- Exploring remote areas of Laos rarely visited by tourists
- Spectacular mountain scenery, limestone cliffs, rice paddies and waterfalls
- Traditional hill tribe villages
- Slow cruise down the Mekong River
Discover Laos
New
Culture
Activity Level
Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Comfort Level
Classic
Itinerary
Vientiane Vientiane
Start Vientiane
Our adventure begins in Vientiane, the capital and largest city of Laos. There is a welcome meeting this evening with your leader, followed by a group dinner at a local restaurant. But if you have time after your arrival, you may want to take a walk and take in the charm of Laos and appreciate views of the Mekong River.
Accommodation:
Vientiane sightseeing; Drive to Vang Vieng
This morning after breakfast, we embark on a sightseeing tour of the beautiful capital city, steeped in legend and history. Our first stop is the ancient Wat Sri Saket – the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane and home to almost 7000 Buddha images. Afterwards we visit the Pha That Luang – home to a large, gold-covered Buddhist stupa in the centre of the city of Vientiane, and Laos’ most important religious monument. The large golden stupa is believed to enshrine a breast bone of the Buddha.
Lastly, we head to Patu Xai, meaning “Victory Gate”. The Patuxai Victory Monument is a large war monument built between 1957 – 1968 in response to the nation’s struggle against French colonial rule and subsequent conflicts.
Afterwards we take a 2 hour drive from Vientiane to Vang Vieng.
Accommodation:
Kayaking on Nam Song River; enjoy a riverside lunch; free afternoon
This morning we enjoy a kayaking trip on the Nam Song river. Experience beautiful rural scenery while we paddle along the river, with captivating limestone cliffs that tower above us. You might see the local people working in their gardens next to the river bank, or villagers catching fish with nets, and maybe even some herds of water buffalo cooling of in the river. Afterwards we enjoy lunch at one of the riverside restaurants.
The afternoon is free for you to explore or try various optional activities such as caving, hiking, swimming in the blue lagoons, and other watersports. Your leader can advise of all options available.
Accommodation:
Free morning in Vang Vieng; train to Udomxai; free afternoon to explore
After breakfast, the morning is free to relax and take in the rural surroundings or you can take a short walk to a local market before we hop on a train around 2PM and head to Udomxai (an approximate 2 hour train journey). In Udomxai we transfer to our resort, where we’ll be spending the next two nights, and check in around 5PM. In the evening the perfect option is to retire for a refreshing beverage and watch the sunset over the Mekong River, or enjoy the many comforts and amenities the resort has to offer, perhaps indulge in a massage and dinner at the restaurant (which only uses freshly grown ingredients).
Accommodation:
Trekking, sky bridges and Namkat Waterfall.
Today we set out to enjoy a combination of activities, including trekking, walking along sky bridges, and exploring epic waterfalls. We start the day’s activities by meeting at the Tour Information centre just before 3PM, followed by a short transfer (approximately 5km) in a private resort vehicle to Nam Kat Waterfall. We take some time to appreciate the beautiful surroundings at the waterfall before we follow a natural trail through the jungle and walk across thirteen sky bridges (rope and wood suspension bridges in the forest canopy. Please note the sky bridges are not too high off the ground and easy to cross). Afterwards, the private resort vehicle drives us back to the resort where we can relax and enjoy the various amenities, like the pool or spa, and extra activities available.
Accommodation:
Free morning; explore Tai Lue handicrafts at a local village in Muang Xai; train ride to Luang Prabang
After a free morning we check out at the resort, and drive to a local village (approximately 45min-1hr) in Muang Xai to observe and experience the traditional lifestyles and handicrafts of the Tai Lue. The Tai Lue of the Luang Prabang Province are famed for their skills with cotton, particularly with dyeing and weaving rich Indigo blue. We visit the local Tai Lue Cotton Handicraft which displays samples of dyed cotton handicraft products in a private home and garden.
Afterwards, we head to the train station to catch the 4:43PM train to Luang Prabang, arriving at approximately 5:53PM. After transferring to our hotel where we’ll be spending the next three nights, we have some time to freshen up before dinner.
Accommodation:
Luang Prabang city tour; free afternoon with optional activities; sunset at Mount Phu Si and visit night market
After breakfast, we set out on a morning sightseeing tour of Luang Prabang, UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of Laos which takes its name from a statue of Buddha, the Prabang, offered by Cambodia. The city tour takes us to Wat Xiengthong, a Buddhist temple described as one of the most beautiful in Luang Prabang, and arguably one of the most spectacular temples in the country. We also visit the The Royal Palace National Museum, also known as the “Golden Hall” – it was once Laos’ Royal Palace before the 1975 revolution and later becoming a national museum in 1995. The palace compound contains several buildings including the Royal Barge Shelter, a conference hall, and Haw Pha Bang (a ornate pavilion) that houses the standing Buddha statue called Prabang. Also in the palace compound is the royal garage that houses the royal car collection, and behind the royal garage is an art exhibitions gallery.
The afternoon is free to enjoy a few interesting optional activities such as learning the ancient art of Hmong Batik at a Hmong Batik Workshop, dine around a lotus pond at Manda Laos, enjoy a local cooking class, or pottery workshop.
Later today, we visit the Phu Si temple during sunset and take in superb views of the Mekong River and the city from the hill top. Afterwards, we visit the night market in town with beautiful traditional Lao and hilltribe textiles on sale.
Accommodation:
Chance to see monks receiving alms at dawn (Sai Bat); visit local market, drive to Kuang Si waterfall; learn about Big Brother Mouse Project; optional Baci ceremony
For those up at dawn there is chance to witness the daily parade of saffron-robed monks receiving alms. (known as Sai Bat). After, we return to our hotel for breakfast and refreshments before we drive just under an hour through small villages and hilly terrains to Kuang Si Falls – known for its three-tiered waterfalls and milky turquoise waters. Electric shuttles will transport us from the main parking area through the village and on to the famous Falls, where the winding forest trail leads you to the pristine turquoise pools of the waterfall where you can enjoy a refreshing swim (changing rooms are available).
Later afternoon we learn about the inspiring Big Brother Mouse Project – an inspiring non-profit, Lao-owned organisation set up to promote literacy among young people in Laos. Here you can volunteer to help eager Lao students practice their English, or to get rural Lao children their very first book. In 2003 it was nearly impossible to find a book in the Lao language, and when Big Brother Mouse started in 2006, it was widely said that “Lao people don’t read.” – today more than 150,000 Lao children have gotten their very first book through the work of the Big Brother Mouse Project (find out more in the trip notes).
Early this evening you can take part in an optional Baci ceremony – a traditional spirit enhancing or spirit calling ceremony in Laos – at a local restaurant before dinner.
Accommodation:
Boat trip to Pak Ou Caves; train to Vientiane; farewell dinner
This morning we set out on a 2-hour boat trip to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves, cut out of the limestone banks which line the river at Pak Ou. These caves are filled with thousands of Buddha images brought by the surrounding villagers as a sign of their devotion. After about an hour of exploring the caves, we drive to the train station to catch the afternoon train to Vientiane.
Arriving in Vientiane late afternoon, we check in to our hotel and freshen up before enjoying our farewell dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Accommodation:
End Vientiane
The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Catch your free transfer to the airport to begin your journey home. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative to extend your stay in Laos.
Essential Info
Is this trip for you?
This trip is rated Activity Level 4 (Moderate/Challenging) and classified Road.
- 10 days cycling
- Average 35mi (57km) per day
- 90% vehicle support
Terrain and Route:
Surface almost all decent tarmac with the occasional unsurfaced section. Routes follow main roads, but Laos lacks the heavy traffic of other Asian countries. Laos is mountainous and there are some tough climbs and long downhills, but vehicle support is available 90% of the time. The heat can make the going tough. The majority of riding is away from traffic, but you should be comfortable riding in some traffic on the approaches to the main towns. To cover the distances involved, there is some driving on winding mountain roads.
Trip Profile
This trip ventures into remote areas of Laos where the accommodation and some restaurant options will be basic. In order to see places that are not frequently visited by tourists, this is one of the sacrifices that you must be prepared to make.
Transfers
There are some vehicle transfers but journey times are usually 1-3 hours maximum, these are outlined in the itinerary.
Joining Instructions
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 15 days
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before Day 1 of the itinerary.
Flights from London
We normally use the scheduled services of Thai Airways (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
Travelling land only: 14 days starting in Chiang Mai, ending in Bangkok
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Chiang Mai in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before departure.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Vientiane
Location end: Vientiane
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline’s website for the latest information prior to your departure. The usual, standard check-in baggage weight allowance is 20-23kg.
Free Transfers
Exodus offers free airport arrival and departure transfers on any flight for this trip. Unless specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel, and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers may be shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on a flight with similar arrival times. All those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight details for both arrival and departure in advance.
Transfer Details
Free transfers are only applicable if booked in advance directly through Exodus before a trip commences.
Weather
For most of the year in Laos the weather will be hot and humid throughout with temperatures during the day between about 28ºC and 34ºC. It is a little cooler at nights and can be cold from November to March in the mountains with temperatures occasionally dropping as low as 10ºC.
The region is mostly dry between October to April and the rainy season is from approx. May to September when it tends to come in short heavy bursts with bright sunshine in between. In Thailand you should expect year round temperatures from 23-32ºC. The rainy season will normally run from May to October when you should expect short sharp showers.
Weather Charts
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- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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