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Laos: Land of a Million Elephants
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laos private tour mekong cruise
Luang Prabang Royal Palace Museum

Laos: Land of a Million Elephants

Take the road less traveled to a tranquil land of lush rain forests and colorful mosaics of ethnic culture. Discover a nation beautiful in its simplicity and rich with traditions passed down from the ancient Lan Xang Kingdom - Land of A Million Elephants.

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About This Trip

Explore the meditative stillness of Muang La, the rugged riverside mountains of Nong Khiaw, and the mixed Laotian and French aromas and architecture of Luang Prabang.This frequently forgotten country sandwiched between the more popular destinations of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam only reopened for tourism in 1988. After a tumultuous twentieth century which saw it transitioning from French protectorate to independence and experiencing a civil war and communist coup, Laos has emerged as a peaceful and impoverished country. Statistically, it is known as the land of a million elephants, the most bombed country per capita in history, and home to approximately 140 ethnic groups.

Trip Length 8 Days
from USD
$4,252 /person
Private Tour
春 spring
夏 summer
秋 fall
冬 winter
Beyond China logo
Cultural Immersion , First-timers , Beyond China

What we love

  • Drifting through the Si Phan Don archipelago, where the hands of time slow their spinning and dolphins frolic nearby
  • Alighting from the Mekong to discover the hidden worlds of riverside minority towns
  • Partaking in a traditional baci ceremony in which, according to Lao belief, all 32 parts of your soul will be called back to your body
laos 8 day tour map

Basic Itinerary

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

    • baci welcome ceremony luang prabang laos
      Sacred Baci Welcome Ceremony
    • Wat Phou Temple Grounds laos
      Wat Phou Ancient Temple Grounds
    • laos longtail boat river cruise
      Private Longtail Boat River Cruise

DETAILED ITINERARY

  • Day 1 | 2

    Jinghong – Muang La

    From Jinghong, cross the border into Laos ● Stop by Namdeng Nua village, home to the Lanten minority whose distinctive indigo clothes are lined with a pink trim ● View the 400 year old statue of Buddha in Pra Singkham Temple, which is believed to have supernatural powers ● Arrive in the calm natural surroundings of Muang La ● Unwind at the end of the day by enjoying a traditional Lao massage or soaking in Muang La's famous hot springs

  • Day 3

    Muang La

    Option 1: trek from Pak Khai through rice terraces and small villages, meeting local farmers along the way ● Stop to rest at the hilltop village of Ban Phavie, home to the animist Khmu minority ● End your trek at a local waterfall ● Option 2: Visit an isolated village home to the Akha minority, known for their elaborate headdresses and occasionally blackened teeth ● Visit the village of Ban Tauser to learn more about the Hmong minority's way of life and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding area

  • Day 4

    Muang La – Nong Khiaw

    Embark on a tranquil river cruise from Muang Khua down the Nam Ou ● Pass by forested slopes and remote villages only accessible by boat ● Explore Ban Sob Jaem, a Khmu and Hmong village whose residents hand make brightly colored scarves ● Relax with a beach barbeque ● If interested, bike to the nearby limestone caves after arriving in Nong Khiaw ● Catch a performance from the 'Moustache Brothers', a comic duo famous in the region for their political satire, screwball comedy and classic Burmese Dance

  • Day 5

    Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang

    Drive along the Nam Ou to the Pak Ou caves, which are crammed with hundreds of Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes ● Arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang ● In the evening, you will be honored in an elaborate Baci ceremony in a local family's home, a special Lao ritual that involves calling parts of your soul back to you

  • Day 6

    Luang Prabang

    Rise early in the morning to partake in the daily ritual of tak bat, almsgiving to monks (optional) ● Learn about Laotian history at the Royal Palace Museum, which blends Lao andFrench Beaux Arts style ● Admire Wat Xiengthong, the Golden City Temple, whose dramatically sloping roofs nearly hit the ground ● Enrich your knowledge at Ock PopTock, a social enterprise devoted to Lao textiles ● Visit Luang Prabang's oldest temple,Wat Visoun, nicknamed "the watermelon stupa" for its rotundity ● Stop by the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, a private museum devoted to the country's myriad ethnicities ● From the top of Mount Phousi, enjoy a commanding view of Luang Prabang and the Mekong while the sun sinks slowly into the horizon (this day can be either a bicycle or walking tour)

  • Day 7 | 8

    Luang Prabang (cont.)

    At the Living Lands Organic Farm, learn about harvesting and making food from rice ● Picnic by the glassy waters of the three tiered Kuang Si Falls ● Meet the Asiatic black bear at the Bear Rescue Center ● Float along the Mekong to the village of Ban Chan, famous for its pottery ● Option 1: Depart Laos, trip ends ● Option 2: Fly to Pakse Visit Tad Fane Waterfall in the Bolaven Plateau, the tallest waterfall in Laos ● Enjoy a cup of locally grown coffee at a coffee plantation

  • Day 9

    Champasak (Optional Extension)

    Explore the Si Phan Don (4000 Islands) archipelago, a serene smattering of islands spread out on the Mekong ● Bike around the island of Don Khon and admire its old French buildings and the roaring waters of Liphi Waterfall ● View the gushing waters of the Khone Phapheng Falls, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia ● Try to catch a rare glimpse of freshwater dolphins near the Cambodian border

  • Day 10 | 11

    Champasak (cont.)

    Watch the sunrise at the ruins of UNESCO World Heritage Site Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer Hindu complex ● Spend the rest of the day at your leisure in Champasak

Let's Plan Your Trip

FEATURED HOTELS

  • Muang La Resort

    Muang La Resort

    Boutique

    The cozy Muang La Resort exudes an intimate atmosphere and is located in a remote area of great natural beauty.

  • Amantaka Luang Prabang Laos

    Amantaka, Luang Prabang

    Luxury Boutique

    Housed in a graceful French colonial building, the Amantaka's decor and furnishings reflect the country's French past.

  • Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao

    Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao

    5 star

    The Belmond is designed in traditional Laotian style and boasts French-influenced cuisine and an open air spa.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

What's Included:

  • All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
  • All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
  • All meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water
  • All services of WildChina English-speaking guide(s)
  • All accommodations, based on double-occupancy and including breakfast, service charge, and government tax
  • Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip

What's Not Included:

  • International & domestic flights and relevant taxes
  • Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
  • Travel, health and trip cancellation insurance
  • Meals apart from those included in the itinerary and alcohol
  • Expenses of a personal nature
  • Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
  • Discretionary gratuities for guides and chauffeurs

Can't find your dream trip? Customize Your Journey

Let's Plan Your Trip

FIND INSPIRATION ON OUR BLOG

  • The Best Upscale Restaurants in Luang Prabang
  • Muang La Resort: Secret Retreat in the Jungles of Laos
  • Why Travel to Laos

SIMILAR JOURNEYS

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    Yunnan & Laos: Jewels of the Mighty Mekong
  • Myanmar: Into the Golden Lands

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