Leaving early this morning, you will embark upon an adventure up the Mekong River. It will take approximately 1.5 hours by private boat to reach the Pak Ou Caves, which are filled with thousands of Buddhist statues of various shapes and sizes. After visiting the cave, we will go by slow boat back to Luang Prabang, and then by bus onto the Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm, an inspiring non-profit organisation. Whilst you’re there, you will have the chance to feed the chickens, pigs and buffalo, as well as the opportunity to milk a buffalo! After the tour you will have some lunch whilst enjoying the glorious mountain views – dessert will be buffalo ice cream with a delicious cake! In the afternoon, we’ll visit the breath-taking Kuang Si Waterfalls, the largest in Luang Prabang. You can take a swim in the refreshing pools of the waterfalls so don’t forget your swimsuits! Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast we will begin our half day city tour of Luang Prabang. The tour will include a visit to the 18th century Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham Monastery, the Royal Palace Museum, and the Wat Xieng Thong, one of the most beautiful temples in town. Admire the colonial architecture as we continue our tour to the UXO Lao Visitors Centre to learn about the issue of unexploded bombs that remain in the Laos countryside; the country is the most heavily bombed per capita in the world. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Ock Pok Tok Village where you can learn about traditional Laos culture. You will then have some free time for lunch and further exploring. In the late afternoon, you will depart for a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

This morning you will be getting up very early to go and watch something very special; the morning alms giving ceremony. Walk through the quiet streets and watch as a procession of 300 young monks walk silently by, collecting sticky rice and other food in their bowls. The ritual is linked to a Buddhist tradition in which monks beg for their daily food as a way of demonstrating humility. Almsgiving is an important religious act in Buddhism and it must be carried out respectfully by locals and tourists alike. If you would like to be involved in the offering of food, your guide will be more than happy to show you the best way to interact with the monks. Afterwards, we’ll head back to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. We will then drive 300km uphill, surrounded by beautiful scenery until we reach Xieng Khouang, an area devasted by American bombing during the Vietnam War. Upon arrival, we will visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. If time permits, we will see the old capital of Muang Khoun and the nearby villages that are home to the H’mong hill tribes. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

After breakfast, we will visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribes barter and exchange merchandise. We’ll then continue our journey to Vang Vieng, stopping off to see the Buddha images in Thampra on the way. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the Tham Jang Cave, one of the most famous in Vang Vieng. It was once used as a hide out by villagers during the civil war and offers incredible views of the town and surrounding area below. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Before the sun comes up this morning, we’ll be heading out to catch a long tail boat for an hours’ cruise along the Nam Song River. Here you will see a beautiful sunrise with the most picturesque scenery of Vang Vieng. Afterwards, head back to your hotel for breakfast and check-out. You will then be transferred to your last destination, Vientiane. You will have some free time to relax on arrival. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, we’ll be heading to the Patuxai Monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb to the top for incredible panoramic views of the city. Afterwards, we’ll be visiting That Luang, or ‘the great stupa’, the holiest site in Laos. In the afternoon we’ll visit the Buddha Park, which is filled with more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. Overnight in Vientiane.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time today before you need to depart for the airport to catch international flights home.