Laos Tours

Mekong River Exploration

access_time 17 Days / 16 Nights
bookmarks Classic Trips
location_on Huay Xay – Pakbeng – Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Muang Feuang – Vientiane – Pakse – Fandee Island – Bolaven Plateau – Khong Island – 4000 Islands – Khone Island

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the culture of Laos’ spiritual heart, Luang Prabang
  • Experience the varied flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine.
  • Discover the unique blend of French colonial architecture and iconic Laotian style in the capital city of Vientiane.
  • Explore the region known as the 4000 Islands at the southern tip of Laos
  • Visit Wat Phou in Champasak and the laidback river hamlets in the 4000 Islands region.

After border formalities, a guide will transport you by tuk-tuk to the boat pier, where you’ll board a traditional boat for a picturesque Mekong River journey. Along the way, you’ll visit tribal minority villages like the Hmong, Yao, and Khmu. In Pakbeng, explore the local market and immerse yourself in the daily life of colorful hill tribe traders.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner.
Overnight in Pakbeng.

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Sailing downriver, you’ll encounter unspoiled forests, riverside villages, and the occasional elephant with its mahout. Visit a fishing village and a rice winemaking village, where you can sample Lao Rice wine. The journey continues to the Pak-Ou caves, housing thousands of Buddha statues. Arriving in Luang Prabang at sunset.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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Following breakfast, we explore the Royal Palace Museum and the splendid Wat Xiengthong with its distinctive Laotian architecture. Our journey takes us to Kuang Si Waterfall, offering opportunities for a refreshing swim or nature walks. You’ll have the afternoon to unwind by the waterfalls and visit the nearby Bear Rescue Centre. Returning to town, we stop by the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, showcasing traditional textile craftsmanship. We then head back to Luang Prabang, where we ascend Phousi Hill for a captivating sunset view over the city and the Mekong River. The tour concludes with a visit to the renowned Night Market, featuring handcrafted textiles by local and hilltribe artisans.

Meals included: Breakfast.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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Embark on a morning visit to a community-based rice farm in Luang Prabang‘s scenic countryside, where you can experience rural life by trying various farm activities or observing them from a traditional Lao rice house balcony amidst rice terraces and an organic vegetable farm. Explore nearby workshops showcasing bamboo weaving, blacksmithing, and sugar cane processing. Enjoy lunch with a view of the rice field. Visit the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center to learn about Laotian ethnic cultures, and participate in seminars on “Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos,” gaining insights into history, cultural practices, and unique artifacts.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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Embark on a journey to the Elephant Conservation Center, a 90 km drive from Xayabouly. Upon arrival at Nam Tien Lake, a boat transfer offers a glimpse of the elephants. Settle into your bungalow, savor a Laotian-style lunch, and explore the center’s facilities, including the Elephant Hospital. Witness the elephants’ daily bath, meet the mahouts, and interact with the elephants while learning about their care and biodiversity. Enjoy the viewpoint, lake swim, or museum visit before dinner and Lao-style cocktails.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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On the second day, you’ll join the elephants in the forest after their night in the jungle, starting with another bath. Walk alongside them in their natural habitat, and if interested, enjoy a short bareback ride on their necks through the forest. Then, head to the Socialization Area, where the elephants freely interact, mimicking a semi-natural environment and forming new herds—an exclusive experience. Lunch on a viewing platform and visit the nursery to see a mother and baby elephant. Pack your bags, bid farewell, and embark on a 3-hour transfer to Vang Vieng, arriving for a scenic sunset.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Vang Vieng.

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We’ll transfer to Phatang Resort and start with kayaking basics along the scenic Nam Song River, featuring small rapids and our first stop at Tham Xang Cave for a historical tour. After emerging from the cave, we’ll kayak to a riverside picnic spot for lunch. In the afternoon, we continue downstream to the Organic Farm for mulberry tea and fruit wines. The journey proceeds to Tham None Cave, one of Vang Vieng’s largest caves, with a bat family and the ‘Magic Stone of Vang Vieng.’ Finally, we paddle gently downstream to Vang Vieng, arriving in time for sunset. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Vang Vieng.

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After breakfast, we’ll leave Vang Vieng and head to the remote Muang Feuang district, a growing weekend nature retreat near Vientiane. The transfer is under 2 hours. Upon arrival, check in to your Nam Lik River floating bungalow. The afternoon offers free time for kayaking, tubing, or swimming in the refreshing river. Consider a sunset BBQ dinner by the river (extra charge), a delightful option to enjoy the serene surroundings. Overnight on a floating bungalow.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Muang Feuang.

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In the morning, join the unique floating alms-giving ceremony along the Nam Lik River with monks collecting alms from the bungalows. Afterward, we’ll check out, enjoy a simple noodle breakfast at a local restaurant, and bid farewell to Muang Feuang, then transfer to Vientiane, following the Mekong River road with a visit to Sinxayaram Temple on the way. Arrive in Vientiane in the mid to late afternoon. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Vientiane.

Begin the morning with a visit to Wat Si Muang, renowned for its supernatural significance, followed by a 45-minute drive to Buddha Park. Explore the Lao Disable Women Development Center, supporting disabled women’s livelihoods, and visit That Luang, Laos’ holiest site. Ascend Patuxai for a panoramic city view, visit Wat Sisaket and Wat Phra Keo, showcasing Lao and Khmer art. Conclude with a leisurely stroll along the Mekong River.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Vientiane.

 

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Catch a morning flight to Pakse, the largest city in southern Laos, then venture east to Tadlo Waterfalls in the Bolaven Plateau. Trek to visit waterfalls and nearby minority villages like Ban Kiengtanglae and Ban Nanong. Drive over the plateau to Paksong and finally transfer to Fandee Island on the Bolaven Plateau. Check into a treehouse for relaxation and enjoy optional activities like ziplining, swimming, and the flying bridge at Fandee Waterpark or Fandee Adventure Park. Overnight at Fandee Island.

Meals included: Breakfast.
Overnight in Fandee Island.

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We’ll start by visiting Suay village to explore traditional bamboo longhouses, followed by Laven village to observe daily life and rice paddies. Then, we’ll head to Mr. Khamsone’s Coffee Farm for a coffee roasting demonstration and tasting of various coffee types. Afterward, we’ll visit Tad Moun waterfalls and a nearby vegetable farm before returning to Paksong for an overnight stay.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Paksong.

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After breakfast, we’ll depart for Champasak and admire the stunning Tad Fan waterfall, surrounded by lush vegetation and coffee, tea, and banana plantations. Upon reaching Champasak, we’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer temple dating back to the 5th Century. This pre-Angkorian temple complex holds historical and religious significance in the region. Later, we’ll explore Champasak’s French colonial architecture before heading to Khong Island, the largest among the 4,000 Islands

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Khong Island.

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After breakfast, embark on a 1.5-hour long-tail boat journey to explore the vast Mekong River, known as “Si Phan Done,” with thousands of islets during the dry season. Visit the tranquil villages of Ban Khone, rich in French colonial relics, including buildings and remnants of the first Lao railway. Explore the 4000 Islands area by tuktuk, marvel at the Liphi waterfall, also known as the “Corridor of the Devil,” a stunning waterfall marking the Lao-Cambodian border. Enjoy free time for island exploration, and we recommend a bike ride to experience local life and witness the Mekong’s sunset.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Khone Island.

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After breakfast, return to the mainland at Ban Nakasang fishing village and head south to visit Khone Phapheng, Southeast Asia’s largest waterfall by volume, near the Lao-Cambodian border, renowned for its wildlife-rich surroundings. Drive back to Pakse, founded as a French administrative post in 1905, and check into NKM Homestay, owned by French specialist Mr. Nicholas and his family. Enjoy free time to engage with Mr. Nicholas for insights into Laos, access his library, and even prepare dinner with his wife for a shared evening meal. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
Overnight in Pakse.

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Today, enjoy the freedom to explore Pakse at your leisure. Alternatively, you can opt for a guided tour led by Mr. Nicholas, uncovering hidden routes and off-the-beaten-path spots in Pakse, promising unique and unforgettable experiences in southern Laos. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
Overnight in Pakse.

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Following a hearty breakfast, our journey continues as we transfer you directly to Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand, crossing the border at Chongmek. From there, you’ll catch a flight to Bangkok, seamlessly connecting to your homeward-bound departure flight.

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