PRICE REQUEST

DAY 1:  HOUEIXAI – ARRIVAL

After finishing the border formality, you will be picked up and transfer to the hotel in town. The rest of the day is your own free time at leisure to explore the small town of Houeixai on your own. Overnight in Houeixai

DAY 2:  HOUEIXAI – GIBBON EXPERIENCE

In the morning, we will transfer from the town into the jungle for the Gibbon Experience.

We will arrive in Ban Toup at around 11:30AM. From here, we will be taken care by the local English Speaking Guide. After lunch at the village, we start our 02 hour hiking to become familiar with the cable network. At the end of the hiking, you will arrive at your tree house. The rest of the afternoon is your free time; you can keep hiking around, or do some ziplining. Dinner will be served at around 05PM or 06PM. Overnight at your tree house.

DAY 3:  GIBBON EXPERIENCE

06:30-07:00: Early wake up to seize the chance to hear the gibbons singing while enjoying the tea or coffee.

08:00: Breakfast + Optional hiking an ziplining

09:30: departure for 02 hour trek to the next tree house

About 12:00, arriving at the waterfalls where you can go for a swim. After lunch, you go by ziplines to your tree house.

03:00 PM, optional hiking and ziplining

05:00 Dinner; the rest of the night is your own free time

DAY 4:  GIBBON EXPERIENCE – HOUEIXAI     

Early wake up again to enjoy the gibbon singing.

After breakfast at 08:00AM, we will hike back to Ban Toup. From there, picked up by car and transfer back to Houeixai (arrive at around 3-5PM depending on the road condition)

DAY 5:  HOUEIXAI – PAKBENG (Shompoo Cruise – TUE, THU, SUN)   

In the morning, our guide will pick you up at the hotel, we then go to the Houay Xay boat pier by tuk tuk. Then, you will embark for the first time on one of our luxury boat for the Mekong downstream cruise. On the way, the boat will take its first stop in Pak Tha, to have necessary boat documents signed. The second stop will be to visit a Hill tribe village along the Mekong River. Our guide will explain the way of living and the origins of these rural populations. Lunch is served on board. During the afternoon, free and relaxing time by tasting local flavors. The boat will arrive in PakBeng before sunset. Overnight in Pakbeng, where you will retreat to your accommodation for the night.

DAY 6: PAKBENG – LUANG PRABANG (Shompoo Cruise)      

At 08:00am, the boat leaves Pakbeng. Use your free time in the morning for asking some questions about Luang Prabang and Laos to our guide. Lunch is served on board. In the afternoon, we will make one stop to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its thousands of Buddha images. We will arrive in Luang Prabang around 05:00pm.

DAY 7:  LUANG PRABANG – BAN LONG LAO – KUANG SI WATERFALLS        

We depart from your hotel and drive for around one hour west to Ban Xeng Mouk village where the trek starts.

We begin with a visit to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Longlao Nung before heading to the nearby Hmong village of Ban Longlao Song. You will be able to observe the lifestyles of these two culturally very different minority groups and see how despite their differences they manage to work together on a day to day basis and even sharing the same school.

As we continue onwards the trail leads through rice paddys and vegetable fields before reaching the mountainous forest. Along the way we explore a cave which was used as a bomb shelter by the locals during the second indochina war.

After visiting the cave one more hour of trekking brings us to one of the many springs which feeds Kuang Xi waterfalls, here a beautiful pool full of sacred fish can be seen. After descending from the top of the waterfall we enjoy a Lao style lunch amongst some beautiful settings!

The afternoon is spent bathing and relaxing around the turquoise pools below the waterfall. You can also visit the bear conservation center which is located nearby and home to many bears which have been rescued from illegal farms.

Before returning to Luang Prabang we take a short walk to a nearby Khmu village of Ban Thapene which is home to some of the most beautiful pools of Kuang Xi Waterfalls.

Approximately: 2 hours driving, 4 hours trekking

DAY 8:  LUANG PRABANG – NONG KHIAW      

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 tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there, we will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture.

After breakfast, your city tour begins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  From there, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for the panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.  If time permits, we will take a stroll around the city to visit Big Brother Mouse, which is the most famous bookshop in Laos. The next stop is Ock Pop Tock, meaning East Meets West, where you can learn about the traditional weaving in Laos.

In the afternoon, we will transfer to Nong Khiaw, the lovely town along the lazy Nam Ou River. If you wish, we may take some short visit to the local villages along the way.

We arrive in Nong Khiaw just in time to catch the sunset; transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Nong Khiaw

DAY 9:  NONG KHIAW – 100 WATERFALLS      

Start this day of adventure with a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou River where you will be able to explore a small Lao village along the riverside. Learn about the villagers and their way of life along this Northern Laos River before beginning the '100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail'!

Walking through small streams and rice paddies, you will arrive at the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls which were only first explored in October 2008! For the next few hours you will see only water and jungle and hear the constant sound of clear waterfall cascades. The pools around you are very inviting for a refreshing splash.

Your guide will lead you through the cascades and prepare a local style lunch that you can enjoy on the falls surrounded by amazingly green nature.

A small village trail on the top of the '100 Waterfalls' will lead us on our hike back down into the valley, offering wide views over the expansive Nam Ou valley.

Once back in the village we will have some more time to experience the daily life of the Nam Ou riverside village before heading back to Nong Khiaw (Nong Khiau) by boat.

DAY 10: NONG KHIAW – VIENG XAY – VIENG THONG

We depart early this morning for our journey to Vieng Thong via Vieng Xay. These back roads are a perfect way to venture off the beaten track and explore the real Laos. We see very few other travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive can be challenging on some parts of our journey due to poor road conditions; however the verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes for a memorable experience. On arrival we check in at a very simple hotel and take a walk to explore this picturesque hill town. Overnight in Vieng Thong

DAY 11: VIENG THONG – NAM NERN NIGHT SAFARI  

8am departure from Viengthong to Son Koua Village, river travel to the Nam Nern Substation with your private van. After a 1.5 hour drive along a curvy road through gorgeous mountainous landscapes you arrive at Ban Son Koua, an ethnic Khmu Village. Village guides and boatmen will be awaiting you to greet you and take you on a short tour of the village where you will learn about the animist tradition of appeasing the village spirit. Guests then embark on a 1.5 hour journey to the park substation on the Nam Nern River by long tail boat, along the way learning about upland rice cultivation and having opportunities to spot monitor lizards depending on the time of year and bird life.

After arriving at the park substation, visitors will be shown to their accommodation, bamboo huts close to the river, and will then be offered a lunch prepared by the village cooking group. After lunch, you will receive a briefing by park staff about the on the ground efforts in protecting tigers and their prey. At mid-afternoon, the group takes the boat again to continue the journey upriver.

After about 50 minutes the boats will stop, and. the group will hike into the forest to visit a salt lick. The local guide, a skilled hunter and tracker, explains how local people track deer and other wild ungulates. The guide points out evidence of wildlife, such as tracks or scat at the salt lick.

The boats continue upriver to the dinner site, a sandy, flat bank, where the group takes a picnic around a campfire. After dinner, the guides tell Khmu folktales and stories about dragons, wildlife, and ghosts. The guides also educate tourists about the species of animals they may see during the spotlighting and explain the rules and expectations for spotlighting. The group may also look at photos of animals captured by the camera trap at the salt lick.

The group departs for the night spotlighting 2-3 hours after dark, floating down the river with engines off. The guides 1 per boat use their headlamp to spot wildlife. If they see something, they will give a clear sign. Then you can switch on your own flashlight to have a better look at the animal. Hence, tourists will have their flashlights switched off most of the time to avoid scaring animals. The guides and boat drivers communicate via hand signals to avoid talking that might disturb the animals. Animals that may be seen include Sambar deer, otters, barking deer, various species of civets, loris, porcupine and owls.  Seeing tigers is very rare because they usually don’t come close to the river.

Overnight at the Ecolodge at the middle of the jungle

At the end of the spotlighting, the boats arrive at the ecolodge near the substation. 

DAY 12: NAM ET – XIENG KHUANG     

Medicinal Plant Walk, Breakfast & Float Downriver

Before breakfast, local guides take you on a walk around the jungle, teaching about the use of some medicinal plants and explaining the history of the site, which was once a major settlement during the Secret War. After breakfast, the boats float back through the core zone at a relaxing pace with engines off, while the guides point out wildlife along the way.

Upon arrival in the village, you are invited to try earthen jar rice wine “lao hai”. We may have a soft rest to talk with the villagers before transferring directly to Xieng Khouang. Overnight in Xieng Khouang

DAY 13: XIENG KHUANG – MUANG KHOUN AND PLAIN OF JARS       

In the morning you will journey through Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars.

The Plain of Jars is a huge archaeological complex littered with mysterious 2000 years old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters. Their true origin remains a mystery. It seems that they were carved into boulders. Several researches lead by the French archaeologist Madeleine Colani in the 30’s suggested that they could be old graves, but to this day they remain an enigma.

Your trip will enable you to visit the 3 sites and also discover some local villages where you can observe local village life. Site 1, close to the town is settled at Thong Hai Hin and is the biggest site. Site 2 is at Hai Hin on Phou Salator, “Phou” in Lao means “Mountain”. End your tour at site 3 in Hai Hin Lat Khai. Site 3 is the most impressive with over 150 jars. Close to this site, you will visit Ban Xiengdi where there is a small monastery with Buddha images. On the way back, you will pass areas that were important battlefields during the American secret war. You can still see bomb craters from that time today.

Attention: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.

In the afternoon, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun. Muang Khoun one place in the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.

Then return to Xieng Khouang and overnight.

DAY 14: XIENG KHOUANG – VANG VIENG      

After breakfast, we have time today to explore the site and some nearby villages, populated by the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people; they are very poor but possess a vibrant local culture and an interesting history. We leave Xieng Khuang for our scenic drive to Vang Vieng, a small town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with its limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. Depending on road and traffic conditions, we will arrive at Vang Vieng by mid or late afternoon. Overnight in Vang Vieng

DAY 15: VANG VIENG – NAM SONG EXPERIENCE (Kayaking)

We will transfer to Phatang Resort around 18 km north of Vang Vieng. After an introduction to the basics of kayaking we shall set off down the beautiful Nam Song river which offers various small but fun rapids along the way to our first stop at Tham Xang Cave. Here we will walk up to the massive theater like cave while hearing about local history about the area!

After emerging from the cave a short kayaking will lead us to a picnic spot on the riverside where we shall enjoy lunch. After lunch we shall continue down the river until the next stop at the Organic Farm where mulberry tea and a variety of different fruit wines are produced.

Continuing on downstream we arrive at Tham None Cave which is one of the largest caves in Vang Vieng! It served as a bomb shelter for local villagers during the Second Indochina War. However, today it is home to a bat family and the 'Magic Stone of Vang Vieng'. The final leg of the journey is a gentle paddle downstream to Vang Vieng where we shall arrive just in time to catch the sunset.

Approximately: 15minutes transfer, 4.5 hours (wet season) 3.5 hours (dry season) kayaking, 1.5 hour caving/walking VV-K-21

DAY 16: VANG VIENG – VIENTIANE (homestay)          

In the morning, we bid farewell to Vang Vieng and drive to Vientiane. Along the way we make a stop to visit Vang Xang, a famous archeological site dating back 11th century.

Located on the banks of the Mekong River, this capital conjures up exotic images, with a curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French influences.

Upon arrival in Vientiane, we transfer directly to the local house, who is the owner of the Vientiane Orchid Farm. The rest of the day is your free time to explore the farm with the owner, who can give you many useful information about the orchid in Laos, and the efforts to protect the living of the orchid in the nature. The dinner and the night will be spent at the local house.

DAY 17: VIENTIANE – ORCHID TREKKING      

7:30 The car and guide will pick you up. After around 2-hour drive, we will arrive in the village of Ban Hatkhay. Here, we will meet the local guide, the expert for Lao orchid.

Afterwards, we will drive through the small road among the paddy field to Ban Pha Say. From here, our orchid trek will start.

We move on small trails and discover shade different forest types: semi-deciduous jungles, bamboo, accompanied by two guides and an expert on orchids.

Do not be surprised by abundance of orchids in some places, all the rocks are covered!

Some biotopes are extraordinary. We will also have the opportunity to learn many things on medicinal lants and other plant families such as: Cane, the Gingers, the Dypterocarpes ...

The picnic will be in the bed of a dry river any part of the year. The afternoon will end with a swim at the waterfall of Tad Say before returning to the village. Back in Vientiane expected around 18h. Overnight in Vientiane

DAY 18: VIENTIANE – PAKSE

You are free before taking the short flight to Pakse, the biggest city of the Southern Laos QV303 VTE PKZ 10:20 11:35

Upon arrival, we will have a short transfer about 15 Km to the north of the city to visit Ban Saphai, and take the boat to visit the isolated island of Done Kho. The village is very famous for its unique history and culture, and also the traditional handweaving. We come back to Pakse late afternoon. Overnight in Pakse

DAY 19: PAKSE – TREE TOP EXPERIENCE    

We arrive at Ban Nongluang after a 1 hour drive from Pakse, stroll for a while through the village and chat with the people. The village guides who will accompany us for the next three days give important first safety instructions. We then hike through coffee plantations and vegetable gardens until wild semi-evergreen forest gradually takes over. The trail winds down for a while, sometimes quite steeply, passing ravines, beautiful waterfalls and flower-studded plateaus. Along the way, the guides explain the plants traditionally used in the village kitchen or as herbal medicine.

A breath-taking canopy walkway high in the trees and crossing a steep river valley is a first challenge. We pass the huge 'Tiger' waterfall and reach the giant 'Kamet' fall (name of a monkey), where the water plunges more than 100 m down into a relatively narrow, densely forested valley basin with waterfalls apparently everywhere. Here is where the zip-lines start and the real thrill takes its course. Brace yourself for an adventure of a lifetime!

We take our lunch in the wilderness, explore the forest secrets of the area and may take a cooling swim before mastering the unbelievable zip-lines. The cables crisscross the valley in front of the majestic water wall, stunningly high and us perfectly cooled by the spray of the water. Enjoy the sensation of being weightless and truly one with nature. Let your adrenaline rush come to a maximum. It's joy, sheer joy!

After a day of great activity, we finally settle for the night in the wonderful camp with restaurant nearby. For dinner, local food and absolutely delicious barbecues are on the menu. Chatting and recollecting the gorgeous experiences of the day, or just relaxing and dreaming under the stars about the incredible wonders of life, we finally retire into our own tree house almost 10 m above ground. These houses designed in traditional style, made of wood, bamboo, and grass, can only be reached by -- a zip-line. Bathrooms near the restaurant offer hot and cold water. An instant cozy sleep shrouded by the fiddling sound of the forest crickets is guaranteed.

DAY 20: TREE TOP EXPERIENCE       

We wake up amidst the warbling, piping, chirping, twittering of the innumerable birds in the dense canopy around us. A simple European-style breakfast prepares us for an easy 30-minute trek through great forest before reaching the first cable. Be ready for extended flights through the jungle with the longest zip-line of 400 m as a real highlight. Its speed, its felt infinity, the proximity to the usually invisible upper stratum of the forest is an amazing and unforgettable experience.

A picnic lunch is served in the best of nature. We return to the camp in the later afternoon by passing the 'Red Rock' stream, where we will have time for some rest and swimming before falling asleep in our tree house for another night.

DAY 21: TREE TOP EXPERIENCE – SINOUK COFFEE RESORT          

It's a day of more challenges, but also a day of saying 'goodbye'! After breakfast, we slowly trek uphill, passing a section of forest where gigantic trees dominate, obviously not yet spotted by illegal loggers…

Then it gets a bit tough and jaw-dropping when the trail suddenly "ends" at a steep rock wall, only passable on a 'via ferrata', where iron U-bolts are glued into the rock. There's no way of getting around but to overcome this obstacle in order to get to the other side. Don't worry, it's all safe and you are secured by state-of-the-art safety gear. It's not really long either, just thrilling.

Upon reaching the top of the mountain, one of the highest peaks in the area, an open plateau rewards everyone for all the 'hardship' – and for a last time – with stunning views of three waterfalls and vistas over the Mekong deep into neighboring Thailand. We'll take our lunch here before an easy 1½ hour hike back to Ban Nongluang, where a car is waiting to transfer you to Sinouk Coffee Resort where we will spend the night

DAY 22: BOLAVEN PLATEAU – WAT PHOU – KING FISHER ECO-LODGE       

After breakfast, leave Bolaven Plateau and drive south to Champassak to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao. Our next stop is Ban Khiet Ngong, which is located inside Xe Pian National Protected Area. Upon arrival, we go for an elephant back ride (1:30) to mount Phou Asa, surmounted by the ancient citadel. Beyond we will have a panoramic view over the unspoilt area of Dong Houasao and the Mekong valley. We then transfer to the King Fisher Ecolodge for the overnight

DAY 23: BAN KHIET NGONG – BIKING

08:30 - Start the tour from Kingfisher Ecolodge

10:30 - Arrival in Lao Gna village after a 20 km ride through different villages

11:00 - Walk to nearby waterfalls on the border of Dong Hua Sao National  Park, here you may have a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water coming from the mountains of the Bolaven Plateau.  Picnic lunch.

14:00 - Leaving the village to return to Kingfisher Ecolodge

16:00 - Arrival at Kingfisher Ecolodge

DAY 24: BAN KHIET NGONG – 4000 ISLANDS 

In the morning, we drive further south to to visit Khone Phapheng, which is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia; this is a really impressive near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos.

From there, we will drive back to Ban Nakasang and take the small boat to 4000 Island area to explore the local peaceful 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. We continue to discover the 4000 islands area by tuk tuk and visit the marvelous Liphi waterfall, also called the "Corridor of the Devil" one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking Lao border with Cambodia. If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone.

The rest of the day is your own free time at leisure. Overnight in Khone Island

DAY 25: KHONE ISLAND – PAKSE – DEPARTURE       

You are free in the morning before transferring back to Pakse on time to take the departure flight

Note: You can also transfer to Cambodia via the border of Dom Kralor