Rural Laos Explorer

Duration: 10 days

Highlights: VIENTIANE, MUANG LA, LUANG PRABANG, CHAMPASAK
• Travel by high speed rail across rural Laos
• Explore remote hill tribe life and culture
• Cycle in the southern Laos countryside

Description: Travel across remote parts of Laos including a high speed rail journey that takes you through hill tribes and picturesque mountain landscapes along the way. Wander the heritage streets of Vientiane, soak in the natural hot spring waters of Muang La and experience spiritual rituals in Luang Prabang, ending with a leisurely cycling excursion and scenic Mekong River cruise in southern Laos.

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This tour is a recommended sample itinerary that can be fully customized to your preferred dates, time frame, hotels and interests. Contact your preferred travel agent for more information.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Vientiane

Welcome to Laos! You arrive in Vientiane, the captivating capital with its boulevards lined with historic temples and French colonial villas. With an engaging contemporary vibe mixed with an old-world charm, the 13th-century city is filled with beautifully-preserved heritage buildings that now house chic cafes, restaurants and boutique shops that showcase the rich and dynamic history of Laos.

Fast track service is arranged for your arrival at the airport where you are met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Settha Palace, Vientiane

Meal Plan:

Day 2 - Vientiane

Explore Vientiane’s famous landmarks, including one of its oldest temples, Wat Sisaket, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which now serves as a museum of arts and antiques.  Travel along Lanexang Avenue and climb to the top of the Patuxai Monument, which was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and offers panoramic views over the city. Continue down Rue Singha 23 to see the golden stupa of That Luang, one of the nation’s most important religious monuments. Then stop by the COPE Visitor Center to learn how unexploded bombs and ordnances left behind from the Vietnam War continues to impact the lives of Lao people today. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit Buddha Park, a quirky collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures scattered across a green space on the banks of the Mekong River. The unusual figures range from a large reclining Buddha and a giant pumpkin. On the way back to town, you may wish to stop by and learn about the Lao Disabled Women's Center, an organization that provides opportunities and education to disabled women. End the day with serene Mekong River views at sunset.

Overnight: Settha Palace, Vientiane

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 3 - Vientiane to Muang La

After an early breakfast, transfer to the train station to embark on a scenic high speed rail journey through remote parts of Laos. Travel from Vientiane to Oudomxay province in the country’s rural north-west. Enjoy picturesque views of the Lao countryside during the two-hour-and-forty-five-minute journey, passing rice fields, rolling mountains and valleys.

Home to endless rice fields, thousand-year-old hot springs and small hill tribe communities, Muang La offers an escape to the simple life, surrounded by the rolling hills and scenic farmland of northern Laos. The quiet, laid-back town rests on the edge of the Nam Pak River and offers options for relaxation as well as trekking, river cruises and mountain biking.

On arrival at Oudomxay train station, you are met by your driver for a 45-minute transfer to your hotel. Comprising just five wooden villas and ten individual bedrooms, Muang La Resort is a true escape in northern Laos. Enshrouded by rainforest on the banks of the river, the resort rests within moments of a small traditional village that's home to just 100 inhabitants. With tropical gardens and a natural hot spring, the lodge provides the ideal base from which to explore northern Laos and the many ethnic groups that call these mountainous plains home.

Overnight: Muang La Lodge, Muang La

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 4 - Muang La

Set off on a 4WD adventure to visit the villages of the Ikho, Hmong and Kamu people. The route takes you up 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) above sea level and offers some magnificent views of the stunning mountain scenery. Meet villagers of the Kamu tribe. Then travel to more remote mountain regions to visit a Hmong village that originated from the high steppes of Tibet. Learn about their unique way of life and the importance of their livestock. Continue to an Ikho ethnic tribe whose ancestors migrated from Tibet and China’s Yunnan Province. Enjoy a picnic lunch here before continuing to another Ikho village. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

Please note: During the rainy season, the mountain trail may be impassable.

Overnight: Muang La Lodge, Muang La

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5 - Muang La to Luang Prabang

Enjoy a leisurely morning with breakfast at the lodge before checking out and continuing on your rural Lao journey. You are transferred to Oudomxay train station for a 45-minute rail journey to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang train station, you are met by your driver and transferred to your hotel.

A land of enchantment surrounded by lush forested mountains, meandering rivers and an uplifting spiritual vibe, Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage filled with traditional temples and French-Indochinese architecture built around a sacred hill, Mount Phousi. Once the capital of the old Lan Xang kingdom, the laid-back city retains much of its royal charm and celebrates a rich artistic and cultural history.

In the evening, enjoy a fun night out with locals in Luang Prabang with a Lao-style barbecue and a friendly round of pétanque - a light-hearted game for all ages that is similar to bocce or lawn bowls. Inherited from French colonialists of the 19th century, pétanque is still a popular pastime for the city's residents where groups of friends or family can often be seen practicing their throwing technique in the park. Pick up some new skills while chatting with your local friends about life in Luang Prabang. After the game, head to a laid-back place for drinks and a sin dad grilled dinner where a selection of meats and vegetables are cooked and served with delicious sauces directly at the table.

Overnight: La Residence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel, Luang Prabang

Meal Plan: B,D

Day 6 - Luang Prabang

Witness the natural wonders and scenic beauty of Luang Prabang by bike and boat. Start with an overview of Lao history at the Royal Palace Museum, then cycle at a leisurely pace through the quiet streets of town, taking in the charming scenery and old-world architecture. Visit the 19th century Heuan Chan Heritage House, a traditional longhouse that has ties with the royal palace. Enjoy an iced tea in the garden before continuing to Wat Xiengthong, an iconic temple covered in glittering mosaic art. Cycle to Wat Visoun, the watermelon-shaped stupa.

In the afternoon, travel by boat to explore rural villages along the Mekong River. Cross the river to visit Ban Xieng Maen, a quiet village where you can pass by the local school. Back on your bike, cycle to Wat Long Khoun, a forest sanctuary that was once a meditation retreat for Laos’ former royal family. Continue along unpaved roads to Ban Chan, a rustic pottery village. Then travel by boat to a scenic spot on the river for sunset on the Mekong.

Overnight: La Residence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel, Luang Prabang

Meal Plan: B

Day 7 - Luang Prabang

Venture into the remote jungles of northern Laos for an up close and personal experience with Southeast Asia's gentle giants. About 40 minutes' drive from Luang Prabang, Mandalao is a rare sanctuary that offers sustainable and ethical experiences with elephants in a rich, natural environment. Meet one of the directors of the project to learn about their commitment to conservation, education and animal welfare. Cross the Nam Khan river to feed fresh fruits to the resident pachyderms, watch them bathe in the river and walk side by side with them through rice fields and meandering creeks. Head back to base camp for a lunch overlooking the Nam Khan River

In the early afternoon, transfer back to town where you have some time to freshen up before heading out for a mid-afternoon cruise and sunset on the Mekong River. Explore Buddhist caves and charming northern Laos scenery while gliding through scenic countryside landscapes and small villages. Visit the mysterious Pak Ou caves. Set in a limestone cliff, the caves are filled with thousands of Buddha statues made of wood and metal and have been a center of pilgrimage for centuries. Later, savor traditional snacks, Lao beer, wine and mocktails while cruising back downstream. Soak up the soulful atmosphere as the sun slowly fades behind the mountains and the evening sky dances from orange to red, pink and purple.

Overnight: La Residence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel, Luang Prabang

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 8 - Luang Prabang to Champasak

Experience a quintessential Lao morning, starting with a spiritual tak bat, or almsgiving ritual. Each morning, locals line the streets to make offerings and receive blessings from monks who walk through the town in single file. Join them in giving alms and taking part in this timeless tradition. After the ceremony, visit the morning market where locals pick up their daily supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Continue to Kuang Si Waterfall for a picnic breakfast beside the beautiful, three-tiered cascade. Just a short walk along a jungle trail, the waterfall creates a spectacular vision of sparkling, turquoise lagoons backed by lush green vegetation. Say hello to some of the rare Asiatic black bears at the Bear Rescue Center, a small sanctuary for rescued and rehabilitated bears located within the forest.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to southern Laos. A region of scenic natural beauty, Champasak in the southern-most province of Laos, framed by the meandering banks of the Mekong River. The remains of an 11th-century temple stand on a lonely hill, revealing the area's long and dynamic history as part of the mighty Khmer empire while to the east the natural forests and mountains of the Bolaven Plateau are dotted with coffee plantations and dramatic waterfalls.

Enjoy a private sunset cruise and sundowners on the Mekong River, basking in the peaceful twilight atmosphere while drifting towards a small island in the river. With a small, quiet beach, Turtle Island is the perfect spot to relax with drinks and canapés while watching the day slowly fade into night. The evening includes two serves of your preferred beverage (including beer or wine).

Overnight: The River Resort, Champasak

Meal Plan: B

Day 9 - Champasak

Journey to the southern-most tip of Laos for an active boat and bike adventure in a dramatic landscape of 4,000 islands in the Mekong River. A rustic, laid-back haven dotted with grazing water buffalo and quiet villages, this inland archipelago is a vision of small islands and cascading waterfalls. Travel south to Ban Hatsaikhone and take a local boat across the river to the island of Don Khone and having a lunch at local restaurant.

Explore Don Khone by bicycle, following an abandoned railway track past French colonial buildings and Liphi Waterfall. The 30-minute bike ride can be challenging, covering about five kilometers (three miles) on unpaved roads, but offers an authentic experience of the island. After the ride, return to your boat and travel back to the mainland to visit Khone Phapheng, Southeast Asia’s largest waterfall. Reaching a height of 21 meters (69 feet), the waterfall consists of a series of cascades that converge around several small islands.

Please note: Cycling requires a moderate level of fitness and can be challenging, particularly if the roads become muddy due to rain. Tuk tuk rides can be arranged as an alternative for an additional charge.

Overnight: The River Resort, Champasak

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 10 - Depart Champasak

In the morning, visit Wat Phou, a fifth-century temple on a hill overlooking Champasak. The oldest Khmer temple in Laos, this well-preserved historical complex pre-dates Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and features architectural elements, carvings and sculptural art that reflect the religious and cultural beliefs of that time. Climb up the stairs to the main sanctuary for stunning views of the countryside and Mekong River while learning about the temple’s rich history and amazing workmanship.

Later, check out and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Overnight:

Meal Plan: B