Highlights
Two days Nagi Mekong / Mekong Smile cruising down Mekong River
Visit Plain of Jars
Possibility to hike at Bolaven plateau
Price:
Price on requests
Day 01) Arrival in Bangkok – connecting flight to Chiang Rai – transfer to Chiang Khong
Upon arrival at the Chiang Rai airport, you will meet our Thai driver show your name and transfer with private vehicle (2 hrs) to Chiang Khong. The Mekong river forms the border between Thailand and Laos. Overnight in Chiang Khong.
Noted: In the case you arrive earlier in Chiang Khong you can cross the border to Laos and overnight in Laos side
Day 02) Chiang Khong – Pak Beng (B/L/- )
Following an early breakfast at the hotel, there will be a transfer to the Thai immigration for departure to Laos. We will be crossing the border over the bridge. Upon arrival Laos side we meet up with our local guide before continuing our trip to Laos. In Ban Houai Xai we will board our Joining boat ( Nagi Mekong Cruise/ Mekong Smile Cruise ) and cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. Stops are made en route to observe village life along the river and discover dwellings of ethnic minority groups.
Day 03) Pakbeng – Luang Prabang ( B/L/- )
It’s a good idea to get up early and visit the local markets and witness people from the surrounding minority villages exchanging their wares. Afterwards we start the second leg of the cruise. Before arrival in Luang Prabang we’ll stop at a Hmong village and visit the Pac Ou caves filled with thousand statues of Buddha. En route you’ll get the opportunity to taste the national liquer ‘lao lao,’ and observe the traditional processes of making local rice whisky at Ban Xang Hai. We will arrive Luang Prabang before the sunset.
Day 04) Luang Prabang ( B/-/- )
Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, is best known for it’s ancient temples and romantic setting at the confluence of the Mekong and Kane Rivers. Because of the compact size of the peninsula, Luang Prabang is best explored on foot and bicycle. In the morning we embark on a half-day walking tour, visiting the National Museum (formerly known as the Royal Palace), wat Xieng Thong, wat Sen and wat May. The afternoon is free to explore or relax on your own. Perhaps you’d like to climb the Phousi Hill to enjoy excellent views of the lush green World Heritage city and the Kane and Mekong River.
Day 05) Luang Prabang – Kuangsi waterfall ( B/L/- )
If one rises early there is a good opportunity to see a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander through town blessing local people who give them offers (mostly sticky rice). After breakfast a day trip to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls where turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. The abundance of water forms a magnificent display of nature. Below the Kuang Si are large ponds perfect for swimming and cooling off under the spray. Before enjoying a picnic lunch next to the pools, we will pass stupendous landscapes, teak forests and several ethnic minority villages (Hmong and Khmu). Near the waterfalls it’s worth while to visit a centre where the endangered black Asiatic beers found a safe shelter. If we have time enough we will continue to Ban Phanom or Ban Xiang Lom the weaving village for the excellent pieces of Lao textiles.
Day 06) Luang Prabang – Phonsavan the plain of Jars ( B/L/- )
After breakfast we have a scenic drive to Xieng Khouang, the home amazing Plain of Jars.
On the way through high mountains and karsts formations, we have time to stop and have a short visit at the remote dwellings of ethnic minority villages. Probably you will notice that many houses have looms underneath with which the family’s clothes, bags and accessories are manufactured. Late afternoon we’ll arrive at Phonsavan, the capital of the Xieng Khouang province.
Day 07) Phonsavan visit plain of Jars ( B/L/- ) Today we’ll spend the day exploring the Plain of Jars ( number 2 and 3 ) and the surrounding area. The jars are thought to be 2000 years old, although there is little proof to date them very accurately. Archaeologist still struggle to find out the specific purpose of the jars, were they used for funerary urns or to store rice wine. We‘ll see the sunset at the site number 1 before return to the town.
Day 08) Phonsavan – Vang Vieng ( B/L/- )
Following breakfast and travel to Vang Vieng, on the way we’ll have time to stop to take in the scenery from the viewpoints. Vang Vieng is a small village settled between a spectacular spread of limestone karsts and is surrounded by lush green paddy fields and dwellings of ethnic minorities. We’ll arrive the town before sunset and check in your hotel which offers splendid sunsets amidst these magnificent natural settings.
Day 09) Vang Vieng ( B/-/- )
Today we will visit the caves ‘ Tham Chang “ in the morning and it’s free in the afternoon or you can do the bicycle trip around and in the nearby countryside. Other alternatives include ‘tubing’ down the Nam Song River. Vang Vieng is also the perfect place to unwind.
Day 10) Vang Vieng – Vientiane ( B/-/- )
After breakfast we have a scenic drive to the capital of Laos. Vientiane is a friendly sleepy town resting on the shores of the mighty Mekong river. In the afternoon we’ll also have a sightseeing tour around the city. We’ll explore some of the best sights including the Victory Gate (Arc de Triomphe), the wat Sisaket, and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country’s most important monument. Also visit the ‘morning market’ where you can wander around and buy silver, silk or other items you like to take back home. In the evening you can walk along the path beside the Mekong at the sunset is always popular for travelers and locals alike.
Day 11) Vientiane – fly to Pakse – Champasak – Khong island ( B/-/- )
Early morning we fly to Pakse. Upon arrival we drive and travel on a wonderful bridge over the Mekong River to Champasak. Here we visit the sacred Khmer temple of Wat Phu. This complex represents the most eastern border of the Khmer Empire in the 4th centenary. Later in the afternoon we take a scenic drive to Don Khong. This island is one of the larger permanently inhabited islands in the ‘Si pan don’ area. Dong Khong is best explored by bicycle. A reasonable dirt road circumvents the island.
Day 12) Khon Phapheng en Liphi fall ( B/-/- ) By boat we’ll explore the 4000 islands area (si pan don). Here, the Mekong river is at its widest. During the rainy season it is up to 12 km across. When the waters recede, many small islands emerge. It is from this phenomenon that the region takes its name. From far distance you can hear the unmistakable roar of the Khone Phapheng and Li Phi falls, which we will visit today. Nearby the falls live some hundred Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins. Ban Hang Khon is one of the rare places on earth to spot these endangered mammals. Also see the old locomotive, railway and colonial bridge built by the French to avoid navigating on the rapids and waterfalls that abound on this section of the Mekong. Overnight at Khong Island
Day 13) Khong Island – Bolaven Plateau ( B/-/- )
After breakfast we take a vehicle over the bridge and we leave early morning to drive to the Bolaven Plateau. Our activities today include visiting the villages on the Bolaven plateau. We overnight at our resort near the Tad Fane waterfall.
Day 14) Bolaven Plateau – Pakse ( B/-/- )
For those feeling active, it is possible to enjoy some treks in this delightful area. In the morning, make a hike up to the Dan Sin Say Plateau. Passing a hanging bridge, this walk goes trough coffee plantations and local villages. Ethnic tribes living in this area include the Laven, the Alak, the Katu and Suay people. After lunch we drive to Pakse. Continue to your hotel for check-in.
Day 15) Pakse – Bangkok
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangkok
End of the tour in Laos
Tour information:
| Depart from: | Airport Chiang Rai (Thailand) |
| Arrival at: | Your arrival time in Chiang Rai |
| End at: | Pakse airport |
| Departure days: | On your request |
| Hotels use: | 2 -3 stars hotel |
Terms and Conditions
Please read our terms and conditions (on this website) carefully
RATES INCLUDE:
Accommodation based on twin or double rooms with daily breakfast
Meals as indicated in itinerary
Private vehicle all through Laos and Thailand (Also private vehicle from Airport Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong )
2Days Nagi Mekong Cruise or Mekong Smile Cruise JOIN IN
Guidance of English speaking local guide throughout trip in Laos ( you will meet guide at day 2 at Laos side )
All excursions as mentioned in itinerary
Entrance fee during guided time
All service charge and government taxes
RATES EXCLUDE:
Visas and visa fees
Flight ticket Bangkok – Chiang Rai
Flight ticket from Vientiane – Pakse
Flight ticket from Pakse – Bangkok
Personal expenses such as bar, telephone and laundry bills.
Travel insurance against any personal injury of illness and damage of the property incurred – during the course of this trip.
Foods and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
Tips and gratuities
Entrance fees during free time
Bank charge
Bank transfer
Additional days
Adding extra days is simple – by arrangement before or after the tour. If you need advise, please do not hesitate to ask us.