This action packed tour will give you a taste of all that magical Laos has to offer. Begin your tour in Luang Prabang, visiting the pricelss monuments that this UNESCO protected city, has to offer. Enjoy one of the most memorable sites of morning alms, and a sacred visit to the Pak Ou Buddha Caves. Visit Vientaine and tour the citys highlights including the Putousay Vicotry gate, and Buddha Park. Travel onto 'Land of a Million Elephants', to experience a elephant ride. Finish your tour, cruising along the Mekong River, discovering wild waterfalls and possible sightings of the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins.

DAY 1: ARRIVE LUANG PRABANG ~ CITY TOUR:
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met at the airport by a Destination Asia local guide and transferred to the hotel to check in and freshen up.

Surrounded by forested mountains and situated at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang has a tranquil, old world charm rarely found in Asia today. This fascinating town was the capital of the Lane Xang (million elephants) kingdom until the mid-sixteenth century. In colonial times it served as a provincial headquarters of the north. The legacy of the European presence here - well preserved French architecture and careful street planning &ndash has blended delightfully with more than 30 gilded Buddhist temples to create a town rich in atmosphere and history. Luang Prabang is probably the most unhurried, relaxed city in Asia, with some of the friendliest people you could hope to meet anywhere. There are few cars and no pollution or traffic jam - it's a perfect place to stroll leisurely through the ancient lanes and alleyways and absorb the timelessness of this still relatively undiscovered part of the world. The city is located on the Mekong River in a lovely mountain-encircled setting.

Today visit some of these priceless monuments on a walking tour around the old city, now under UNESCO protection as a World Heritage Site. Visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo Stupa. Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy panoramic views for many miles in each direction.

Continue on to visit nearby Wat Mai - the five-tiered roof of the wooden sim epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Wat Xieng Thong is often described as Luang Prabang&rsquos most beautiful, and further emphasizes Luang Prabang&rsquos uniqueness, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground.

Dinner tonight is included at Tamnak Lao restaurant &ndash a great introduction to Luang Prabang style Laotian cuisine. After dinner take a stroll around Luang Prabang&rsquos fabulous night market with your local guide, where there is an overwhelming selection of local handicrafts on offer - much is produced and sold by locals from the ethnic minority villages that surround Luang Prabang.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG ~ MORNING ALMS AND PAK OU CAVES
This morning there is the option to start the day early with one of the most memorable sights of Luang Prabang. At dawn hundreds of saffron robed monks move silently through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food). Your guide will explain the background behind this ritual which is still very much a part of everyday life in Laos and you will have the chance to make &lsquomerit&rsquo. It&rsquos early but well worth the wake up call!

After breakfast at your hotel begin a relaxing Mekong River trip with your guide on the mighty Mekong to visit the sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Ou Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many still pay respect to this tradition.

On arrival back in Luang Prabang there is time for lunch and a local restaurant before visiting the textile village of Ban Phanom, where traditional Laotian textiles are woven on wooden looms. If time and energy levels permit it may be possible to also visit some of the other handicraft villages around Luang Prabang town. Dinner is at own arrangement.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG ~ VIENTIANE
The morning is free for you to relax, shop or head out on your own to continue exploring the town or visit the local markets before transferring to the airport for your afternoon flight to the Capital of Laos - Vientiane.

Located on the majestic Mekong River, Vientiane (translated as 'sandalwood city') dates from the 10th century, but has been the capital of Laos from the early 16th century to the present. Vientiane is a relatively small, laid-back city, with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture and majestic Buddhist temples.

Upon arrival at Vientiane airport you will be met by a local guide and transfer to your hotel for the next two nights. Tonight head out for dinner at one of Vientiane&rsquos renowned local restaurants where you can enjoy traditional music and dancing while you dine.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4: VIENTIANE ~ CITY TOUR AND BUDDHA PARK
This morning your local guide will meet you at your hotel for this full-day city tour, which visits the highlights of the capital. Visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Wat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and over 6,000 Buddha images. Nearby is Haw Phra Kaew - the main structure originally housed the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok.

One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Putousay - the victory gate also known as Anousavari, with architecture inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. Another famous landmark is the Phra That Luang stupa. This great sacred stupa, considered the national symbol, is said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. We also take a visit to the Talaat Sao &ndash Vientiane&rsquos great food and vegetable market. This is a wonderful venue for encountering the charming and fun-loving Laotians.

After lunch at a local restaurant we head out of town to visit one of Laos&rsquo slightly stranger attractions - Xieng Khuan Buddha Park. Built in 1958 the park on the banks of the Mekong River is the site of a large collection of many kinds of Buddhist and Hindu Sculptures. En route it is possible to stop to visit the impressive Friendship Bridge and the National Cultural Park, also on the Mekong River.

If you are interested in textiles and their production and time permits we can then pay a visit to Carol Cassidy and her Gallery and weaving. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure - you may want to enjoy a cool drink on the banks of the Mekong as the sun sets. Dinner is at own arrangement &ndash Vientiane has a great range of restaurants specializing in local cuisine as well as a range of International choices.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5: VIENTIANE ~ PAKSE
This morning it will necessary to depart very early for the early morning flight to Pakse in Southern Laos. Upon arrival in Pakse you will be met by a local guide and transfer to your hotel. Take some time to freshen up and then depart with your local guide to explore the countryside surrounding Pakse city.

The Bolaven plateau is an extinct volcano with a high enough altitude to be notably cooler that the town below. Here visit a tea and a coffee plantation and taste the high quality tea and coffee grown by local farmers. Continue to visit Tad Fane waterfall, where thin ribbons of water plunge hundreds of feet into a deep ravine below. Local hill people recount a story of local hunters ambushing a deer at the falls, thus giving its name (Tad = Waterfall, Fane = Deer).

Continue to the wide, thundering Tad Lo waterfalls for lunch. This route also passes minority Hill Tribe villages - &lsquoKha&rsquo and other &lsquoLao Thung&rsquo tribes live in this area. Time permitting it may be possible to stop to visit one of these villages. Late afternoon return to your hotel in Pakse town &ndash the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Meal: Lunch

DAY 6: PAKSE ~ WAT PHOU TEMPLE, ELEPHANTS AND 4000 ISLANDS
After an early breakfast, drive south from Pakse to visit Wat Phou, an impressive pre-Angkorian Khmer temple ruin. This site represents the easternmost border of the Khmer empire, although Khmer influence was felt deep into central Vietnam. Wat Phou temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002 and is situated on a hillside offering spectacular views of the surrounding plains.

Continue to Kiet Ngong which is renowned for its elephant camp, and its mahouts (handlers) who train these giant and majestic beasts that once played an integral part in the lives of the Laotian people. The original name for the Lao Region was Lane Xang &ndash Land of a Million Elephants and their image still features on many Government documents, etc. There is the opportunity to feed the elephants and take a one hour ride as well.

After lunch at a local restaurant continue the journey to Don Khong Island, located in the famous Si Phan Don (4000 Islands) area of the Mekong. Upon arrival late in the afternoon check-in at your hotel and then relax and enjoy a cold drink by the river, or the energetic can explore this island by bicycle.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7: 4,000 ISLANDS ~ KHONE PHAPHENG WATERFALLS ~ MEKONG DOLPHINS ~ PAKSE
After breakfast take a boat cruise along the Mekong River to Don Khone Island. Explore the island visiting the former French bridge, and the tiny old locomotive of the train used to transfer supplies and boats around the impassable waterfalls.

Continue by local samlor to Lii Pii Falls, and then take a small localstyle boat to try to spot the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins that live just below the falls near the Cambodian border. While Dolphin numbers are declining and they are not always visible, there is a chance you will see them. After lunch at a nearby local restaurant continue by boat and van to visit the wild Khone Phapheng Waterfalls &ndash said to be the largest waterfalls in South-east Asia.

Late afternoon begin the drive back to Pakse town, arriving in the early evening. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8: PAKSE ~ DEPART
After breakfast at the hotel you will be met by your local guide to transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Meal: Breakfast

Have a question about North To South?

Your email:

Your question:

Load New Code

Powered by Web Wiz CAPTCHA version 2.01

*Enter security code (Case Sensitive)