Laos: Land of the Elephant Kings
18 days

Day 1: You will be met on arrival and transferred to your centrally located hotel. You have the rest of the day free to relax and adjust to the frenetic pace and humid heat of Bangkok.

Day 2: Begin with a walk to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keow, the most famous temple complex in Thailand. Continue to Wat Po and Wat Arun before taking a boat trip on the Chao Praya River and Bangkok's back waterways. There will still be time for some afternoon shopping before dinner at a riverside restaurant.

Days 3-4: Fly from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani where you will be met by your Lao guide. Completing immigration formalities at Chong Mek continue by road to Khong Island via Khone Phapeng Waterfall.
Khong Island is the largest of the many islands that dot the Mekong River at its widest stretch. Called Si Phan Don (4000 islands) many are mere sand bars visible only in the dry season, the largest support permanently inhabited self-sufficient communities. Spend a day exploring the area by boat, including Don Det, Don Khon and the raging rapids known as LiPhi Falls.

Days 5-6: Many workers on the French introduced coffee plantations are Laven, the people for whom the plateau is named, though a number of other Mon-Khmer ethnic groups live here including the shamanistic Alak and Katu, known for their annual water buffalo sacrifices.
The Khmer complex of Wat Phu contains structures from the Chenla Kingdom to the Angkor period (6th-13th centuries), although the mountain on which it is built was considered sacred as a home to animist spirits centuries before this. Some believe it was the site of human sacrifices, others that it was the capital of Chenla and perhaps even of the earlier Funan Kingdom.
From the Tad Fane Resort you have a dramatic view over the Tad Fane Waterfalls, thundering down a 200-meter deep gorge – dinner your first night here is on us.

Day 7: After the short flight from Pakse spend the afternoon exploring this relaxed riverside capital. Sites include Wat Sisaket (one of the city’s oldest and most fascinating temples), That Luang (Lao’s national symbol and one of its most sacred sites) and the Morning Market (an all-day affair selling virtually everything)

Day 8: This morning you will fly to Phonsavan, capital of Xieng Khuang Province – awesomely beautiful and one of the areas most bombed during the War (1964-73). Here too is the mysterious Plain of Jars, named after hundreds of enormous granite jars scattered across the area, although it is now known that they were carved from solid boulders in an area west of Muang Sui, their purpose remains a mystery. Visit sites 1 & 2.

Days 9-11: It is a long drive to Luang Prabang, but you will make plenty of stops along the way to enjoy the spectacular views and visit some of the villages lining the road.
Located at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang is without a doubt the most charming of cities in Laos. During your time in this serene and enchanting town visit the Tham Ting caves at Pac Ou which house thousands of Buddha images; discover something of Lao’s Buddhist and architectural heritage on a walking tour of some of the most impressive of Luang Prabang’s 32 temples including Vat Vixoun, Vat Sene, and Vat Xiengthong; watch the sunset from Phousi Hill; swim in the crystal clear waters below Kuangsi Falls; marvel at the delicacy of Lao textiles; rise at dawn to watch the monks walk through the city collecting offerings of food from the locals. And you will still find time to browse the many textile galleries and relax in the town’s many small cafés. Dinner at L'Elephant

Days 12-14: Drive to Luang Nam Tha, center of the rugged hill region which is home to the largest variety of tribal peoples in Lao. The route is magnificent and you will visit some of the many Hmong villages that line the road. A day trek introduces the lives and traditions of some of the minority peoples of the area including the Hmong and Black Thai and a boat trip into the Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area reveals more of village life and the natural beauty of the region.

Days 15-16: Only 10kms from the China border, Muang Sing is a trade center and cultural nexus. It is also a major opium producing region with one in ten Akha tribes people an addict. A day is spent exploring some of the many villages of the area including Akha and Yao.

Day 17: Drive to Ban Houaysai along one of the most scenic and spectacular roads in Laos. Cross the river border into Thailand, spending the night in a lovely wooden Thai Lanna style guest house on the river bank. Enjoy an evening drink on the wide terrace looking back towards Lao.

Day 18: Today you will be transferred to Chiang Rai airport for your flight back to Bangkok or, if you prefer you many take a bus to Chiang Mai to continue your journey in Thailand - perhaps a hill tribe trek

Included in the Tour Cost:
• Transportation
• Accommodation as mentioned
• Meals as per itinerary (17 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners)
• English speaking guides
• sightseeing as indicated including entry fees

Not included in the Tour Cost:
• Flights (Bangkok-Ubon Rat/ Pakse-Vientiane / Vientiane-Phonsavan / Chiang Rai- Bangkok)
• International flights & airport taxes
• Drinks
• Meals other than specified
• Visa & passport fees
• Airport taxes
• Personal expenses
• Tips & gratuities
• Personal travel insurance
• Costs arising from events outside the control of Asian Footsteps or its agents - including the delay or extension of a trip due to weather, equipment failure, illness, or other causes beyond our control. No refunds can be made for any unused services or accommodation on the trip.