Laos Soft Adventure

On arrival, you will be transferred to check in the hotel. After a soft rest, we will first visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

The welcome dinner will be served at the local restaurant with the traditional dance and folk song, the best chance to experience the local culture.

Picked up early for the National Park at Phou Khao Khuay, you arrive in the village of Ban Hatkhay where you will be joined by two local guides. The Orchid Trek begins at Pha Say with its stunning view across a 40m deep gorge and the dense jungle. You follow narrow, shaded trails and discover the different types of forest in the park: semi-deciduous, tropical and bamboo – extraordinary, unspoilt habitats. You learn about the medicinal uses of the forest plants. You take your picnic lunch in a dry river bed.

In the afternoon, we will visit the waterfall at Tad Say before making your return to the village. You may be lucky and see some the colourful butterflies and birds that live in the forest. Return to Vientiane.

Leave early for our journey northbound, ư·see some breathtaking scenery as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. On the way, we visit the busy and colorful market of KM52 where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. We also make a short photo stop at Hin Heup bridge, and the fish market in Ban Tha Heua.

From there, transfer to your hotel, which locate on the north side of Nam Ngum lake, offering the excellent escape from daily busy life.The afternoon is dedicated to plenty of activities on sites such as kayaking, water-jet skiing, paddle boat, cycling, or trekking to visit the nearby villages. Discuss with our guide for the activities that you wish to enjoy.

After breakfast, transfer to Vang Vieng. We set off down the Nam Song river to Tham Xang Cave. Here we will walk up to the massive theater like cave while hearing about local history about the area! A short kayaking will lead us to a picnic spot to enjoy lunch. Continue to the Organic Farm where mulberry tea and a variety of different fruit wines are produced.

Continuing downstream to Tham None Cave, served as a bomb shelter for local villagers during the war. Today it is home to a bat family and the 'Magic Stone of Vang Vieng'. The final leg is a gentle paddle downstream to Vang Vieng where we shall arrive just in time to catch the sunset.

In the morning, we stroll around the town and visit the local market. After breakfast, we visit the cave of Tham Jang, used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders. We transfer to visit Ban Phathau, a very pleasant village where we can explore the different local lifestyles.

We then start our expedition on the new road to Luang Prabang. We pass some stunning landscape scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages and take a few photo stops. We also have chance to admire the panoramic view over the surrounding area at the peak of more than 2000m. Before reaching Luang Prabang, we will make a short stop to visit the local school at Ban Nasala. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Wake up as the sun rises to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving. Then we visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace, the Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xiengthong.

We then transfer to the Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We also see Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre.

Back in Luang Prabang, we ascend to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people.

Board on a traditional Long River boat and take a leisurely cruise upstream. Marvel at the thousands of gold Buddha statues placed in sacred Pak Ou caves. Continue upriver and you would reach Kamu Lodge around noon. Enjoy lunch in an airy SALA settled in the middle of rice paddy fields.

After lunch, you can choose to either relax or to enjoy the traditional Kamu lifestyles and activities such as rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields, gold panning in the Mekong, traditional fishing techniques, visit of the Kamu village, archery contest. Dinner is a feast by Kamu tribe standards. Free time on your own after dinner.

After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to go for a 4-hour trek in the surrounding forest to the waterfall (trekking grade: moderate/challenging). You will enjoy a picnic lunch to the waterfall. On your way back to the Lodge, you will visit one village along the Mekong River.

In the afternoon, you will have time to relax enjoying leisure activities available on site such as bathe in the Mekong, one hour Lao traditional massage, “petanque” contest (…) Dinner is served at the restaurant.

After Dinner, you can retire to your tent.

In the morning, you are free to stroll around the lodge or the nearby village. We will take the boat back to Luang Prabang after lunch. The boat will drop us in Ban Pak Ou, where we will hop on the short transfer to Nam Ou Riverside, our stop for the night.

Have breakfast at your hotel. Free time until driver picks up you at lobby and take you to the airport for your departure flight.