Best of Laos in a Week

Located on the banks of the Mekong River, the Laos capital is a relaxed place that has a feel more similar to a provincial town than a capital city. Weathered French Colonial mansions give way to golden temples, and the languid pace of life makes it an ideal place to explore by bicycle.

 

Vientiane is a low-built, red roofed capital city, with a French feel and a relaxed atmosphere. We will explore some of the best sights including the Victory Gate which is a Triumphal Arch with good views of the town, the That Luang stupa which is said to contain a hair of the Buddha, and Wat Sisaket, a beautiful temple packed with fine Buddha images. We can spend the evening visiting the lively night markets that line the Mekong River. They offer a variety of local handicrafts, clothing, souvenirs, and delicious street food.

 

After breakfast we take the 3.5-hour drive north to Vang Vieng. Along the way, stop at the Hmong village and the archaeological site of Vang Xang to see an 11th-century Buddha statue. Then visit Ban Houy Mo fishing village before lunch at a local restaurant. Later, we take a boat trip on the Nam Xong River before reaching our hotel for the night.

 

Vang Vieng enjoys an idyllic setting. Perched on the banks of the Nam Song River, it is surrounded by towering jagged limestone cliffs. Once known as a party-town for backpackers, present-day Vang Vieng has re-invented itself as the home of adventure travel in Laos, where its setting lends itself to a host of activities for anybody from casual walkers to adrenaline thrill-seekers. Today has been left free for you to choose from a number of optional excursions, such as a guided walk past rice paddies to nearby minority villages, Kaeng Nyui waterfall by tuk tuk or a yoga session.

 

After breakfast we take the train journey through the heart of Laos to Luang Prabang. This journey takes us through the mountains in a series of newly constructed tunnels, with some spectacular mountain scenery to take in in-between tunnels. We arrive into Luang Prabang around two hours later, a journey which used to take a full day when travelling by winding mountain road. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is nestled in a valley of lush rolling hills and sits at the confluence of two rivers, the Khan and the mighty Mekong. Influence from its French occupiers is peppered all over the city, with grand white- washed Indochinese villas lining its leafy streets, oddly complementing the golden- tipped wats (temples) found around almost every corner. Time moves so slowly here

that it almost stands still, and a must-do is grabbing a Lao coffee, sitting down outside one of the many cafes and just watching the world go by, in traditional Lao style. This evening there is chance to walk to nearby Mount Phousi and climb its 328 steps in time for sunset, offering excellent panoramic views over this sleepy city and beyond.

 

We start early the day to watch the monks' daily ''Tak Bat'' alms-giving ritual and explore the local fresh market before things get crowded. After hotel breakfast, walk through the Royal Palace Museum to learn about local history, then visit Wat Xiengthong temple with its distinctive sweeping roof. Afterwards, we will board a traditional long-tail boat for the short journey up the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves. There a number of steps to climb here as we make our way up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine. Back to Luang Prabang for overnight.

 

We will leave Luang Prabang early and drive to Xieng Khouang using back roads instead of main highways. This route gives you a more authentic feel for rural Laos with fewer tourists around. Upon arrival, head to the Plain of Jars, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Plain of Jars contains thousands of massive stone jars, some weighing several tons, carved from rock and spread across the Xieng Khouang Plateau. They date back roughly 500 BCE to 500 CE.. Hundreds of large stone jars are scattered across the plateau, and nobody really knows their exact purpose. The best-supported explanation today is that the jars were part of a

complex ancient funerary system, but the exact cultural group that made them—and the full details of their rituals—remain unknown.

 

Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Vientiane, where the tour concludes upon arrival.