GREEN TOUR DISCOVERY

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL – LUANG PRABANG

Relax into an intrepid 18-day discovery into lush Laos in charming Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival at the airport we will be met by a guide and driven to the hotel to check-in and receive a welcome drink. We then have the rest of the day at leisure to settle into life in the laidback city. UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang served as the royal capital and seat of government for the Kingdom of Laos until the 1975 revolution. It can easily be discovered on foot, with its streets studded with ornate temples and striking structures boasting French colonial and traditional architecture.

An optional evening activity provides an even deeper insight into the country’s fascinating culture through participation in a baci ceremony. This calling of the spirits ritual is unique to Laos and it has been practiced for centuries. It involves tying white cotton strings around the wrist, while prayers are chanted by a shaman order to elicit good fortune and well-being.

All meals are to our own arrangement.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

OPTION 1 : Baci Ceremony with Traditional Music and Dance Show at local House

This evening, after the sunset, you will be invited to take part in one of the most important ceremonies for Laotian people:

Baci is a specific ceremony in Laos which has been practiced for hundreds of years. The term commonly used is “sou khuan” which means “spirit enhancing or spirit calling”. The ceremony involves the tying of white cotton strings around a person’s wrists and the prayer saying or well-wishing for the person that the ceremony is intended for. The Baci ceremony is held on many different occasions or events throughout the year. It can be held any day of the week though it has to be on a good day in the lunar calendar. These good days are known to elders, senior monks, or ex-monks. The ceremony can be held for both sad times and happy times. [Duration: around 30 min depending on the number of pax]

DAY 2 : LUANG PRABANG – ALMS GIVING – KUANG SI– BUFFALO FARM (B / L / -)

We can tap into our spiritual side and refresh at waterfalls on a day packed with adventure. A 6 am rise is rewarded with the unique opportunity to watch monks on their daily alms giving ceremony. This sees them collect food donations from locals in exchange for a blessing. We then visit the lively local market followed by the return to the hotel for breakfast.

Those wanting to dig deeper into the ceremony can embark on an optional dawn Mekong River cruise. At 9 am we start a city tour that takes in the Royal Palace Museum’s treasured relics, ornate Wat Mai and stunning Wat Xieng Thong. A 45-minute drive takes us to spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls where we enjoy lunch before a short jungle jaunt to view a sanctuary that protects endangered bears. We can then take a dip in Kuang Si Waterfalls’ refreshing rock pools.

On the return to the city we stop at a buffalo dairy farm to see a collective that boosts farmers’ incomes. There is also the option to spend the day following in the footsteps of locals trekking the Thin Pha Trail. This action-packed itinerary has something for everyone to enjoy.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

ALTERNATIVE OPTION 2 : In the Footsteps of the Locals: Trek the Thin Pha Trail

Pickup form your hotel and start with a morning transfer 25 minutes out of town to the adventure camp. Cross the Nam Khan River by boat to the trail-head and begin your day hike through rice paddies and middle canopy. Your first stop will be a Khmu village named Ban Houay Fai where children are likely to greet you with curiosity and smiles and your guide will introduce you to the local life and customs.

Continue along ridges, limestone grottos and rocky slopes for lunch at a Hmong village known as Ban Tinpha from which this trail gets its name. Mountains and valleys offer many opportunities to experience a variety of flora and fauna. Stop, look, listen and ask your guide about the life teeming around you. Weave your way through paddies and countryside. Chat with villagers and ask questions about life in Laos end in the riverside village,

Ban Houay Yen. Your boat will be waiting to take you down a beautiful stretch of the Nam Khan with a stop at the Tad Sae Waterfall. Relax and soak in Tad Sae Falls after a day of trekking before returning by boat and vehicle to Luang Prabang.

 [Total trekking is 12 km (7.5 mi) taking 4-5 hours through 300-900 m of deciduous forest and farmland / Duration: 8 hours from 08:30 to 16:30] February to July (low water season)

During the low water season, the itinerary is the same with the exception that the Tad Sae Waterfall can be very low or dry and may be omitted.

DAY 3 : LUANG PRABANG – NAM KHAN – COOKING CLASS (JOIN IN) (B / L / D)

Following breakfast, we drive to Nam Khan Ecolodge to enjoy your cooking class.

The class start by harvesting your own vegetables in our organic gardens and greenhouses with our tour guide and Chef. Guided by our Chef you will cook your own lao traditional dishes at our Farm to Table Restaurant. The menu is based on what you harvest in the gardens. The dishes are local and traditional Lao.

Dinner at the Eco Lodge

Overnight in Nam Khan Ecolodge

DAY 4 : NAM KHAN ECOLODGE – PAK OU CAVES – LUANG PRABANG (B / L / -)

This morning, free at leisure until 10:00 am then transfer to Ban Pak Ou. Lunch at Manivanh restaurant. Following lunch, visit Pak Ou caves. The caves are spilt into Tham Ting and Tham Theung, both of which are filled with thousands of Buddha images and statues which have been deposited over the centuries by pilgrims.

After our cave exploration, we jump back on the boat and return to Luang Prabang. stop at a picturesque village and discover the secrets of Lao rice wine distillery at Ban Xang Hai. Dinner is at our leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 5 : LUANG PRABANG – NAM BAK (BAN LUE HANDICRAFTS) (B / - / D)

We get hands-on and learn traditional weaving techniques on a fun excursion. We check-out after breakfast and set off on a scenic three-hour drive from Luang Prabang to Ban Lue Handicrafts in Nam Bak.

We stop on the way for lunch. We then enjoy a half-day cotton weaving workshop that shows us how the thread is made, from the fibers through to the final product. We will learn hand spinning and weaving under the guidance of a local master using age-old tools to create our own scarf to take home.

We then have the rest of the day to explore the idyllic surroundings before dinner at our overnight accommodation. This is a great immersion into traditional crafts.

DAY 6 : NAM BAK – NONG KHIAW – FULL DAY 100 WATERFALLS (B / L / -)

We spend the day chasing cascading waterfalls hidden in a jungle. After breakfast we hit the road for a one-hour drive to Nong Khiaw where we board a boat and cruise along the Nam Ou River. We jump ashore at a small village to learn about the way of life along this iconic waterway. We then trek by small streams and past rice paddies to reach the base of the impressive 100 Waterfalls.

We spend the next few hours surrounded by the thunder of water crashing into tiered pools scattered throughout the tropical greenery. We walk along trails that snake through small villages from the top of the falls down the valley, stopping for a refreshing dip and lunch mid-way.

We then return by boat to Nong Khiaw and check-in at the Ou River House. Dinner is at our leisure. We head deep into the jungle for a splashing good time on today’s invigorating adventure.

DAY 7 : NONG KHIAW – NAM KAT YORLA PA (B / - / D)

We step straight into serene nature at luxurious Nam Kat Yorla Pa. At 8.30 am we embark on a three-and-a-half-hour drive to the resort, stopping to experience village life along the way. This is perfect for those seeking a slice of solace, or action-packed adventure in the heart of nature. The stunning property is nestled amid verdant farmland and rolling jungle-clad hills.

As well as basking in breath-taking natural beauty, this destination offers us an authentic glimpse into local heritage, drawing heavily from the region’s architectural and cultural influences. Luxurious rooms range from impressive pool villas through to superior and deluxe options. The resort is also home to a spa that offers a range of rejuvenating treatments and a restaurant that serves delicious local cuisine.

After checking-in we have the rest of the day at leisure before dinner. Sink into relaxation mode and enjoy Laos’ pristine nature at its finest.

Lunch is to our own account.

DAY 8 : HALF DAY CYCLING, TREKKING, SKY BRIDGES, WATERFALL (B / - / -)

We get the adrenaline pumping during an action-packed adventure that combines cycling, trekking and waterfalls. After breakfast at the resort we have the morning at leisure. At 1 pm we head to the tour information center and jump on our bikes for a 5 km ride through the lush landscapes the province is famed for.

Our destination is Phou Hiphi National Conservation Forest. This is home to a wealth of exotic plants and wildlife, thick jungle and rugged terrain.

From here we continue by foot on a jungle jaunt, stopping to spot the rare flora and fauna as we make our way to cascading Namkat Waterfall, with a journey across 13 bridges. We have time to relax on the banks of the falls and enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool rockpools.

We then return on foot and by bike, with the rest of the day at leisure. Get active and connect with nature on today’s exciting excursion.

Lunch and dinner are to our own account.

DAY 9 : NAM KAT YOPLA PA – VIENTIANE BY TRAIN (B / - / -)

Rural splendor is replaced with exciting city life as we head to Vientiane to explore the capital’s landmark attractions. After breakfast, we head to the train station to take a three-hour journey to Vientiane by C85 @ 10:52 – 13:41.

Upon arrival, we are met by a local guide and we then check-in to our accommodation, with the rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 10 : VIENTIANE – COPE CENTRE – WAT SIMUANG – BUDDHA PARK (B / L / -)

We learn about Laos’ war-torn past and visit special sacred sites on an inspirational excursion. We leave the hotel and head to the COPE Visitor Centre to learn about the devastating consequences of war, the country’s sobering unexploded ordnance problem, the struggle of survivors and innovative work to combat these issues. Vientiane’s oldest monastery, Wat Sisaket. We round out the tour at Ho Phra Keo, a former royal temple that today serves as a museum of Buddhist art.

We then continue to Wat Simuang, the site of Lak Muang considered the home of Vientiane’s guardian spirit. Locals believe this shrine has the power to grant wishes. Laos’ most revered shrine That Luang and its golden stupa in the shape of a banana flower, the iconic Patuxai arch modelled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. After lunch at cheerful, family-run cafe, we drive out of the city to Buddha Park to admire the intriguing collection of Buddhist statues that dot this site.

We then return to the city and end the day joining the locals for a sunset stroll along the Mekong.

DAY 11 : VIENTIANE – FULL DAY ORCHID TREK (B / L / -)

Departure from Vientiane at 07:30 am from your place of residence. Arrival at the village of Ban Hatkhai towards. 09:30 am or 1 local guide (or more depending on the number of participants) will be waiting for us after preparing the picnic. 7 km of track by vehicle through the forest separate us from the start of the hike. The orchid trek begins at Pha Say waterfall with its impressive viewpoint over a gorge over 50m high and its thick jungle. Around the viewpoint, Bulbophyllum, Panisea, Coelogyne, Phalaenopsis, Thecostele are already present on the trees and rocks.

The walk continues on small shaded paths where we move through different types of forests: semi-deciduous, jungles, bamboo, allowing us to observe the different biotopes. Do not be surprised by the abundance of orchids in some places, all rocks and some trees are covered with them! Some biotopes are extraordinary. You will also have the opportunity to learn a lot of things about medicinal plants and other families of plants such as: Rattans, Gingers, Dypterocarpus... and their different uses. The picnic will be taken in the bed of a dry river for part of the year in the shade of trees or at the Tad Say waterfall.

The afternoon ends with a pleasant swim in a unique setting at the Tad Say waterfall before returning to the village. Return to Vientiane around 5:30 p.m.

DAY 12 : VIENTIANE – FREE (B / - / -)

Following breakfast, free day.

Meals are on our own account

Overnight in Vientiane

DAY 13 : VIENTIANE – PAKSE – WAT PHOU – DON DAENG (B / L / D)

We follow in the footsteps of Khmer kings and settle into laidback island life. At 6 am, we check-out and head to the airport armed with a breakfast box to catch our flight to Pakse.

Upon arrival, we will be met by a local guide and we then embark on a scenic 48 km, 90-minute drive to Wat Phou in Champasak. This spectacular pre-Angkorian temple is hugged by verdant paddies and glistening waterways and it was built by Khmer Empire leaders before Cambodia’s revered Angkor Wat. This UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the region’s economic and political center.

Next, we drive to Champasak and take a stroll along its streets lined with French colonial buildings. We then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then cruise along the Mekong River to the sleepy pedestrian island of Don Daeng. After checking-in, we have the rest of the day at leisure before dinner at the hotel. We escape the hustle and sink into idyllic life in the middle of the mighty Mekong.  

DAY 14 : DON DAENG – 4.000 ISLANDS – DON KHONG (B / L / D)

We delve into life at the ‘4,000 Islands’, a chain of islets that dot the mighty Mekong. At 8 am, we set off on a full-day exploration of the area known locally as Si Phan Don. First, we embark on a two-hour drive to mighty Khon Phapeng Waterfalls, known as the ‘Niagara of Asia’ due to their powerful force.

We then continue to Ban Nakasang village and board a boat for a gentle 30-minute cruise to the peaceful islands of Don Khon and Don Det. These are connected by a bridge built by the French. We cross the bridge and enjoy lunch before following the path of the ancient railway to reach a locomotive left by the French. We then take a tuk-tuk to striking Liphi Waterfalls.

We then return to Nakasang Pier and continue by road to Don Khong to check-in to the hotel in time for dinner. We discover a tranquil river island paradise on today’s tour.

DAY 15 : DON KHONG – HOPPING & HANDS-ON WORKSHOP – PAKSE (B / L / D)

We get hands-on and learn about the livelihoods of the archipelago’s residents during today’s island-hopping adventure. At 9 am we board a traditional boat to cruise from island to island to meet villagers and learn about their lives. A 40-minute cruise takes us to Don Loppadi, known for its traditional way of weaving bamboo into colorful rice baskets.

Next, we head to Don Som and use palm leaves to make our own Laotian hat before a delicious home-cooked meal by the islanders. Our next stop is Ban Houay Khong where villagers specialize in making rice paper and rice noodles by hand. Before we return to Don Khong, we take a step back in time at the history museum.

We then continue to Pakse to check-in ahead of dinner. This is an immersive way to discover island life. Please note: There is the option to spend the morning participating in a cooking class with locals on Don Som.

OPTION 3 : Cooking Class with the Islanders of Don Som [09:00 Am – 02:30 Pm/ 7 Pax Max.]

Known for its rich and varied cultures and cuisine, Laos is a paradise for foodies, with flavors, ingredients and preparation methods in incredible array and abundance. This morning, board into a traditional boat to cruise among the 4000 islands and stop at Don Som.

There, after a short walk in the village and the rice paddies, you will be welcomed by the islanders who will share with you their family recipes. Learn how to cook a part of your Lao fest in the outdoor kitchen, overlooking the Mekong (lab, bamboo soup, and steam fish in banana leaves, etc…and of course, the “khao niao”, the local sticky rice).

Enjoy your lunch with the islanders [1 soft drink or local beer included]. After lunch, board back into your small embarkation and cruise to Don Loppadee (30 min cruise). Walk through the village and observe the dexterity of the women weaving bamboo into colorful sticky rice baskets.

Then, transfer to Ban Nakasang or Don Det/Don Khone.

DAY 16 : PAKSE – FULL DAY JEEP TOUR – MYSTIC MOUNTAIN HOMESTAY (B / L / D)

We board an army jeep and soak up Bolaven Plateau’s breath-taking bounty of natural beauty. At 8 am we set off on a one-hour drive to the cool elevated area that is home to towering waterfalls and sprawling coffee and tea plantations.

Upon arrival in Paksong we will be met by our mode of transport for the day – one of a few surviving jeeps from the war. We then set off on an adrenaline-pumping journey along rustic trails to impressive Tad Moun waterfalls at the foothills of Phou Sanat, an extinct volcano.

Next, we trek through verdant landscapes to Mystic Mountain Coffee to enjoy lunch. We then check-in to our homestay and visit the coffee plantation to learn about the production process from bean to cup. We then proceed to a cave used by villagers as shelter during the French Indochina War. Dinner is at Mystic Mountain Coffee. We enjoy a thrilling discovery of this stunning location.

DAY 17 : MYSTIC MOUNTAIN COFFEE – LAVEN & SOUAY VILLAGE – PAKSE (B / L / -)

We experience ethnic life on the plateau and refresh at waterfalls before driving to peaceful Pakse. At 9 am we drive to Laven village, a site that housed more than 500 families during the French Indochina War. Here, we will learn more about the way of life in this historical area and the customs and traditions of the dominant ethnic group.

We then continue to Tad Maihear to marvel at the cascading falls, swim in the clear pools and enjoy a picnic overlooking the water. After lunch, we take a one-hour drive to Souay and visit the traditional bamboo houses and learn more about the village’s history before strolling through lively Lao Ngam Market.

From here, we change our vehicle and transfer to our hotel in Pakse, with the evening at leisure. We learn about the unique characteristics of the plateau’s tribes on today’s enthralling adventure.

DAY 18 : PAKSE – DEPARTURE (B / - / -)

We can fit in some final sightseeing before we leave Laos. After breakfast we may have time to relax, or explore some of Pakse’s attractions. We can take a leisurely stroll along the riverside town’s waterfront promenade, put on our haggling hats and snap up last-minute souvenirs at the colorful market and then browse ornate temples. Charming hilltop temple Wat Phou Salao boasts an impressive panorama, while Wat Luang is regarded as the town’s prettiest by the locals.

When it is time, we check-out and transfer to the airport for our departure fight full of unforgettable memories of this incredible 18-day adventure across Laos.

End of our services.