Highlights Of Southern Laos 10 Days

On arrival, you will be welcomed by local tour guide of Laos Travel and get transferred to hotel in Vientiane – the country’s charming capital, with its laidback riverside ambience, and alluring monuments.

In the afternoon, free to relax and enjoy an orientation walk around the hotel area or the guide will show you the river bank area where you could view the sun sink over the Mekong.

Today we have a full day to explore Vientiane- the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indo Chinese cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Our visit will take you to the key sites: National Museum, Wat Sisaket the city ‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the next stop is Haw Phra Kaeo. This large temple is beautiful both interior and exterior, it was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees.

Next is the visit Pha That Luang, the giant golden stupa is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Then you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane. In the afternoon we take a half day tour to Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan (as well as other variations of the spelling), is a sculpture park located 25 km southeast from Vientiane.

After breakfast we head to the south along route 13. This first leg of the journey takes around 3 hours and it is interesting to have a quick stop at Wat Prabath Phonsane (Temple of the footprint of Buddha). Stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

You will then leave the highway and enter the Phou Hin Poun NPA (National Protected Area). The scenery will become much more spectacular, featuring limestone karsts, forests and rice paddies. Then we stop at Ban Tiou village, the rest of the day is at leisure to admire the views.

Wake up by a bird song, have breakfast then star the trip to Kong Lor cave. Board on wooden sampan for 3 hours cruise along the river inside the longest cave in region, Kong Lor cave. Upon entering the cave, the boat which will take you through the length of this spectacular cave along an underground section of the Hin Boun River - a length of 7.5km.

The river flows all year and reveals vast formations of stalactites and stalagmites, which you will explore partly on foot whilst inside the cave. In places the cave is up to 90m wide and 100m high. The cave is still used by local villagers as an access route to the region beyond. Once out on the other side you can stop for refreshments and walk to local villages, enjoying the scenery and observing a simple way of life. After leaving Kong Lor cave you will back to Ban Tiou village to relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ban Tiou Village

After breakfast, check out and drive to visit the impressive Mahaxai caves. East of Thakhek, potholed Route 12 is swallowed up by a surreal landscape of karst formations. Hidden among the sea of jagged limestone hills are the Mahaxai caves, many of which lie within the Khammouane Limestone NBCA.

A number of the more easily accessible caves are popular both with Lao families on a weekend picnic and with foreign tourists. These more visited caves line the Thakhek– Mahaxai road, the furthest one only about 20km from Thakhek. Then head to Savannakhet for overnight.

Breakfast at hotel then be transferred to Pakse. On arrival in Pakse, we check in hotel and you have free time to stroll around the quaint town.

Pick up at your hotel for a trip to the Bolavens Plateau, a mountainous region home to dozens of hill tribes, waterfalls and coffee and tea plantations. Your first stop is at Tad Lo Waterfalls, a beautiful formation of three separate falls. From the bridge you will first see Tad Hang and then Tad Lo in the distance. The most impressive of the three, Tad Suong, is located a further 10km upriver.

After exploring the falls and their surroundings continue through the Plateau. Stop en-route for lunch. This afternoon, continue to Tad Yuang and Tad Fane waterfalls. Tad Fane is a set of twin 120-meter high waterfalls formed by the merging waters of the Champy and Pak Koot rivers. These impressive falls are situated on the edge of Dong Hua Sao protected area, 38 km from Paksé. (Note: water level may vary accordingly to the previous rainy season) On the drive back to Pakse we will stop to visit a tea and/or a coffee plantation. Laos is known for its famous coffee, the majority of which is grown here on the Bolaven Plateau. A visit to one of the plantations will show you the process of planting, harvesting and roasting these delicious beans. Return to Pakse in the late afternoon and transfer back to your hotel.
Meals: Breafast
Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

Breakfast at hotel then head to some highlights as Vat Phou ruin the majestic pre Angkorian 10th century temple complex, Tomo village which is a few minutes’ walk away from the mysterious hidden forest temple of Oum Muong.

Oum Muong is a small temple built in the 9th century in dedication to Rudani, a consort of Shiva. Transfer to Don Khong for overnight.

Today, we enjoy a cruise venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islands jut out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name 'Si Phan Don' (Four Thousand Islands).

Along the way, we’ll stop at the Liphi waterfalls and the fisherman village of Ban Khone. On return, we take a short drive to the Lao -Cambodia border at Weukham and the sight of Khone Phapheng, which is South East Asia's biggest water fall. Drive to Pakse.

After breakfast, you will have last minute shopping by your own before transferring to airport for flight departure.

This is the end our Highlight of Southern Laos 10 Days with Asia Tour Advisor. We thank you for joining us on this incredible experience to explore all the wonders of Thailand. Goodbye, and we hope to see you again next time! Asia Tour Advisor can also arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.