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Vieng Phoukha Minorities Caves and Cliffs Vat Phou Cruise Trekking in Muang Sing Laos is a landlocked country in the centre of Indochina, being mainly mountainous and forested, with the Mekong River running along the border with Thailand. Situated on the Mekong River is the capital and gateway city of Vientiane, where there a number of famous temples, stupas, and monasteries.North of Vientiane is Luang Prabang, famous for its Khmer Temples and mountain scenery. We can arrange a combination tour of these two cities plus the Mekong River for around 4-5 days. Laos 7 days / 6 nights
Day 1 Vientianne –Sightseeing in Vientianne The capital city and seat of government sits in a bend of the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains. Vientiane (pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city with interesting wats and lively markets.
THAT LUANG (Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa): built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, it is the most important national monument in Laos, a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. HO PHA KEO is the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy built in 1565 by King Setthathirat and now converted into a museum containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures found in Laos. WAT SI SAKET: constructed in 1818 by King Anouvong in the early Bangkok style, the interior walls of the cloister are punctured with small niches that contain more than 2000 silver and ceramic Buddha images. PATUXAI: a large monument reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang has a stairway that leads to the top levels of the monument, providing a good view of the city.
Excursion to National Ethnic Cultural Park and Buddha Park This day's excursion combines visits to two very different open-air museums. WAT XIENG KHUAN (BUDDHA PARK) is an collection of whimsical but compelling statues of Buddhist and Hindu gods. Together with the NATIONAL ETHNIC CULTURAL PARK, an outdoor exhibition with displays and houses of different ethnic minorities, it offers a valuable glimpse into some modern-day practices of Lao culture and tradition. Overnight in Vientianne
Day 2 - Vientianne to Vang Vieng By vehicle from Vientiane to Vang Vieng - Sightseeing around Vang Vieng - This small town north of Vientiane is nestled in a scenic bend in the Nam Song River. The west bank of the river is lined with tunnels and caverns and the limestone cliffs are beautiful. Visit some of the caves for which the town is famous, including CHANG CAVE, used as a bunker against marauding Chinese in the early 19th century, and XANG CAVE, or "Elephant Cave", which contains a few Buddha images and a Buddha footprint plus the elephant shaped stalactites which give the cave its name. Overnight in Vang Vieng THE ELEPHANT CROSSING HOTEL Day 3 Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang Journey north passing through Ban Phatang and Muang Kasi- Overnight in Luang Prabang LA RESIDENCE
Set between the Nam Khan and Nam Ou rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting town filled with historic temples and colonial style buildings. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Start the day at the NATIONAL MUSEUM (ROYAL PALACE), a modest but graceful building which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. This turn-of-the century royal residence has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here and provides unique insights into the history of Laos. Afterwards, visit WAT MAI and WAT VISOUN (Wat Wisunalat). The oldest living temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun dates back to 1513 and contains a collection of antique wooden Buddhas. Visit the nearby WAT AHAM before continuing to WAT XIENG THONG, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in the city. Its many ornate buildings feature exquisite mosaic and gold-stenciled murals. From there, stroll down the main street of Luang Prabang, stopping at some of the many temples that line its sides, including WAT SIBOUNHEUANG, WAT SI MOUNGKHOUN, WAT SOP and WAT SENE.
Visit Mount Phousi Climb the hillside stairs to the small temples atop PHOU SI, the 100m high hill which sits in the middle of the town, offering beautiful views over the temples and river. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 5 Luang Prabang – Full Day Kuangsi Waterfall KUANG SI FALLS: located in a perfect natural setting near Luang Prabang - this multi-tiered waterfall tumbles over limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools. It is a nice place for bathing and having a picnic. Continue to BAN THA PENE, a nearby Khmu village, and BAN LONG LAO before returning to Luang Prabang by vehicle. Overnight in Luang Prabang Day 6 - Luang Prabang to Pakbeng via Pak Ou – LUANGSAY CRUISE Embark on the Luangsay boat, a traditional style wooden boat with open decks and beautiful views. Cruise upstream towards Pakbeng stopping at BAN BAW to observe the making of Day 7 - Pakbeng to Huay Xai – LUANGSAY CRUISE Early morning the Pak Ou boat leaves the pier for a leisurely cruise up the Mekong towards Huay Xai (Lao-Thai border). Several stops along the way offer the opportunity to sample rural life first-hand and marvel at just how little has changed over the centuries. Arrive Huay Xai in the late afternoon and cross the border into Thailand
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Day 4 Afternoon sightseeing - Luang Prabang 
traditional Lao rice wine and whisky. Continue to the famous PAK OU caves, natural shrines which have been filled over the centuries with hundreds of Buddha images in every style and material. Lunch is served on board, followed by a visit to a fishing village before arriving in Pakbeng in the late afternoon. Overnight in Pakbeng