Taste of Laos 15 day tour

Destination: Luang Nam Tha/Muang Sing/Akha Experience/Muang Sing/Oudomxay/Muang La/Nong Khiaw/Luang Prabang/Kuang Si Waterfall/Xieng Khouang/Muang Khoun/Vientiane

Highlights: A Taste of Laos’ takes you on a journey across the country, tasting the finest food on offer, experiencing the heart of the nation’s culture and learning how to prepare Lao food for yourself. Starting in the tranquil northern riverside town of Luang Nam Tha, you will have a dinner specially prepared in authentic Northern Laos style using only local produce. Explore the native wildlife and lend a helping hand with communities as they prepare food, gaining hands on experience of Lao food preparation before discover Laos’ spiritual capital – the perfect place to take a cooking class, the mysterious Plain of Jars, the mountains of Xieng Khouang and giant Buddhas of Muang Khoun. Finish your trip in the modern-day capital Vientiane for a farewell dinner in one of Laos’ finest restaurant.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Arrival in Laos/Luang Nam Tha (D, G)

Welcome to Laos. From Huay Xay border, drive through beautiful mountain scenery to the town of Luang Nam Tha, a tranquil town nestled in the foothills of Northern Laos and surrounded by a diverse mixture of local ethnic hilltribes. Spend the afternoon relaxing along the banks of the Nam Tha River or explore the nearby market and pagodas of the town. Enjoy dinner at your guesthouse where the food is prepared in authentic northern Lao style using local produce and spices. Overnight in Luang Nam Tha.

Day 2: Luang Nam Tha/Muang Sing/Akha Experience (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Muang Sing where you will meet your local guides for your Akha Experience trek, an ecotourism experience through the gorgeous villages of the area. Set off on foot through lush forest, enjoy a local lunch at the Nam Keo Noi waterfall, and continue to Ban Lao Khao where the locals will welcome you to their village. Immerse yourself in the local culture as you enjoy a traditional music performance and feast upon an Akha-Style dinner. Overnight in the Ban Lao Khao Lodge.

Day 3: Akha experience trekking (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast, start trekking through forest trails, learning about the local plant and animal life that fills the area. As you pass through villages, witness the local techniques used to spin cotton, plant rice, and gather vegetables. Upon arriving in to Ban Tamee, assist the locals as they prepare dinner, learning about the flavours and techniques used to cook in Akha villages. Before heading off to bed, experience a traditional massage to ease those tired muscles. Overnight in Ban Tamee Lodge.

Day 4: Akha experience/Muang Sing (B, L, D, G)

Head to several villages to learn about the Akha’s centuries old traditions of rice pounding and cotton weaving, the very technique used to make their colorful garments. Depart to Ban Piyer where you will enjoy an Akha cooking class and sample your creation. You’ll have time to admire the people’s craftsmanship at a handicraft shop before the transfer back to Muang Sing for overnight.

Day 5: Muang Sing/Oudomxay/Muang La (B, D, G)

Early risers can visit Muang Sing’s ethnic market where the area’s tribes gather to buy and sell their produce and wears. Drive to Muang La, stopping en route at Phou That with sweeping views of the surrounding villages. Upon arrival in Muang La, enjoy a short walk through the village to the salt mines and return to the resort for a dip in the outdoor hot springs and feast on a diverse menu of Lao cuisine. Overnight in Muang La.

Day 6: Muang La (B, L, D, G)

A half day bike journey along the banks of the Pak Nam river takes you to the village of Tad Muan. Khamu villages line the riverside and as you pedal along you will see them harvesting vegetables, fishing, and going about their lives in the same way it has been for hundreads of years. Meet wise elders, innocent children all of whom will greet you with warm smiles and a touch of curiosity! Overnight in Muang La.

Day 7: Muang La/Nong Khiaw (B, L, D, G)

Today starts with a drive to Muang Khua, near to the Vietnam border, where you will board a private boat for a trip down the Nam Ou river. Stop at Muang Ngoi- a town only accessible by water- to visit the area’s caves and villages before continuing downstream to Nong Khiaw. Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Day 8: Nong Khiaw/Luang Prabang (B, L, D, G)

Continue downstream toward Luang Prabang and as your boat navigates the waters of the Nam Ou river, enjoy the mountainous scenery and tranquil surroundings. Stop off at the Pak Ou caves to see the towering limestone caves which are filled with thousands of Buddha images. Reach Luang Prabang in the early evening and enjoy dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants where the fine French and western cuisine is enhanced by the atmosphere of a traditional villa. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 9: Luang Prabang (B, L, D, G)

Enjoy a city tour of Laos’ spiritual capital, visiting several temples, stupas, and the town’s Royal Palace. After feasting on lunch at Coleur Cafe, continue your tour with a visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre where you will learn more about the country’s ethnic groups and traditions. As the day comes to a close, cross the Mekong to Wat Chompet where you can watch the sun set over Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 10: Luang Prabang/Kuang Si Waterfall/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

Awake early to watch long-lines of orange-robe monks collecting the offerings from the local residents, a magical procession that is visually stunning. Spend the morning at a Lao cooking class, visiting the local market to choose spices and ingredients, creating and cooking dishes with traditional methods, and of course, feasting on your creations at lunch! In the afternoon, travel to the crystal clear waters of Kuang Si Waterfalls and climb to the top of Mount Phousi for panoramic views, before an evening spent browsing the hilltribe handicraft market. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 11: Luang Prabang/Xieng Khouang (Plain of Jars) (B, L, D, G)

Travel through the stunning mountains to Xieng Khouang, where the afternoon is spent roaming about the enigmatic Plain of Jars. Explore the three main sites where thousands of stone jars lay haphazardly upon the land. A visit to the Mine Action Group provides great insight in to the wartime history of the area and the work being done to rid the area of landmines and other unexploded ordinances. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

Day 12: Xieng Khouang/Muang Khoun/Vientiane (B, L, G)

Drive past scenic valleys to Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital. Explore the ancient ruins, giant Buddhas, and pagodas which date back to the Lanna period. After lunch back in Xieng Khong, take a short flight to Vientiane where the afternoon is at your leisure to explore. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 13: Vientiane (B, L, D, G)

Today discover the hidden charm of Vientiane, as you travel by bike or car through the capital city to peaceful temples, towering stupas, and Laos’ own version of the Arc de Triomphe. A lunchtime visit to Makphet Restaurant provides not only a delicious meal and true Lao-hospitality, but also supports a children’s charity. Learn about, and taste, Laos’ famous coffee in an afternoon visit to a roaster and end the day with dinner accompanied by traditional Lao dance. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 14: Vientiane/Phou Khao Kway/Vientiane (B, L, D, G)

Bring your camera as today’s Orchid Trek is likely to be one of your most memorable experiences of the trip. Set off to Phou Khao Kway park where a local villager will guide you through the park’s trails, waterfalls, and forests teaching you about the various wildlife and orchids that are indigenous to the park. Keep your eyes open for the beautiful rare orchids, and wildlife such as monkeys, butterflies, and hornbills. Upon returning to Vientiane, enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Laos’ finest restaurants. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 15: Vientiane departure (B, G)

After breakfast the morning is at your leisure to relax, explore, or do some last minute shopping before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.