The Length of Laos
16 Days of History, Culture & Natural Beauty
A remarkable journey from southern Laos to Luang Prabang
Pakse → Champasak → 4,000 Islands → Bolaven Plateau → Savannakhet → Thakhek → Kong Lor → Phonsavan → Luang Prabang
Discover Laos From South to North
Follow the Mekong and the highlands through some of Laos most memorable landscapes. Explore ancient Wat Phou, the 4,000 Islands, the waterfalls and coffee country of the Bolaven Plateau, Kong Lor Cave, the mysterious Plain of Jars and the timeless heritage of Luang Prabang.
Journey Highlights
- Ancient Wat Phou and the 4,000 Islands
- Khone Phapheng, Li Phi and Bolaven Plateau waterfalls
- Coffee culture and a Bolaven Plateau homestay
- Savannakhet, Thakhek and central Laos landscapes
- The 7.5 km Kong Lor Cave by boat
- The mysterious Plain of Jars and Muang Khoun
- Luang Prabangs temples, markets and heritage
- Ban Chan pottery village and Pak Ou Caves
- Jungle trek to turquoise Kuang Si Waterfall
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Click any day to open the full description.
Day 1 – Pakse - Champasak - Wat Phou - Don Khong
Arrive in Pakse and continue to Champasak for a visit to Wat Phou, the atmospheric Khmer temple complex set near the Mekong at the foot of Mount Phu Kao. The surviving ruins date mainly from the 11th to 13th centuries and form one of southern Laos great cultural highlights. After lunch, travel south to Don Khong Island for the night.
Arrive in Pakse and continue to Champasak for a visit to Wat Phou, the atmospheric Khmer temple complex set near the Mekong at the foot of Mount Phu Kao. The surviving ruins date mainly from the 11th to 13th centuries and form one of southern Laos great cultural highlights. After lunch, travel south to Don Khong Island for the night.
Day 2 – 4,000 Islands - Don Khone
Travel by boat into Si Phan Don, the famous 4,000 Islands region where the Mekong broadens dramatically. Explore Don Khone, visit the old French railway remains and bridge, and continue toward Li Phi Falls. The day combines river scenery, colonial history and relaxed island life.
Travel by boat into Si Phan Don, the famous 4,000 Islands region where the Mekong broadens dramatically. Explore Don Khone, visit the old French railway remains and bridge, and continue toward Li Phi Falls. The day combines river scenery, colonial history and relaxed island life.
Day 3 – Khone Phapheng Falls - Bolaven Plateau
Return to the mainland and visit Khone Phapheng, the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia. Continue north via Pakse to the cooler Bolaven Plateau, a landscape of waterfalls, coffee and tea plantations, and fertile highland farms.
Return to the mainland and visit Khone Phapheng, the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia. Continue north via Pakse to the cooler Bolaven Plateau, a landscape of waterfalls, coffee and tea plantations, and fertile highland farms.
Day 4 – Bolaven Plateau Jeep Adventure and Coffee Farm Homestay
Meet a local guide in Ban Beng and set off by jeep along rustic trails through farms and forest. Visit Tad Moun cascade before trekking to Mystic Mountain Coffee farm for a local lunch and homestay experience. In the afternoon, discover how coffee is cultivated, harvested and roasted, then continue trekking toward Phoukatouk before returning to the homestay.
Meet a local guide in Ban Beng and set off by jeep along rustic trails through farms and forest. Visit Tad Moun cascade before trekking to Mystic Mountain Coffee farm for a local lunch and homestay experience. In the afternoon, discover how coffee is cultivated, harvested and roasted, then continue trekking toward Phoukatouk before returning to the homestay.
Day 5 – Laven and Suay Villages - Bamboo Waterfall - Tad Lo
After breakfast, continue by jeep to Laven and Suay communities, then on to Bamboo Waterfall for a picnic lunch, swimming and time to relax. Trek onward to Dan Xinxai plateau for panoramic views before transferring by minivan to Tad Lo for the night.
After breakfast, continue by jeep to Laven and Suay communities, then on to Bamboo Waterfall for a picnic lunch, swimming and time to relax. Trek onward to Dan Xinxai plateau for panoramic views before transferring by minivan to Tad Lo for the night.
Day 6 – Bolaven Plateau - Savannakhet
A scenic journey north returns you to the Mekong and continues toward Savannakhet. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy time to stroll along the riverfront, with views across the Mekong toward Mukdahan in Thailand.
A scenic journey north returns you to the Mekong and continues toward Savannakhet. Arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy time to stroll along the riverfront, with views across the Mekong toward Mukdahan in Thailand.
Day 7 – Savannakhet - Thakhek
Travel through rural Laos to Thakhek, a charming town known for its colonial architecture. After check-in, explore local highlights including Sikhottabong Stupa and the remarkable Giant Wall of Laos.
Travel through rural Laos to Thakhek, a charming town known for its colonial architecture. After check-in, explore local highlights including Sikhottabong Stupa and the remarkable Giant Wall of Laos.
Day 8 – Thakhek - Rock Viewpoint - Kong Lor
Head into the dramatic limestone landscapes of Khammouan and Bolikhamxay. Stop at The Rock Viewpoint for sweeping karst views and a short elevated walk before continuing through Nahin to Ban Kong Lor, your base for the next two nights.
Head into the dramatic limestone landscapes of Khammouan and Bolikhamxay. Stop at The Rock Viewpoint for sweeping karst views and a short elevated walk before continuing through Nahin to Ban Kong Lor, your base for the next two nights.
Day 9 – Hinboun River and Kong Lor Cave
Take a boat journey along the Hinboun River through evergreen scenery and enter the extraordinary 7.5 km long Kong Lor Cave. Travelling by boat through this vast limestone system is one of Laos most memorable natural experiences.
Take a boat journey along the Hinboun River through evergreen scenery and enter the extraordinary 7.5 km long Kong Lor Cave. Travelling by boat through this vast limestone system is one of Laos most memorable natural experiences.
Day 10 – Ban Kong Lor - Phonsavan
Set out on a long but rewarding scenic drive through Bolikhamxay Province toward Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars region. The route reveals some of Laos most beautiful highland landscapes.
Set out on a long but rewarding scenic drive through Bolikhamxay Province toward Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars region. The route reveals some of Laos most beautiful highland landscapes.
Day 11 – Plain of Jars and Muang Khoun
Visit Phonsavans local market and learn about the regions wartime history before exploring the famous Plain of Jars sites 1, 2 and 3. Continue to the former royal capital of Muang Khoun to see surviving temples, colonial traces, That Foun stupa and Wat Pievat, followed by a visit to the MAG Visitor Center.
Visit Phonsavans local market and learn about the regions wartime history before exploring the famous Plain of Jars sites 1, 2 and 3. Continue to the former royal capital of Muang Khoun to see surviving temples, colonial traces, That Foun stupa and Wat Pievat, followed by a visit to the MAG Visitor Center.
Day 12 – Phonsavan - Luang Prabang
Cross the highlands from Xieng Khouang toward Luang Prabang, with beautiful mountain views and opportunities to see Hmong villages along the way. Arrive in UNESCO listed Luang Prabang at the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
Cross the highlands from Xieng Khouang toward Luang Prabang, with beautiful mountain views and opportunities to see Hmong villages along the way. Arrive in UNESCO listed Luang Prabang at the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
Day 13 – Luang Prabang by Tuk Tuk
Begin at the Morning Market before walking to Wat Mai and the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. After lunch, visit magnificent Wat Xieng Thong and finish with a climb up Phou Si Hill for a panoramic view across Luang Prabang and the surrounding rivers.
Begin at the Morning Market before walking to Wat Mai and the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. After lunch, visit magnificent Wat Xieng Thong and finish with a climb up Phou Si Hill for a panoramic view across Luang Prabang and the surrounding rivers.
Day 14 – Ban Chan Pottery Village and Pak Ou Caves
Cross the Mekong to Ban Chan, a pottery village where families have preserved traditional techniques for generations. Meet local artisans, try your hand at pottery and enjoy an authentic Lao meal. Continue by boat to the sacred Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha images, with additional village stops on the return journey.
Cross the Mekong to Ban Chan, a pottery village where families have preserved traditional techniques for generations. Meet local artisans, try your hand at pottery and enjoy an authentic Lao meal. Continue by boat to the sacred Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha images, with additional village stops on the return journey.
Day 15 – Kuang Si Waterfall Jungle Trek
Drive to a Hmong village and begin a roughly three hour jungle trek toward the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall. Cool off in the turquoise pools and visit the nearby bear sanctuary before returning to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
Drive to a Hmong village and begin a roughly three hour jungle trek toward the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall. Cool off in the turquoise pools and visit the nearby bear sanctuary before returning to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
Day 16 – Luang Prabang - Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport, boat pier or bus station according to your onward travel plans. The journey can also be extended with a Mekong cruise toward Houay Xay and northern Thailand.
Travel Services
Included
- All sightseeing and activities described in the itinerary
- Transportation in private vehicles
- Accommodation in hotels on a twin-share basis
- English-speaking guide
- Admission fees to sights described in the program
- Meals as indicated: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
- Lao PDR governmental tax and service charges
- Luggage handling
Not Included
- International air tickets to and from Lao PDR
- Visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips and drinks
- Personal expenses and services not described in the program
- Single-room supplement on request