• From October to March: Departure every: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• From April to September: Departure every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

07:30: After breakfast, pick up by driver (no guide) and drive to Chiang Khong border, a district in the northeastern part of Chiang Rai to Houayxay check point.

After you pass by Thailand Immigration, take shuttle bus from Thailand side to Laos side (the bus ticket costs 40 Bath per person and 45 Bath for each luggage, and this cost not included, so please pay directly there).

After passing through Laos immigration, you will cross the Mekong River to Houayxay in Laos where your Lao guide will be waiting for you at the immigration point. After completing border formalities, you board a ready traditional boat for the trip down the Mekong River. Serene, timeless Laos is one of Asia's most unvisited, unchanged countries. This once-powerful kingdom known as Lane Xang (Million Elephants) was founded in the 14th century with the help of the Khmers, and it went on to become one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia until its demise in the late 19th century. Bisected and bordered by the Mekong River, omnipresent symbol of Indochina, Laos today is an amalgam of cultural influences, Theravada Buddhism, animism, France, and the socialist ideal. It is a peaceful place, and the legendary hospitality, resilience and friendliness of the Lao people is much in evidence. Laos is Old Asia preserved. As your journey downriver you will stop at some tribal minority villages such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

After breakfast, 8:30am: We will venture into the mountainous and remote reaches of Northern Laos en route to Oudomxay. This province is home to 23 distinct ethnic minority groups, and we will make several rest stops along the way so you can meet some of them. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly, greeting visitors with waving hands and smiling faces.

We will stop at the pottery village of Ban Yor, as well as several other tribal minority villages. The most numerous ethnic groups in the area is the Lao (the ethnic majority), followed by the Khammu and the H’mong. Only the senior members of the H’mong still wear traditional clothing and hairstyles, often combined with modern garments. Most other inhabitants now dress in Western style.

The houses, in contrast, continue to be built according to tradition, and it is fascinating to observe how each ethnic group differs from the others—not only in their concept of home but also in the rituals and customs of daily life, including initiation into adulthood, marriage, work, celebrations, and funerals.

We will arrive at Namkat Yolapa in the late afternoon. After checking into your hotel, you will have some free time to relax and explore the surroundings at your leisure.

Overnight in Namkat.

• An active day in the jungle. You will take a walk today to the Namkat Waterfall. You walk through the jungle and part of the route you cover via 13 rope bridges. A real adventure! Are you afraid of heights? Let us know and we will adjust the walk. Lunch is organized at the waterfall and then you walk back to the starting point. On the way we stop at a few giant trees.Overnight in Namkat.

After breakfast, we will take an express train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Luang Prabang is one of the best-preserved traditional cities in Southeast Asia. Its tranquillity, charm, splendid natural scenery, and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An early start provides the fantastic opportunity to witness the captivating centuries old daily tradition of the alms giving ceremony, Tak Bat. Before sunrise, hundreds of saffron-clad monks file out from the old town's 35 temples to collect their daily alms from faithful residents.

Back to the hotel for breakfast, travel south of town to the famous Kuangsi Waterfall; the turquoise color of the water with a backdrop of white limestone cliffs gives the waterfall a magical appearance. Depending on the season the water level varies, and you can be swimming in the beautiful pools. While there, you also will have the opportunity to visit the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation center that rescues animals from the wildlife trade.

We visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. The National Museum and the Central Market are not to be missed. We enjoy a short tour seeing the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and Wat Xieng Thong, a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty, and traditional art. Later we’ll visit the impressive Wat Visoun, the oldest temple that houses many Buddha images. Next is Wat Aham, the ‘Monastery of the Blossomed Heart’ exudes serenity, and Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in this city.

Evening, enjoy Luang Prabang night maket, offering a lovely variety of handmade textiles crafted by local and hill-tribe people, along with street food, knick-knacks and friendly banter.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Join Tour: 10:00-14:30.

Transfers to the Vat Nong Pier for 10am. While cruising up the Mekong, enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, or juice. The first stop of the day is at Ban Xang Hai AKA Whisky Village. There you can sample the Lao whisky and rice wine, watch the local artisans at their looms, and see the beautiful Wat Xang Hai. After a short exploration, once again board the boat for your main destination, Pak Ou Caves. The Pak Ou Caves rest where the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers meet with stunning limestone cliffs and jungle scenery. Both lower and upper caves are accessible by stairs. You will have plenty of time to explore the Pak Ou Caves and appreciate their thousands of Buddha statues. Upon returning to the boat, you will be served lunch while heading back to Luang Prabang finishing at the pier.

This affordable cruise allows you to experience the legendary Pak Ou Caves, enjoy an array of traditional Lao food, and take in views of daily life on the Mekong. Certainly, an afternoon not to be missed!

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Free till pick up by driver and transfer to Luang Prabang International airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.