Southern Laos & Luang Prabang

Meet your guide upon arrival and transfer south to Champansak crossing by ferry to your hotel. Overnight in Champansak

Visit the famous Khmer Temple complex of Wat Phou. This represents the easternmost border of the Khmer empire. Travel to the top of Phou Asa to see the mysterious ruins. Continue on to the 4,000 Islands area by van and ferry. Overnight on Khone Island

Enjoy a trip to Li Phi Falls. Here live some 50-100 Irrawaddy (freshwater) dolphins. If lucky, you’ll have the chance to see them. See the small gauge railway and Colonial Bridge built by the French to circumnavigate the falls. Then relax at leisure or exploring the island on your own. Overnight on Khone Island

Return to the mainland and visit Khonephapheng falls, the largest in Asia. Continue north up the Bolaven Plateau, a high area known for its waterfalls, ethnic minorities and also the home to Lao coffee and tea production. Travel through the Lao countryside past villages, temples and farmland. Notice how the air gets cooler as you ascend to higher altitudes. In Paksong, visit a coffee plantation to learn the art of coffee growing and roasting from a local master and then stop at the local Paksong Market. Visit the majestic cascades of the Tad Yuang Waterfall for a dip if you like. Continue on to Tad Fane for a glimpse of the huge twin waterfalls that plunge 200 meters down a gorge, before returning to Pakse. Overnight in the Bolaven Plateau area

Morning at leisure to explore on your own and enjoy the resort’s facilities. In the afternoon transfer to Pakse Airport. Meet your guide upon arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang

The bells of the town’s monasteries toll at dawn when golden lines of monks emerge to receive their morning rice from the townspeople. The morning alms is an important aspect of Lao culture. As the sun rises about 200 Buddhist monks depart from the temples for their daily meal. If you rise early, you will have the opportunity to witness this sacred ritual, long lines of barefoot monks weaving through the streets on their alms rounds. Meet your guide for a walking tour of this historic and charming World Heritage Town. Visit Wat Xieng Thong, explore the side streets, along back alleys and through temples to soak up the ambiance, and see the National Museum which was the former Royal Palace. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, a mystical pilgrimage site perched high above the Mekong River where the figures of more than 3,000 Buddha images, some inlaid with semi-precious stones, remain undisturbed in this remote site. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Today is free to continue exploring the city on your own. There is a lot more to do around Luang Prabang, visiting the Elephant Village, hiking and cycling, and seeing local villages. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Depart Luang Prabang Airport back to the US – or continue your travels in Asia!