Highlights of Laos
Our Highlights of Laos holiday is the perfect in-depth introduction to this enigmatic country, combining key highlights with plenty of downtime so you never feel rushed. Take in temples and tuk-tuks in Vientiane, lay back on a few 4,000 Island beaches, and comprehensively explore Luang Prabang, one of our absolute favourite cities.
Our tailor-made service costs you no extra
This itinerary is designed to work straight off the peg, but we'll happily tailor it until it's a perfect fit for you, to ensure we’re making the absolute best of your time and funds. All you need to do is ask...
Your own private guides & drivers
You'll typically have your own private guides & drivers throughout your trip. When you will be sharing a service (eg a boat cruise) with others, we'll always let you know.
Highlights
- Delve into Laos’ rich history
- Enjoy in-depth city and temple tours
- Taste Vientiane on a streetfood tuk-tuk safari
- Discover the Vietnam War's impact on Laos
- Immerse yourself in laid back Si Phan Don
- Cruise the Mekong River to secluded idylls
Vientiane, Done Daeng, 4000 Islands, Luang Prabang
Sample Itinerary
On arrival in Laos, you'll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to your hotel.
Spend a day thoroughly exploring the capital. See thousands of miniature Buddha statues at the city’s oldest intact temple, Wat Sisaket; linger in the echoing halls of Wat Phra Keo, the former home of the Emerald Buddha; and climb onto the roof of the Patuxai monument for panoramic city views. Stand in the shade of the golden stupa of That Luang: the holiest place in Laos. Complete your morning with a visit to the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting the Laotian people's continuing struggle with overwhelming amounts of unexploded ordnance left from the Vietnam War era. Your afternoon is at leisure until sunset, when you’ll veer off the beaten track for a tuk-tuk tour of the locals’ favourite night markets and streetfood joints, ending with a Lao-style Sin Dat BBQ.
Take a morning flight to Pakse where you’ll meet your guide for the drive south to Champasak, a riverside town rich in history. Make the short boat crossing over the Mekong River to Done Daeng, one of the most picturesque islands in this laid-back region. Technically a little too far north to officially be included in the 4,000 islands, Done Daeng shows you what it’s like to take a step out of modern time expectations, to a place where the seasons, weather and natural rhythms dictate the pace. Upon arrival the remainder of your day will be at leisure to settle into the Si Phan Don way of life.
where traditional Laotian architecture nestles beside intriguing colonial-style buildings. Visit a local potter in their workshop, and see the huge Sisumang Buddha sitting on the remains of a Pre-Angkorian temple. Follow the riverside path past ancient temples and a colonial era church, to meet local villagers and observe their traditional weaving of rice baskets and fish traps. At the temple of Vat Kuang Kang, transfer back to the pier to board a boat back to Done Daeng, where your afternoon is at leisure.
Embark on a day criss-crossing the 4000 Islands by bike and boat. Cycle across the compact Done Khong island to catch a ferry to the quiet island of Don Phi Man. Explore this quintessentially Lao fishing village by bike, soaking up the feeling of time appearing to have stood still. Hop over the Mekong to Don Sang Pai, to visit an ancient Buddhist temple and learn about the beliefs specific to the local culture. Visit the neighbouring island of Don Loppadi, where the residents specialise in weaving bamboo baskets and the region’s essential fishing nets, and have lunch with a local family, before cruising upstream to pass Dom Som and several uninhabited islands, arriving back at Done Khong in the late afternoon.
Start the day with an early-bird visit to the poignant pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phou to witness stunning sunrise views over the Mekong while the temple is deserted. After breakfast, explore Champasak on foot. As you walk, your guide will tell you about the history of this World Heritage Listed town, where traditional Laotian architecture nestles beside intriguing colonial-style buildings. Visit a local potter in their workshop, and see the huge Sisumang Buddha sitting on the remains of a Pre-Angkorian temple. Follow the riverside path past ancient temples and a colonial era church, to meet local villagers and observe their traditional weaving of rice baskets and fish traps. At the temple of Vat Kuang Kang, transfer back to the pier to board a boat back to Done Daeng, where your afternoon is at leisure.
Spend the morning at leisure soaking up the tranquillity in Done Daeng before flying to Luang Prabang. The remainder of your day will be at leisure to begin exploring this stunning city. There are plenty of great restaurants to choose from, and we’d recommend the local river side stalls for some truly authentic Lao flavours, washed down (naturally!) with a Beer Lao.
Rise before dawn to witness tak bat (the giving of alms to the monks who leave their pagodas to receive offerings of food from local residents) in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner. Get an overview of the country’s history at the Royal Palace National Museum, take in the city’s iconic temples, and get a deeper insight into Laos culture at the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre. See colourful woven textiles being made in the surrounding villages, then either opt to embark upon an energetic climb up Mount Phousi, visit Wat Prabath Tai for a more accessible sunset experience or head to Wat Aham’s colourful prayer hall in time for the daily chanting. In the early evening, attend a Baci ceremony, which involves winding cotton around your wrists to symbolise friendship, good health and good luck on your journey.
Your day will be at leisure to relax or continue your exploration of Luang Prabang.
Board a private boat and cross the Mekong to the quiet village of Ban Xieng Maen and the ancient royal temple of Wat Long Khoun, a peaceful place for meditation. Cruise downstream to the Pha Tad Ke Botanical Gardens; stroll through the grounds to the ethno-botanic gardens and learn how Laotians use plants in every day life, special ceremonies and medicine. After lunch, head back to the riverside, board your boat and cruise upstream as to the Pak Ou Caves where thousands of Buddha statues were hidden in times gone by. Return to Luang Prabang by boat, stopping en-route at Wat Donekhoun – a former favourite temple of the King.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Booking Policy
English speaking, local guide
All accommodation listed
Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
Any domestic flights listed (unless marked otherwise)
All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
All meals listed
Entry visas
International airport departure taxes
Any meals not listed in the itinerary
Drinks, other than water on activity days
Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)
Travel insurance
All other services not listed in 'inclusive'
Please note: During high season periods (such as Christmas and New Year) hotels often levy a surcharge and these are not included in the above prices. Your consultant will be happy to advise you of these.
- Whilst in the south of Laos you are within easy striking distance of Cambodia. You can either cross by land at the Don Kralor border, giving you access to the little-visited region of Ratanakiri, with its wealth of travel interests; alternatively fly from Pakse directly to Siem Reap, and the majestic Angkor Temples. As alternative to the southern Laos itinerary listed in this holiday, you may wish to consider two nights aboard the Vat Phou Cruise. Described as a ‘boutique river-borne hotel’ the luxurious rice barge plies its trade amongst the 4000 Islands, stopping at key sites including Champasak, the spectacular Wat Phou, Khong Island, Khong Pha Pheng, and the hidden forest temple of Oum Moung. Each of the 12 comfortable and elegant air-conditioned cabins offers two single berths with an en suite bathroom; there is a large fore deck and an air-conditioned dining room, both ensuring easy socialising with other guests. Just because Laos is landlocked doesn’t mean that you can’t spend a few days on the beach. In most instances you will fly to Laos via Bangkok, ensuring easy access to many of Thailand’s world famous beach resorts without the need to pay for extra flights. At My Way we specialise in creating unique, tailor-made experiences. The holiday itineraries provided on this website are intended to help you visualise what is achievable in your destinations of choice, over a given period of time and at an intended budget. Whilst many clients are happy with one of our recommended itineraries in the current form (and at the price quoted), there are those that wish to personalise their holiday in some way, whether it be a change of hotel, an additional destination or even start from scratch. This is when our tailor-made specialists come into their own; with many years of experience both living and working in the region they are ideally equipped to advise on alternatives and to facilitate any necessary changes.
- All prices are correct at the time of publishing. They are liable to change and can only be confirmed upon submitting an enquiry.
- We will arrange all internal flights used within our holiday itineraries. We can also arrange discounted flights from all USA, AU & UK airports to Asia and we are a fully bonded TOUR operator. If you would like a quote for your international flights then please complete the required section on the enquiry form.
- You will require a visa to enter Laos. Your consultant will be happy to advise you on visa requirements.
- Please ensure that you have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity remaining after your return date. You will also need at least one blank page for each of the countries you are visiting.
- You will require a comprehensive travel insurance that covers you for medical costs associated with hospitalisation, emergency travel and repatriation back to your home country. We offer our customers a specially discounted insurance policy, ideally suited to the needs that a trip such as this creates. Tick the insurance box in the enquiry form and we will send you a quote to suit your needs.
- You will undoubtedly require vaccinations for your visit to Asia. Please consult your doctor or a vaccination clinic for the most up-to-date advice. They will also be able to advise you of the most suitable anti-malarial medication if required. It is important that you do this well in advance of your departure date.
- Only once you are completely happy with any holiday itinerary we create for you will we ask for a payment. In order that we can secure availability for your booking we would typically require a deposit of 30%.
- We care about the places and the communities that you will travel through. It is important to us that we travel as responsibly as possible throughout Asia and that we are giving something back to the regions and the people that make these journeys so special. Full details on our approach to responsible travel can be found on a dedicated section of this website.
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