Your journey begins at 10:00 am from the Houay Xay pier, where you’ll board a shared cruise along the mighty Mekong River. This scenic 6-7 hour cruise takes you on a slow, relaxing journey to the charming town of Pakbeng. As you glide downriver, you'll pass traditional scenes of daily life—locals farming, fishing, and building wooden houses—while spotting water buffaloes, goats, and other animals along the way. The cruise offers breathtaking views of mountainous jungle landscapes.

Onboard, enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, tea, and coffee. You can also purchase local snacks and alcoholic beverages. A buffet lunch featuring freshly prepared local delicacies is included.

During the cruise, you'll stop at a small hill tribe village, where you’ll observe villagers going about their daily routines—washing clothes, caring for animals, and preparing rice for evening meals. This self-sustained community thrives through mutual support, exchanging goods like rice, eggs, and vegetables for labor on farming or house-building projects.

Upon arrival at Pakbeng Pier, you’ll disembark and transfer by local transportation to Le Grand Pakbeng Resort, where you'll stay for two nights.

We will travel 17 km north of Pakbeng along a red-soil road to visit Khmu villages. Along the way, you'll enjoy spectacular views of jungle-covered mountains, small rivers feeding the mighty Mekong, bamboo forests, and rice fields, where hardworking locals go about their daily routines.  

In the first village, Ban Lai, you'll experience rural life where buffalos, pigs, chickens, and dogs roam freely. Your guide will introduce you to the customs of the Khmu people and explain the differences among Laos' three largest ethnic groups. You'll have the opportunity to visit a cattle farm, explore small vegetable gardens, and interact with the curious locals as you capture photos of village life.  

Next, you'll visit Ban Kham, the last village along the red-soil road. This village is known for its traditional bamboo houses built on stilts. Families live on the upper floors, while the space underneath is used for animals and tools, including large wooden mortars and pestles for processing food—a tradition passed down for generations. Here, you can participate in hands-on activities like gold panning or rice peeling with the villagers.  

In the afternoon, you'll return to Pakbeng town for lunch. Afterward, you'll visit Wat Sichomjeng, a beautifully decorated temple adorned with colorful artifacts, ancient murals, and sculptures. Next, you'll explore Wat Kokkor, a 400-year-old temple offering both historic artifacts and stunning views of Pakbeng town.  

You'll stop by the local market, where residents from across the district come to shop. You'll find an array of local foods and products, including dried buffalo skin, local tea, saltpeter, fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, and poultry—everything essential to daily life in Laos. 

We’ll head to Muang Xai, a provincial town in Oudomxay.  On the way, we'll stop at Ban Yor, a model Lao village with a rich cultural heritage. Founded in 902 by Thai Leu settlers who chose the area for its fertile valley and warm climate, Ban Yor is now home to 135 families and 682 residents. Despite having electricity, the village retains its traditional charm and way of life. Here, you'll see villagers immersed in their daily routines—women spinning and weaving cotton grown nearby and men skillfully knitting fishnets.  

Northern Laos has a long history of pottery-making, thanks to abundant clay deposits. Though pottery production has declined in recent decades, villagers still craft simple bowls and jugs using traditional methods, without electricity or modern machinery.  

You can choose to have lunch in Oudomxay or enjoy a simple meal at a local restaurant in Muang Xai before continuing to Namkat Yorla Pa, a luxury eco-resort.  

Namkat Yorla Pa is a protected forestry area along the Nam Kat River in Oudomxay province, one of the most stunning and sought-after eco-tourism destinations in Laos and Southeast Asia. Here, you’ll experience the wonders of nature, diverse flora and fauna, ethnic culture, and thrilling adventures, all in a serene, picturesque setting.  

Spend the afternoon at your leisure—relax by the pool, take a complimentary bike ride along paved trails, explore the surrounding forest, or unwind on the restaurant’s balcony, listening to the sounds of nature and watching the gentle stream flow by. 

We’ll depart from the resort by car and take a short walk to the Information Centre. From there, you’ll begin a trek to the stunning Namkat Waterfall, crossing suspension bridges along the way and enjoying spectacular views of the Namkat River below.  

At the waterfall, we’ll take a break for a relaxing lunch amidst the natural surroundings.  

Afterward, the adventure continues with an exhilarating zip-lining experience. Feel the thrill of soaring through the trees at high speed! For those who prefer not to zip-line, an alternate walking route back to the meeting point will be arranged.   

If you're interested, you can also choose other optional activities, payable on-site.

Transfer to the train station at 11:00 am. The train departs from Oudomxay to Luang Prabang at 12:34 pm, with a travel time of approximately one hour.  

1:23 pm: Arrive at Luang Prabang station, where your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

We’ll drive to the breathtaking Kuang Si Waterfall, where you can cool off in its turquoise pools or stroll along scenic forest trails. You’ll also have the chance to visit the nearby bear sanctuary, managed by Free the Bears Fund Inc.

Start the visits with the former Royal Palace, now transformed into the National Museum, which houses a precious collection of royal and religious artifacts tracing the history of Laos.

Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, the city's most iconic and photographed temple, remarkable for its elegantly sloping roofs and golden mosaics depicting scenes of Laotian life.

Next, visit Wat Visoun, recognizable by its watermelon-shaped stupa—a symbol of harmony—and one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang.

At Wat Aham, a small and intimate temple, you’ll discover the guardian spirits of the city and the animist elements that remain deeply rooted in local culture.

We’ll ascend Mount Phousi to explore its sacred gilded stupa and enjoy panoramic views of the city, the sunset, and the Mekong River.

Towards the end of the day, enjoy free time to stroll through the night market, where ethnic minorities display their handmade crafts. The peaceful atmosphere, hanging lanterns, and fragrant spices create an unforgettable setting.

Option: Early in the morning, at dawn, you can witness a unique ritual – the monks’ alms-giving procession. In silent lines, they walk through the streets to receive offerings from the faithful – a deeply spiritual moment.

You will visit and experience the vibrant early morning fresh market, where locals come to do their daily shopping. These markets offer an authentic glimpse into the local culture and way of life. Unlike supermarkets, which are rare in this region, the local markets are prized for their fresh, natural ingredients and lively atmosphere.

You’ll be transferred to the Luang Prabang train station, where you'll board a train to Vang Vieng. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.

Pickup at the train station and transfer to your hotel in Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng is a charming town nestled along a bend of the Nam Song River. Despite recent tourism developments, its breathtaking scenery remains unspoiled, with tranquil river waters and dramatic limestone formations creating a stunning backdrop. 

We'll visit the famous Tham Jang Cave, once used by locals as a refuge from Chinese invaders.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. You can explore Vang Vieng on foot or by bicycle, take a boat ride up the river, or simply unwind by the pool at your hotel.

We begin the journey just 8 km outside of Vang Vieng, where you’ll arrive at our kayaking site. An experienced, English-speaking guide will provide a safety briefing and demonstrate kayaking techniques to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Paddle along the tranquil Nam Song River, surrounded by breathtaking scenery—majestic mountains rise on one side, while rice paddies and traditional villages stretch out on the other.

Take a break and relax as a light lunch with fresh fruits is served on the riverbank, set against a stunning backdrop of tropical forests and towering peaks.

You’ll be transferred to the Vang Vieng train station, where you'll board a train to Vientiane. The journey takes approximately 1 hour.

Upon arriving at Vientiane Railway Station, you'll be greeted by our local driver and transferred to your hotel in town.

Breakfast at the hotel, then set off to explore Vientiane.

First stop: Vat Sisaket, built in 1818, famous for its thousands of Buddha statues carefully arranged in wall niches. It is one of the few temples that survived the Siamese invasion of 1828.

Right across the street, visit Ho Phra Keo, a former royal chapel turned museum. This prestigious site once housed the Emerald Buddha, now revered in Bangkok. Its refined architecture makes it a gem of Lao religious art.

Make a short stop at Patuxai, the Lao-style triumphal arch built in 1959 as a tribute to war victims. From the top, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

Continue to That Luang, the great golden stupa and spiritual symbol of the country. Founded in the 16th century by King Setthathirath, this sacred monument represents both the nation’s independence and the Lao people's Buddhist faith.

We'll head to the Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures set in a peaceful meadow along the Mekong River, near the Friendship Bridge. The park features around 200 religious statues, created over 500 years ago by a visionary monk to convey his philosophical ideas about life and the universe.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to relax before being transferred to Luang Prabang airport for your departure.