Authentic Northern Laos 9 days

Day 1: Vientiane – Arrival

Upon arrival in Vientiane, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. 

Vientiane - the Lao capital Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences.

After checking in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure getting acquainted with the city.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane - City Discovery (B)

Spend this pleasant day exploring some of Vientiane‘s highlights. We visit  Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane. This beautiful structure features remarkable frescoes and cloister wall where almost 7,000 Buddha statues are laid in all sizes. Nearby is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. 

We continue visiting the Patouxai, a version of own Arc de Triomphe. This imposing structure stands in Lane Xang Avenue and provides a beautiful view over the town center. The current national symbol of Laos That Luang Stupa which is the most venerable Buddhist monument. The golden stupa  of this structure was  built in Laos style but influenced by Buddhist beliefs

We follow it with a walk around the vibrant Morning Market, a flagship shopping destination in Vientiane. The market interior is crammed with shopping malls that sell everything from medicinal herbs, electronics equipment, silver jewelry, hand make silks to everyday sundries.

Finish the day enjoying a walk along the Mekong riverbank, a good place to enjoy drinks and explore the authentic local way of life.

Day 3: Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B)

Morning departure for a scenic 4-hour drive to Vang Vieng, home to caves of all sizes and varieties just waiting to be explored. Stop along the way visiting a local school at Ban Huay Sala, and local villages of H’Mong and Khmu hill-tribes. You will have photo opportunities to capture the stunning scenery at Phatang mountain and to enjoy the panoramic view at the highest peak of the area, which is more than 2000 meter high.

This afternoon, visit the famous cave of Tham Jang which owes its name to a remarkable limestone formation and lies on the banks of the Nam Song River. The cave was remarkable for sheltering villagers during the Chinese Haw invasion in the 19th century, and again during Laos’ civil war. 

Embark on a private local long-tail boat, and set out on a relaxing and insightful cruise on Nam Song River. Have your camera ready to capture the beautiful landscape created by rivers and mountains when the sunlight fades.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 4: Vang Vieng – Luang prabang (B)

This morning, hop on your bicycle and set off for a leisure cycling trip around Vang Vieng town. Stop at a local morning market, where locals from the countryside around Vang Vieng gather to sell and purchase their goods. You will discover different meats, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Visit an organic farm where mulberry tea and a variety of fruit wines are produced. Meet with local farmers and have a chat with them to learn how they cultivate vegetables by the traditional method and without chemicals.

In the afternoon, drive to the capital of Luang Prabang arriving at the end of the day.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 5: Luang Prabang - City Discovery (B)

Today, we spend a full day exploring the key highlights that make the elegant tranquility of the charming town of Luang Prabang. Visit the Royal Palace featuring the combination of the French beaux-arts styles and traditional Laos architecture. The palace is now turned to a National Museum (close every Tuesday) boating the precious collections of the Royal artifacts. Drive or enjoy a leisurely walk on through the peaceful tree-lined streets to admire some of Luang Prabang’s famous temples including Wat Xieng Thong, a great masterpiece of mosaics and carved wood featuring traditional Lao style; Wat Vitsoun, the most ancient temple of Luang Prabang, was built with simple architecture and housed the Prabang Buddhas ancient statues and steeles.

In the afternoon, visit Wat Mai, one of the town's most sumptuous monasteries, famed for its classic Laos architectural style. 

Climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and admire the panoramic sunset view of the Mekong and Khan rivers as well as the mountain range. At the end of the day, opt to stroll around the Street Night Bazaar where you can find the various handicraft collections.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave –  Kuang Si waterfall - Luang Prabang (B)

This morning, get onboard a traditional long-tail boat to discover the famous Pak Ou Caves. Sitting at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers, these twin caves are carved into the surrounding limestone cliffs, filled with hundreds of ancient Buddha images and statues.

Upon arrival, start exploring the magical cave systems: the lower cave houses a photogenic group of Buddha statues, silhouetted against the stunning riverine backdrop, the upper cave is a 7-minute climb up steps surrounded by lush trees. You will notice Buddhas in every position, every era of life, and every size line the cave walls and understand a sacred religious practice that depicts the devotion and commitment of Laotians to Buddhism. 

This afternoon, enjoy a scenic 1-hour drive south of Luang Prabang, to visit the Kuang Si waterfall, one of Luang Prabang’s most picturesque sights with a multi-tiered cascade of pale turquoise blue water flowing from the thick jungle above into perfectly sculpted limestone pools below.  Follow the unpaved trail as it gradually climbs through the forest to reach different levels of natural blue pools, some are shallow and one central pool has a rope swing. 

Take a leisurely hike through the natural park past the Asian Bear Rescue Center, housing 23 Asiatic Bears that were rescued from poachers.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw (B)

After breakfast in Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will provide a hotel pickup and a 2.5 hour transfer to Nong Khiaw. After checking in the hotel, free at leisure.

In the afternoon, visit the historical cave of Phathok. The Nong Khiaw villagers used this cave as a war shelter during the “Secret War”, to shelter people from bombs dropped in the region. It is about a 30 minute gentle walk from Nong Khiaw town and leads through beautiful scenery. Learn more about a secret part of Laos’ history during this guided cave exploration. From the cave, enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding rice paddies and valley. Walk back to Nong Khiaw along a small path through the rice paddies.

Enjoy a sunset over the river with a choice of local restaurants within walking distance.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Day 8: Nong Khiaw – Boat trip and waterfall (B)

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the river as the mist hangs in the valley.

This is a fantastic half day scenic trek suitable for all ages. Experience the stunning Nam Ou river by long boat passing villages surrounded by cast rock mountains. You trek an easy walk to the hidden Tad Mok Waterfall where you can have a refreshing swim. You will visit a delightful and friendly local Khmu village.

We’ll start with a traditional boat, complete with a roof to shade against the sun and any rain, riding upstream on the Nam Ou for 40 minutes. Surrounded by mountains and passing villages nestled in the forests, you will see Buffalo bathing in the river, people fishing and often children swimming in the river. It is an idyllic location and will give you a sense of peaceful serenity and you enjoy your boat ride.

You will visit the Soap Khong Village, a small Khmu village where you can learn about their way of life. Then we’ll trek through local farmland and rice paddies to the start of the jungle and discover the beautiful limestone Tadmod Waterfall. You can relax and enjoy a refreshing splash in this perfect setting where we will also serve you lunch.

After spending 30-40 minutes here we head back to the village along a small dirt road arriving at the river where we take a 5 minute boat ride to another small Khmu village, Huay Hoy.

We then take the boat for 35 minutes back to Nong Khiaw.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Day 9: Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang – Departure (B)

After breakfast, travel by private car back to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and enjoy your free time  until transport is provided to the airport for the departure flight.

List of our hotels:

The hotels offered by Horizon Vietnam Travel are classified from 02 to 05 stars at the international standard, and comfortable with all the required services.

+ Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are correct, clean, and equipped with a bathroom, satellite television, and air conditioning.

+ Superior category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious, and the services and facilities are more numerous.

+ First class category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious and have a wide choice of quality services.

+ Deluxe Category: 4-5 stars. Hotels are of excellent comfort and have a wide range of excellent services. (swimming pool, spa, jacuzzi…).

+ On the other hand, we have developed fair tourism, through contact with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with the locals and sharing their daily life. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well insured and with the best possible conditions.

Our services include:

• Private transportation with air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in the planned hotels or similar in the program with daily breakfast as mentioned 
• Meals are provided in local restaurants of typical Vietnamese cuisine (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner included)
• The English-speaking guide for each city.
• All entry fees to tourist sites
• All the permission to enter the tourist areas
• Boat tours as described in the program
• 02 bottles of mineral water of 0,5 (l)/person/day
• Other services as mentioned in the program (bicycle, boat trip, etc...)
• All fees for all other services as clearly described in the program above.

Our services exclude:

• Airfare on all domestic and international flights (quote separately)
• Drinks and surcharge for special requests on foods and meals
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time & other personal expenses
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
• Surcharge for other language-speaking tour guides (upon request)
• Travel insurance 
• Vietnam visa stamping fees 
• All other services are not stated in the program.

More information:

Horizon Vietnam Travel gives you an estimated price per person on our website for the group of six people in low season with standard 2 and 3-star hotels.

The price of this trip varies according to the services chosen (category of accommodation, activities during the trip,...), the tourist seasonality of the year (Christmas and end of year holiday, Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam), the booking delays and especially the number of participants of your group you wish to travel with.

Please note that Horizon Vietnam Travel only organizes private "tailor-made" trips for groups from 2 persons. We generally propose an offer including all the services on the spot from your arrival until your departure.

Depending on your wishes and your budget, this tour can be adapted and modified in terms of duration, content and departure date.

HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL calculates its prices as closely as possible in order to guarantee you the best price/quality ratio.

Our advice: the earlier you book, the better your chances of getting good rates, especially for air services, think about it!

Note: The price of international flights is not included in this estimate.

Please note that this tour is only a first draft and you can also customize it according to your wishes. We remain at your disposal to build your trip perfectly to your expectations and your budget

To obtain a detailed and personalized estimate, please contact us to request an estimate.