Laos in Depth

Upon arrival, tour guide and driver welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel. After a soft rest, we will visit the Wat Xiengthong, a superb piece of Lao temple architecture. Then we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people. You will then visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

In the late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we join a private Baci ceremony at a local family. You will have dinner with the host family.

Wake up early for the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving. Then, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. After breakfast, transfer directly by tuk tuk to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall. You can also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.

Continue to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park. We will also take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center and enjoy a cold drink at Silk Road Cafe overlooking the Mekong River, the perfect spot to admire the sunset behind the mountains. We then take the Tuk Tuk back to our hotel.

After breakfast, we take the boat trip to Mekong to enjoy the lush green forests and landscape. Stop off at a few villages and admire the breathtaking limestone karst scenery. Along the way we stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes.

Continue to Nong Khiaw, the small town along the lazy Nam Ou River. After lunch, we visit the historical cave of Phathok, used as a war shelter during the “Secret War”, and learn more about a secret part of the Lao history. Walk back to Nong Khiaw along a small path through the rice paddies.

Take a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou River to explore a small Lao village. We will learn about the villagers and their way of life along this Northern Laos River. Walking through small streams and rice paddies to the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls, first explored only in 2008! You will see only water and jungle and hear the constant sound of clear waterfall cascades. The pools around you are very inviting for a refreshing splash.

A small village trail on the top of the '100 Waterfalls' will lead us on our hike back down, offering wide views over the expansive Nam Ou valley. Once back in the village we will have some more time to experience the daily life of the riverside village before heading back to Nong Khiaw by boat.

Today, we will drive through the most rural and least developed part of Laos via Vieng Kham to Muang Hiam. These back roads are a perfect way to venture off the beaten track and explore the real Laos. We see very few other travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive can be challenging on some parts of our journey due to poor road conditions; however the verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes for a memorable experience.

When we arrive in Muang Hiam, you will check in your hotel before strolling around this small town to stretch your legs, and explore the local life.

Transfer to Ban Son Khua, an ethnic Khmu Village. Then embark on a 1.5-hour journey to the park substation on the Nam Nern River. Here you receive a briefing about the on-the-ground efforts in protecting tigers and their prey. On the way to the night safari, stop near a salt lick and hike into the forest, your local guide will explain how local people track deer. Continue upriver to a sandy, flat bank to have picnic diner by campfire.

Depart for the night spotlighting 1-2 hours after dark, floating down river with engines off. Animals that may be seen include Sambar Deer, Otters, and Barking Deer, various species of Civets, Slow Loris, Porcupine, and Owls.

Before breakfast, local guides take you on a walk around the jungle, teaching about the use of some medicinal plants and explaining the history of the site, which was once a major settlement during the Secret War. After breakfast, the boats float back through the core zone at a relaxing pace with engines off, while the guides point out wildlife along the way. Upon arrival in the village, you are invited to try earthen jar rice wine (lao hai).

From Ban Son Keua, we'll continue driving to Vieng Xai. Along the way, we'll take a short visit to the Standing Stone of Hingtang, whose purposes still remain the mystery. Continue to drive to Tad Saleuy, which is still fresh, and not popular to tourism. We arrive in the town of Viengxai late afternoon.

The town of Viengxay contains hundreds of caves which sheltered local people for a vital period in world history. From 1964 to 1973, more than 20,000 people lived in a 'hidden city' inside the limestone peaks. They were only able to farm or work at night, so inside the caves they built everything they needed for their society to survive, including schools, hospitals, markets, a radio station and the headquarters of the Lao Patriotic Front.

Take the audio tour that tells the story of the 'hidden city' through the history that created it and interviews with local people and discover the area's beauty as well as its fascinating hidden history. After the tour, we will transfer directly to the border of Nameo to cross the border to Vietnam.