*Laos Bucket List
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Every Village Experience Responsible Tourism Program Includes the Following:
- One on one consultation with our travel experts
- Private registration and trip page
- Pretrip Packet
- Handpicked accommodations
- Experienced Private Guide
- Artisan shopping opportunities
- Our favorite tour activities
- Donation to one of TVE’s community partners
Laos is a small, landlocked country located in Southeast Asia bordering Myanmar, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand…making it easily accessible from many countries in the region. With a diverse landscape boasting mountains, plains, and tropical rainforests, travelers can expect to be awed by the country’s beauty.
Start in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, the most well preserved in Southeast Asia, and take a step back in time. Enjoy a walking tour of the old town, explore the Pak Ou Caves, and venture to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Be sure to learn about local textiles and visit one of the many social enterprises in the city.
Be sure to spend some time in the capital city of Vientiane. This city houses the national monument of Laos known as Pha That Luang. Other important Buddhist sites here include Wat Si Saket and Wat Si Muang. And don’t forget to make a stop at the famous Buddha Park on the banks of the Mekong River.
Leave time in your travels to explore the local markets, spices, and handicraft that encompass the rich cultural history of the Laotian people.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrive to Luang Prabang International Airport. Meet your Village Experience representative and transfer to boutique hotel for the evening.
Day 2 – Morning walking tour of the UNESCO sites of this most well preserved city in South East Asia. Visit Ock Pop Tok for lunch – a social enterprise focusing on local handicraft and weaving. Free afternoon to explore on your own.
Day 3 – Head to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls for a day in nature. Return to hotel in the afternoon.
Day 4 – Today, you will board a boat and head to the Pak Ou Caves. This important religious site consists of limestone caverns filled with Buddha statues brought from devoted villagers over the centuries. Return to city for lunch at Patta Textile Gallery and Cafe.
Day 5 – Spend today with community based tourism group, Living Land. You will get to know some local farmers and their families and learn the process of harvesting rice. This will be a real village experience!
Day 6 – Free morning to watch alms giving ceremonies or climb Mt. Phousi for sunrise views. At noon, catch a train to Vang Vieng situated on the Nam Song River. Check into hotel for the evening.
Day 7 – Free morning to explore Vang Vieng by bicycle, kayak or hiking. At noon, catch a train to Vientiane. Check into hotel for the evening.
Day 8 – Morning visit to the famous Buddha Park on the banks of the Mekong River. Tour these beautiful Hindu and Buddhist sculptures. Lunch will be at Makphet social enterprise. Then, visit the Pha That Luang Stupa dating back to the 3rd century A.D. This stupa contains the most important Buddha statue in all of Laos. You’ll then head to Wat Si Saket – the oldest temple in the city housing more than 7,000 images of the Buddha! Return to hotel in the evening.
Day 9 – Free day to continue exploring the sites of Vientiane.
Day 10 – Transfer to airport for international flight home.