Mekong Explorer
Our 14 Day Mekong Explorer Tour allows you to spend a bit of time on the grand Mekong River. Not to be missed are all the other highlights of Laos, including visits to both UNESCO sites as well as the Plain of Jars.
Tour Code: ME001
Day 1
Chiangkong – Huaysai
We will meet you as you cross the border from Chiang Khong, Thailand to enter Laos at Huaysai. We will visit the small towns of Huaysai and Ban Nam Jang Leantean tribe.
Day 2
Huaysai – Pakbeng
We will travel by covered boat along the Mekong River to Pakbeng (approximately to 7-8 hours), stopping along the way to visit a few local villages.
Day 3
Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
We will continue by boat along the Mekong River to Luang Prabang (about 8 hours). Upon arrival, we will visit the Pak Ou Caves (Thamting), a rice whisky distillation village (Ban Sang Hai), and an ancient pottery site.
Day 4
Luang Prabang
This day we will start to show you why our town was listed as a World Heritage Site. We will take you to visit the old royal temples of Wat Visoun, Wat That Makmo, and Wat Aham. We will visit the silk and cotton weaving village at Ban Phanom. In the afternoon, we will visit three more temples (Wat Mai, Wat XiengThong, Wat Sene) and a Hmong Market. We will then climb atop Phousi Hill to get a scenic overlook of the town before stopping by the Night Market in the evening for a bit of shopping.
Day 5
Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfalls
At dawn, we will be able to experience the sacred Alms Giving procession (Tak Bat). We will head south to visit the majestic Tad Kuangsi Waterfalls where you’ll be able to enjoy a picnic and swim. We will pass through local villages with their hydro powered rice mills before returning back to town.
Day 6
Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng
We will drive to Vang Vieng with stops along the way to visit local hill tribe villages. Upon arrival, we will Walk to the Tham Jang caves and explore its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The evening will be free for you to explore the natural beauty of Vang Vieng.
Day 7
Vang Vieng – Vientiane
We will drive to Vientiane, stopping by the Nam Ngum Dam and a visit to the Vangsang archeological site. Free time in the afternoon.
Day 8
Vientiane- Xieng Khouang
We will take a city tour of Vientiane: National Museum, Wat Sisaket, Wat Ho Prakeo, Patuxai Monument, and the That Luang Stupa. We will drive along the Mekong River to the Wattay International Airport for our flight to Xieng Khouang.
Day 9
Xieng Khouang – Vientiane
In the morning, we will take a brief stop to visit a local fruit market. Then, we will proceed onwards to three major areas of the mysterious Plain of Jars. The areas we will be exploring are: Thong Haihin, Haihinphou, and Muang Khoun. We will then transport you to the Xieng Khouang airport for late afternoon flight back to Vientiane.
Day 10
Vientiane – Pakse
We will take a long drive to Pakse via Thakek, with plenty of stops for meals and photos.
Day 11
Pakse – Muang Khong
We will visit the pre-Angkor temple of Wat Phou, our country’s second UNESCO listed site. We will also visit Oum Mong, before heading to Muang Khong.
Day 12
Muang Khong
We will go by boat to Ban Khone, visiting a fishing village at Don Dhet. We will walk to visit the old French port, a locomotive, and then the Leephee Waterfalls. Onwards we travel by boat to Ban Phiengdi, before driving back Muang Khong.
Day 13
Muang Khong – Tadlo
We will drive to Khon Phapheng, the largest waterfall in south-east Asia. Then, we head to Khietngong, for an elephant ride before continuing to Tadlo through the Bolaven Plateau, with stops along the way to visit local villages and coffee plantations.
Day 14
Tad Lo – Chongmek
We will visit the local villages of Ban Houey Houn Katou tribe, Thateng for Nge and Alak tribes, before transporting you to Chongmek, the Lao/Thai border. After crossing, we will provide transportation to the Ubon Ratchathani Airport.
