LUANG PRABANG – ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTER – VANG VIENG – VIENTIANE
This journey through Northern and Central Laos combines culture, nature, and meaningful experiences. Start in the charming town of Luang Prabang, where temples and tradition meet tranquil riverside life. Visit the Elephant Conservation Center to learn about ethical elephant care and support long-term conservation efforts. Continue to Vang Vieng, known for its stunning karst mountains and outdoor adventures, before arriving in Vientiane, the laid-back capital where French colonial architecture meets Buddhist heritage. A well-rounded route for those who value both discovery and purpose in their travels.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LUANG PRABANG (NONE)
On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel (early check-in upon availability). Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment.
There is no activities planned for today, so you may stroll around for the first impression of this ancient city.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
- Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang Central: 2,5 miles 🡪10 minutes driving transfer
DAY 2: ANCIENT CITY – PAK OU CAVES (B/-/-)
Pick up: 08:30 AM.
After breakfast, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.
We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.
On arrival back in the city, we will visit the old Wat Sene and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall.
Next, we will visit Heuan Chan, a 19th-century aristocratic mansion that offers a glimpse into Lao culture through traditional ceremonies, textiles, and family life. This restored mansion stands as a testament to Lao heritage, featuring enriching exhibitions and a documentary on Laos’ customs. After the visit, we’ll have the opportunity to taste authentic Lao coffee or tea, providing a true taste of Laos.
Late afternoon, we will make a stop at Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the ideal place to catch the last beauty of the day.
The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang
Optional: If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday).
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
- Luang Prabang Central – Pak Ou Caves: 20 miles 🡪35 minutes driving transfer
- Pak Ou Caves – Heuan Chan: 20 miles 🡪35 minutes driving transfer
DAY 3: KUANG SI WATERFALLS (B/-/-)
Pick up: 05:30AM
Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace which offers a glimpse into daily life, with vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts, and textiles. These experiences provide a unique and authentic cultural immersion.
After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River.
Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals.
There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists. If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.
Returning to town, we make a brief stop at the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, nestled peacefully by the Mekong River. Here, artisans craft high-quality fabrics using traditional techniques. You’re encouraged to enhance your experience with a complimentary audio guide detailing the center’s significance in Lao culture and history.
Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon.
Optional: After visiting Kuang Si waterfalls, you can visit the nearby Butterflies Park, where you can enjoy the afternoon tea with the homemade cookies whilst relaxing inside the green peaceful garden full of colorful butterflies
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
Distance:
- Luang Prabang Central – Kuang Si: 20 miles 🡪30 minutes driving transfer
- Kuang Si – Ock Top Tock Living Craft: 18 miles 🡪30 minutes driving transfer
DAY 4: TRANSFER TO ELEPPHANT CONSERVATION CENTER (GUIDE & TRANSFER FROM ECC) (B/L/D)
7:30AM, our driver will pick you up from your hotel and tranfer to Luang Prabang Post Office (the meeting point), where you will join the transfer by Elephant Conservation Center to Xayabouly (about 90km – 2 hours transfer)
Upon your arrival at Nam Tien Lake, we will transfer you to the Center by boat. Once there, you’ll have time to settle into your private bungalow before your guide leads you into the forest. Along the way, you’ll pass various enclosures where our main activities take place. After relishing a Laotian-style picnic on a lakeside platform, you’ll witness bath time at the nursery, an area in the forest reserved for our youngest elephants and their mothers.
Once the elephants have quenched their thirst and returned to the forest, the boat will take you back to the Center for a visit to the hospital. Our Laotian vet assistant or biologist will introduce you to their world, providing insights into common and uncommon injuries and their respective treatments. It’s an opportune moment to ask any questions you may have about the biology of the elephants.
Next, you’ll observe one of the elephants’ daily baths and learn more about the playful characters of our giant guests. Elephants revel in water, using bath time to socialize and strengthen bonds within the herd. After the elephants have refreshed themselves, you’ll have the chance to observe them up close—ears flapping, tails swatting, and using trunks and trees for a good scratch. Meanwhile, the guide will share background information about each elephant, all of whom have endured hard work before finding refuge here. Test your ability to recognize the elephants as you observe them.
As the day winds down, it’s time for the elephants to walk back to the forest. After a short trek, the mahouts will decide on a grazing spot for the night. Before dinner, take a moment to absorb the surroundings from one of our viewpoints. You can also opt to swim in the lake, paddle out in a canoe, or visit the museum. At 6 pm, a staff member will present our conservation efforts, inviting you to ask any lingering questions. Following dinner, unwind at the bar with the staff and indulge in one of our delicious Lao-style cocktails!
Overnight at hotel in Xayabouly
Distance:
- Luang Prabang Central – Nahm Dong park: 6,2 miles 🡪 20 minutes driving transfer
DAY 5: ELEPPHANT CONSERVATION CENTER (GUIDE & TRANSFER FROM ECC) (B/L/D)
Pick up: 08:30AM
On the second day of the program, you will rendezvous with the elephants in their natural habitat within the forest. Following a night spent in the jungle, the day begins with another refreshing bath for the elephants. Immerse yourself in the experience of walking alongside these majestic creatures as they move freely in their environment.
After their water enjoyment, the elephants are led to the Socialization Area, a space designed for them to interact freely for a significant part of the day, simulating a semi-natural living environment. Here, they can revel in being elephants. Follow the guide along the perimeter to gain insights into the group’s dynamics and take your time observing the formation of a new herd. This unique opportunity provides a closer look at their natural lives, a distinctive aspect of our program that sets it apart.
Lunch will be served at the Center, followed by a visit to our medicinal garden dedicated to elephant care. Join our workshop to learn the art of crafting local handicraft products using bamboo or rattan. While at the workshop, witness the elephants enjoying their afternoon bath.
You will reconnect with our mahouts or vet technician for a Target Training Session. Our elephants undergo training using ‘positive reinforcement’ techniques, facilitating necessary treatments while minimizing stress. This session offers you the opportunity to observe their work from a safe distance.
Overnight at hotel in Xayaboulys
Distance:
- Luang Prabang Central – Elephant Conservation Center: 3 miles 🡪10 minutes driving transfer
DAY 6: BACK TO LUANG PRABANG (GUIDE & TRANSFER FROM ECC) (B/L/-)
Pick-up: 08:30AM
After breakfast, you will visit the Male Elephants Socialization Area. This is an activity that can only be experienced at the ECC. Male elephants, ranging from massive tuskers to juveniles, form a group of bachelors, just as they would in the wild. Their majesty and power will take your breath away as you observe them quietly and safely from a raised wooden platform. Follow our guide around the perimeter to learn more about male elephants’ social dynamics in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Once back to the Center, you will have the opportunity to improve your elephant knowledge at our Information Center, where we have created a series of displays about the Asian elephant’s biology, social life, ecology, and cultural significance. You’ll also learn about elephants’ vital role in Asian history and their symbolic associations. Time spent at the Information Center with our guide or on your own will help you better understand both the importance of elephants as a keystone species within their ecosystem and the intimate relationship they have shared with humans in Asia for thousands of years
Lunch will be served at the restaurant, and you’ll have some time to relax before we transport you back to Luang Prabang via minivan. Feel free to bid farewell to the staff or take a final stroll around the Center.
Please note that the medical care and “positive reinforcement” training of the elephants at the Elephant Hospital are exclusively conducted by qualified veterinarians. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to participate in these activities. Thank you for your understanding.
This program commences at 8:00 on day 1 and concludes around 17:00 on day 3. We will arrange for your pickup in Luang Prabang and return you there after lunch.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
- Elephant Conservation Center – Luang Prabang: 3 miles 🡪10 minutes driving transfer
DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG – VANG VIENG (train) – EXPLORATION (B/-/-)
Pick-up: 08:30AM
After breakfast we then transfer out to the train station to take the speed train to Vang Vieng (1 hour)
Upon arrival, the limestone cliffs and valleys surrounding the resort complex of Vang Vieng are home to numerous caves and caverns.
From there, we will drive further to Tham Nangfa or Angel Cave, which is filled by the huge limestone formations and has spectacular stalactites in various unique formations.
You have ample time to visit Blue Lagoon, which is a great spot to relax and cool off before transferring back to Vang Vieng.
Overnight at hotel in Vang Vieng
Distance:
- Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng: 115 miles 🡪3 hour driving transfer
DAY 8: VANG VIENG – EXPLORATION – VIENTIANE (B/-/-)
Pick-up: 08:30AM
After breakfast, our songthaew driver will take you 14 km north to the amazing Tham Xang (Elephant Cave), located on the banks of the Nam Song River. This important Buddhist temple is named for its remarkable limestone formations resembling elephants.
Next, we head to the nearby Tham Hoi (Snail Cave), which winds deep into the mountains. We’ll spend 45 minutes exploring its numerous long corridors and stunning limestone formations.
We will also explore the Loop Cave, known for its impressive stalagmite formations, before continuing on to Tham Nam (Water Cave). At Tham Nam, a cool spring pool lies at the cave’s mouth, making it a perfect spot for a refreshing swim. We’ll tube through the water-filled cave, which is crystal clear during the dry season.
With our farewells to Vang Vieng, we embark on a journey to Vientiane. Nestled on the banks of the Mekong River, the capital exudes an exotic ambiance, blending influences from Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French cultures.
Overnight at hotel in Vientiane
Distance:
- Vang Vieng – Vientiane: 80 miles 🡪2 hour driving transfer
DAY 9: VIENTIANE EXPLORATION – BUDDHA PARK (B/-/-)
Pick-up: 08:30AM
In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power.
After that drive to Buddha Park which takes around 45 minutes away. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. Returning to town, visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.
Start the afternoon with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire.
Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxay, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.
Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.
End your tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls.
Optional tour: You can also visit Sinouk Coffee Pavilion to discover the Lao coffee, stroll around the mini coffee gallery, view the in-house coffee roaster and try a cup of delicious and unique coffee or tea. Discuss with our guide about this. Entrance fee and extra coffee/drinks are payable on spot.
Overnight at hotel in Vientiane
Distance:
- COPE – Buddha Park: 15 miles 🡪 30 minutes driving transfer
DAY 10: VIENTIANE – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
Pick-up: 2.5 hours before the flight
You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight
Distance:
- Vientiane Central – Vientiane Airport: 5,5 miles 🡪20 minute driving transfer
HOME SWEET HOME!
Included / Excluded
To help you plan your trip, we have put together a list of what's included and what's not included in your tour package. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect and help you make any necessary arrangements before your journey begins.
- Hotel Accommodation with daily breakfast (shared in twin/ double room)
- Experience English speaking tour manager on tour
- Private transfer and transportation on tour
- Meals are mentioned on program (B: Breakfast, Br: Brunch, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
- Entrance fees are mentioned on the itinerary
- Daily mineral water (2 bottles/ pax/ tour day)
- All flights with tax
- Visa Approval Letter and Visa Stamping fee at arrival counter
- Travel Insurance
- Early check in or late check out
- Drinks and Beverages
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Surcharge 20% for Public Holidays:
o New Year: 31 December 2024 – 02 January 2025 (inclusive)
o Vietnamese New Year: 28 Januray – 02 February (inclusive)
o Unification Day and May Day: 28 April – 03 May 2025 (inclusive)
o National Day: 28 August – 04 Sep 2025 (inclusive)
o Christmas: 23 – 25 December 2025 (inclusive - TIPPING for local guide, cruise team, tour manager and driver (compulsory)
- All other services are not mentioned on Inclusions
Tour Map
This comprehensive map is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences.
