Laos Tour 6 Days: Vang Vieng & Luang Prabang | Ideal Travel Asia
Laos tour, 6 days: from the capital to the mountains and the royal city
This 6-day Laos tour follows the country’s new high-speed railway from Vientiane to Vang Vieng and on to Luang Prabang, with a private English-speaking guide and car. On Day 2, tour Vientiane’s main sights: Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, Wat Prakeo, the Patuxay Monument, Buddha Park and the Lao Textile Museum.
On Day 3, take the train to Vang Vieng, a town set among limestone karsts. Visit Tham Jang Cave and the Blue Lagoon, with free time to swim, kayak or try the zipline. On Day 4, ride the train to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage town, and tour the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xiengthong and Mount Phousi.
Day 5 is a full day around Luang Prabang. Start with an optional dawn alms-giving ceremony, then visit the Morning Market, cruise the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves and stop at a rice-wine village. In the afternoon, visit hill-tribe villages and hike through the forest to the turquoise pools of Kuang Si Waterfall, passing the Asian bear rescue centre. Day 1 is an arrival day and Day 6 is a relaxed departure morning.
Your private guide, private air-conditioned car, boat trips, entrance fees, travel insurance and daily breakfast are included. Prefer a shorter trip? See our [4-day Vientiane to Luang Prabang tour](link to VTELPQ1).
DAY 1: WELCOME TO VIENTIANE
On arrival at the Vientiane Capital, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences.
Overnight in Vientiane
DAY 2: VIENTIANE CITY TOUR – BUDDHA PARK
After breakfast, we start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
In the afternoon, transfer out to visit Buddha Park with thousands of Buddha Statues inspired by Hindu culture. On the way back, we’ll visit the Lao Textile Museum to learn more about Lao handicraft culture.
Overnight in Vientiane
DAY 3: VIENTIANE – VANG VIENG BY TRAIN
After breakfast, check out the hotel. We will transfer to the train station to take the speed train to Vang Vieng. Meet our tour guide and transfer to the hotel for checking in.
In the afternoon, we will take a visit to Tham Jang Cave and Blue Lagoon, free at leisure to zipline, kayak or swim at the Blue Lagoon.
Overnight in Vang Vieng
DAY 4: VANG VIENG – TRAIN TO LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, free at leisure until transfer to the train station to take a speed train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for checking in. This afternoon, we’ll start our city tour. Our first stop will be the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, displaying a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. We will continue the tour to the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene then the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. In the afternoon, climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for a panorama view.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG –PAK OU - KHOUANGSI WATERFALL
You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast, or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered).
We then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.
After breakfast, we board a cruise trip upstream along the Mekong River, get to enjoy a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled.
Afternoon, transfer by private vehicle to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit the Lao ethnic minority group at Ban Na Ouane Village, H’Mong Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel. Rooms available until 12h00. Free at leisure until transfer back to Luang Prabang airport for departure flight.
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