LHWTLPB5: Laos Heritage & Highlands

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, visit Wat Sene, Luang Prabang’s oldest monastery, followed by the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, widely regarded as the masterpiece of classical Lao architecture.

Board a traditional boat for a scenic cruise upstream along the Mekong River to the sacred Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha statues placed here over many centuries.

Along the journey, stop at Ban Xang Hai, a riverside village famous for producing traditional Lao rice whisky (Lao Lao).

In the afternoon, continue to the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls. En route, visit ethnic minority villages and learn about the diverse cultures that call Northern Laos home.

Spend time swimming in the crystal-clear turquoise pools, relaxing beneath the forest canopy, or exploring the walking trails.

Nearby, visit the Bear Rescue Centre, dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of rescued Asiatic black bears.

Return to Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Accommodation: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, transfer to the railway station and board the Laos-China high-speed train for the journey to Oudomxay Province.

Nestled among forested mountains, Oudomxay is home to more than twenty ethnic groups and serves as one of Northern Laos’ most important eco-tourism destinations.

Upon arrival, transfer to the beautiful Namkat Yolapa Resort, an eco-retreat surrounded by pristine rainforest.

After check-in, enjoy a gentle trek through the jungle to Nam Kat Waterfall, where you can relax amidst the tranquil natural surroundings before returning to the resort.

Overnight at Namkat Yolapa.

Accommodation: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today offers an authentic glimpse into rural Northern Laos.

Travel towards Pak Khai, passing rice terraces, mountain streams, and traditional villages before beginning a guided trek through tropical rainforest.

Walk alongside local farmers, observe traditional agricultural practices, and learn about daily life in the mountains.

After approximately 90 minutes, arrive at Ban Phavie, a picturesque Khmu village perched on a hillside. Enjoy lunch with the local community while discovering their customs and traditions.

Continue to nearby waterfalls where, weather permitting, you may swim or simply relax in the peaceful surroundings before returning to Namkat Yolapa Resort.

Overnight at Namkat Yolapa.

Accommodation: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, enjoy a short walk through a nearby Khmu village before transferring to the railway station for your journey to Luang Namtha, Laos’ leading destination for eco-tourism and community-based travel.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Later, visit the Luang Namtha Museum (closed on weekends) to learn about the province’s fascinating ethnic diversity through exhibits of traditional clothing, musical instruments, handicrafts, and historical artefacts.

Continue to Ban Nam Dee, home to the Lanten ethnic community, where you will discover traditional papermaking, lantern-making, and local customs before visiting the nearby Nam Dee Waterfall.

Return to Luang Namtha.

Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Accommodation: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, travel north to Muang Sing, a charming frontier town close to the borders of China and Myanmar.

En route, visit villages inhabited by the Akha and Lanten ethnic groups, each with distinctive traditions, architecture, clothing, and agricultural practices.

After lunch, continue exploring the region with visits to:

• That Xieng Tung Stupa
• Ban Nam Ded
• Ban Nam Mai, home to the Yao ethnic community
• Pang Thong Border Checkpoint, overlooking the Laos–China frontier

Return to Luang Namtha in the late afternoon.

The evening is free at leisure.

Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Accommodation: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, board the Laos-China high-speed train for the journey south to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Later, enjoy an orientation walk through the city, discovering its relaxed atmosphere, leafy boulevards, and elegant French colonial architecture.

Conclude the afternoon along the lively Mekong Riverside Promenade, where locals gather to enjoy the sunset, outdoor cafés, and evening markets.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Accommodation: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, discover the cultural landmarks that define Laos’ capital.

Visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest surviving temple in Vientiane, home to more than 8,000 Buddha images.

Continue to Haw Phra Kaew, originally built to house the Emerald Buddha and now serving as a museum of religious art.

Next, visit Pha That Luang, the golden national symbol and most sacred Buddhist monument in Laos.

Stop for photographs at the iconic Patuxai Victory Monument, often referred to as the “Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane.”

In the afternoon, visit the unique Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), where more than 200 remarkable Buddhist and Hindu sculptures are displayed in a peaceful riverside setting near the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.

End the day watching the sunset along the Mekong River.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Accommodation: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before having free time for some last-minute shopping or independent exploration, depending on your flight schedule.

At the appointed time, transfer to Wattay International Airport for your onward flight.

Your unforgettable journey through Northern Laos comes to an end.