Images Of Laos

Upon arrival at the airport, our Realistic Asia‘s driver meets and travels with you to your accommodation. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos.

After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local and hill-tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we enjoy a short tour of the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River.

It will give us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two caves are linked and crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they produce rice wine which it’s a local specialty. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. We also have time to visit Ban Xang Khong, and Ban Xienglek, small villages well known for silk weavings and Saa (jute) Papermaking

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This traditional of travel is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea, and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and today you will travel and visit local villages of Laos ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouray and Ban Thane. Time permitting you may also wish to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we travel to the National Museum (closed Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Laos culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. You will also visit and cannot miss the National Museum and the Central Market. After visiting these sights. Today, we drive 306km uphill a mountain surrounded by wonderful natural scenery to Xiengkhouang, which was devastated by the American bombing between 1964 and 1973.

Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. If time permits, we see the old capital of Muang Khoun and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history.

Overnight in Xiengkhuang.

Following breakfast, we visit the Central Market. After you will have free time to explore the town further before catching our flight back to Vientiane. After checking into the hotel, the rest of your time is free at your leisure.

Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop en route to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

In the afternoon we transfer out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. Approximately 200 religious images are dating back over 500 years. A spectacular view over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day.

Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, we catch an early flight to Pakse. On arrival, we travel on the National Road No 13th south to Champassak to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated temples in Laos. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins. Wat Phu is one of the Lao World Heritage sites UNESCO in 2001, this wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 10^th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. We continue our journey by long tail boat to Don Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos.

Overnight in Don Khone Island.

After an early breakfast, we explore the local villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with its locomotive.

Then we continue discovering the 4000 islands area by boat at our leisure to visit the Liphi waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the end of the Lao border to Cambodia, also known as the Samphamith. If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong, a dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. After that, we return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia, known as Niagara of the east.

Overnight in Don Khone Island.

Upon leaving Done Khone Island, we continue our journey towards Tadlo, through the Boloven plateau. The Boloven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Rivers run off this high plateau in all directions and then plunge out to lush forests along a series of spectacular surging waterfalls.

A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route.  This trip gives visitors the chance to venture off the beaten track and discover some of the lesser-known areas of Laos, exploring the wild beauty of this southern region. Upon arrival at Tad Lo waterfall, we visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu. We return to Pakse by late evening.

Overnight in Pakse.

After breakfast, free at your leisure until your transfer to the airport flight. End your travel to Laos and Say goodbye!