The Best of Laos... Mountains & Mekong Tour
10 days from £6,750 for 2024 per person
This journey focuses on the mountains and rivers of northern of Laos and explores the area with some trekking, boat journeys, and bike rides. Begin in the capital of Vientiane in the comfortable, colonial Settha Palace Hotel. Spend time seeing the sites of the city and walking in the Phu Kwa Kway conservation area which is famed for its orchids.
Next, travel north to the charming Muang La Resort; spend time here cycling through bright green paddy fields, trekking to remote villages, learning to fish using traditional nets and relaxing in the natural hot springs. Drive through lush forest covered hills and past H'mong and Khamu villages before cruising along the Nam Ou River, past limestone karst peaks to the small village of Nong Khiaw for a night.
Continue to cruise down the Nam Ou, past the Pak Ou caves to the tranquil town of Luang Prabang. With its French-style colonial houses, traffic free streets, Buddhist monasteries and elegant temples Luang Prabang is the spiritual capital of the country. Spend time here visiting local villages, waterfalls, watching the daily alms giving and wandering round markets.
This luxury holiday is purely a suggested itinerary; it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your perfect tailor-made tour of Laos. If you would like to see similar trips, take a look at our collection of Family Holidays; as well as our favourite Active, Wildlife, Trekking and Wellness itineraries.
Itinerary details
10 days from £6,750 for 2024 per person
- Day 1 - Settha Palace - Vientiane
Arrive in Vientiane and transfer to the hotel. - Day 2 - Settha Palace - Vientiane
Full day orchid walk through the Phu Kwa Kway conservation area near Vientiane. - Day 3 - Muang La Lodge - Muang La
Morning sightseeing in Vientiane including a visit to the COPE centre. Fly to Udomxay before transferring to Muang La. - Day 4 - Muang La Lodge - Muang La
Visit ethnic minority villages in the mountains. - Day 5 - Nong Khiaw Riverside - Nong Khiaw
Travel by road and boat to Nong Khiaw. - Day 6 - Sofitel Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang
Travel by boat to Luang Prabang via the Pak Ou Caves transfer to the hotel. - Day 7 - Sofitel Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang
Chance to watch the alms giving early this morning. Visit the local market and Kuangsi Falls. Afternoon visit to the arts and ethnology museum. - Day 8 - Sofitel Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang
Full day Gecko Cliff adventure, trekking, cycling and cruising along the river. - Day 9 - Sofitel Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang
Half day tour of Luang Prabang's temples. Afternoon at leisure. - Day 10 - In transit.
Morning transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.
When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller