Unseen Nature and Wildlife of Laos

Arrive at Pakse airport, Laos and soon after, begin your sightseeing experience. Visit Wat Phou, the ruins of a Khmer three-level temple designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ruins of temples have a unique atmosphere that make them interesting. In the afternoon, you will explore one such place – the OuMong ruins.

Next, make your way to Si Phan Don that basically means 4000 islands. These islands along the Mekong river have a quiet beauty and you will head to Don Det one of the most well-known islands here.

Journey along the idyllic Mekong river on a boat trip during which you can see glimpses of local life. Take a look at little children playing in the water and fishermen going about their lives. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

You will be in island exploration mode today as you discover Don Det and Don Khone islands. A tuktuk will take you to these two islands linked by a bridge. At Ban Khone fishing village, you can explore the ruins of French railway tracks and the beautiful Liphi waterfall.

These islands situated far away from bustling cities are abundant in natural beauty and exude an atmosphere of tranquility. You will get plenty of photo opportunities in the verdant vistas. Later, a motor boat ride to the Cambodian border gives you a great chance to possibly see the Irrwaddy freshwater dolphins that inhabit the Mekong waters. If you are lucky, you will see these playful creatures in the river. Spend the rest of the day as you wish.

Enjoy the sunrise and soothing ambience at the 4000 islands and wind up your visit with a drive to Khone Phapheng waterfall, one of the major highlights here. It is considered to be the largest waterfall in southeast Asia. The rapids of the falls traverse a length of nearly 10 km.

Afterwards, continue your discovery of Laos by heading to the cool climes of the lush Bolaven plateau, rich in tea and coffee plantations. Its beautiful landscape is home to protected national parks, magnificent waterfalls, ethnic villages and dense jungles. Several ethnic groups are based here including Laven, Alak, Ta-Oy and others. On reaching Bolaven, you can rest at your lodge or visit these villages. It is a great opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about their traditions and culture.

There is an abundance of delightful waterfalls in the Bolaven plateau. You will visit Tad Yuang, Tad Phasoum and Tad Fane waterfalls, each one with its own distinct charm. Afterwards, proceed to Pakse airport for a flight to Luang Prabang city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check-in at your hotel and catch up on your sleep overnight.

If you wake up early, you can see the alms giving ceremony in Luang Prabang. Watch the sun rise at Mount Phousi and take in the panoramic view of the city. Afterwards, mingle with the locals at the morning market and relish Lao food. Later, visit the Wat Xieng Thong, a beautiful temple complex and one of the most significant Lao monasteries. Proceed onwards to the amazing Kuang Sy waterfall. On your way, you will pass through rice fields and stop at lovely small villages before relaxing at the waterfall.

Drop by the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre in Luang Prabang located in a historical building preserved by UNESCO. It gives you a peek into the lifestyle and traditions of the Lao ethnic groups through traditional clothing, religious artifacts and tools. As you make your way back to the hotel, visit the H’mong Night Market where you can find a lot of traditional souvenirs.

Have you ever wanted to live the farm life in a rural scenic area? Well, you can do that at Living Land community farm located close to Luang Prabang. It is an organic farm covered with rice paddies and dotted with stilted wooden structures that double up as museums. Take a guided tour of an organic vegetable farm and then pick up the tricks of the trade from thatched-roof making and basketry to noodle production and sugarcane juice extraction.

You can also try your hand at ploughing the rice fields with the resident buffalo called Susan who would surely appreciate your efforts! Do bring a change of clothes. Foot showers and western toilets are available.

Rice is the most important crop in Laos and you will learn about the 13 steps of rice production. There’s a 14th step and that’s called eating –enjoy a range of rice-based snacks! Return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Your Laos tour will now take you to the Xieng Khouang province. While it is associated with the Vietnam/American war, this province is also home to a very unique site – the Plain of Jars. If you have an interest in mysterious archaeological sites and objects, this place has it all.

The plains of the Xieng Khouang plateau have thousands of giant stone jars dating back to around 2000 years ago. Walk along the area and discover big and small jars in various shapes and sizes including one that is 2.5m in diameter. Surprisingly, the majority don’t have lids but there is one lid carved with strange patterns. There are several theories about this interesting site – some say it was the living place of giants while others believe that the jars are funeral urns indicating that the site is a cemetery.

Return to the hotel your mind filled with the mysteries of the Plain of Jars.

Today, you will go on a drive to Ban Son Koua Village starting point of the Nam Nern safari. Travel by boat on the Nam Nern River to your ecolodge, where you'll arrive in time for lunch.

In the evening, you will take a boat ride through the forest and enjoy dinner by a campfire. Make your return trip under the moonlight. At night, your boat’s engines will be switched off creating a captivating ambience in the dark as you move along the water. Your guides will search for wildlife using torches. Return to your lodge and fall asleep to the sounds from the surrounding forest.

After a night safari, it is time to explore the forest by daylight. As you walk along, your guide will point out some of the local plants and explain their medicinal uses. Afterwards, you will board a boat and go to the starting point. Once again, it gives you a chance to see some rare and endangered wildlife during the day.

You will be glad to know that the fee from this experience goes towards wildlife conservation. After lunch, you will leave for Nong Kiaw town by car. Check in to your hotel and enjoy your free time.

Enjoy your breakfast and then proceed on a drive through the green forest area. During your drive, make a halt at the local village of Ban Na Yang. Here, you can see the villagers weaving crafts and Lao traditional dresses from the silkworm. Your next destination is the Pak Ou caves. Walk to the pier and embark on a boat trip along the picturesque Mekong River to visit the caves. Take a look at the numerous Buddha statues in different poses that can be found in the caverns of the Pak Ou caves.

On your return trip to Luang Prabang, stop by Ban Xang Hai known as the rice whiskey village. You will approach Luang Prabang around sunset enabling you to see the sunset views during the cruise. After arrival at the pier, proceed to check-in at your hotel.

It is your last day in Laos. Depart for the airport in Luang Prabang filled with memories of your trip to this beautiful country.