LAOS HONEYMOON VACATION IN 13 DAYS

01 - Overview

03 - Tour Detailed

1. 1

   DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VIENTIANE

   Welcome to Laos !

   Upon arrival at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, transfer to your hotel in town (early check-in upon availability). 

   There is no activity planned for today, so you can stroll around the town for your own exploration. 

   Overnight at a hotel in Vientiane. 

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2. 2

   DAY 2: VIENTIANE EXPLORATION – BUDDHA PARK

   In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power.  

   After that drive to Buddha Park which takes around 45 minutes away. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. 

   Start the afternoon with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun shines upon its towering golden spire.  

   Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.  

   Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828.  

   Continue to the nearby Wat Phra Keo.  Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.  

   End your tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls.   

   Overnight at a hotel in Vientiane. 

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3. 3

   DAY 3 : TRANSFER TO BAN THAHEUA

   You have ample time to relax and stroll around the town of Vientiane before leaving the capital early for our journey northbound to Ban Thaheua via the highway Vientiane – Vang vieng. 

   We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region.  

   We will arrive in Ban Thaheua around noon, which locates at the north side of Nam Ngum Lake, the “sea of Laos”. 

   We will check in the bungalow overlooking the lake. Free for the rest of the day to relax or stroll around for your own exploration. 

   Overnight in Ban Thaheua.

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4. 4

   DAY 4: KAYAKING NAM NGUM LAKE

   Optional: Wake up early today, you never want to miss the serene sunrise over the peaceful lake. Our guide will escort you to the nearby area to watch the local villagers preparing for their busy day. 

   After breakfast, we will have a 2-hour kayaking around Nam Ngum Lake to explore some islets and local fishing villages.  

   Kayaking is easy and fun, requiring no special skills. We will stop at Huay Samom village, chatting with the host family, and learning about the weaving techniques. Return to the resort before noon. 

   The afternoon is free for your own exploration. There are plenty of activities such as cycling or trekking to the nearby village. Discuss with our guide if you want to have more activities for the day. 

   Overnight in Ban Thaheua.

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5. 5

   DAY 5: TRANSFER TO VANG VIENG – EXPLORATION

   After breakfast, we will transfer to Vang Vieng, a small-town set in the midst of towering limestone karst and rice fields.  

   We will visit the most famous of these caves, Tham Jang, which was used by the local people as a refuge from Chinese invaders 200 years ago.  

   Your tour continues by crossing the Nam Song River for a short drive Blue Lagoon, which is a great spot to relax and cool off before transferring back to Vang Vieng 

   You will then be driven back to your hotel, with the option to stop at local villages and a market along the way. 

   Relax for the rest of the day and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the Nam Song River from your hotel.

   Overnight at a hotel in Vang Vieng.

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6. 6

   DAY 6: VANG VIENG – LEISURE DAY

   You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration. Vang Vieng is famous for plenty of activities such as trekking, kayaking, ziplining, or cycling. You would discuss with our guide if you want to experience some more activities today. 

   Overnight at a hotel in Vang Vieng. 

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7. 7

   DAY 7: TRAIN TO LUANG PRABANG

   You are free before taking the afternoon express train to Luang Prabang, which will take about 1 hour. 

   Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in town. 

   Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment. 

   There is no activities planned for today, so you may stroll around for the first impression of this ancient city.  

   Overnight at a hotel in Luang Prabang.

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8. 8

   DAY 8: ANCIENT CITY – MEKONG RIVER – PAK OU CAVES

   After breakfast, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.  

   We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.   

   Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.  

   On arrival back in the city, we will visit the old Wat Sene and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall.   

   If time permits, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. We also visit the nearby village of Ban Xienglek specializing in making the traditional Saa paper.  

   Late afternoon, we will make a stop at Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the ideal place to catch the last beauty of the day.  

   The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by locals and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.  

   Overnight at a hotel in Luang Prabang.

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9. 9

   DAY 9: MORNING ALMS GIVING – KUANG SI WATERFALL – BUTTERLIES PARK

   Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets. 

   We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken.  

   After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River.  

   If time permits, we will visit UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturday, and Sunday), where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos. 

   Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals. 

   After visiting Kuang Si waterfalls, you can visit the nearby Butterflies Park, where you can enjoy afternoon tea with homemade cookies whilst relaxing inside the green peaceful garden full of colorful butterflies. 

   On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour.   

   Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon.

   Overnight at a hotel in Luang Prabang.

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10. 10

    DAY 10: MANDALA ELEPHANT SANCTUARY – CHATEAU ORIENTALE

    After picking you up from town or your hotel we will leave Luang Prabang around 08:30 for the nearby village of Xieng Lom. Upon arrival you are invited to have coffee or tea as your guide for the day provides an in-depth introduction to elephant behavior and the ways we should interact with them. 

    A quick boat ride across the Nam Khan River will deliver you to the waiting elephants. You will be introduced to your new friends and feed them some special treats – a sure way to begin an instant friendship. 

    Enjoy observing elephants from the riverbank as Mahouts wash them in the Nam Khan River. You can experience elephants washing, swimming and playing in the water. Please note this is voluntary activity for the elephants and Mandalao does not force them to get in the water. (On cold days the elephants are less likely to want to get wet.) 

    After 2 hours crossing through a beautiful stretch of traditional Lao gardens you will arrive at the jungle covered Huay Nok stream. As you walk alongside the elephants and crisscross through the cool water you will experience a profound sense of understanding, respect, and caring for these amazing animals. As you prepare to start your walk back to MandaLao, you will bid farewell to your new friends with more treats and goodbye hugs. 

    When you get back to MandaLao, you will head to the restaurant and enjoy a delicious fresh Lao meal made from our own organically grown produce. There you can relax, kick-back, and process the day’s experiences on the veranda overlooking the river and misty mountains. 

    Following lunch, you have ample time to stroll around the camp before walking to the nearby charming Chateau Orientale, a sanctuary in which to unwind and relax both body & soul. In a setting along a picturesque riverside location, you will find this ancient oriental hermitage in the middle of the Laotian jungle. 

    Overnight at Chateau Orientale.

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11. 11

    DAY 11: CHATEAU ORIENTALE – LEISURE DAY

    You are free to stroll around the resort for your own exploration. There are plenty of activities on spots such as kayaking, cycling, or trekking. Check with us in advance to prepare the activities that you want to have. 

    Overnight at Chateau Orientale.

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12. 12

    DAY 12: CHATEAU ORIENTALE – LEISURE DAY

    You are free to stroll around the resort for your own exploration. There are plenty of activities on spots such as kayaking, cycling, or trekking. Check with us in advance to prepare the activities that you want to have. 

    Overnight at Chateau Orientale.

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13. 13

    DAY 13: BACK TO LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE

    + Pick-up: 3.5 hours before the flight 

    Free to stroll around the lodge before transferring back to Luang Prabang Airport to take the departure flight. 

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