About this trip
Landing in Vientiane rather than Luang Prabang, you spend day one seeing the capital's landmarks and the striking Buddha Park, then head north for a longer three-night stay in Luang Prabang instead of the usual two — essentially our combined itinerary with its sequence and emphasis swapped. It suits travellers whose international flights connect through Vientiane, or anyone who would rather spend extra time in the old UNESCO quarter than sightsee further in the capital.
That extra Luang Prabang night buys you a fuller schedule of temples and museums, plus a half-day trip by boat along the Mekong as far as Pak Ou Caves, calling at a rice-wine village en route. November through February remains the season we recommend across Laos, bringing cooler evenings for the sunset climb up Phousi Hill and clearer pools at Kuang Si Falls.
Trip highlights
- A city tour of Vientiane calling at Wat Sisaket, Patuxay Monument and Wat Prakeo
- Buddha Park, with hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures
- Domestic flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
- A Mekong boat trip to Pak Ou Caves, stopping at the rice-wine village of Ban Xang Hai
- Sunset climb up Phousi Hill's 328 steps
- Kuang Si Falls on a dedicated second Luang Prabang city-tour day
Day by day
Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane, city tour
Built in 1818, Wat Sisaket is the oldest temple left standing in Vientiane, its cloister galleries holding thousands of Buddha figures — one stop on an afternoon tour that also passes the Patuxay Monument, often likened to Paris's Arc de Triomphe. The afternoon closes with a sunset cruise on the Mekong and a call at Wat Prakeo, also called Haw Phra Kaew, once the royal temple and home to the Emerald Buddha.
Day 2: Buddha Park, fly to Luang Prabang
Buddha Park, on Vientiane's edge, holds a great many Buddhist and Hindu statues brought originally from India; the morning is spent there. Checkout is followed by a short flight north to Luang Prabang; your guide will be waiting at the airport to take you to the hotel.
Day 3: Luang Prabang city tour and Pak Ou Caves
Mornings begin at the National Museum, housed in the former Royal Palace, then continue past a run of Luang Prabang temples to Wat Xiengthong, recognisable by its low, sweeping roof. A Mekong cruise after lunch calls at Ban Xang Hai to watch rice wine being distilled, on the way to Pak Ou Caves, where pilgrims have left gold-leafed Buddha statues. Sunset is marked from the top of Mount Phousi, reached by its 328 steps.
Day 4: Luang Prabang city tour and Kuang Si Falls
Kuang Si Falls anchors the second day around Luang Prabang: a tiered waterfall roughly thirty minutes from town, its turquoise pools set among trees, with marked trails for short walks and plenty of spots to swim.
Day 5: Departure
The trip closes with your onward or return flight out of Luang Prabang International Airport, having taken in the capital's landmarks and the cultural heart of Luang Prabang in turn.
What's included
- English-speaking tour guides
- Land transportation by air-con vehicles
- Accommodation based on Twin-shared room with breakfast
- Meals as mentioned in the program (no drinks)
- Boat trips and admissions as mentioned in the program
- Drinking water during the touring day (2 bottles/person/day)
Not included
- Airfare (international and domestic) and airport tax ( on request )
- Visa services (Visa approval letter/Visa stamp fee/ Visa fast track on request)
- Early check-in/late check-out/ room upgrade surcharge
- Other meals, Drinks, and personal expenses (phone call, laundry, tipping etc.)
- Any services not mentioned in the program
- Optional Tours
Book this trip
- Days
- 4 nights / 5 days
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