UNESCO Luang Prabang
Discover old world charm and tranquillity, exploring temples alongside saffron clad monks.
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.
Discover old world charm and tranquillity, exploring temples alongside saffron clad monks.
Explore this impressive Khmer temple complex, a UNESCO site on the banks of the Mekong River.
Visit this mysterious site of ancient giant stone jars.
Navigate the 4,000 islands and waterfalls while searching for the rare Irrawaddy river dolphin.
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.
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
Visit this mysterious site of ancient giant stone jars.
Day 6
Phonsavan - Luang Prabang
Day 7 - 8
Luang Prabang
Discover old world charm and tranquillity, exploring temples alongside saffron clad monks.
Day 9
Luang Prabang - Pakse - Mekong River
Day 10
Mekong River
Navigate the 4,000 islands and waterfalls while searching for the rare Irrawaddy river dolphin.
Day 11
Mekong River - Pakse
Explore Wat Phou, an impressive Khmer temple complex, a UNESCO site on the banks of the Mekong River.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
August sees the wet season reach its peak with longer and more intense downpours. Temperatures drop a little and water levels rise.
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.
October signals the end of the wet season and is a great time to visit with cooler temperatures, lush landscapes and fewer visitors.
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.
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.
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