LAOS ACTIVE

DAY 1 : LUANG PRABANG BIKING CITY TOUR

Arrival in Luang Prabang UNESCO World Heritage site. This beautiful city was the royal capital and seat of government for the Kingdom of Laos until the revolution of 1975. The main part of the city consists of four main roads crisscrossing a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers.

Join us on this half day city tour by bicycle, visiting Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, the beautiful Wat Xieng Thong. We’ll walk along the street, climb Phu Si mountain to enjoy the view overlooking the city and take in the amazing view the Nam Khan river joining the Mekong. From here we can see the magic Mekong and the tributaries of the Nam Khan river.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG

DAY 2 : TREKKING TO KUANG SI WATERFALLS (B / L / -)

Starting from Luang Prabang we drive out into the close by valley south east of Luang Prabang. Arriving at the Long Lao village we start our hiking tour. We start this tour with exploring the life and culture of the village where Khamu and Hmong people live.

The trail leads than passing some fields and vegetable gardens before reaching the forested mountains with quite wild sceneries and steeper climbs. After a stretch of forest hiking (slippery in wet season) we will explore an interesting cave.

During the Second Indochina War people say it helped the local people as a bomb shelter!

The early afternoon we then arrive at the crystal clear water of just one of the springs that feed the famous Kuang Si waterfall. The last short walk brings us down the steep waterfall where we have time for a relaxing swim.

In the Kuang Si waterfall sanctuary you can see bears living in their project area. An NGO helps to set up proper care and areas to keep the animals.

In the afternoon we return to Luang Prabang.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG

DAY 3 : COOKING CLASS – MEKONG SUNSET CRUISE (B / L / -)

We’ll start with a visit to the major food market; your guide helps you select fresh ingredients, produce, and meat to prepare a delectable meal.

Then we’ll take you to the cooking school where you will start with a visit of the organic garden. Your cooking class takes place here under the guidance of a passionate Lao chef. Learn to prepare different traditional Lao and Luang Prabang dishes via hands-on experience. At midday, relax while eating your creations in an idyllic setting overlooking the lush gardens. The recipe book is yours to take home!

What better way to enjoy Luang Prabang’s scenery than a cruise along the Mekong River? Embark on a scenic sunset boat ride on Khopfa boat.

Overnight in LUANG PRABANG

CRUISE only transfer without guide

DAY 4 : LUANG PRABANG – VANG VIENG (B / L / -)

Wake up before dawn to observe a long standing sacred Lao tradition and Buddhist ritual “Tak Bat” (Almsgiving), where monks dressed in saffron-coloured robes line up to receive food offerings from devout Buddhists along the street. While it is possible to observe this special tradition, tourist are expected to be respectful and be mindful that it must be observed in silence and peace.

After breakfast, we will depart from Luang Prabang to head to the small town of Vang Vieng. This town is famous for untouched natural scenery and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Stopping by along the way for a visit at Ban Nadao Village to enjoy a rural walk through luscious green rice paddies and impressive irrigation canals surrounded with towering mountains, perfect for those photo moments. Arrive in Vang Vieng where free leisure can be used to relax or explore the town.

Overnight in VANG VIENG

DAY 5 : VANG VIENG – KAYAKING & CAVING (B / L / -)

We will be transferred from Vang Vieng to the Khmu village of Vieng Samay, about 10 km north of Vang Vieng. After an introduction to the basics of kayaking, the Nam Song offers various 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, so one emerges on the other side of the range for some panoramic views of the Nam Kouang valley.

A trek back 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. The Tham Non Cave lies further downstream. As one of the biggest caves in Vang Vieng, it served as a rescue shelter for the villagers during the Second Indochina War. Today it is home to a bat colony and 'The Magic Stone of Vang Vieng'.

The final leg is a gentle paddle - before returning to Vang Vieng in time to catch the sunset from the terrace of the Ban Sabai Riverside Bungalows.

Approximately: 15 minutes transfer / 4 hours kayaking / 1 hour caving / 1 hour hiking

Overnight in VANG VIENG

DAY 6 : VANG VIENG - VIENTIANE (B / - / -)

Today will drive south to Vientiane, the capital and largest city of Laos, situated along the Mekong river. Vientiane became the capital in 1563 due to fears of a Burmese invasion. During French rule, Vientiane was the administrative capital and due to economic growth in recent times, it has become the economic center of Laos.

Easily explored, we will visit the major sights of the capital starting with Wat Sisaket, famous for its cloister wall housing thousands of Buddha images followed by a visit to the Royal Temple of Wat Prakeo, the Temple of Emerald Buddha.

The tour continues with a visit to Patuxai Victory Gate, an imposing arch (reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris) built as a monument to Laos’ resilience and independence. We then head on to see the iconic Golden That Luang Stupa, deemed as the most important national monument in Laos and a sacred symbol of Buddhist religion.

Overnight in VIENTIANE

DAY 7 : ORCHID TREK (B / L / -)

7:30 Departure from the hotel. We arrive at the village of Ban hatkhay to 9:30 or 2 local guides will wait after preparing the picnic. We will be traveling to vehicle to Say Pha through the path that leads to the rice fields before arriving in the park. The trek will start at orchid Pha Say with his views on an impressive throat than 40m high and thick jungle. We move on small trails and discover shade different forest types: semi-deciduous jungles, bamboo, accompanied by two guides and an expert on orchids.

Do not be surprised by abundance of orchids in some places, all the rocks are covered! Some biotopes are extraordinary. We will also have the opportunity to learn many things on medicinal plants and other plant families such as: Cane, the Gingers, the Dypterocarpes ... The picnic will be in the bed of a dry river any part of the year. The afternoon will end with a swim at the waterfall of Tad Say before returning to the village. Back in Vientiane expected around 18h.

TREKKING Overnight in VIENTIANE

DAY 8 : DEPARTURE (B / - / -)

Free leisure before transfer to the airport for departure (without guide).

End of our services.