Day 1: Luang Prabang arrival
Day 2: Luang Prabang’s treasures
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou - Kuang Si
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Phonsavan
Day 5: The plain of jars in Phongsavan
Day 6: Phongsavan – Vang Vieng
Day 7: Vang Vieng – Vientiane
Day 8: Vientiane city tour
Day 9: Last moments in the capital

B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner)

Open and close

Arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, welcome by the iLOTUS TOURS guide and transfer to your hotel. This peaceful city, world heritage, is located in the heart of a mountainous region in the north of the country.

Car: 10km Night: hotel

This day is dedicated to the most important sites of Luang Prabang: venture into Wat Visoun, a temple from the 16th century rehabilitated into a small religious museum, then into Wat Aham, a temple from the early 19th century. Two guardians, laid at the foot of the staircase, represent two characters from the Ramayana (Hanuman, the monkey god and the ferocious Yaksa). Next, Wat Xiengthong, the most important temple of the city dating from the 16th century and embodying the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture. Climb up the 328 steps of Mount Phousi leading to the top of the sacred hill. This shady Mount dominates the sky of Luang Prabang and offers a splendid 360° panorama of the surrounding villages and the Mekong. At the end of the day, enjoy some free time to wander through the wide night market, where you can find a collection of beautiful textiles handmade by local tribes. Overnight at the hotel.

Hiking: 3h Night: hotel

In the morning, embark on a narrow, fast local boat, for an excursion on the Mekong River to Pak Ou. Many wonders await you on this journey: lush landscapes, typical villages and authentic local life. Pak Ou sanctuaries consist of two large caves and thousands of Buddha representations ranging from a few centimeters to two meters in height. Typical Laotian villages in the area are barely visible behind this thick screen of foliage. You will pass by slender canoes sailing near the shore, floats and bamboo poles marking the location of nets and fish traps. Take a break in Ban Muang Keo, a village well known for distilling traditionally Lao Lao whiskey rice. A short drive along the Mekong will take you south to Kuang Si Waterfalls located in a protected national park. These famous low waterfalls offer a spectacular and beautiful sight in their green setting. You will have enough time on site to relax and take a dip in the cool water, before returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon. Night at the hotel.

Car: 60km/2h Hotel

Today, transfer to Xieng Khouang, a province that was devastated by US bombings from 1964 to 1973. This long ride through stunning mountainscape and pretty little villages of ethnic minorities is a great way to explore Laos. Several stops for budding photographers are planned along the way. Upon arrival, explore the ancient capital of Muang Khun province and its surrounding villages. Overnight at Phonsavan.

Car: 270km/7h Night: hotel

The Plain of Jars is an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. These enormous jars are supposed to be more than 2000 years old, and most archaeologists are still wondering about their purpose. The day will be devoted to the exploration of the fascinating N1 site and some neighboring villages, populated by the Hmong, the hill tribes and the inhabitants of Tai Dam. Very poor, they have a vibrant local culture and an interesting history.

Car: 50km Night: hotel

Drive to Vang Vieng, a small town on the meandering Nam Song River. Landscapes are spectacular with limestone outcrops. It’s going to be an intense and hectic drive on a bumpy road full of potholes. On the way, make a few stops to pleasantly punctuate the journey. Visit a village of the H'mong ethnic group, take another break to enjoy the panoramic view at the top of Sala Phoukhoun, the highest peak in northern Laos. The last stop before arriving in Vang Vieng will be a viewpoint on the Phatang mountain to take in one last time this scenic beauty.

Car: 230km/7h Hotel

Today, explore Tham Jang Cave that was once used by locals as a hiding place to protect themselves from Chinese invaders. Cross the river at Ban Huai Ngai, a very nice village where you can discover different ways of life. Leaving Vang Vieng, roads begin to deteriorate, but the breathtaking mountain scenery makes it a worthwhile trip. Take the road to Vientiane. Located on the banks of the Mekong, the capital offers exotic images with a curious mixture of Laotian, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and French influences.

Car: 170km/5h Night: hotel

After breakfast, explore the most important historical and religious sites of the capital: Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to survive the Siamese war in 1828, and its cloister with more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Phra Keo, the former royal temple turned into a museum of religious art, originally erected to house the famous emerald Buddha that the king brought back from northern Siam. Today, it displays a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and artifacts found around Vientiane. On the way to the famous stupa That Luang, stop to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay monument, which recalls the Parisian Arc de Triomphe. The rest of the day is free for you to shop at Vientiane Market. Do not miss out on Laotian textiles, hill tribe artworks, crafts and ancient items in general. Overnight at the hotel.

Night: hotel

Depending on your departure flight, free time to discover the capital at your leisure. Transfer to the airport, departure flight. End of our services.

from € 765 euro/personne

The price includes

þ Accommodation and breakfasts in hotels on the accommodation list

þ Meals clearly mentioned in the program: B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner

þ The entrance fee to the sites

þ Competent English–speaking guides throughout the trip except the free days when it is mentioned clearly: without a guide

þ Private air – conditioned car for all land transport except free days when it is mentioned clearly: without driver

þ One litre of drinking water per person per day

þ Domestic flight in economy class

þ All logistic services necessary for the program

The price does not include

ý International flights and airport taxes from/to your country

ý Visa fees

ý Means of transport not mentioned in the program

ý Meals not mentioned in the program

ý Tipping for services: local guides, crew members, drivers, porters…

ý Drink, telephone, linen or all personal expenses not mentioned in the "price includes" section

Trip price

All prices mentioned in the quotes provided to clients are in US Dollars (USD). Euros are accepted, but the exchange rate will be determined by the international website https://www.xe.com/ on the date the payment is made. iLOTUS TOURS guarantees the rates mentioned in the quotes, invoices, or documents given to the client. Upon payment of the deposit or the full price, we guarantee the price of your trip (excluding changes made by you). However, certain force majeure situations may require us to adjust our prices to meet the travel conditions described in the quote. These force majeure situations may include:
• An unpredictable and significant increase in the rate of our local providers (hotels, trains, planes, junks, boats, road vehicles...)
• A significant currency fluctuation that has a considerable impact on the exchange rate
• The introduction of a new tax imposed by the government
Proof of these force majeure events will be provided to the client. In these cases of force majeure, even after the deposit has been paid, the client may refuse these increases and cancel their trip. We commit to refunding the deposit you have paid.

Reservation and Confirmation

All reservations must be sent to iLOTUS TOURS by email at: contact@ilotustours.com
• Registration must be accompanied by a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the trip and 100% of the cost of international flights.
• The deposit required for trips lasting less than one week is 50% of the total trip cost.
• A larger deposit may be required in the case of last-minute bookings or depending on the specific requests of certain high-category hotels or airlines.
• The balance must be paid upon your arrival, without any reminder from our side.
• Upon confirmation of the booking, an invoice will be sent to the client by email.

Payment

The trip can be paid for in cash, by bank transfer, by credit card, or through an application (Wise, Revolut, One Pay...):
• Cash payments must be made at the iLOTUS TOURS office located in Hanoi, and the client will not be charged any payment fees.
• Credit cards: we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB. Any bank fees are the responsibility of the client.
• Bank transfer in US dollars or euros.

Cancellation by the Client

In the event of trip cancellation, all cancellations must be confirmed by email. The client must pay cancellation fees corresponding to the following rates:
• 25% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 30 days before the trip start date.
• 50% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 10 days before the trip start date.
• 75% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS less than 3 days before the trip start date.
• 100% of the total trip price, if the cancellation reaches iLOTUS TOURS 2 days before the trip start date or in case of no-show.
For trips to Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, your travel advisor will provide you with all the information regarding the deposit and cancellation fees.

Cancellation by iLOTUS TOURS

iLOTUS TOURS reserves the right to cancel trips agreed upon with clients for reasons related to a force majeure situation: war or the threat of war, riots, a natural or nuclear disaster, a port blockade, looting, fires, and any terrorist activity, adverse weather conditions, an epidemic, quarantine, or any similar event. In all these cases of cancellation, iLOTUS TOURS will deduct the amount of these penalties from the deposit paid by the client but will refund the remaining amount to the client by bank transfer, with the client covering all bank fees.