Best of Laos

Arrive in Vientiane. Proceed for city tour visiting Wat Sisaket, believed to be Vientiane's oldest surviving temple. Next, you'll visit Pha That Luang, the most revered shrine of the 16th century. This tour also takes you to Patuxai Victory Monument, Laos' version of the Arc de Triomphe. Conclude your day along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set.

Drive to Vang Vieng- popular for its idyllic scenery. Be ready for kayaking experience before setting off down the beautiful Nam Song River. Then kayak gently back to Vang Vieng just in time to catch the sunset.

Leave Vang Vieng this morning, taking a short photo stop at Phatang Mountain viewpoint. En-route you'll visit Ban Hin Ngon, a picturesque Hmong village, before arriving at Phou Khoun. Later in the afternoon, arrive in Phonsavan. Take an orientation tour around the town.

Today explore the 3 sites that make up the Plain Of Jars, UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is believed that they were prepared for a huge celebration, which, for some reason was disrupted whilst the jars were being transported, as other jars in smaller quantities can be found on two other sites close by. Spend time discovering the plain of undulating green fields where the 300 giant stones jars are scattered, the largest of them weighing six tons and measuring 4-metres high. Observe Xiengkhuang's local village life, visit a small monastery in Ban Xieng Di and pass areas that were important battlefields during the American war. Later in the afternoon, drive back to your hotel.

Today is set aside for the long drive west to Luang Prabang. Make your way along winding mountainous roads reaching an altitude of 1,500 m at the highest point. Enroute make a few short stops at local villages. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore Luang Prabang for the remainder of the day.

Proceed to visit the former King's Palace, now the National Museum. Then visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang. Board a private boat for the Mekong River cruise to the sacred Pak Ou Cave, filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. During the boat ride, witness daily life of the fishermen and villagers. From the caves, the boat continues to Ban Muang Keo Village where you can see local weavers and whisky distillers honoring their ancient traditional crafts. Before returning to your hotel, climb the steps of Mount Phousi for a gorgeous view of the town.

An early start provides an opportunity to witness the captivating centuries old daily tradition of the alms giving ceremony, Tak Bat. Before sunrise, hundreds of saffron-clad monks file out from the old town's 35 temples to collect their daily alms from faithful local residents.Back to the hotel for breakfast. Later explore the waterfall, Kuang Si. Trek through jungle parklands to Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre. Next, walk through the national park to the Kuang Si Waterfall, where a 60m cascade feeds into multi-tiered turquoise pools; and if you feel energetic. Later return to the hotel

Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Pakse. On arrival, take a scenic drive through mountains and winding roads all the way up to the region of Bolaven Plateau. Start with a visit to the Tad Fane Waterfalls, 120 meters high and located in the Dong Hua Sao Nature Reserve. Continue to the Tad Champi and Tad Yeung waterfalls. Then head to a tea and coffee plantation. Enjoy an exceptional fresh organic cup of coffee prepared with a unique technique at the Jhai Coffee House in Paksong and meet some ethnic minorities. Transfer back to Pakse in the late afternoon.

Journey along Mekong River to Don Khong. Stop at Wat Phou, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back more than 1,000 years, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. Enjoy lunch en-route, and continue to Khong Island- the start of the 4,000 Islands. Later in the afternoon, you will arrive in the peaceful island of Don Khong, home to small villages and plantations, where you'll spend the night.

Embark on a traditional long-tail boat and cruise amongst the Siphandon riverine archipelago. Explore this peaceful rural island – Don Khong, where locals live out a simple life. Visit Liphi Waterfalls, habitat of the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. Continue to the 10km-long Khone Pha Pheng Falls, one of Laos' most magnificent natural attractions. Later, enjoy a local-style lunch served in a nearby restaurant.Return to the mainland by boat and then transfer back to Pakse Airport.