5N / 6D
Laos: 5 Nights 6 Days Exploring Vientiane and Luang Prabang
Vientiane(2N) → Luang Prabang(3N)
Sold By: 365 Tours
4.9 (256 reviews)
Offers payment via Holidify
STAY 3✭ hotels
$ 784
$ 907
13% off
/personDetailed Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Vientiane
- On arrival, private transfer to the hotel.
- Visit the Lao National Museum to explore the country's history from prehistoric times to the present day.
- Explore Wat Si Muang, a highly revered temple believed to be guarded by the city's pillar spirit.
- Visit the Patuxai Monument, Vientiane's own "Arc de Triomphe," which commemorates those who fought for independence from France.
- Climb to the top of the Patuxai Monument for a panoramic view of the city.
- End the day with shopping at the Mekong Night Market.
Day 2 Exploring Vientiane
- Situated on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is the smallest capital city of Southeast Asia, with a population of over 800,000 inhabitants.
- The city offers a blend of ancient gilded Buddhist temples, French colonial architecture, and excellent walking opportunities along its peaceful riverfront.
- Spend this half-day exploring some of Vientiane’s most remarkable highlights:
- Visit the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple that survived the Siamese occupation, famed for its Siamese style of Buddhist architecture rather than Lao style. This 19th-century temple is home to over 10,000 Buddha sculptures of various sizes and styles.
- The former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, meaning “Altar of the Emerald Buddha,” is now a museum richly adorned with carved wooden features, a magnificent 16th-century lacquered door with Hindu carvings, and a collection of Buddha statues.
- Continue your visit to That Luang, a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the center of Vientiane, generally considered the national symbol of Laos.
- Cap off your visit at the Patouxay Victory Monument, which translates to “Victory Gate.” This massive concrete war monument is similar in style to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and is dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the nation. Notice the typically Laotian design, decorated with many Buddhist mythological figurines, such as the “kinnari” (half-female).
- Vientiane is home to some of the most iconic temples and Buddhist sites in the country.
- Located 25 km southeast of downtown Vientiane, Buddha Park, called Xieng Khuan, is a fanciful open-air sculpture garden that houses over 200 giant sculptures of Buddha and Hindu deities.
- One of the most striking sculptures is a giant pumpkin with three floors representing Hell, Earth, and Heaven. Get inside its open mouth and climb staircases from Hell to Heaven, where you will observe a panoramic view over the entire park.
- Stroll around the park to observe the many concrete sculptures scattered throughout, including Buddha, Hindu demons, and mythological creatures like a three-headed elephant, which are weathered, giving them an impression of being ancient.
- Apart from the many interesting Buddha statues, you will discover the outstanding 390-foot-long reclining Buddha, located right in the heart of the park. Notice that most of the sculptures are larger than life and made of reinforced concrete, carved with intricate and sometimes bizarre designs.
Day 3 Vientiane to Luang Prabang
- Check out and transfer to the railway station for your train to Luang Prabang.
- Private transfer to the hotel.
- Check in at the hotel.
- In the evening, visit the famous "Buddha Light Show," a signature performance inspired by Buddhist classics.
- Overnight stay at the hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 4 Discovering Luang Prabang
- UNESCO declared Luang Prabang a World Heritage Site in 1995.
- Located in Laos’s northern mountains, at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang reflects an intricate blend of French and Buddhist influences.
- Spend a full day exploring the key highlights that contribute to the elegant tranquility of this charming town.
- Start the exploration with a visit to the Royal Palace, which features a combination of French Beaux-Arts styles and traditional Lao architecture.
- The palace has been converted into a National Museum, showcasing precious collections of royal artifacts.
- Drive or enjoy a leisurely walk through the peaceful, tree-lined streets to admire some of Luang Prabang’s famous temples.
- Wat Xieng Thong, considered a significant religious symbol of Buddhist architecture, is a masterpiece of mosaics and carved wood, featuring traditional Lao style.
- Wat Vitsoun, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, was built with simple architecture and houses ancient statues and steles of the Prabang Buddha.
- This afternoon, set off for a leisurely boat trip to discover the famous Pak Ou Caves, located about 25 kilometers from downtown Luang Prabang beneath a dramatic karst formation.
- Situated next to the mighty Mekong River and opposite the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers, the two magical caves are embedded in a limestone cliff and filled with myriad sacred Buddhist statues and images.
- Board a traditional long-tail boat for a gentle cruise on the Mekong River.
- Admire the sleepy villages mostly visible behind the large trees, wooden sampans bobbing by the shore attached to bamboo poles, and the floating markers indicating the locations of nets and fish traps.
- Upon arrival, begin exploring the magical cave systems: the lower cave houses a photogenic group of Buddha statues silhouetted against the stunning riverine backdrop, while the upper cave requires a 7-minute climb up steps surrounded by lush trees.
- In the caves, you will find Buddhas in every position, from every era of life, and of every size lining the cave walls, illustrating the sacred religious practice that reflects the devotion and commitment of Laotians to Buddhism.
Day 5 Luang Prabang & Outskirts
- Nestled in a lush tropical forest, the Kuang Si waterfall is one of Luang Prabang’s most picturesque sights.
- The waterfall features a multi-tiered cascade of pale turquoise blue water flowing from the thick jungle above into perfectly sculpted limestone pools below.
- Enjoy a scenic 1-hour drive south of Luang Prabang, with stops at a vibrant market and a hill tribe village to experience the sights and sounds of local life.
- Follow the unpaved trail as it gradually climbs through the forest to reach different levels of natural blue pools; some are shallow, and one central pool has a rope swing.
- Take a leisurely hike through the natural park past the Asian Bear Rescue Center, which is home to more than 20 Asiatic Black Bears rescued from dire circumstances.
- The bears live in an enclosure filled with trees, swings, and other playthings.
- Stroll along the wooden viewing platform to observe the adorable bears as they lazily lounge, play together, or search for food.
Day 6 Departure from Luang Prabang
- Check out of the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Stay & Meal Details
Mid-Range
Vientiane
2 nights
Breakfast + Dinner included
Luang Prabang
3 nights
Breakfast + Dinner included
$907
13% off
Package Policies
- Accommodation in a standard or superior room at listed hotels
- Private transfers as per the itinerary
- All sightseeing as per the itinerary
- First-class train tickets from Vientiane to Luang Prabang
- Daily breakfast
- Air tickets to Laos
- Visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- 6-day tour covering Vientiane and Luang Prabang
- 60-23 days before departure: 15% of the land price cost
- 22-15 days before departure: 25% of the land price cost
- 14-8 days before departure: 50% of the land price cost
- 7 days or less before departure: 100% of the land price cost
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We took a 7 night tour of Sri Lanka with 365 Tours. The tour was well organized. The hotels were as promised, all 5 stars. The driver/guide Mr. Priyantha, was very courteous and polite. Always on time (Read More) with clean van and well stocked with bottled water.
We will definitely use 375 Tours for our other trips in and around India.
Indira and Ramji….. Johns Creek, Georgia, USA.
Travel under 365 Tours is always a pleasure
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Overall a great trip indeed
We had a wonderful experience! The drivers were polite, professional, and always punctual. The hotels were comfortable, accommodating, and very nice. Our guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and spoke (Read More) excellent English, which made it especially easy for our family to communicate and enjoy the trip. Overall, we were very happy with the service and would highly recommend it!
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Laos: 5 Nights 6 Days Exploring Vientiane and Luang Prabang
Vientiane(2N) → Luang Prabang(3N)
Sold By: 365 Tours
4.9 (256 reviews)
Offers payment via Holidify
STAY 3✭ hotels
$ 784
$ 907
13% off
/person