Lady Picking Chillies, Laos

Highlights of Laos

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

11 Days

Prices Start from

£3,280pp(ex. flights)

From the mountainous north of Laos, to the plateaus in the south, travelling through magnificent scenery, cruising the mighty Mekong, visiting beautiful temples, ancient archaeological sites and minority villages.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Novice Monks, Luang Phrabang, Laos 1

UNESCO Luang Prabang

Discover old world charm and tranquillity, exploring temples alongside saffron clad monks.

Aerial view of temple complex amid lush landscape. 2

Wat Phou Temple

Explore this impressive Khmer temple complex, a UNESCO site on the banks of the Mekong River.

View of ancient jar shaped rocks covering a plain at sunrise. 3

Plain of Jars

Visit this mysterious site of ancient giant stone jars.

Aerial view of a river delta with many tributaries and jungle covered islets. 4

Mekong River

Navigate the 4,000 islands and waterfalls while searching for the rare Irrawaddy river dolphin.

Why we like it

This holiday to Laos combines the scenery, temples, markets and culture of the country, leaving room for some optional added adventure, maybe crossing borders into a neighbouring country. Connect with local communities via home cooking in Luang Prabang, walks among paddy fields before dining with a family plus kayaking past limestone peaks. Although it takes effort to reach and accommodation is simple a visit to the Plain of Jars adds another dimension to this trip.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Vientiane

  • Day 2

    Vientiane

  • Day 3

    Vientiane - Vang Vieng

  • Day 4

    Vang Vieng - Phonsavan

  • Day 5

    Phonsavan

  • Day 6

    Phonsavan - Luang Prabang

  • Day 7 - 8

    Luang Prabang

  • Day 9

    Luang Prabang - Pakse - Mekong River

  • Day 10

    Mekong River

  • Day 11

    Mekong River - Pakse

Day 1

Vientiane

Day 2

Vientiane

Day 3

Vientiane - Vang Vieng

Day 4

Vang Vieng - Phonsavan

Day 5

Phonsavan

View of ancient jar shaped rocks covering a plain at sunrise.

Visit this mysterious site of ancient giant stone jars.

Day 6

Phonsavan - Luang Prabang

Day 7 - 8

Luang Prabang

Novice Monks, Luang Phrabang, Laos

Discover old world charm and tranquillity, exploring temples alongside saffron clad monks.

Day 9

Luang Prabang - Pakse - Mekong River

Day 10

Mekong River

Aerial view of a river delta with many tributaries and jungle covered islets.

Navigate the 4,000 islands and waterfalls while searching for the rare Irrawaddy river dolphin.

Day 11

Mekong River - Pakse

Aerial view of temple complex amid lush landscape.

Explore Wat Phou, an impressive Khmer temple complex, a UNESCO site on the banks of the Mekong River.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Monks Walking, Luang Prabang, Laos
Monks walking in Luang Prabang
Wat Visoun, Luang Prabang, Laos
Wat Visoun, Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang through the eyes of a local

Luang Prabang is a delightful, peaceful, little town situated on the Mekong River and surrounded by rich forest and mountains. A favourite of everyone who visits it is rightly described as the jewel in Laos’ crown. Wander the streets stopping at ornate temples or sit in one of the many cafes and watch the world go by. An unmistakable French influence permeates through the architecture, culture and food. Spend a day in the company of a local woman, shopping for fresh ingredients, navigating the city using local transport and cooking and dining among the local community.

River view at sunrise with jungle covered banks and boat on river.
The Mekong, Laos
Aerial view of a river delta with many tributaries and jungle covered islets at sunset.
Mekong 4,000 islands, Laos
Li Phi Waterfalls, Southern Laos
Li Phi waterfalls, Laos

The Mekong's 4,000 Islands

In the deep south of the country the Mekong is at its widest, spanning up to 16 kilometres during the annual high-water period. Each year when the water levels retreat thousands of islands appear in the river bed. Some are tiny measuring only a few square kilometres, some larger ones are permanently inhabited while others welcome temporary residency to grow crops on. The local people’s existence revolves around the river and the changing seasons.

A pod of Irrawaddy dolphins reside in these waters and you will also see the mighty Khone waterfalls, claimed to be the biggest falls in Asia.

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Ancient jar shaped rocks on a grass plain with tree in background.
Plain of Jars, Laos
Vang Vieng, Laos
River scenery, Laos

The Mystery of the Plain of Jars

The Plain of Jars is an impressive archaeological site encompassing hundreds of large stone jars scattered across a huge hilly plateau. Shrouded in myth and mystery they are estimated to date from the Southeast Asian iron age although little is known for sure about their origin and history. Some think they were possibly used as part of elaborate burial rituals.

Your journey here will take you through some beautiful rural landscapes of riverside villages and limestone karst peaks. Worth the journey for the scenery and the site itself, however do be prepared for simple accommodation.

Read More
Doorway, Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Doorway at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Huong Pagoda, Hanoi, Vietnam
Buddist Monks Praying, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Monks praying in Chiang Rai

Possible Extensions: A Multi Country Adventure

Sandwiched between China, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia, Laos lends itself perfectly to a multi country adventure. Continue southwards across the border into Cambodia or head east to Vietnam. Alternatively follow the Mekong west from Luang Prabang into Thailand on the Luang Say Cruise. Over two days voyage by comfortable boat through varied and spectacular mountain scenery stopping to visit local hill tribes and caves and disembarking to overnight at a local riverside lodge.

On reaching the border with Thailand you can continue overland to Chiang Rai. This lovely journey can be done in either direction.

Read More

A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £3,280 Per person

When to travel

Laos in January

November to February is the best time to visit Laos when the days are warm and clear with cooler evenings. The end of the monsoon sees the country bursting into life, with waterfalls at their most impressive, and the countryside transforming into a lush green canvas. Water levels are at their highest making it perfect for river travel.

Laos in February

November to February is the best time to visit Laos when the days are warm and clear with cooler evenings. The end of the monsoon sees the country bursting into life, with waterfalls at their most impressive, and the countryside transforming into a lush green canvas.

Laos in March

Although still dry in March temperatures are beginning to rise across most of the country. Water levels start dropping making river travel in the north difficult.

Laos in April

April signals the last month of the dry season and rising temperatures across most of the country. Water levels will be at their lowest making river travel tricky.

Laos in May

May signals the beginning of the wet season which continues through to November. During these months most of the country will experience short sharp downpours interspersed with plenty of sunshine but expect high humidity and temperatures in the 30’s.

Laos in June

The wet season continues during which most of the country will experience short sharp downpours interspersed with plenty of sunshine but expect high humidity and temperatures in the 30’s.

Laos in July

The wet season continues during which most of the country will experience short sharp downpours interspersed with plenty of sunshine but expect high humidity and temperatures in the 30’s. The landscape is at its most verdant and waterfalls spectacular.

Laos in August

August sees the wet season reach its peak with longer and more intense downpours. Temperatures drop a little and water levels rise.

Laos in September

September can be a beautiful time to visit with the landscape incredibly lush and waterfalls bursting, however there is still a high chance of rain.

Laos in October

October signals the end of the wet season and is a great time to visit with cooler temperatures, lush landscapes and fewer visitors.

Laos in November

November to February is the best time to visit Laos when the days are warm and clear with cooler evenings. The end of the monsoon sees the country bursting into life, with waterfalls at their most impressive, and the countryside transforming into a lush green canvas. Water levels are at their highest making it perfect for river travel.

Laos in December

November to February is the best time to visit Laos when the days are warm and clear with cooler evenings. The end of the monsoon sees the country bursting into life, with waterfalls at their most impressive, and the countryside transforming into a lush green canvas. Water levels are at their highest making it perfect for river travel.

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

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