13 Days • 12 Nights
Grand Laos: North to South
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll explore Luang Prabang's temples and waterfalls, the karst scenery of Vang Vieng and the calm of Vientiane, then head south to the coffee plateaus and Khmer temple of Champasak, and finish drifting through the tranquil 4000 Islands. Alms-giving, kayaking, coffee estates and river dolphins thread it all together.
With comfortable hotels, private guides and all flights and boats arranged, it is Laos in full — an unforgettable, unhurried journey.
Trip Highlights
- Luang Prabang's temples, alms and the Kuang Si Falls
- The karst peaks of Vang Vieng
- Vientiane's stupas and Buddha Park
- The coffee estates of the Bolaven Plateau
- The pre-Angkorian Khmer temple of Wat Phou
- The tranquil 4000 Islands and Khone Phapheng Falls
- Rare Irrawaddy dolphins on the Mekong
- Flights and river boats included
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 13-day journey.
Arrive and settle in, with a welcome dinner of Lao flavours.
The dawn alms-giving, Wat Xieng Thong and the royal temples, the market and sunset from Mount Phousi.
A day at the turquoise Kuang Si Falls, swimming and visiting the bear sanctuary, with a village and lunch en route.
Travel to Vang Vieng by scenic road or fast train, amid the karst peaks over the Nam Song river.
Kayaking the river, a cave by headlamp and the Blue Lagoon beneath the karsts.
Travel to the sleepy capital of Vientiane, exploring That Luang and Wat Sisaket.
The Buddha Park, the Patuxai monument and the riverside, with a Mekong sunset.
Fly to Pakse, gateway to southern Laos, settling in with a southern Lao dinner.
Tour the Bolaven Plateau's coffee estates and waterfalls, then descend to Champasak and the pre-Angkorian Khmer temple of Wat Phou.
Travel south to Si Phan Don, the 4000 Islands, settling into your island guesthouse for a first river sunset.
A boat tour of the islands — the mighty Khone Phapheng Falls and, in season, rare Irrawaddy dolphins.
A gentle day cycling the islands, kayaking the channels or relaxing over the river.
Travel back to Pakse for your transfer and onward flight, with a final riverside breakfast.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and private guides throughout
- 3N Luang Prabang, 2N Vang Vieng, 2N Vientiane, 1N Pakse, 1N Champasak, 3N Si Phan Don
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and local lunches
- A Luang Prabang tour, the Kuang Si Falls and Vang Vieng adventure
- A Vientiane city tour and the Bolaven Plateau coffee and waterfalls
- The Khmer temple of Wat Phou and a 4000 Islands boat tour
- Domestic flights (Vientiane-Pakse) and all transfers
- All entrance and boat fees per the itinerary
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Laos
- Laos visa fees (visa on arrival or eVisa)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Additional domestic flights beyond those stated
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or an eVisa for Laos; check your passport's eligibility. Your passport should be valid at least six months with a blank page
- Currency: The currency is the Lao Kip. Cash is king outside the main towns, and while US dollars and Thai baht are sometimes accepted, carry kip for markets, temples and rural areas — ATMs are limited
- Best season: The cool, dry season from November to February is ideal; March to May is hot and can be hazy from farming fires, and June to October brings the green monsoon
- The pace of Laos: Laos is famously laid-back and unhurried — embrace 'bor pen nyang' (no worries) and the gentle rhythm, which is part of its charm
- The alms-giving: In Luang Prabang, monks collect alms at dawn in a moving ritual. Observe quietly and respectfully from a distance, or participate sensitively with your guide's advice — never intrude
- Temple etiquette: Cover your shoulders and knees and remove your shoes at temples. Women should never touch a monk, and always lower yourself below monks and Buddha images
- Getting around: Mountain roads are winding and slow, so some legs use short domestic flights or scenic river boats, all arranged for you
- UXO awareness: Parts of Laos still hold unexploded ordnance from past conflict, so always stay on marked paths and trails, especially around the Plain of Jars
- Health: Drink bottled or filtered water, use mosquito repellent, and enjoy freshly cooked food. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended
- Connectivity & power: A local SIM is cheap but signal can be patchy in remote areas — a welcome excuse to slow down. Power is 230V with type A/B/C plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as a Mekong cruise lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Laos's fragrant, French-influenced cuisine.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own licensed guide and private driver (or boat on the Mekong), so everything is arranged for you.
Do I need a visa for Laos?
Most visitors can get a visa on arrival or an eVisa. We guide you to the requirements for your nationality before you travel.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February is the cool, dry and most comfortable season. March to May is hot and sometimes hazy, and June to October is the lush, quieter green season.
What is the alms-giving ceremony?
At dawn in Luang Prabang, hundreds of monks walk the streets to collect alms of rice from kneeling locals. It is a moving, sacred ritual best observed quietly and respectfully, or joined sensitively with your guide's advice.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, towns, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a Mekong cruise, the 4000 Islands, Vang Vieng or trekking. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel around Laos?
By a mix of short domestic flights, private cars and scenic river boats, all included and arranged, with a private guide in each region.
Is thirteen days too long for Laos?
Not at all — Laos rewards slow travel, and thirteen days lets you experience the whole country from the temples of the north to the islands of the south without rushing, which is exactly the Lao way.
How do we get from north to south?
A short domestic flight from Vientiane to Pakse covers the long north-south leg quickly, with scenic roads, the fast train and river boats for the rest — all included and arranged.
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