Mekong Downstream

Welcome to Laos - Houeisay border gate. You will cross the Mekong river where your Lao guide will welcome you at the immigration point. After completing border formalities, you board a traditional boat for the trip down the Mekong river. You will have great time to see a big part of the old powerful kingdom known as Lane Xang (Million Elephants) was founded in the 14th century. You have some stops to visit villages of tribal minority such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu. Upon arrival in Pakbeng, we visit local market, experience daily lifestyle of colorful hill tribe traders exchanges their goods.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

You continue going downriver and pass areas of un-discovered forest with villages along the riverbanks and seeing the elephants with its mahout in daily activities. Stop at fishing villages and rice-wine making villages and taste some of local Laos whisky. You also visit the Pak-ou caves, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. You arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel. This charming city, UNESCO world heritage, is a small one on the bank of tMekong and Nam Khan rivers, From 1353 until 1545 the city was the capital of Lane Xang before power was transferred to Vientiane. You spend rest of the day exploring the temples and sites in what is called one of the last Shangri-La’s of Southeast Asia. You will visit Wat Xiang Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Early wake up for a fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clothed monks who collect offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. We will explore the temples of Wat Visoun, Wat Khili, Wat Mai and the former Royal Palace, now is National museum where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as Buddha and spectacular artifacts including the Prabang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum.

In the afternoon we leave the city to experience local lifestyle of nearby villages and visit the most beautiful waterfall in Luang Prabang name Khouangsi where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths. We return to Luang Prabang city by late afternoon and visit the night market, where you can find the lovely selection of handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. At sunset time we climb up to the mountain Phousi where you will catch a lovely view over the town and the Mekong river.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Silver Smith’s, the Fine Arts School and the Central Market are our last visits before heading to airport for flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, we will see the major temples including the oldest Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous, sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

We enjoy our final evening by watching sunset by the Mekong riverside and overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, we visit the Morning Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong (if time permits) before taking your onward flight. End of services.