THE ULTIMATE LAOS 11 DAYS

This morning we head out to Living Land Farm, a working community farm aprroximately 5kms outside the town. There you will learn all about the rice growing process and have an opportunity to participate in seasonal farm activities such as identifying viable rice seeds, ploughing with a buffalo, hand planting, weeding and harvesting rice and threshing rice seed.

This afternoon we head off on bicycles to see some of the highlights of Luang Prabang including a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang. Cycling on, we are seeing the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

We end the day by climbing up Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River. Descenting the mountain your will find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hill tribe people surrounding city. Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour to visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low, representing the classical architecture of Luang Prabang.

We then embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves 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 local rice wine is produced.

On our return, we stop at the local villages of Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan then continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, famous for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast. Start early this morning (around 8am) for the drive to Xiengkhuang, famous for the ‘Plain of Jars'. The road follows a twisty mountain route, and you will make your first stop at Houi Hei, offering great views of the surrounding mountains. You will continue to explore Ban Kiu Kam Pone, a Khmu village, before arriving in Phou Khoun for lunch.

You will continue on the road into Xiengkhuang Province, reaching the highest altitude of the day (1,500 m above sea level) just after Phou Khoun. You can stop at Ban Son Boom, a Hmong village before your final stop of the day at the hidden Buddha Cave. The cave and region played a major part during the Vietnam War, as the cave served as an army hospital.

You will arrive at your hotel by early evening. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.

After breakfast. You will take a morning visit to the Mines Action Group or MAG office, to learn about the work they do in clearing land mines and unexploded ordnance in the area. You will then transfer out to Jar Site 1, the largest site, and Jar Site 3, located on top of a hill offering great views of the surrounding countryside.

Transfer back to Phonesavan town for lunch and then go to the airport for your flight to Vientiane.

You will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, we embark upon a tour of the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket which contains thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We visit Lao national icon, That Luang Stupa, and you will have the opportunity to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. From there, we visit the ‘Morning Market’, where one can find an array of antiquities, handmade textiles and gifts.

PM: The rest of the afternoon will be spent visiting the National Museum (closed Tuesdays), which boasts a collection of antique items and tells the history of Laos’s fighters and leaders from the Ancienttimes through to the new revolution period.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane.

You will depart Vientiane early to catch the morning flight to Pakse. On arrival at Pakse Airport, you will be met and transferred to Tadlo, passing many charming villages and rolling hills. The deep contrast between the lush, green vegetation and the red surface of basaltic soil is an incredible thing to see as you pass along.

You will then stop at tea and coffee plantations, followed by a stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall. You will explore another interesting minority village, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village boasting a sacrificial altar. You will arrive at the beautiful Tadlo Waterfall in the afternoon, where you have the rest of the day at leisure for a stroll around, a swim on the river, or watching the elephants bathe and enjoying sunset over your Lao beer. Also, you may opt for a short elephant ride to take in the beautiful scenery. Free your time at leisure. Overnight at Tadlo Lodge.

After breakfast. We drive to the former royal capital of Champasak, a gateway to the pre-Angkoran temple of Wat Phu. The hillside edifice was once an important sanctuary of the Khmer Empire. The temple structure was partly destroyed during the area's turbulent history, yet it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. You will follow the walkway from the lower to the upper section, which features various iconic forms, including Vishnu, Shiva and Kala. The temple upper ground also affords a spectacular view of the surrounding valley and the mighty Mekong River.

You will then visit Wat Phou Museum and Oum Moung Temple. Then, you will drive to the 4,000 Islands, and 30 minutes by boat from the central market, you will arrive at Done Khone Island. You will reach the picturesque island of Don Khone by afternoon, just in time to watch the sunset over the Mekong River.

Overnight in Done Khone.

Following breakfast, you will leave Don Khone and have the option of exploring the island by bicycle, admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings and Liphi Waterfall or "the Corridor of the Devil".

You will have lunch at a local restaurant. You also have the option of taking a local boat out to search for the rare freshwater dolphins that reside in this area of the Mekong. You will return to Khone Island for an overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, you will take a long tail boat to Khone and head back to the mainland. You will visit Khone Phapheng waterfall, considered the largest by volume in Southeast Asia, and set within an area teeming with wildlife, making this one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. You will have lunch during then continue to Don Daeng Island, where you will have the afternoon free to explore the island by bicycle, or just relax. You'll stay overnight on Don Daeng Island.

After breakfasts, free your time at leisure until transfer to Pakse Airport for your departing flight to your next destination.