LAOS RAILWAY ADVENTURE LUANG PRABANG – VANG VIENG – VIENTIANE

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel and relaxing, embark on a brief orientation tour of Luang Prabang.

• Just prior to sunset, climb to the top of Mount Phousi in the center of the city. Upon reaching the peak, enjoy stunning panoramic views over the city and surrounding hills.
• After sunset, descend the steps and pay a visit to the nearby evening market, filled with beautiful hill tribe souvenirs and handicrafts.
• The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang .

Have breakfast at the restaurant. 

• After that, transfer from the hotel to the historical old town where the tour begins at the fresh market.
• Accompanied by the guide, walk through rows of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to local specialties.
• Next, visit the former Royal Palace. Today housing the National Museum, this site is filled with art, artifacts, and jewels offering some insight into the history and rich culture of the country.

Continue the tour of Luang Prabang by visiting some of the city’s most important temples.

• Start at Wat Visoun, home to the famous ‘watermelon’ stupa, before visiting Wat Aham, housing an altar dedicated to the 2 guardian spirits of Luang Prabang.
• This afternoon head to Ock Pop Tok to discover more about textiles in Laos – including their history, production, and cultural significance.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

• For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting alms.
• As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents.

Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, continue the journey:

• We enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Mai and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.
• We then depart from Luang Prabang for the Kuang Si Waterfalls. En route, we visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Lao Loum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village.
• Arrive at Kuang Si Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails.
• We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xang Khong, a village well known for silk handweaving and for traditional Saa Paper making.

Return to the city by late evening. The rest of your day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Have breakfast. After that, excursion by private car from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw takes about 4 hours drive, upon arrival at Nong Khiaw and transfer to check- in the hotel.

After checking in the hotel, enjoy lunch at the Nong Khiaw Riverside.

• After lunch, visit the historical cave of Phathok. The Nong Khiaw villagers used this cave as a war shelter during the “Secret War”, to shelter people from bombs dropped in the region.
• It is about a 30 minute gentle walk from Nong Khiaw town and leads through beautiful scenery. Learn more about a secret part of Laos’ history during this guided cave exploration.
• From the cave, enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding rice paddies and valley. 
• Walk back to Nong Khiaw along a small path through the rice paddies. Enjoy a sunset over the river with a choice of local restaurants within walking distance. 

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the river as the mist hangs in the valley. This is a fantastic half day scenic trek suitable for all ages.

• Experience the stunning Nam Ou river by long boat passing villages surrounded by cast rock mountains. You trek an easy walk to the hidden Tad Mok Waterfall where you can have a refreshing swim. You will visit a delightful and friendly local Khmu village.
• We’ll start with a traditional boat, complete with a roof to shade against the sun and any rain, riding upstream on the Nam Ou for 40 minutes.
• Surrounded by mountains and passing villages nestled in the forests, you will see Buffalo bathing in the river, people fishing and often children swimming in the river. It is an idyllic location and will give you a sense of peaceful serenity and you enjoy your boat ride.
• You will visit the Soap Khong Village, a small Khmu village where you can learn about their way of life.
• Then we’ll trek through local farmland and rice paddies to the start of the jungle and discover the beautiful limestone Tad Mok Waterfall.

You can relax and enjoy a refreshing splash in this perfect setting where we will also serve you lunch. 

• After spending 30-40 minutes here we head back to the village along a small dirt road arriving at the river where we take a 5 minute boat ride to another small Khmu village, Huay Hoy. We then take the boat for 35 minutes back to Nong Khiaw.  

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.