Flight: VN921 Hanoi - Vientiane 09.55 - 11.05

Meet & greet: On arrival in Vientiane, you will be welcomed to Laos by your local guide and transferred to the Ansara Hotel in a chauffeur driven car for an overnight stay. After checking in, the rest of the day will be free at leisure for you to relax after your journey.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ansara Hotel (Savvy Room)

Road journey from Vientiane to Vang Vieng: This morning, you will set out along a quiet road passing through beautiful karst landscapes, atmospheric temples and paddy fields as you head for Vang Vieng. Your first stop will be at the intriguing Don Makai Market, where the more adventurous can sample some of the exotic delicacies on offer. Continue to Nam Ngum Lake, where a stop for lunch (payable locally) will be made at a spot overlooking the lake. After lunch, continue your journey north, making another stop at Tha Heua, a small village specialising in dried fish. You will arrive in Vang Vieng in the mid-afternoon, and have a chance to visit Tham Jang Cave and enjoy the stunning views over the Nam Song River and surrounding karst scenery. The rest of the day will be free at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riverside Boutique Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Kayaking trip on the Nam Song River: After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred from your hotel to the Khmu village of Vieng Samay, about 10 km north of Vang Vieng. There will be an introduction to the basics of kayaking and the conditions on the Nam Song River. The day starts with a few small but fun rapids on the way to the first stop at the cave of Tham Nam Thaem. This cave cuts straight through the mountain, and you emerge on the other side of the range for panoramic views of the Nam Kouang valley. A trek over a small pass leads up to a Lao style picnic lunch on the riverside. The next paddle stop is at the Organic Farm, where mulberry tea and a variety of fruit wines are produced. Further downstream lies the Tham Non Cave which is one of the biggest in Vang Vieng and served as a rescue shelter for the villagers during the Second Indochina War. The final leg is a gentle paddle returning to Vang Vieng.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riverside Boutique Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

High speed rail journey from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang: After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the nearby railway station for the high speed train to Luang Prabang. The train departs at 08.25 this morning, and arrives in to your destination just 58 minutes later at 09.23. You will be met at the train station by your Luang Prabang guide and transferred to your hotel, where you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Chitdara (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: You have a full day at leisure today to explore the atmospheric ancient capital independently. Side trips, such as trips up the river to Pak Ou or Kuangsi Falls, can be arranged locally or through your guide. Staying within the city, there are a number of excellent cooking classes, plus great shopping opportunities in local craft centres.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Chitdara (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw: This morning, depart north by road to the village of Nong Khiaw, a journey of around 3-4 hours.

Afternoon at leisure, with an optional tour to Tham Pha Thok Caves: This afternoon, you have some time at leisure, with the option of taking a cycling or walking tour to the caves of Tham Pha Thok (time-permitting). These caves are located just over a mile outside Nong Khiaw, where locals took shelter from bombings during the Second Indochina War. Please note that the bicycles will need to be rented locally from your lodge - your guide can assist you with this.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Nong Khiaw Riverside Resort (River View Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day trekking around Muang Ngoi: This morning, take a private boat trip up the Nam Ou River to Muang Ngoi, an isolated fishing village 1 hour from Nong Khiaw. You will be met by a local village guide who will take you on a gentle day trek. The trail from the village leads through lush rice paddies and your trek will take in a cave, a Khmu minority village, some beautiful paddy field scenery and a Thai Daeng ethnic village, before heading back to Muang Ngoi through a mixture of forest and paddy fields. You will have some time to relax at the village and cool down in the river if you wish. Travel back to Nong Khiaw by boat in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Nong Khiaw Riverside Resort (River View Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang: This morning, you will head south by road to Luang Prabang. The morning drive brings you out into rolling countryside, where you can admire the beauty of the Nam Ou River and the surrounding rice paddy fields. Along the way, we stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands of Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Arrive in Luang Prabang at around lunchtime, where you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at My Dream Boutique Resort (Bungalow)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today you have some further time at leisure to relax and continue to explore Luang Prabang at your own pace.

Private transfer: This afternoon, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Flight: VN930 Luang Prabang - Hanoi 19.55 - 21.10

Meals: Breakfast