Day 1 Huay Xai – Pakbeng

Arrival in Huay Xai (Laos/Thai border) and transfer to the boat * No local guide *.  Aboard The Luang Say Lodge and Cruise travel downstream to Pakbeng. Stop en route to observe the rural life of the river tribes at Ban Houy Phalam (Kamu village). A buffet lunch is served on board. The boat arrives at Luang Say Lodge before sunset for an overnight stay. Dinner is served at a terrace overlooking the Mekong River. Overnight in Pakbeng

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 – Pakbeng – Luang Prabang

Aboard The Luang Say Lodge and Cruises from Pakbeng to Luang Prabang (Downstream)
2 days, day 2 of 2 * No local guide *
Breakfast is served at the terrace around 07.00 in the morning afterwards go for an optional visit the morning market of Pakbeng village where the nearby villagers and hill tribes buy and exchange their goods. The boat departs at 08.30 for the second part of trip. The boat stops at Ban Baw to observe the processing of traditional rice wine. Lunch is served on board. Upon arrival at Pak Ou village at the mouth of Nam Ou River, the boat stops for a trip to visit Tam Ting Caves and the Tham Phoum Caves of a thousand Buddhas before arriving in Luang Prabang (UNESCO world heritage town) before sunset.
Transfer from Tha Calao Boat Landing to Hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3 – Luang Prabang

Sightseeing in Luang Prabang (full day)
Set between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting town filled with historic temples and colonial style buildings. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Start the day at Wat Visoun (Wat Wisunalat), the oldest living temple in Luang Prabang, Wat dating back to 1513 and contains a collection of antique wooden Buddhas. Visit the nearby Wat Aham before continuing to Wat Xieng Thong, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in the city. Its many ornate buildings feature exquisite mosaic and gold-stencilled murals. From there, stroll down the main street of Luang Prabang, stopping at some of the many temples that line its sides, including Wat Sibounheuang, Wat Si Moungkhoun, Wat Sop and Wat Sene.
Continue to the National Museum(Royal Palace), a modest but graceful building which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. This turn-of-the century royal residence has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here and provides unique insights into the history of Laos. Then, visit Hor Phrabang. In the right front corner room of the Palace which opens to the outside, is a collection of the palace’s most prized art, including the Phrabang, cast of a gold, silver and bronze alloy. This Buddha stands at 83 cm tall and weighs around 50 kg. Afterwards, visit Wat Mai – Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4 – Luang Prabang

Excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls
From Luang Prabang, travel by vehicle to to Kuang Si Waterfall. This waterfall is located in a perfect natural setting near Luang Prabang, this multi-tiered waterfall tumbles over limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools. Enjoy swimming in the clear water or just relaxing in the natural environment. Visit a local village (Ban Ou or Ban Na Ouane) on the way, before returning to Luang Prabang by vehicle.
Visit the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong
Visit Ban Xang Khong, a village near Luang Prabang well known for its traditional handwoven cotton and silk, as well as production of the local sa (mulberry) paper – Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5 – Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng

By vehicle from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Travel from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, passing through Muang Kasi and Ban Phatang, and visiting local villages on the way.
Visit Tham Xang Cave
Tham Xang Cave, also called Elephant Cave, contains a few Buddha images and a Buddha footprint plus the elephant shaped stalactites which give the cave its name. Note: Tham Xang Cave is NOT recommended from May to September due to high water level and a swift current as well as bad road conditions – Overnight in Vang Vieng

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6 – Vang Vieng – Vientiane

Excursion by boat on Nam Song River
One of the attractive features of Vang Vieng is NAM SONG RIVER, a small river in Laos that flows through the town of Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng is a popular tourist destination where many tourists enjoy relaxed adventure activities such as tubing, rafting and kayaking. Experience the beauty of Laotian countryside while floating down the Nam Song River at a peaceful pace.
Visit Tham Chang Cave
Tham Chang Cave was used as a bunker against marauding Chinese in the early 19th century. Tham means cave while Chang means steadfast.
By vehicle from Vang Vieng to Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7 – Vientiane

The capital city of Laos, Vientiane, still feels like a sleepy city with relaxed charm, tree-lined boulevards, beautiful temples and colourful markets. Tour the many highlights of the city, including Pha That Luang, a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps the most important national monument in Laos; Ho Pha Keo, the formal royal temple, now a museum with beautiful examples of Buddhist sculpture; Wat Si Saket, Patuxai, a monumental arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, but executed with Lao motifs. Visit Lao National Museum, the charming French Colonial Architecture building and Wat Si Muang. End your day at the Talaat Sao, or the “morning market” (actually open all day), the best place to buy traditional Lao fabrics – Overnight in Vientiane

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8 – Vientiane – Pakse – Tad Lo

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse
Transfer
By vehicle from Pakse to Tad Lo with sightseeing on the Bolaven Plateau, Tad Fane, Tad Yuang, Tad E-Tu, Tad Lo and Tad Hang Waterfalls
From Pakse, head east across the Bolaven Plateau, a fertile coffee and tea growing area. This area is rich in ethnic groups, predominantly Laven. En route the road between Pakse and Paksong on the western edge of the plateau, visit Tad E-Tu Waterfall. Continue to Tad Fane Waterfall, the highest in Champasak Province, and the nearby Tad Yuang Waterfall. Afterwards head north towards Salavan with some short stops at minority villages with a visit to Tad Lo Waterfall and Tad Hang Waterfall – Overnight in Tad Lo

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9 – Tad Lo – Pakse

By vehicle from Tad Lo to Pakse with sightseeing at Tad Pha Suam, Ethnic Museum and Katu Village (Ban Huayhoun
Cotton Weaving Village)
Travel from Tad Lo via Road no. 20 passing Ban Lak 19 (Black Smith Village), on the way visit Tad Pha Suam Waterfal, a vast horseshoe shaped waterfall that sends water down in several cascades. This cliff has many indented parts that look similar to grand halls, so it is called Tad Pha Suam Waterfall which means a waterfall with halls for the bride and groom. Continue to an Ethnic Museum and Katu Village (Ban Huayhoun – Cotton Weaving Village) – Overnight in Pakse

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10 Pakse – Don Khone

By boat and vehicle from Pakse to Don Khone
From Pakse, travel by vehicle along the east bank of the Mekong River, and then continue by boat to Don Khone, stopping at the pier at Tha Ban Nakasang.
Sightseeing in Don Khone by Tuk Tuk with a visit to Irrawaddy Dolphins (full day)
Explore Don Khone, one of the islands in Si Phan Don. Enjoy Tuk Tuk ride through this small island. Visit Locomotive and Wat Mahanthanaram Temple and continue to Ban Hang Khone to observe the Irrawaddy Dolphins. The dolphins are an endangered species that are found in this southern Mekong region. Take the boat to the observation area and the boat man will stop in the middle of the river to get closer to the Dolphins and spend time observing the Irrawaddy Dolphins for 1 hour or more. Continue to Tad Li Phi Waterfalls, a raging set of rapids at the western end of Don Khone and visit Tad Phone Pa Soy Waterfalls – Overnight in Don Khone

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11 – Don Khone – Pakse

Travel by boat to the pier at Tha Ban Nakasang. Continue by vehicle to Khone Phapheng, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. Here, the entire Mekong with all its force cascades down curving stone outcroppings, and tints the massive stones with rainbows. Continue to Pakse along the east bank of the Mekong River. Visit Ban Nong Bung (Wood Carving Village)
Excursion to Champasak and Vat Phou Champasak
Champasak is a small district of 38,000 people on the western bank of the Mekong River. The Angkor period ruins of Vat Phou Champasak lie 8km south of the town. Continue by vehicle to Vat Phou Museum and Vat Phou Champasak; this Khmer temple site is spread over the lower slopes of Phu Pasak and its name means Mountain Temple. The surviving structures date from as early as the Chenla Kingdom (6th to 8th centuries). Continue by vehicle to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 12 Pakse

Founded by the French in 1905 as an administrative post, the capital of Champasak Province is a relatively new town at the confluence of the Mekong and Se Don rivers. Spend the day exploring the highlights of the town, including the local market, Wat Chomphet Theppanimit, Wat Phou Salao, Wat Luang, Wat Tham Faai (Wat Phabat) and the Champasak Historical Heritage Museum (closed to visitors during the weekend and public holidays). Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.