Discover Laos in Comfort
From CAD $3,990
Guarantee
Group Tour
Unknown
Rating
Experience Overview
Temples glitter, nature runs wild, and distinct cultures flourish – Laos is a treasure chest just waiting to be unlocked. Luckily, our expert guides are the keyholders, taking you (mostly) by train to discover storied towns and cities, such as Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, and off-grid to dense rainforests, meandering rivers and hidden waterfalls. To elevate the experience, we stay in a selection of wonderful hotels, including a resort deep within the protected forests of Nam Kat Yorla Pa.
Profile
— Accommodation: 2 Premium nights (rainforest resort), 7 Superior nights (hotels) — Travel by train and private air-conditioned minibus — Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 2 Premium nights (rainforest resort), 7 Superior nights (hotels) — Travel by train and private air-conditioned minibus — Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Journeys: We primarily use trains to travel, sitting in comfortable second-class carriages with short journeys between one and three hours. On some occasions, we also transfer by private air-conditioned minibus.
Group Description
Our groups are a well-balanced mix of solo travellers, friends and couples, all with a passion for exploring the world. Expect to meet those who have clocked up multiple trips with us, and those who are completely new to our adventures. Our small group sizes mean friendships are easily made, while our tour leaders are experts at ensuring every individual has their needs and interests met.
For this trip, we also benefit from having two tour leaders, one from Laos, and one from Thailand, providing extensive insight into the wonders of the nation.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts and one lunch are included.
The food on this trip is a real highlight. The national staple of Laos is sticky rice, which is served with all meals and is often used as a scooping device to pick food up as meals are traditionally eaten with hands and not utensils. Noodle dishes are common and the sweet offerings tend to focus around the abundance of fresh fruit available – be sure to seek out the mangosteen, the sweet segments are a local favourite and unlike any other fruit.
Western food is readily available almost everywhere. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note, in Southeast Asia the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these items from home.
Transportation
We primarily use trains to travel, sitting in comfortable second-class carriages with short journeys between one and three hours. On some occasions, we also transfer by private air-conditioned minibus.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Eastin Hotel Vientiane, Unit11, Khaemkong Road Oumoung Village Sikhottabong District, Vientiane
Phone: +856 21 219 999
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm.
Airport: Wattay International Airport (VTE)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately a 10-minute drive from the airport. We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for everyone. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
We provide free departure transfers to Wattay International Airport for everyone from the end hotel.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Weather Information
For most of the year, the weather is hot and humid throughout with daytime temperatures of 28C-34C (82F-93F). It is a little cooler at nights and can be cold from November to March in the mountains with temperatures occasionally dropping as low as 10C (50F).
Spending Money
Allow about US$250 for meals not included, which will allow you to eat well. Apart from the food, you should allow money to cover soft drinks (more if you like a beer) and souvenirs.
Optional excursions
To make the most of your free time in Luang Prabang (Day 8 afternoon), you may wish to participate in one of the three optional excursions below.
While it may be possible to book and join these excursions locally, this cannot be guaranteed. Each of the activities are popular and are not always available to book locally at late notice.
To avoid disappointment, we recommend pre-booking with us at the time of booking your trip. If you choose to pre-book, this is subject to availability. Please note, it is only possible to do one of the three excursions on the afternoon of Day 8 and they may be shared with people outside of your group. Your options are:
— Afternoon natural tie-dying class: US$45 locally or £47 if pre-booked.
Enjoy a hands-on introduction to silkworms and silk types, creating three natural dyes using plants from a home-grown garden (just like the Lao people have done for hundreds of years). Running from 1pm-4pm, participants are dropped at the venue on the return from Kuang Si Waterfall. Transport is not included but a tuk tuk back to the hotel costs approximately US$15.
— MandaLao, communicating with elephants afternoon tour: US$80 locally or £81 if pre-booked.
Begin the tour by creating nutritious treats for the elephants. After meeting the elephants on the banks of the Nam Kahn, give them your treats and walk briefly with them before coming back to the property for local snacks. This activity includes roundtrip transport from/to the hotel and a local guide from MandaLao. Pick up is at 2pm/2.30pm and you return to the hotel at 5.30pm.
— Cooking class (4.30pm-8pm): US$30 locally or £31 if pre-booked.
A cooking class with a difference! Join us in picturesque lakeside pavilions to cook Lao food and learn about the habits and customs at the heart of Lao cuisine. Fresh ingredients are at the heart of Lao cuisine, with some intriguing and unfamiliar flavours. This activity includes a round-trip transfer from/to the hotel and a local cooking class guide/instructor as part of the activity.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Laos and the local staff will probably expect some gratuity.
Tipping kitty: To make things easy, your tour leaders will suggest that you donate US$30 per person towards a kitty. This money is then used to tip local guides, hotel porters, drivers etc. If you do not wish to contribute, you are, of course, free to do so.
Tour leaders: If you feel your tour leaders have performed well over your trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide, a tip for each tour leader of US$5-US$6 per person per day is a reasonable starting point. The ‘tipping kitty’ explained above is separate from any tips for the tour leaders.
Highlights
— Immerse yourself in the best of Laos: wild landscapes, golden temples and traditional culture — Stay in a selection of handpicked hotels, each with a swimming pool — Kayak down the Nam Song River to explore the rural beauty of Vang Vieng — Explore the Nam Kat jungles, venturing deep into the protected sanctuary — Take a longtail boat to the Buddha statue-filled Pak Ou Caves — Swim under the milky cascades of Kuang Si Waterfall
Trip Details
Product Code: 28953
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: you like.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: AOU
Starts: Vientiane, Laos
Finishes: Vientiane, Laos
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All breakfasts and one lunch — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leaders throughout — Free arrival and departure transfers for everyoneAccommodation
Hotels and forest resortElevating your adventure in Laos, the accommodation on this adventure is a real highlight. All are ideally located for our explorations, putting us right in the action, plus they all have a pool when you want to unwind. Vientiane: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (nights 1 and 9) Right on the Mekong shores, the Eastin is an idyllic spot to start and end our adventure. Head to the fourth floor for a swim with views over the Mekong waters or rise even higher to drink in the views (and a cocktail or two) at the 360°@ Eleven rooftop restaurant and bar. Vang Vieng: Amari Vang Vieng (nights 2-3) When you’re not out exploring the wonders of Vang Vieng, the Amari offers a peaceful spot to unwind. The freeform swimming pool has wonderful views of towering karst limestone formations (and there’s a pool bar for drinks, too). Oudomxay: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (nights 4-5) Hide yourself in the wild rainforest of Nam Kat Yorla Pa, a sanctuary of luxury within a protected forest. Start your day with a buffet breakfast by the river, explore the biodiversity museum for an insight into the local wildlife, and end the day with a cocktail as you soak in the views. For many, this away-from-it-all retreat will be a highlight of the adventure. Luang Prabang: Sanakeo Boutique Hotel & Spa (nights 6-8) With lemongrass-topped walls, lotus flowers and Laotian décor, the Sanakeo is a peaceful place to stay. Treat yourself to a reinvigorating spa treatment, stretch at the yoga relaxation booth, and unwind with a dip in the pool. In the morning, head to the restaurant balcony to watch as more than 100 monks walk past the hotel as part of the ancient tak bat alms-giving ceremony. Worth knowing Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.Private rooms: Like most adventure tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s possible to do this on all nights for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,990 ($399 /day)
Itinerary
Our adventure begins in Vientiane, the capital and largest city in Laos. If you have time after your arrival, you may want to take in the charms of Vientiane – our hotel sits right on the banks of the Mekong. Around 6pm, say sabai dee (hello) to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant. Want more time in Vientiane? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Accommodation: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (or similar)
Get acquainted with the capital on a sightseeing tour after breakfast. Our first stop is Wat Si Saket. Built over five years from 1819, it is the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane and home to almost 7,000 Buddha images. After, visit Pha That Luang, a large, gold-covered Buddhist stupa. Said to enshrine a breastbone of the Buddha, it is the most important religious monument in Laos. Finally, head to Patuxai, meaning Victory Gate. This large war monument was built between 1957 and 1968 in response to the nation’s struggle against French colonial rule and subsequent conflicts. After, we take the train (just under an hour) to the mountain-wrapped town of Vang Vieng on the Nam Song River. Accommodation: Amari Vang Vieng (or similar)
Experience the rural beauty of Vang Vieng this morning, kayaking down the Nam Song River. It starts with a ride in a songthaew (a converted truck and an adventure in itself), which takes us to Ban Vieng Sa Mai village. Here, we have a safety briefing from a river guide, before hopping in kayaks for our 6mi (10km) journey. Along the way, look for the local people working in their riverside gardens, villagers casting their fishing nets, and maybe water buffalo cooling in the waters. After 4.5mi (7km), we pull over for a leisurely riverside lunch surrounded by caves and forest. There’s free time after for various optional activities such as caving, hiking and other watersports. Your tour leader can advise on the available options. After, we complete our kayaking and return to our hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Accommodation: Amari Vang Vieng (or similar)
The morning is free to relax, enjoy the rural surroundings or take a short walk to a market before we hop on a train and travel (two hours) to Oudomxay. We then transfer (45 minutes) to our resort in the protected forests of Nam Kat Yorla Pa. In the evening, the perfect option is to retire for a refreshing beverage and watch the sun set over the Mekong River or enjoy the many resort amenities – perhaps treating yourself to a massage. Accommodation: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (or similar)
Journey deep into the wilderness today, exploring with a combination of jungle hiking, walking along sky bridges, and discovering hidden waterfalls. We start at the tour information centre mid-morning, followed by a short transfer in a private vehicle to Nam Kat Waterfall. Take time to appreciate the beautiful surroundings before we follow a natural trail through the jungle and walk across 13 sky bridges (rope and wood suspension bridges in the forest canopy). They’re not too high off the ground and easy to cross. After, the private vehicle drives us back to our resort where we can relax and enjoy the various amenities, like the pool and spa. Accommodation: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (or similar)
Drive (45-60 minutes) to an Oudomxay village to learn about the Tai Lue ethnic group, who are known for their skills with cotton. We visit Tai Lue Cotton Handicraft, a private home and garden displaying handcrafted dyed-cotton products, plus the golden Phuuthat Stupa, which was built in the 14th century. Next, we catch the train (around one hour) to Luang Prabang, where we spend the next three nights. Accommodation: Sanakeo Boutique Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Set off on a two-hour longtail boat trip this morning to visit the Pak Ou Caves, cut out of the limestone banks that line the Mekong. These caves are filled with thousands of Buddha images brought by the surrounding villagers as a sign of their devotion. After about an hour, we make our way back to Luang Prabang. This afternoon we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Luang Prabang, a World Heritage site and the former capital of Laos. It takes us to Wat Xiengthong, a Buddhist temple that’s arguably one of the most spectacular in the country. We also visit the Royal Palace National Museum. Also known as the Golden Hall, it was Laos’ Royal Palace before the 1975 revolution and become a national museum in 1995. The palace compound contains several buildings, including the Royal Barge Shelter, a conference hall, and Haw Pha Bang (an ornate pavilion) that houses the standing Buddha statue called Prabang. Also in the palace compound is the royal garage, which houses the royal car collection, and behind the royal garage is an art gallery. Visit the Phu Si temple during sunset and take in superb views of the Mekong River and the city from the hilltop. Accommodation: Sanakeo Boutique Hotel & Spa (or similar)
For those up at dawn, there is the chance to witness the daily parade of saffron-robed monks receiving alms (known as Sai Bat). After, we return to our hotel for breakfast before we drive (just under an hour) through small villages and hilly terrains to Kuang Si Falls – known for its three-tiered waterfalls and milky turquoise waters. Electric shuttles transport us from the main parking area through the village and to the falls, where the winding forest trail leads you to the pristine turquoise pools of the waterfall, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim (changing rooms are available). After Kuang Si Waterfall, the group return to Luang Prabang. The afternoon is free to enjoy a few interesting optional activities, such as a natural tie-dying workshop, a chance to meet the residents of the MandaLao Elephant Conservation project, or an afternoon/early evening cooking class to learn the secrets of Lao cuisine. Booking these before the tour begins is recommended. See the Extra Expenses section of the trip notes for more details. Accommodation: Sanakeo Boutique Hotel & Spa (or similar
Relax this morning with free time to explore the wonders of Luang Prabang. After, we drive to the train station to catch the afternoon train (just under two hours) to Vientiane. Arriving in Vientiane late afternoon, we check into our hotel and freshen up before enjoying an optional farewell dinner at a local restaurant, a great opportunity to reminisce about your highlights of the adventure and, perhaps, start planning the next. Accommodation: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (or similar)
The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Catch your free transfer to the airport to begin your journey home. Alternatively, if you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
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Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
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