The Hidden Heart of Laos

Audley Travel Preferred
Has very high quality customer experiences and demonstrated commitment to responsible travel practices. read more
4.9 . Excellent
97%
Travel Style: Array Full on
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels. Value (3*)
17 days
From: $ 5,021 $ 295 / day
Checking price

Overview

Short Description

Laos is one of the few destinations where, in some areas, visitors are yet to deviate from a few well-trodden sights. It’s Indochina’s final frontier, and our specialists have trekked through jungles, scouted out caves and journeyed up rivers to get to know it more intimately. They can help you plan your holiday to Laos to follow in their wake.

Only now emerging after years of isolation, Laos is a country of steep, jungle-robed valleys inhabited by resilient communities who live at a refreshingly unhurried pace. The former royal stronghold, Luang Prabang, is a mosaic of golden wats and Indochinese villas, its streets often filled with silent processions of monks. In the diminutive capital, Vientiane, you’ll find faded French-colonial mansions and coffee shops. The rest of the country is predominately one blanket of green, carved with slow-flowing tributaries of the Mekong. As you explore, you’ll happen upon little-visited hill tribes, backwater towns and Cham temples that predate Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.
 

Style Private guided tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Lodging Level Value (3*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Luang Prabang
End City Champasak

Destinations

Laos

Attractions & Cities Visited

Luang Prabang Vientiane

N/A
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Itinerary

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Luang Prabang.

Day 2 : Luang Prabang

Arriving into Luang Prabang you will be met and taken to your hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3 : Luang Prabang

A chance to take part in a spiritual ritual that has been a part of Luang Prabang's heritage since time immemorial - alms giving to the local community of monks at dawn. You then return to your hotel for breakfast before spending the day with your own private guide exploring the delights of Luang Prabang using electronic bicycles. In the afternoon you will take a trip to the scenic waterfalls at Kuang Si.

Day 4 : Luang Prabang

Spend the day exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site at your own leisure, soaking up the atmosphere of this most charming of towns.

Day 5 : Phonsavan

Transfer by road through the mountains to Phonsavan, home to the mysterious Plains of Jars. The road travels through some of the most impressive scenery in Southeast Asia.

Day 6 : Phonsavan

Visit the three sites of the strange giant stone jars and the ancient capital at Muang Kham. You may wish to try the hot springs while you are here.

Day 7 : Vang Vieng

Head on south to Vang Vieng, one of the most picturesque areas in the country.

Day 8 : Vang Vieng

Full day at leisure to explore this beautiful area.

Day 9 : Vientiane

Transfer from Vang Vieng with your guide and driver to Vientiane, the Laos capital.

Day 10 : Vientiane

A morning tour of Vientiane and the rest of the day free - we highly recommend the herbal sauna and massage in the grounds of a monastery on the edge of town, or just relaxing at your lovely hotel.

Day 11 : Hin Boun

Today you will head south with your guide and driver, to the beautiful Hin Boun National Park.

Day 12 : Thakek

This morning you will visit Kong Lor Cave, before heading on to Thakek, an attractive town with some interesting buildings and a good spot to break your journey south.

Day 13 : Thakek

Spend the day exploring the area with your guide, heading out to Buddha Cave. Evening in Thakek.

Day 14 : Champasak

Venturing further into the heart of Laos today you head south to the 4,000 Islands region, with three nights to explore the area.

Day 15 : Champasak

Spend a day on the water with your guide exploring this beautiful region.

Day 16 : Champasak

Head to the magnificent Wat Phou temple complex today, exploring these impressive ruins that pre-date Angkor Wat.

Day 17 : International return flight

A final morning to relax before a transfer to the airport. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 5,021
Price Per Day: $ 295 per day

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Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

3,563 Audley Travel Travel Reviews & Ratings

97%
4.9 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 3,334
Great 105
Average 29
Disappointing 28
Terrible 67
Value
4.9
Guide
4.9
Activities
4.9
Lodging
4.9
Transportation
4.9
Meals
4.9

The Hidden Heart of Laos

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Company Reviews

Travels in South East Asia

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
We were looking for a special holiday to celebrate my wife's birthday and bumped into Audley Travel early 2023 at the Travel Show in Olympia. We gave their south east Asia specialist, Dan Pullen, a list of ideas which after several iterations resulted in an outline travel plan involving four countries over 24 days.
We were very impressed with the professionalism of the company, their knowledge of the area and the proposed travel plan. The resulting holiday proved to be very successful, extremely well organised and managed at a country level by very experienced and competent guides and drivers.
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An amazing holiday to South Africa

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
We had the most incredible two weeks in South Africa, organised by Robyn Hutchons. From the very beginning we were so well looked after by Robyn, who was responsive, full of good insider tips for South Africa, and took the time to listen to what we hoped to get out of our holiday. She designed a tailored itinerary that was perfect for us. We felt so well looked after, and it made the whole trip a stress-free experience.

It was very helpful to catch up with Robyn when we got back so we could feedback and make some small suggestions for things we might have tweaked. Would 100% recommend using Audley, worth every penny and we will definitely be using them in future.
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Our Indian Adventure

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Our holiday was quite complex with multiple greetings and pickup with representatives, drivers and guides. Everything went without a hitch. Everything was where we expected it to be and linked up perfectly.
The choice of accommodation was so well planned. We stayed in 8 different locations. Each one was superb and offered something different to the ones before.
The tours were well thought out and offered more than just sightseeing. They also gave us a taste of the culture of India.
Excellent.
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Had a wonderful trip to Vietnam

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Had a wonderful trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangkok. Jack Tydeman was our agent and he was excellent; listened to our needs/wants, put together a really detailed itinerary and everything went completely smoothly. We would've changed a couple things but 95% of our trip was perfect! Jack followed up when we returned home and took notes of a couple of areas that we would have changed. I would definitely recommend Audley!
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A fabulous two week trip to Thailand…

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
A fabulous two week trip to Thailand designed and organised by Suzi Smith from Audley more than lived up to expectations. Our only regret in hindsight was not extending the planned time so we could have spent longer in the Chaing Mai Bush Camp which was just awesome. Special mention needs to go to Spooky, our Audley guide in Bangkok. If you are lucky enough for her to be looking after you then you know you will have a wonderful time. The advantage of having Audley Travel as your agent is that you know you have the best professionals on your team. I can truly recommend them.
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Very poor customer service

1.0
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Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Spoke to 2 different consultants about awesome trip to Mexico. Both promised to provide quotes within a week. I never heard from either of them again. I've no idea why the didn't want me as a customer but whatever the reason their approach was highly unprofessional and very bad manners. If younhaventhe choice avoid them at all costs.
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Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Intimate Group - 12 max

Trip ID#:

audley-travel-39869

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