Laos Unlocked
Laos Unlocked
Laos Unlocked
14 Days Starting in LUANG PRABANG and ending in CHAMPASAK
Visiting: Luang Prabang, Phonsavan, Xiangkhouang Province, Muang Khoun, Kong Lor Cave, Thakhek, Tat Lo, Savannakhet, Bolaven Plateau, Don Khong, Khon Phapheng Falls, Vat Phou, Muang Champassak
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LAO
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Landlocked and laid-back, Laos has always been considered one of the hidden gems of Southeast Asia. Located in the heart of Indochina, it has somehow managed to avoid the touristic attention received by neighbouring Cambodia and Vietnam, and remains untouched by modern demands. Its beauty lies in the gentle Lao people, century-old heritage, and its lush, pristine landscapes. It's a land of mountains, mists and untamed natural beauty, making it one of the few unspoilt destinations in the region.
This trip showcases the hidden charms of Laos, from its rich paddy fields, fertile valleys and striking mountains to the mighty Mekong River. Visiting enigmatic sites such as the Plain of Jars, remote caves crammed full of Buddhist icons, thought-provoking community projects and a plethora of natural wonders, we'll explore every facet of this fascinating country
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Luang Prabang
Location: Luang Prabang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Sanctuary Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
The tour begins this afternoon in the beautiful World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. After checking in to our hotel, we’ll take our first wander around the traditional wooden buildings and temples along the sleepy peninsular between the rivers. We will settle down at a local restaurant beside the Mekong River for dinner, soaking up the charm of this wonderful town.
Day 2: In And Around Luang Prabang
Location: Luang Prabang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Sanctuary Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast we will visit Luang Prabang’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xieng Thong. We plan to visit the temple in the beautiful early morning light, when it is at its quietist. We then continue on to the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall, and visit the nearby Bear Rescue Centre. The sanctuary is responsible for protecting and rehabilitating rare Asiatic Black Bears, which have been confiscated from traffickers and poachers. Later this afternoon we’ll visit the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the pre-revolutionary Royal past.
Day 3: In And Around Luang Prabang
Location: Luang Prabang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Sanctuary Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning there is a pre-breakfast option to witness the early morning sacred ritual of ‘Tak Bat’, or giving alms to the monks. This unique ceremony is still followed by the locals in Luang Prabang (which we will observe from a respectful distance). After breakfast, we transfer out of town to the Living Lands Organic Farm where a local farming guide will give us an insight into the typical crops in Laos and how they are traditionally produced. We are invited to observe and partake in each step of the cultivation of rice and harvesting methods. In the afternoon we will visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology centre to learn a little about the country’s ethnic diversity. We’ll then have the rest of the afternoon free to explore this much loved destination with the opportunity to ascend Mount Phousi for spectacular views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. There’s the option this evening to observe some Buddhist chanting at a local Wat before our final dinner in Luang Prabang.
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Phonsavan
Location: Phonsavan, Luang Prabang
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Vansana Plain Of Jars or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our journey
into the heart of Laos begins today as we twist our way through spectacular mountains to Xieng Khuang Province and the famous Plain of Jars, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our journey into the heart of Laos begins
today as the road follows a spectacular twisty mountain route. We plan to
stop at several ethnic villages which offer great views of the surrounding
mountains and the
opportunity to meet the Hmong or Khmu people and learn more about rural life.
Arriving in Phou Khoun we stop for lunch before reaching our highest altitude of
the day at 1500m above sea level. Before arriving at our hotel we plan to visit the
largest of the Plain of Jars sites, known locally as Thong Haihin. Here over 330
mysterious conglomerate and sandstone jars lie scattered in clusters on a plain
overlooking the surrounding countryside.
Day 5: In Phonsavan
Location: Phonsavan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Vansana Plain Of Jars or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Taking a full day in and around Phonsavan, we’ll visit the office of one of the Unexploded Ordnance clearance organisations to learn about the devastating damage caused by cluster bombs and other ordnance in this region. This sobering visit highlights these organisations difficult work, clearing unexploded ordnance and supporting families affected by UXO accidents. We then drive out to more of the picturesque Plain of Jars sites, visiting site 2 where two further collections of jars are nestled in the woods. There is the option of an hour or so panoramic walk along the ridge down towards site 3, with over 150 jars located on a scenic hill top (Non-walkers can also access this jar site from the road). Later In the afternoon, there will also be the chance to visit Lone Buffalo project, an English Centre and Youth Development Programme that helps young people in the community. This was set up by Mark Steadman, one of our longest serving Tour Leaders (see the Responsible Travel section).
Day 6: Phonsavan - Xiengkhuang – Muang Khoun – Hin Boun
Location: Xiangkhouang Province, Phonsavan, Muang Khoun
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kong Lor View or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departing Phonsavan early this morning, we begin our drive through lesser travelled central Laos. Stopping at the former provincial capital town of Muang Khoun, flattened during the Secret War, we visit Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha. We then head up into the mountains offering impressive views over the surrounding countryside. As the landscape changes we encounter remote villages nestled between striking limestone karsts, before reaching Ban Tha Bak where villagers use old war plane fuel tanks from the Vietnam War as boats. We eventually reach Hin Boun area by early evening,where we relax at our simple guesthouse.
Day 7: Hin Boun - Kong Lor Cave And Thakek
Location: Kong Lor Cave, Thakhek
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Inthira Thakek Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We take a short walk from our guesthouse to the mouth of the cave, where we board small local narrow boats to explore the spectacular Kong Lor Cave - undoubtedly a highlight of the trip. The cave was first explored in the 1990’s and it was only recently that the paved road started to bring visitors to explore the area. We navigate our way through the cave, which is over 7km long and includes a spectacular cavern over 100m high, as well as a breath-taking stalagmite gallery which we explore on foot. On the other side of the cave we take a short walk past some tobacco drying huts to the remote village of Ban Pon Ngam. Returning through the cave by boat, we have lunch in the village before driving on to Thakek, where we stay just set back from the Mekong with its views over to Thailand.
Day 8: In And Around Thakek
Location: Thakhek
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Inthira Thakek Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today
there is an opportunity to explore a little of the area surrounding Thakek,
famous for it’s protected forests, dramatic limestone karsts and hidden lakes
and caves. Today we take local transport, aÂ
songtheaw, to Pa Chan cave where we begin our trek. We pass 200 metres through the cave,
scrambling a little until we reach the exit.Â
From here we follow the forest trail to the Nam Don River cave. This beautiful
spot, where the river flows out of the cave, is perfect for exploring, relaxing
and swimming. After a traditional
grilled fish lunch beside the river prepared by our guide, we continue through
the forest to Tam Kai Neo cave. Here we
can explore the narrow passageways that connect the three entrances. From here
is a short walk to Ban Naa village, where our transport will be waiting for
us. We will arrive back in Thakek
mid-afternoon to enjoy some freetime before dinner beside the Mekong River.
NB.
Those not wishing to undertake the moderate trek, which requires a good level
of fitness, some scrambling and river crossings, can instead enjoy a leisurely
day in Thakek with its French colonial charms.
Day 9: Thakek – Savannakhet – Paksong
Location: Thakhek, Tat Lo, Savannakhet
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Sabaidee Valley Guest house or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travelling south by road, we reach Savannakhet mid-morning. We’ll then spend a little time wandering around the charmingly sleepy town, looking at the art deco and colonial architecture. After lunch we continue by road with a short stop at the Don Mak Fai ‘forest’ market. Passing through the second city of Pakse, we elevate up to the cooler Bolaven Plateau, arriving at our comfortable resort early evening.
Day 10: Paksong - Bolaven Plateau - Paksong
Location: Tat Lo, Tat Lo, Bolaven Plateau
Accommodation: Lodge, x
Accommodation Name: Sabaidee Valley Guest house or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We will start
our day with a stop at Jing Jhai Coffee, a philanthropic coffee company who
invest their profits in educating and training in the villages who produce
their beans. We learn about the art of ‘cupping’ to identify different tastes
in the varieties of coffee grown on the plateau. We will also visit a tea
plantation for tasting and then take an (optional) easy hour walk through
coffee plantations to Tad Fan waterfall. Tad Fan is an impressive twin
waterfall that thunders over 100 metres down into the valley. After lunch we
will visit one of the ethnic villages on the plateau, returning to our resort
late afternoon with time to watch the sun set from the viewing platform.
Day 11: Paksong – 4000 Islands - Khone Island
Location: Don Khong, Tat Lo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sengahloune Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we journey south into the area known as ‘Siphandon’, which literally translates as ‘4000 Islands, one of the most beautiful parts of the country. We board a private boat at Ban Haitsakhone and cruise through some of the quieter islands. After enjoying lunch cooked by a local family beside the Mekong, we will explore this remote island at a gentle pace by bicycle (optional). We’ll then cruise close to the Cambodian border to Don Khone Island, in time to watch the sunset over the Mekong river from the old French bridge. Tonight, we stay in comfortable rooms beside the famous river.
*see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for more information on cycling in Laos
Day 12: Khone Island – Khone Phapeng – Wat Phou - Champasak
Location: Khon Phapheng Falls, Vat Phou, Don Khong, Muang Champassak
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: River Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today there is time to wander the banks of the sleepy Mekong, before we explore more of the 4000 islands by local transport. We will visit the beautiful Liphi Waterfall, where local fisherman perch impossibly between jagged rocks to lay out their fishing nets. After returning to the mainland by boat, we re-join our vehicle and continue south the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia. After lunch at the falls we head back north to Champasak, stopping en route at the wood carving village of Ban Nong Bouang. We will arrive at our riverside resort late afternoon.Â
Day 13: In And Around Champasak
Location: Muang Champassak
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: River Resort or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we have the opportunity to enjoy sunrise over the Mekong from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wat Phou, the temple mountain – before the site officially opens. This dramatically sited Khmer temple is one of the highlights of any trip to Laos. After sunrise we will explore this religious complex, parts of which date back to the 5th Century, before returning to our lodge for breakfast. The rest of day is left free to maybe explore the delightful riverside town of Champasak, with its handful of colonial mansions, typical Chinese shop fronts and pretty wooden houses. Alternatively you can cross to the nearby picturesque island of Don Daeng to explore by bicycle or on foot, or simply relax on the banks of the Mekong.
*see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for more information on cycling in Laos
Day 14: Tour Ends In Champasak
Location: Muang Champassak
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends with breakfast at the hotel.
Those on the suggested group flights will receive a complimentary transfer across the border into Thailand to the airport. If you are booking your own departure flight from Ubon Ratchathani please make sure it departs in the afternoon as the border does not open early enough for morning flights.
What's Included
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MEALS
13 x Breakfasts12 x Lunches13 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use minibuses, boats and tuk tuks.
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
13 nights x Superior
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ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Low / Moderate
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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ExcludedItem
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.
As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.comÂ
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Laos, but this is obtained on arrival as there is no Lao Embassy in the UK.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. However, please note that the trek on day 8 is classed as moderate and a reasonable level of fitness is required. Alternative arrangements can be made for those not wishing to participate.
Please note that there are some long driving days on this tour interspersed with local sightseeing. This will give you a good opportunity to experience the diverse scenery and people in country.
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.Â
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.Â
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
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Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
For this tour UK passport holders currently require a visa for Laos, but this is obtained on arrival as there is no Lao Embassy in the UK.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
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