Laos North to South Discovery

On arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, meet your local English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel.

We begin the day cycling through the peaceful streets of Luang Prabang for a morning of cultural discovery and local life. Our first stop is the bustling Morning Market, where locals shop for fresh produce – an authentic glimpse into the city’s food culture.

We then visit the National Museum (formerly the Royal Palace), which houses a collection of royal artefacts. Continue to Wat Visoun, home to the impressive stupa That Makmo, whose rounded design reflects Sri Lankan influence, and nearby Wat Aham, one of Luang Prabang’s main guardian shrines.

We then follow the Nam Khan River to Wat Xieng Thong, the city’s oldest and most beautiful temple, renowned for its ornate carvings and striking roofline. The ride concludes at a local craft centre along the Mekong, where we meet artisans and observe their traditional skills before enjoying lunch overlooking the river.

To end the day, we climb the steps of Mount Phou Si for panoramic views of the city and its surrounding rivers. The golden stupa at the summit sits atop a rocky outcrop, surrounded by small shrines and temples.

Return to your hotel afterwards

Depart with your guide by minivan, travelling southwest along the Mekong River to reach a local farm set amidst scenic rice fields.

Be welcomed by your host and introduced to traditional rice cultivation, then take part in hands-on workshops demonstrating each stage of rice production – from planting to harvesting and processing.

Enjoy lunch at the farm before beginning a leisurely walk across the fields towards Kuang Si Falls. Pass the bear sanctuary before reaching the turquoise pools at the base of the falls, where you can swim or relax.

Optional: Try the thrilling zipline course over the waterfalls and surrounding forest canopy (not included – approx. USD 25, payable on site).

Return to Luang Prabang and enjoy a free evening.

Transfer to the starting point of your e-biking adventure at the lush tropical gardens of Château Orientale. After a briefing, choose your e-mountain bike and set off on an easy off-road loop.

We ride through unspoilt landscapes, crossing small rivers and visiting traditional Khmu and Hmong villages. Along the way, we explore the hidden Tad Kuang Son waterfall and enjoy a glimpse of everyday rural life.

Lunch is served in the charming, colonial-style Château Orientale restaurant before transferring back to your hotel.

Luang Prabang - Vientiane. Enjoy the morning at leisure before transferring to the station for the high-speed train to Vientiane (second class).

Please note: Train schedules are subject to change without notice.Important: Train regulations in Laos are strict. Keep your ticket until exiting the station. Security checks are similar to airports – knives, sharp objects, aerosols, and alcohol are prohibited.

On arrival in Vientiane, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel before setting out to explore the capital. Though often overlooked, Vientiane offers an appealing mix of colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, traditional temples, and serene Buddha statues.

We’ll travel by tuk-tuk – a fun and authentic way to explore – stopping at highlights such as a local market, Wat Sisaket, Carol Cassidy’s textile workshop, and the COPE Visitor Centre, which provides a moving insight into the country’s wartime history.

Return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Vientiane - Pakse - Bolaven Plateu - Don Khong. Transfer to Wattay Airport for your flight to Pakse.

On arrival, we drive to the Bolaven Plateau, a region famed for its cool climate and coffee plantations. Introduced by the French during the colonial era, both Arabica and Robusta beans thrive here, producing some of the country’s finest coffee.

Visit the stunning Tad Fane and Tad Yeung waterfalls before lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we stop at the Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers Cooperative (CPC) to learn about coffee processing, fair-trade production, and specialty roasting. Participate in a guided tasting session to discover the flavours of Lao coffee. Continue by road to Don Khong, arriving late afternoon.

Don Khong - Don Det - Don Khong. Take a boat trip to Don Khone. On arrival, explore the island by simple local bicycles, following small paths from the north to the southern tip. Here you can see remnants of the French-built railway and spot Cambodia across the Mekong.

Visit the impressive Li Phi Falls before returning to freshen up. Continue by tuk-tuk across the bridge to Don Det, where we stop for lunch at a small local restaurant overlooking the river. Afterwards, take a short boat ride back to Don Khong.

Don Khong - Champasak. Today’s flexible programme allows you to explore at your own pace, with guidance from your tour leader. Begin with a visit to the pre-Angkorian temple complex of Wat Phou and nearby Hong Nang Sida, set along the ancient Khmer Road amid picturesque rice fields.

After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a walk through a riverside village to observe bamboo artisans at work and visit Wat Muang Kang, a unique temple blending Lao, French, Khmer, and Burmese architectural influences.

Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Champasak - Pakse. After breakfast, transfer to Pakse Airport for your onward flight.

Optional: Continue by private transfer to the border and onward to Ubon Ratchathani (additional charge applies).