Your Laos itinerary is custom-tailored for an unforgettable expedition through the lush jungle, along the meandering Mekong, and over the stunning mountaintops to reveal the natural and cultural splendors of the landlocked country. Bask in the ever-present aroma of tamarind, learn the enticing flavors of Laotian cuisine, search for Irrawaddy dolphins, and enjoy a stunning view of gilded stupas that tower above the trees. Discover an oasis of ancient pools and gilded temples as elephants bathe...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Vientiane – Arrive in the Charming Capital of Laos for a Night Market Visit
Vientiane maintains a relaxed ambiance alongside the banks of the Mekong River. The capital city shines with gilded Buddhist temple filigree and French architecture recalling the era of French colonialism. Quiet cafes line the streets of Old Town beneath the shade of the lush jungle canopy while the soaring figure of the Victory Monument adds to the modest skyline of Southeast Asia’s smallest capital city. Your private transfer will greet you at Wattay International Airport upon your arrival on Laos, and then bring you to your luxurious hotel at the heart of Vientiane.
The renovated French villa will offer views of a blossoming garden brimming with the colors of exotic flowers. The aroma of tamarind will fill the air as you make your way to the Patuxai Victory Monument with your guide to see the towering figure at the center of the eponymous park. Four walkways lead to the spouting fountains that symbolize the north, south, east, and west. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris inspired the seven-story monument, garnished with traditional Laotian architectural elements in the form of the five decorative towers.
Lotus leaves and dragons embellish the exterior and lead to images of gods, goddesses, and elephants along the walls and ceilings of the interior. In the evening, you will make your way to the banks of the Mekong to stroll along the promenade and bustling Night Market. Red-roofed stalls line the walkway amongst the eager visitors, joggers, and locals walk the paths and enjoy the cool breeze. The aroma of banana pancakes sweeps through the air amongst the happy laughter of patrons wandering amongst the active market.
What's Included:
Day 2
Vientiane – Enjoy a Full Day Exploration of Vientiane’s Cultural Highlights
Day 3
Champasak – Fly to Pakse and for a Half-Day Tour of Ancient Wat Phou
Day 4
Champasak – Discover the 4,000 Islands and Search for Irrawaddy Dolphins
Day 5
Luang Prabang – View Phapheng Falls before Traveling to Luang Prabang
Day 6
Luang Prabang – Take Part in Morning Alms Giving and a Full Day City Tour
Day 7
Luang Prabang – Explore Luang Prabang and the Countryside at Leisure
Day 8
Luang Prabang – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy a cruise on the mighty Mekong River to find a pod of the rare Irrawaddy dolphin
- Meet with Asiatic elephants up close before enjoying an elephant ride to the river
- Witness the marvelous display of devotion during the alms-giving procession in Luang Prabang as monks walk single-file through the city
- View the more than 6,000 Buddha icons that decorate the oldest surviving temple of the Siamese-Laos war in Vientiane at Sisaket
- Discover the stunning rush and natural grandeur of Phapheng Falls, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia
- Traverse the tiers of the ancient temple complex Wat Phou, which was erected in the 11th century under the Khmer dynasty
- Relish the flavors of Laos with a culinary class designed to teach you the staples of Laotian cuisine while enjoying the fun of flavor and cooking
Detailed Description
The pleasures of Laos abound during your 8-day Laos itinerary that will highlight the beauty of temple design, the splendor of the landlocked landscape, and the marvels of the rich cultural history. Your expedition will begin with your arrival in Vientiane. Your private transfer will greet you at Wattay International Airport and escort you to your luxurious hotel inside a renovated French villa. Meet your guide after you settle in for a visit to the Patuxai Victory Memorial before strolling along the vibrant aisles of the night market, located along the Mekong River promenade.
Wake the next morning, and your guide will be there eager to lead you on a tour of the capital of Laos. Visit the historical and lavish temples found across the city and stroll through the National Gallery. The next day, you will fly to Pakse in the south, and your private transfer will greet you at the airport and bring you to the ancient temple grounds of Wat Phou. Traverse the six tiers for insight into the Angkor-era temple. Bask in the shrines, enjoy the preserved artwork, and take pleasure in the fabulous panoramas before settling into your hotel in the charming town of Champasak in the evening.
The next day, board your riverboat to cruise down the fabled Mekong River. Stop along a number of the 4,000 Islands to view life on the shores before searching for Irrawaddy dolphins, often found in pods near the Cambodian border. Witness the stunning display of nature’s power at Phapheng Falls the next day before flying from Pakse to the Imperial city of Luang Prabang in the north. Your private transfer will greet you at the airport and lead you to your gorgeous hotel that will have views of lush gardens and verdant mountains.
Take to the hills with your guide for an introduction to the city as you climb Mount Phousi. Take your time in the small temples and along the pilgrimage stairway before reaching the temple that crowns the summit. Take part in the morning alms giving early the next morning as the local monks form a single-file line and march through Luang Prabang to receive gifts of food from the village. Continue with a tour of the quiet city by the water before enjoying a private evening cooking class at a popular restaurant. Venture the next morning to Elephant Village to meet Asiatic elephants rescued and rehabilitated. You can ride the elephant through a portion of the jungle until you reach the riverbanks. Return to Luang Prabang in the evening for one last night before your private transfer will arrive at your hotel in the morning to escort you to Luang Prabang Airport for your flight home.
Starting Price
$2,400 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.81 stars based on 140 reviews.
Everything worked out great. Zicasso's travel company was super-supportive.
Reviewed By Rich D.
I have used Zicasso to pair me with professional, qualified travel companies in the past and naturally turned to the platform for our recent trip to Laos and Thailand. We were matched with this travel company and I was delighted with their performance. My wife and I wanted an in-depth experience to really see Laos in depth, and the company created an itinerary that incorporated the things we wanted to do.
The detailed planning began with an hour-plus phone conversation where we communicated what was important to us and what we hoped to see and experience. It was easy to make our wishes understood as the person we spoke with was a native English speaker, so there was no miscommunication. Once we had the framework of our itinerary planned out, we worked with another travel specialist to refine it. Both of our primary contacts were always available via WhatsApp and responded quickly via text and/or email to move our travel plans along. This was also the case while we were traveling, as they checked in to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and were on standby in the event of any disruptions.
The suggested activities, local guides, vehicles, and hotels were all perfect based on our expectations and preferences. We were met at every airport by knowledgeable, welcoming guides and drivers who made sure we were comfortable and all our needs were met. They were flexible and customized itineraries based on our wishes. This travel company was highly capable and did an excellent job coordinating all of our movements, so we maximized our time and enjoyed every minute of our adventure.
Reviewed By Ron T.
The Zicasso travel specialist was great.
Reviewed By Christopher M.
Zicasso's travel agent was amazing in organizing a nine-and-a-half-week custom trip through Southeast Asia for us. She was intelligent, organized, efficient, and very clear in her communications. And patient too, going through several revisions. It was a concierge service! From the moment we arrived, everything the travel agent organized went like clockwork – the pick-ups, accommodations, flights, guides, and drivers were all perfect.
The accommodations all matched closely with the guidance we gave the travel specialist on quality, facilities, etc. Most of the guides spoke excellent English (for a couple, it was passable). All had a passion for their country’s culture and history, and spending a few days with each of them in the car allowed us to have some wonderful conversations on more personal and nuanced topics.
Then, when one of us needed to be hospitalized, the travel specialist jumped in to facilitate communications, arrange extra nights in hotels, and then recover what refunds were possible for the final two weeks we had to eliminate from the trip. You will not find a better tour operator!!
Reviewed By Kristen C.
Zicasso's travel specialist did a great job! The drivers and guides were on time and very helpful. I was the one who suggested hiking in the Nam Ha NPA and they made arrangements. Unfortunately, there were no animals and very few birds to be found.
We were hoping for a remote and lush rainforest. Borneo provided just that! We had a wonderful tour of wildlife, including elephants and six kinds of monkeys.
All the lodgings and food were excellent at all of our locations.
Reviewed By Terry G.
This trip exceeded all of our expectations! With the help of Zicasso’s travel agents, we were able to plan an itinerary that was perfectly suited to our interests. The local knowledge and options offered by our travel company greatly enhanced our experience.
The guides and drivers provided were all extremely knowledgeable, arrived early every day, were willing to go above and beyond the day's original agenda, and were very friendly. Our agents stayed in close contact with us during the entire trip, with special attention paid to the days we changed guides. Any questions we had were answered promptly. A WhatsApp group chat was created before our arrival and worked seamlessly to keep everyone in touch.
The hotels selected perfectly matched the criteria we gave our agents and were very, very nice. We will definitely use this travel company for our next trip to Asia!
Reviewed By John O.