Pure Laos

After breakfast explore many of the former royal capital’s cultural highlights. You will visit The Royal Palace Museum of Luang Prabang once serving as the residence of King Sisavang Vong and his family during the French colonial era. Designed in the French Beaux-Arts style with many tasteful accents of traditional Lao culture, the palace was converted into a museum in 1995. The grounds have several other buildings, including an exhibition hall, a chapel – Haw Prabang, and a statue of King Sisavangvong. The royal quarters have been faithfully preserved and offer a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyle of the king and his family. Continue the tour with a visit to Wat Xieng Thong, one of the largest and most decorative temples with its beautiful, gilded façade, before heading to The Wat Wisunalat, Luang Prabang’s oldest temple. The temple, also known as Wat Visoun and Wat Visounnarat was founded in 1512, housing an important collection of ancient Buddha images. After lunch, take a slow boat journey to Pha Tad Ke Botanical Gardens, an interesting new spot preserving Laos’ biodiversity and ethnobotanical heritage.

Experience the life of a local rice farmer on this half-day trip into the peaceful Laos countryside. Travel from Luang Prabang to the Living Land Farm, a community project in Pong Van Village. In response to the destructive use of chemicals and pesticides, several local families combined their land and adopted alternative farming methods to grow organic rice, vegetable, and herbs. Nowadays, the farm even sells its produce to restaurants and hotels, whilst also supporting the local community through a range of projects.

Surrounded by idyllic mountain scenery, spend the morning in the beautiful rice fields where farmers plough, plant and harvest without the aid of machinery. Experience the local lifestyle as you help plant rice crops and participate in steering the water buffalo that assist in ploughing the fields. Pick fragrant herbs and colourful vegetables and learn to husk rice the traditional way, an authentic experience of south-east Asian culture.

There is always plenty to do on a farm, so lending a hand is not only appreciated by the local farmers but will also provide invaluable insight into local life in rural Laos! Of course, it’s not compulsory to join in the fields, it’s also possible to take a break on the veranda and watch from afar. In addition, the farm is home to a basket-weaving workshop, a blacksmith and a traditional wooden sugar cane juicer. Witness the craftsmen at work and have a sip of the refreshing drink before relaxing at the farm’s restaurant. Be rewarded with a delicious lunch, reaping the benefits of the day’s hard work, and enjoy a selection of traditional Lao dishes amidst the peaceful countryside before returning to the city.

Do not forget to grab your swimsuit and travel a short distance from Luang Prabang to the Kuang Si Waterfall. The turquoise colour of the water with a backdrop of white limestone cliffs gives the waterfall a magical appearance. Depending on the season the water level varies, and swimming may not always be possible. Next to the falls is the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation centre that rescues animals from the wildlife trade. Meet the cute furry residents and learn about the efforts to protect Sun Bears in the wild.  After back to Luang Prabang, stop to visit Buffalo Dairy Farm. The only buffalo dairy in Laos and a social enterprise supporting the local community by renting buffalo and providing additional income to farmers. ​

Today your guide will be waiting at the lobby of your hotel to transfer you to the airport for a flight to Pakse.  Upon arrival you will meet another guide and driver waiting for you at the airport. Along the way to your hotel stop at the Vat Phou Salao, a Buddhist temple boasting phenomenal views of Pakse. The further you travel to its peak, the more magnificent perspective of the region is presented, especially if you are lucky enough to catch the mystical tones that paint the scenery during sunset. Furthermore, a giant gold Buddha awaits your arrival, a marvel of religious architecture.

In the morning you will participate in a bicycle tour around Done Daeng Island witnessing the local lifestyle which thrives along the Mekong Riverside. Then take a boat across the river to visit the mystical ruins of Vat Phou located in Champasak, a small district on the west bank of the Mekong. The ruins of Vat Phou originate from the Angkor period, somewhere between the 9^th and 15^th century. From here continue your excursion to Wat Phu World Heritage Site at the base of Phu Pasak mountain. The oldest ruins at the site date from the time of the Chenla kingdom.

In the morning take a minivan to the Bolaven Plateau, a fertile area in the region where coffee and tea is grown. On the way between Pakse and Paksong on the western edge of the plateau, witness the magnificent Tad Fane waterfall which is the highest waterfall in the whole province of Champasak. Continue to the nearby Tad Yuang waterfall, tucked into the rich verdant hills producing an idyllic picturesque landscape.

En route back to Pakse, take a diversion to discover the Don Det and Don Khone Islands connected by an old drawbridge. The larger island of Don Det is famous all over Laos for its cultivation of coconut, bamboo, and kapok. Visit the Ban Khon village, the main village of the island featuring ancient buildings dating back to the time of French colonisation. Wander around the village witnessing the Wat Mahanthanaram Temple and Rusting Locomotive. From here visit Tad Somphamit, also known as Li Phi Waterfall, the raging rapids at the western end of Don Khone Island. Continue onto Khone Phapheng falls, the strongest flowing waterfall in Laos, before taking a boat to the pier at Tha Ban Nakasang. From there cruise along the eastern coast of the en route to Pakse.

After breakfast, take the ferry to the mainland and we take you to the airport for your next destination.

You’ll have a flight to Pakse – Luang Phrabang, where you’ll get on your plane home.