 
Tour Highlights of Laos
LUANG NAM THA
Trekking around Ban Pieng Ngam
In the morning walk through the rice fields of LUANG NAMTHA and into the forested foothills beyond. A reasonable gentle day walk, the trail passes through the villages of BAN KONE, Ban NAM HOI, Ban PIENG NGAM and Ban NAM NGEAN. As well as learning about the lifestyles of these different communities, trekkers have the opportunity to witness traditional agricultural practices, community forest use, sericulture and the distilling of Lao Rice whiskey. A typical regional lunch is eaten with some of the villagers in Ban PIENG NGAM. The trek ends with a visit to Ban NAM NGEAN and the POM POUK STUPA, before trekkers return to Luang Nam Tha.
Trekking excursion around Ban Nam Yang
In the morning transfer of 40 minutes to Ban Nam Yang and follow the forest trail to Muang Sing. This is an easy trek through forest and upland fields to the highest point of the trek, where there is an Akha resting place. The road is wide, gains gradually in elevation. After reaching the top of the mountain, stop for picnic lunch and enjoy wide views of the surrounding hills and high mountains. After lunch, come downhill to a stream where may see animal foot print.
The trip is 6-7 hours long and good to learn a bit about the life of the Akha in the hills. An Akha hunter will accompany and display his bird calling skills. Return the same way back and have time to visit the Black Tai village of Nam Ngaen where villagers make Lao Whisky. If there is time, visit That Poum Pouk.
LUANG PRABANG
Minority villages of Ban Song Cha and Ban Na Yang
Travel north through scenic countryside to BAN SONG CHA, a village of the ethnic H’mong. Walk through the village to explore the traditional way of life. After lunch, continue onwards to BAN NA YANG, a village of the Thai Lue, known for their cotton weaving, before returning to Luang Prabang.
Kuang Si Waterfall
From Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfall, travel by vehicle to visit local village of Ban Muang Khai. Continue by vehicle to Kuang Si Waterfall, located in a perfect natural setting near Luang Prabang, this multi tiered waterfall tumbles over limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools. Enjoy swimming in the clear water or just relaxing in the natural environment. Continue to Ban Tha Pene, a nearby Khmu village, before returning to Luang Prabang by vehicle
Tham Pak Ou Caves
Travel down the Mekong River to the steep limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong and
Nam Ou Rivers, home to the Tham Pak Ou Caves. These extraordinary caves are filled
with Buddha images, of every style and material imaginable. On the return journey, stop at Ban Xang Hai village, a local village famous for the production of lao lao, the local rice wine whisky
Luang Prabang City Tour
Stroll around this UNESCO World Heritage city beginning with WAT VISOUN (Wat Wisunalat), the oldest living temple in Luang Prabang. Don’t miss the Royal Palace and also visit WAT AHAM before continuing to WAT XIENG THONG, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in typical Lao art style. From there, stroll downs the main street (Wat Street) of Luang Prabang. In the evening climb the hillside stairs to the small temples atop PHOU SI and enjoy a beautiful view over the temples and river, a nice way to round up an exciting day.
 
Excursion to Tad Sae Waterfall with an elephant ride at All Lao Elephant Camp
Transfer to All Lao Elephant Camp. Enjoy an elephant ride through real jungle and walk along the beautiful Nam Khan River, feed your elephants, a great photo opportunity. Continue to BAN XIENG LOM VILLAGE. Then take a long tail boat to TAD SAE WATERFALL. Arrive at Tad Sae. Enjoy Lao-style lunch. After lunch, swimming at Tad Sae and enjoy jumping activity. Return to Ban Xieng Lom Village by long tail boat and transfer back to Luang Prabang.
VIENTIANE
Kayaking on Nam Lik
Descend the scenic Nam Lik, passing through rapids (grade 1 or 2), accompanied by an experienced river guide. Pause for a picnic lunch in a cool gorge along the river, with possibilities to swim and relax. After lunch, continue in calmer waters and observe local villagers at work along the river. Enter a steep gorge, which provides for another possibility to swim, before returning to Vientiane.
Nam Ngum Lake
Travel to NAM NGUM LAKE, a vast, man-made reservoir located in a beautiful green valley. Enjoy a two hour boat ride along the lake before returning to Vientiane, on the way visiting TALAAT LAK HAASIP SOHNG (“The Market at Kilometer 52”) a large daily market often visited by Hmong and other local minorities, and/or THALAT, a town known for its market which sells all kinds of forest creatures deer, spiny anteaters, rats for local consumption.
Vientiane City Tour
Tour the charmingly sleepy capital of Laos, visiting the gleaming That Luang stupa, Wat Si Saket, the Patuxai monument and Wat Si Muang among other highlights. In the afternoon wander in the “Morning” Market, the best place to view or buy traditional Lao textiles.
Buddha Park
On this excursion visit an open-air museum, WAT XIENG KHUAN (BUDDHA PARK). This is a collection of whimsical but compelling statues of Buddhist and Hindu gods.
PAKSE Bolaven Plateau, Tad Lo and surrounding waterfalls
From Pakse, head east across the BOLAVEN PLATEAU, a fertile coffee and tea growing area. This area is rich in ethnic groups, predominantly Laven. En route the road between Pakse and Paksong on the western edge of the plateau, visit TAD E-TU WATERFALL and TAD FANE WATERFALL, the highest in Champasak Province, and the nearby TAD YUANG WATERFALL. Afterwards head north towards SALAVAN, stopping at the minority villages. On the return to Pakse, visit TAD LO, TAD HANG and TAD PHA SUAM WATERFALLS.
Excursion to Champasak and Vat Phou
From Pakse, journey south along the east bank of the Mekong. Near Champasak city, cross by boat and continue to VAT PHOU. That means Mountain Temple and it is one of the best
preserved examples of major Khmer architecture some 200 years older than Angkor Wat itself. The core monument of this site consists of a main temple on the upper terrace, six shrines on the middle terrace, two palaces and Nandin Hall on the lower terrace. Return to Pakse by vehicle and ferry.
SAVANNAKHET City Tour
Explore the provincial capital of Savannakhet, visiting TALAAT SAVANXAY (Singapore Market) and several of the temples, including WAT SAINYAPHUM, WAT LATTANALANGSI, the CHINESE TEMPLE and SAINT THERESA CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Excursion to Soui Lake, Monkey Forest, Hotay Pidok and Turtle Lake
Soui Lake is a large irrigation lake used in the dry season for cultivation of rice, vegetables and other food plants. There are many large and small islands in the lake and visitors can try the fish and other local Lao food. Continue to Ban Dong Muong village where visitors have easy access to the Monkey forest – a sacred forest with spiritual houses, covering more than 3 hectares. After that discover the most important repository of palm leaf books in the Hotay Pidok Library. It is part of the Nonglamchanh temple and houses books in Burmese Pali, Khmer and ancient Lao alphabets. At last, continue on to the natural lake in Ban Donedeng or the so called Turtle Lake. There are many turtles of different sizes and ages living in the lake and it is believed they are protected by the ghosts in the spiritual house. Return to Savannakhet.
MUANG SING
Sightseeing in Muang Sing by Tuk Tuk
In the morning transfer by Tuk Tuk for 10 minutes ride to visit Lolo. After walk around in the village, then visit Ban Nong Bou (Tai Dam) to see weaving. After approximately 30 minutes at the Village, walk up the mountain for a visit of the Stupa (That Xieng Tung). Then visit Hmong Village (Ban Kang Mai), visit Tai Nuea (Ban Silihuang) to see how to make Kao Soi (Rice Noodles). Have lunch at Phou Iu Restaurant. After lunch visit Akha village (Ban Namdaet Mai), walking further to visit Yao villages (Ban Nammai, Ban Jongkha ang Ban Saileck). Spent time in the villages to walk around and continue to another Akha village (Ban Phakha). After that visit Tai Lue (Ban Donchai). Get the Tuk Tuk at Ban Donchai and return to Muang Sing. |
