From the Mekong & Nam Ou Rivers to Tonle Sap Lake

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day begins with the main attractions of the capital, including Wat Sisaket, which contains more than 8,000 Buddha statues, and Wat Ho Phra Keo, the former home of the Emerald Buddha statue. A visit to Buddha Park is essential—an enchanting, scattered collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures located near the Friendship Bridge.

Afterward, we move on to Vang Vieng (approx. 2.5 hours / 130km). More than just a town, Vang Vieng is a large village where the true highlight is the undeniable beauty of the karst landscape and its unexplored caves, some of which bear names from local mythology and are said to be inhabited by spirits.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant along the way.

Upon arrival in Vang Vieng, visit the Tham Chang Cave, the most famous and steeped in fascinating history. It was once used as an impregnable refuge during devastating raids by marauders from Northern China. Today, an electrical system illuminates the path to the upper cave, from which you can admire the superb surrounding landscape and the Nam Song River through a cleft in the limestone wall.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay in Vang Vieng.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Cross the Nam Song River and begin the day by passing through rice paddies toward the Namxay Viewpoint. This is one of the best spots for a breathtaking view of Vang Vieng, and the climb takes about 20–30 minutes. Once at the top, you will have the unique opportunity to take a photo with the “mysterious motorcycle” positioned there for your Instagram moment. Enjoy the incredible views of jagged limestone cliffs, lush forests, and rice paddies while catching your breath and relaxing in the hammocks. We then move on to visit the Tham Phoukham Caves, the country’s beautiful and famous limestone caverns surrounded by forest. In front of the caves lies a small natural pool where you can swim and cool off from the heat.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

At the end of the tour, we return to Vang Vieng to catch the express train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be met by our staff (look for the sign with your name) and transferred to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure. 

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Luang Prabang: The Spiritual Heart

Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town, with its stunning natural scenery and cultural attractions, make it one of the most pleasant places to visit in Laos.

Breakfast at the hotel.

We begin the day by climbing Mount Phousi, a popular spot to admire the sunrise over the Mekong River. From the summit, you can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the city, its numerous temples, and the surrounding landscape stretching to the distant mountains.

Afterward, we will transfer to the outskirts of Luang Prabang, passing through green rice paddies and farms along the way. We will stop to visit some Hmong and Lao Loum villages, where your guide will introduce you to the locals and involve you in their daily activities, such as cotton spinning, weaving, or harvesting rice and vegetables in the gardens.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Kuang Si Falls, where you can enjoy spectacular views within the park. The waterfalls cascade over multiple calcified tiers, dropping several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Optional Activity: Participate in the Tak Bat (Alms Giving ceremony), an ancient Buddhist ritual where monks collect offerings (exclusively food) from the residents of Luang Prabang.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day begins with the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a fine collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Laotian culture through the centuries. Discover for yourself why Luang Prabang is famous for more than just its golden temples. Next, we will visit the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, whose unique roof represents a prime example of classical Laotian architecture. We then visit the Heuan Chan Heritage House—the first house supervised by La Maison du Patrimoine. Located right in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, this traditional house is over 100 years old. It has been transformed into a museum and cultural center where you are welcome to experience the authentic Luang Prabang lifestyle.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will board a traditional boat to cruise along the Mekong. The journey takes about 2 hours, passing the mouth of the Nam Ou River as we head toward the Pak Ou Caves. Here, we will admire the famous Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves, carved into a limestone cliff and filled with thousands of Buddha statues of every style and size.

Return to Luang Prabang. 

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time to discover the city. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Arrival in Siem Reap. Greeting and transfer to the hotel. 

Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.

Siem Reap is the gateway to the surprising and incredible archaeological site of Angkor. A visit to this archaeological park not only leaves all its visitors speechless for the beauty and richness of its temples, but also leaves one wondering whether the excursion is an archaeological or a naturalistic experience.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Begin the excursion with a visit to the Angkor area, where we will spend an entire day exploring the wonderful ancient ruins such as the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the imposing Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the largest and most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 12th century and covers an area of approximately 210 hectares.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

You will stroll around this massive building, admiring the numerous galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds filled with water reflecting the towering temple. The jungle-covered Ta Prohm temple is a spectacle of rare beauty. Enormous fig trees and gigantic vines that embrace each other, starting from the stone foundations of the structure, give the impression that man’s creation is being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.

Dinner on your own at a local restaurant and overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Optional Option: A short ride by Tuk Tuk and the possibility to participate in a Buddhist ceremony where you will be blessed by monks who will wish you happiness and prosperity for your holiday with a supplement of 10 USD/person.

Note:

• During the visit to the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat Temple
• Visitors are required to wear appropriate clothing, covering shoulders and knees (no shorts, miniskirts, or short trousers).
• Visitors must wait in line to climb the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat.
• Children under twelve are not allowed to climb this tower.
• It will be closed on Buddhist Sabbath Days, religious holidays (four days per month).

Breakfast at the hotel.

Leaving the city, we set off along a newly paved road to the Banteay Srei temple (10th century), considered the crown jewel of classical Khmer art. Then, continue your visit to Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries; the southern example is remarkably well-preserved.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Continue to Tonle Sap (approx. 50km / 1 hour), the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and an ecologically critical site, declared a “biosphere reserve” by UNESCO in 1997. The name means “Great River of Fresh Waters,” but it is more commonly translated as “Great Lake.” Head toward the floating village of Kompong Phluk, located about an hour from Siem Reap and visited by thousands of tourists every year. Kompong Phluk is one of the most impressive villages due to the height and size of its stilt houses.

Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at a local restaurant (not included) and overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Please note:

• Rainy Season (Aug – Jan): Take a boat to explore the village and continue toward Lake Tonle Sap (walking inside the villages is not possible).
• Dry Season (Feb – Aug): Take a car to the village followed by a walking tour. Afterward, you will board a local boat that will pass through all the canals toward the great lake, where inhabitants move their houses.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Transfer to the airport for your return flight, concluding the Mekong Delta Tour. 

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