientiane Airport on Lao Airlines flight QV303 to Pakse Airport.  The flight departs at 11:25 and arrives at 12:25.

Road journey to the Bolaven Plateau: Upon arrival at Pakse airport, you will be met and transferred to the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. There will be a stop at the village of Laksibchet, home of the Ta Oi ethnic Group, where you can meet the friendly villagers and learn about their daily lifestyles. Continue to the dramatic Tad Fan Waterfall, where two powerful streams plunge over 120 meters into a deep gorge. Continue to your resort, to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Saibadee Valley (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Explore the Bolaven Plateau by jeep: After breakfast this morning transfer to Paksong, where you will switch vehicle and hop in a vintage jeep, which is the ideal vehicle for the terrain ahead. Take a scenic backroad onto the Bolaven Plateau and make a stop at the Tad Moun waterfall where there is time to relax and go for a swim if you like. Continue by jeep for around 1.5 hours hours to the coffee farm where you will stay overnight. Witness and learn about the coffee roasting process and explore the plantations while our hosts prepare a delicious home-cooked lunch.  In the afternoon, head out by jeep and drive to Phou Katea, an extinct volcano, and hike to the summit where you are rewarded with impressive 360-degree panoramic sunset views. Return to the Coffee Farm for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mystic Mountain Farmstay (Private Chalet)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey to Champassak: After breakfast, set off by jeep to explore the quiet backroads and villages of the Bolaven Plateau. The first stop is a Suay village, where traditional houses built from bamboo and wood offer insight into local life. Continue to Bamboo Waterfall, followed by a hike along a forest trail, enjoying a picnic lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Ban Sinxai, a vehicle will be waiting for a two-hour transfer to Champasak, where you will arrive late this afternoon. Check in at your resort and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: The Riviera Champasak (Standard Riverview Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Dawn at Wat Phou: Early this morning cross the Mekong by private ferry, before meeting up with the main road in Champasak and taking the short drive to Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex pre-dating the temples of Angkor. Wat Phou is one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples and offers a stunning sunrise view - at this time in the morning it will be deserted. Founded in the first decades of the 9th century by Jayavarman II, the first king of an independent Khmer nation, Wat Phou served for some time as the Khmer capital. Wat Phou is often compared to Angkor, not only because it was built in the same style but because it too was lost to the jungle for centuries. Whilst the structures themselves are thrilling, it is the jungle overgrowth that creates the atmosphere. The Wat stood unused for centuries because it is a Hindu temple in what became a devoutly Buddhist land. Return to your hotel for breakfast before your onward journey.

Road journey to the 4000 Islands: Continue south by road to the 4000 Islands jetty, where you will board a local boat for the journey to your hotel on the islands.

Time at leisure in the 4000 Islands: This afternoon you have time to relax in the placid surrounds of Southern Laos. The more active may wish to hire a bike and explore the local countryside, but really there’s not much else to do apart from relax with a cold drink or two in some of South-East Asia’s most idyllic backwaters.

Accommodation: Sengahloune Resort (Deluxe River View Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Exploring the 4000 Islands by bike: After breakfast this morning make your way to neighbouring Don Khong, the largest island of the 4000 Islands, where you will be kitted out with your mountain bike. Set off on your ride along winding dirt roads until reaching the temple of Wat Phou Din where you take a ferry that will transport you and your bikes to the quiet island of Don Phou Man. Ride across this quintessentially Lao fishing island before taking another ferry on to the island of Don Saang Fai, where you visit an ancient wooden temple and learn about the importance of Buddhism and the local culture. Another ferry will take you across to the island of Don Loppadi, where the villagers specialize in weaving bamboo baskets and fishing nets, which are an essential daily item in this region. Cycle along dirt roads to a picturesque village on the other side of the island, where a friendly family will have prepared a home-cooked lunch of local specialties. After exploring the village board a local boat takes you to Ban Nakasang, back on the mainland. You will then have the chance to visit the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia, before heading back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Sengahloune Resort (Deluxe River View Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Half day trek to the Kuang Si Waterfall: Set off from Luang Prabang by road and travel for around one hour and twenty minutes, passing through rural landscapes with striking rice terraces and pineapple fields. Visit a local H'mong village called Ban Longlao where the culture, customs and language are all different to mainstream Laos. Your trek starts from this H'mong village and takes around two hours through primary forest and jungle to reach the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall. Upon arrival at the falls there will be some time for relaxation, swimming and the option of climbing to the top of the waterfall. Return to Luang Prabang in time to catch the sun setting over the Mekong. Sturdy trainers or lightweight walking shoes are essential for this moderate trek. The paths may be muddy at times between June and November.

Accommodation: Villa Maydou (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road journey to Nong Khiaw: This morning, leave Luang Prabang and head north by private vehicle to Nong Khiaw. The morning drive takes you out into rolling countryside, where you can admire the beauty of the Nam Ou River and the surrounding rice paddy fields. You will reach Nong Khiaw around lunchtime. After checking into your hotel, you have the option of taking a short bicycle ride (hired from the resort) or an easy trek to the picturesque local limestone caves nearby – your driver will be happy to assist.

Accommodation: Mandala Ou Resort (Riverside Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast

Full Day 100 Waterfalls Trail: This is a truly stunning experience on the recently discovered 100 waterfalls adventure trail. Your trek will start from Nong Khiaw town nestled among the Nam Ou River and the 900 metre limestone cliffs. Your day begins with a peaceful boat ride on the wonderfully scenic Nam Ou River. You will then explore a small Lao village along the banks of the river before heading into the forest via small paths through the rice fields. Depending on the time of the year you may be able to assist the locals working in the fields. After a short walk, you’ll reach the bottom of the 100 waterfalls which were first revealed to tourists in late 2008. From here, begin your ascent through the jungle following the cascades until you reach the top. For the next few hours, you are surrounded by the life and sounds of the jungle and the cascading water. At times you will be trekking through the stream on a bed of limestone. Most of the time the walking is easier but there are some steeper sections where it is necessary to climb bamboo ladders. This walk requires no technical skills, but this experience is certainly for those with a good level of fitness and a sense of adventure and be prepared to get wet. Waterproof bags will be provided so you can change into dry clothes for the walk back down. There are plenty of pools around, perfect for a cooling splash along the way. Your guide will prepare a delicious local style lunch when you reach the summit, then it’s time to relax and take it all in. After lunch, a small village trail on the top of the 100 waterfalls will lead you back down into the valley offering spectacular views over the landscapes of the Nam Ou valley. After a fantastic few hours, it is time to return upstream to Nong Khiaw.

Please note that this is a challenging trek on slippery and unstable terrain which requires suitable footwear and good levels of fitness.

Accommodation: Mandala Ou Resort (Riverside Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road & Boat Transfer to Ban Muang Soune: Today you will meet your driver and transfer to Pak Nga by road. On arrival you will be introduced to your homestay host and then board a longtail boat for the journey downstream to Ban Muang Soune village. On arrival at the village, you will be welcomed to your homestay and have time to settle in.

Afternoon Activities: Settle into your private room in Kham's beautiful wooden home this afternoon. Kham will explain the interesting history of their house and there will be time to wander through the gardens or go for a swim if you like.

Next head out on the Nam Ou River with Kham and her uncle where you can learn some of the local fishing techniques, followed by a hike through the rice fields to visit some of the organic gardens of the local farmers.

In the late afternoon head out to explore the village where you will meet locals and pick-up some fresh ingredients at the small market. Back at the homestay you are welcome to help prepare dinner and learn about local cuisine. Enjoy a lovingly made meal and dinner with the family before turning in early as the locals do.

Accommodation: Nam Ou Homestay (Simple Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning Activities: This morning early risers can join Kham for an almsgiving ceremony at the local temple before returning for breakfast with the family. You will then bid farewell to Kham and her family and set out across the river, where you will meet up with your private driver.

Kayak down the Mekong to Luang Prabang: Leave Pak Nga and drive to the village of Ban Houay Leuang on the Nam Ou River. Here, you will meet your specialist kayak guide for the day who will start with some kayaking & safety instructions. You’ll then set off, kayaking through spectacular mountains covered with jungle and inhabited by Hmong, Khmu, and Lao Loum in traditional riverside villages. You will kayak downstream on the Nam Ou and the Mekong River. On the way, you will stop to take a picnic lunch on the riverbanks with a backdrop of jungle, before continuing to the famous Pak Ou Caves and then Done Khoun Island, to visit the famous temple there. Kayaking will conclude at the village of Ban Pakxeuang, where you will meet up with your driver and transfer by car back to Luang Prabang, arriving by late afternoon.

Accommodation: Villa Maydou (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

E-bike tour on the quieter side of the Mekong: After breakfast join your guide in picking up your E-bikes and then set off to explore the quieter side of the Mekong. Cross the Mekong to the local side using the public ferry and then start riding to the village of Ban Xieng Mene. Take a short hike up around 100 steps to Wat Chom Phet, a small, dilapidated temple built by the Thai army in 1880. From this vantage point you have an undisturbed and peaceful view over the Mekong River and Luang Prabang.

Jump back on the bikes and ride on to the ancient royal temple of Wat Long Khoun, which was formerly used by past Kings and Queens as a meditation retreat. Continue cycling for around 45 minutes along quiet unpaved roads to the village of Ban Chan, which is famous for its pottery making. Here you can meet the locals and learn about their daily lifestyle. Ride back to the ferry-landing and then cross the Mekong and arrive back in the centre of town.

Accommodation: Villa Maydou (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch