Laos Tour: From Houay Xai to Vientiane

Note for Shompoo Cruise (shared boat):
- We recommend that travelers arrive at the Chiang Khong Thai border crossing before 7:30 am to ensure they meet our team/guide on time.
- The Shompoo boat will leave Houay Xay no later than 9:30 am.
- From December to February, it can be cold during the cruise, don't forget to bring a jacket.
- For safety reasons and depending on weather conditions, the program may change without notice.
- Check availability before booking.

Departures:
-From October to March: Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
-From April to September: Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday,

Meet with a French-speaking guide at the border and transfer to the slow boat jetty to board the Shompoo Cruise boat.
During your Mekong River cruise, our guide will give you a presentation on the dos and don'ts of Laos, along with fun and fascinating anecdotes. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a delicious traditional Lao lunch served on board while taking in the picturesque scenery.
Before arriving in Pakbeng, we will visit the charming Khmu village of Ban Kang Lae, where you can experience the authentic way of life of an isolated community. Shompoo Cruise is proud to support this village through regular donations.
The boat will arrive in Pakbeng in the evening. You can then relax and spend the night at the hotel before continuing your journey.
Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay at a hotel in Pakbeng.

DAY 2: PAKBENG – SHARED CRUISE – LUANG PRABANG (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel.
The Shompoo boat will depart from Pakbeng at 8:00 AM. On the second day of your Mekong River cruise, you will be captivated by the natural beauty of the lush jungle. Our guide and crew will organize onboard activities to make your experience truly memorable. During your journey, you will enjoy a delicious traditional Lao lunch served on board.
Our first stop will take us to the village of Ban Mouang, renowned for its famous Lao Lao Whisky. There, you will discover the local whisky-making process as well as the vibrant culture of the village.
We will then visit the Pak Ou Caves, also known as Tham Ting, which house over 2,000 Buddha statues. This sacred site is an important pilgrimage destination for Laotians. After exploring the caves, you will enjoy delicious desserts and refreshing drinks carefully prepared by our team.
We will arrive in Luang Prabang around 4:30 pm, concluding a day rich in cultural discoveries and magnificent landscapes.
Pick-up by the driver and transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG – CITY TOUR (B/-/-)

Optional: Around 5:30 a.m., monks parade through the streets of Luang Prabang seeking alms. If you wish, you can get up early and witness this beautiful spiritual spectacle in Luang Prabang. You will also visit the morning market before returning to the hotel for a shower and breakfast.

Meet your guide and driver at the hotel. Departure to visit the city of Luang Prabang:

Discover Wat Xieng Thong, the monastery of the Golden City, whose ornaments, mosaics, and stupas are among the most exquisite. In this temple, you can admire a spectacular reclining Buddha in a purely Laotian style. Next, visit Watsense, or literally "Temple of 100,000 Treasures," one of the most beautiful temples in Luang Prabang, unique for its restored paintings in a deep, vibrant ochre color, shimmering with gold.

The tour of Luang Prabang continues with a visit to the city's historic temple: Wat Visoun, built in the early 16th century. Partially destroyed by fire in 1887, its restoration was redesigned in the style of the Khmer temple Wat Phou. A short walk away, you'll discover Wat Aham.

In the afternoon, you'll visit the Royal Palace, now a museum, where you'll learn about the history of the region and the royal family. The National Museum displays the famous Pha Bang, a golden Buddha statue. Finally, you'll visit Wat Mai, built in the typical Luang Prabang style. Its wooden "sim" (temple) and five-sided roof are characteristic features.

In the evening, free time to visit the night market.

Meals at your own expense. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG – BAN LONG VILLAGE LAOS – KUANG SI FALLS (B/-/-)
After breakfast, transfer by car to Ban Long Laos, a village where the Khamu and Hmong ethnic groups, typical minorities of the region, live side by side. After visiting the village, you will hike (approximately 3-4 hours depending on your preference and ability) through farmland, bamboo groves, and jungle.

The hike continues to Kuang Si Falls, where you can relax with a refreshing swim in the pool or stroll along the forest trails. Located in the heart of the national park, the scenery is breathtaking. Turquoise waters cascade into basins that form natural pools where visitors can swim and enjoy this unforgettable site in complete tranquility.

After visiting Kuang Si, you will take the road back to Luang Prabang.
Meals at your own expense. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Note: In case of rain, the program will be adapted to the actual situation.

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG – COOKING CLASS – TRAIN TO VIENTIANE (B/L)

This morning, we invite you to attend a private cooking class at a local family's home:

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a visit to the local market. You will learn about the ingredients and their uses, especially for the dishes you will prepare later. The guide will share fascinating anecdotes throughout the visit. Then, travel to a Laotian family where you will begin cooking some of Laos' most famous dishes. Afterward, enjoy a delicious lunch featuring your own creation.

In the afternoon, transfer to Luang Prabang train station to take the train to the capital, Vientiane. You will be met by your local driver and transferred to your hotel.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Note for the TGV:
- It is recommended to be present at the station 1 hour before the departure time.
- The train schedule and ticket availability must be confirmed at the time of booking
Tickets cannot be purchased 3 days before the departure date.
The baggage allowance is 20 kg for adults and 10 kg for children. Luggage dimensions must not exceed 160 cm, or 130 cm on high-speed trains in categories C, D, and G. Oversized luggage can be checked in at the station's baggage service.
- Items prohibited from being brought into the station or onto the train. If any of these items are found in a passenger's hand luggage, they will be confiscated by security and will not be returned to the passenger. We will not be responsible for confiscated items.
1. Weapons, ammunition of all kinds: pistols, Iong pistols, sporting rifles and other modified weapons.
2. All kinds of explosives: aerosol products, explosives, firecrackers, explosive floors, etc.
3. All kinds of chemicals: hydrogen, methane, ethane, butane, ethylene, propylene, acetylene, carbon monoxide, liquefied petroleum gas, oxygen (for medical purposes), gasoline, diesel and all kinds of flammable liquids (with warning icon on the product).
4. All kinds of drugs: heroin, amphetamines, ice drugs, cocaine, marijuana, opium and other drugs.
5. All kinds of sharp objects that can cause injury or death, such as knives, scissors, knives and even small sliding knives.
6. Pets, wild animals, living and non-living: dogs, cats and other animals.
7. All kinds of foods that have a bad smell, watery foods that will create impurities and have an environmental impact.

DAY 6: VIENTIANE – CITY TOUR (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel

You will begin the day by exploring Patuxai – the Arch of Triumph of Laos – followed by Wat Sisaket, probably the oldest temple in the capital. It was spared by the Siamese because its architecture is reminiscent of Bangkok's early style.

Your tour of Laos, exploring Vientiane, will then continue with a visit to Vat Phra Keo, the temple that houses Vientiane's most famous statue: the Emerald Buddha. Restored at the beginning of the 20th century, it is now a museum with a superb collection of religious art.
You will then head towards the unmissable Pha That Luang, the emblem of Laos, which appears on the national coat of arms and banknotes. The stupa of this temple, 40 meters high and covered in gold, can be seen for miles around.

In the afternoon, you leave the city center to explore Buddha Park (22km – 40-minute drive). This park is filled with over 200 artistic statues related to Buddhism and Hinduism, including a huge 40-meter-high reclining Buddha statue. At the end of the day, you return to the hotel to rest.

Meals at your own expense. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 7: VIENTIANE - DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time for your personal activities before being transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

*End of our services*