VLL04 - LAOS HOLIDAY

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane

Welcome to Laos!

Upon arrival at Wattay International Airport, meet your Vietam Legend Travel guide.

Transfer to your hotel and check in.

Spend the rest of your day at leisure — relax, or take a walk along the Mekong River promenade.

Overnight: Vientiane

 

Day 2: Vientiane City Tour & Buddha Park (B/L)

Morning:

• Visit Wat Sisaket (1818), the oldest and only original temple in Vientiane to survive the Siamese invasion in 1828. Admire its cloister walls housing thousands of miniature Buddha statues.

• Explore Wat Prakeo, once home to the Emerald Buddha. Today, it’s a museum of religious artifacts.

• Stop by the Patuxay Monument, Laos’ Arc de Triomphe, for photos.

• Visit That Luang, the nation’s most sacred religious monument.

Afternoon:

• Drive out of town to visit Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) – a surreal sculpture garden featuring over 200 statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities along the Mekong River.

• Return to Vientiane for sunset at the riverbank.

• Optional: Explore Anouvong Night Market for souvenirs and street food.

Overnight: Vientiane

 

Day 3: Vientiane – Nam Ngum Lake – Vang Vieng (B/L)

Morning:

• Depart Vientiane via the Lao-China Expressway toward Ban Tha Heua.

• Embark on a 2-hour boat cruise on the scenic Nam Ngum Lake, surrounded by limestone mountains and small islands.

• Enjoy lunch onboard amidst peaceful natural beauty.

Afternoon:

• Continue by private vehicle to Vang Vieng, nestled on the banks of the Nam Song River and famed for its dramatic karst cliffs and outdoor adventure.

• Check in at your hotel and enjoy leisure time in this relaxed riverside town.

Overnight: Vang Vieng

 

Day 4: Vang Vieng Adventure – Caves, Tubing & Kayaking (B/L)

Morning:

• Drive 15km north to explore Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) – a sacred Buddhist cave named for an elephant-shaped stalactite.

• Walk through a local Lao village and rice paddies.

• Swim or go tubing inside Tham Nam (Water Cave), drifting 500m through cool underground streams.

• Enjoy lunch at a local hut set amidst green rice fields with panoramic mountain views.

Afternoon:

• Begin kayaking at Ban Vieng Sa Mai, down the Nam Song River.

• Encounter light rapids and stunning limestone scenery.

• Stop at Phar Norn Viewpoint to enjoy ziplining adventure:

  • 1,450m total zipline

  • 8 ziplines & 3 skywalk bridges

• Continue kayaking back to Vang Vieng in time for sunset.

Overnight: Vang Vieng

 

Day 5: Optional Hot Air Balloon – Train to Luang Prabang – City Tour (B/L)

Fast Train: C82 | 12:02 – 12:58

Optional Early Morning (Highly Recommended): Hot Air Balloon Ride over Nathong Valley. Vang Vieng is one of the most scenic and affordable ballooning sites in the world.

• Flight time: ~35–75 mins

• Includes champagne toast, souvenir certificate, snack/breakfast

• Operated by Vang Vieng Balloons with certified pilots and French equipment

• Max: 8 passengers per balloon

Midday:

• Transfer to the train station.

• Board the high-speed train to Luang Prabang.

Afternoon:

• Meet guide at station and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

• Begin a short city tour:

• Visit the National Museum (Royal Palace), home to royal artifacts and ancient treasures.

• Visit Wat Visoun and its unique Watermelon Stupa.

• Climb Mount Phousi (328 steps) for a 360-degree sunset view over the city and Mekong River.

• Explore the Night Market with handmade ethnic textiles.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

 

Day 6: Alms Giving – Pak Ou Caves – Artisan Village (B/L)

Optional Early Morning:

• Join the Alms Giving Ceremony, offering food to monks in saffron robes.

• Return to hotel or enjoy breakfast with locals.

Morning:

• Explore Morning Market with unique local goods like dried buffalo skin, forest honey, and herbal remedies.

• Visit the stunning Wat Xieng Thong, with its golden tree-of-life mosaic.

• Cruise upstream on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves:

  • Tham Ting & Tham Phoum, housing over 4,000 Buddha images

  • Stop at Ban Xang Hai village to see rice wine production

Afternoon:

• Lunch at a local riverside restaurant.

• Visit Ban Xang Khong, renowned for silk weaving and handmade Saa paper.

• Return to Luang Prabang and enjoy free time.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

 

Day 7: Weaving Center – Khouangsi Waterfalls & Buffalo Dairy (B/L)

Morning:

• Visit Ock Pop Tok Weaving Center, a social enterprise supporting women weavers.

• Drive through scenic countryside to Khouangsi Waterfall, stopping at:

  • Ban Na Ouane Village (Khmu ethnic group)

  • Hmong village

  • Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm:

    • Tour, feed, bathe buffalos, try milking

    • Taste cheese and homemade ice cream

Afternoon:

• Hike through forest to reach Khouangsi Falls, Laos’ most famous cascade.

  • Enjoy the cool spray and swim in turquoise pools

  • Visit the Bear Rescue Center along the trail

• Return to town by late afternoon and visit Wat Phabath for sunset.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

 

Day 8: Elephant Experience – Departure (B/L)

Morning (08:00–13:00):

• Pickup from hotel and transfer to Elephant Village Sanctuary.

• Activities include:

  • Feeding and interacting with elephants

  • Visit to Elephant Hospital, museum, and dung-paper making

  • Short Mahout Training (no elephant riding)

  • Longboat ride to Tad Sae Waterfall (seasonal)

  • Buffet lunch at the camp

Afternoon:

• Return to your hotel.

• Free at leisure until transfer to Luang Prabang International Airport for your flight.

End of Services.

 

Notes:

• Meals Included: B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner - Day 4 optional via own arrangement)

• Optional Add-ons:

  • Hot Air Balloon (Day 5)

  • Elephant Bathing (USD 29/pax – Day 8)

• Bring: Modest clothing for temples, swimwear for waterfalls, sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes

• Seasonal Adjustments:

  • Tad Sae Waterfall may be dry from Feb–June

  • Train schedule subject to change

  • Ziplining and tubing based on river and weather conditions