9 Days Laos Easy Trekking Tour from Vientiane to Luang Prabang

Day 01: VIENTIANE – ARRIVAL

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is your own time at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane.

Optional: After a soft rest at the hotel, if time permits, we can visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. At the pagoda, we can ask the monk to bless you with health and happiness by tying your wrist with a string. This is a famous tradition in Laos.

Day 02: VIENTIANE – ORCHID TREKKING (B/L/-)

7:30 AM The car and guide will pick you up at your hotel. After around a 2-hour drive, we will arrive in the village of Ban Hatkhay. Here, we will meet the local guide, the expert for Lao orchid., Afterwards, we will drive through the small road among the paddy field to Ban Pha Say. From here, our orchid trek will start. We move on small trails and discover shade different forest types: semi-deciduous jungles, and bamboo, accompanied by two guides and an expert on orchids. Do not be surprised by the abundance of orchids in some places, all the rocks are covered! Some biotopes are extraordinary. We will also have the opportunity to learn many things about medicinal plants and other plant families such as Cane, the Gingers, and the Dypterocarpes. The picnic will be in the bed of a dry river any part of the year. The afternoon will end with a swim at the waterfall of Tad Say before returning to the village. Back in Vientiane expected around 18h. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 03: VIENTIANE – FLY TO LUANG PRABANG – CITY TOUR BY TUK TUK (B/-/-)

You will take the morning flight to Luang Prabang this morning. Upon arrival, your city tour with your private tuk-tuk (the famous local tri-cycle) begins with a visit to the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We still have time to visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. If time permits, we will take a stroll around the city to visit Big Brother Mouse, which is the most famous bookshop in Laos. The next stop is Ock Pop Tock, meaning East Meets West, where you can learn about the traditional weaving in Laos. A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 04: LUANG PRABANG – BAN XIENGMENE – TAD HOUAYKHUA (Cycling) (B/L/-)

After departing at 8:30 am from your hotel, we cycle to the river bank and take a ferry to cross the mighty Mekong River to Ban Xeng Mene. We cycle off-road, exploring the area with several stops to take pictures before reaching the village of Ban Nakham. The village is popular for sugar cane and Kaolam (sticky rice and beans in bamboo), which are tasty local treats. We continue to cycle along green rice fields stopping in different villages and tribes to see how the locals live their daily lives. A local-style lunch will be served in Ban Som. After lunch, we continue cycling and pass the villages of Khmu and Lao Loum until we get to the beautiful waterfall, Tad Hoykoua (Hundred families waterfall). After enjoying a refreshing swim we will take the boat upstream back to the city center. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Approx: 5-6 hours cycling,Transport(s): Bicycle.

Day 05: LUANG PRABANG – BAN LONG LAO – KUANG SI WATERFALLS (B/L/-)

Depart from your hotel and drive for around one hour west to Ban Xeng Mouk village where the trek starts.,We begin with a visit to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Longlao Nung before heading to the nearby Hmong village of Ban Longlao Song. You will be able to observe the lifestyles of these two culturally very different minority groups and see how despite their differences they manage to work together on a day to day basis and even share the same school.,As we continue onwards the trail leads through rice paddies and vegetable fields before reaching the mountainous forest. Along the way, we explore a cave that was used as a bomb shelter by the locals during the second Indochina war. After visiting the cave one more hour of trekking brings us to one of the many springs which feed Kuang Xi waterfalls, here a beautiful pool full of sacred fish can be seen. After descending from the top of the waterfall we enjoy a Lao-style lunch amongst some beautiful settings! The afternoon is spent bathing and relaxing around the turquoise pools below the waterfall. You can also visit the bear conservation center which is located nearby and home to many bears which have been rescued from illegal farms.,Before returning to Luang Prabang we take a short walk to a nearby Khmu village of Ban Thapene which is home to some of the most beautiful pools of Kuang Xi Waterfalls.

Approximately: 2 hours driving, 4 hours trekking

Day 06: LUANG PRABANG – MAHOUT COURSE (B/L/-)

After breakfast, we will transfer directly to the Elephant Village (start at 8:00 AM). On arrival at the Elephant Village Camp, welcomed and greeted by our camp manager and participate in a short briefing about elephants. After that, we will enjoy the impressive experience of a 30-minute elephant ride on the howdah (elephant seat) or your elephant’s neck. We then receive basic mahout training on how to control an elephant.,Lunch at the Elephant Restaurant, Bathe Your Elephant: Take your elephant down to the Nam Khan River for an exhilarating bathing experience! Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Take a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax in the clear water.,We then transfer back to your hotel in Luang Prabang for the overnight stay.

Day 07: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES – KAMU LODGE (B/L/D)

Board on a traditional Long River boat at Kamu Lodge pier at 08:30 am and take a leisurely cruise upstream while enjoying the refreshments served on the boat.,Marvel at the thousands of gold Buddha statues placed in sacred Pak Ou caves by devotees. Most people failed to marvel at Pak Ou’s towering limestone cliff.,Continue upriver and you would reach Kamu Lodge around noon. A Refreshing welcome drink is served. You can check into your super-size tents with attached modern bathroom amenities and facilities. You will enjoy lunch in an airy SALA settled in the middle of rice paddy fields.,After lunch, you can choose to either relax or enjoy the traditional Kamu lifestyles and activities such as rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields, gold panning in the Mekong (anything you find is Yours!), traditional fishing techniques (you can sample your catch for dinner!), visit of the Kamu village, archery contest. Dinner is a feast by Kamu tribe standards. We want you to see the world from Kamu’s eyes. After dinner, retire to your tent.

DAY 08: KAMU LODGE – LUANG PRABANG (B/-/-)

You are free in the morning to stroll around the lodge or the nearby villages, or just relax in your tent., We will take the cruise back to Luang Prabang.

DAY 09: LUANG PRABANG  –  DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

You are free in the morning to stroll around the Luang Prabang before taking the departure flight for the next destination.