Our adventure begins in Vientiane, the capital and largest city in Laos. If you have time after your arrival, you may want to take in the charms of Vientiane – our hotel sits right on the banks of the Mekong.

Around 6pm, say sabai dee (hello) to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Want more time in Vientiane? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (or similar)

Get acquainted with the capital on a sightseeing tour after breakfast. Our first stop is Wat Si Saket. Built over five years from 1819, it is the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane and home to almost 7,000 Buddha images. After, visit Pha That Luang, a large, gold-covered Buddhist stupa. Said to enshrine a breastbone of the Buddha, it is the most important religious monument in Laos.

Head to Patuxai, meaning Victory Gate. This large war monument was built between 1957 and 1968 in response to the nation’s struggle against French colonial rule and subsequent conflicts.

After, we take the train (just under an hour) to the mountain-wrapped town of Vang Vieng on the Nam Song River.

Accommodation: Amari Vang Vieng (or similar)

Experience the rural beauty of Vang Vieng this morning, kayaking down the Nam Song River. It starts with a ride in a songthaew (a converted truck and an adventure in itself), which takes us to Ban Vieng Sa Mai village. Here, we have a safety briefing from a river guide, before hopping in kayaks for our 6mi (10km) journey.

Along the way, look for the local people working in their riverside gardens, villagers casting their fishing nets, and maybe water buffalo cooling in the waters. After 4.5mi (7km), we pull over for a leisurely riverside lunch surrounded by caves and forest.

After, we complete our kayaking and return to our hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Accommodation: Amari Vang Vieng (or similar)

We travel (two hours) by train to Oudomxay Province this morning, arriving in Muang Xai, a historic trading town shaped by Lao and Chinese influences.

Here, we visit the 14th-century Phu That Stupa, where our tour leader explains its continuing role in local Buddhist festivals.

After time for lunch, we visit a private home and garden displaying handcrafted dyed-cotton products, plus the golden Phuuthat Stupa, which was built in the 14th century. The visit also gives us the chance to learn about the Tai Lue ethnic group, who are known for their skills with cotton.

A 45-minute transfer then brings us to our forest resort in Nam Kat Yorla Pa. In the evening, the perfect option is to retire for a refreshing beverage and watch the sun set over the Mekong River or enjoy the many resort amenities – perhaps treating yourself to a massage.

Accommodation: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (or similar)

Journey deep into the wilderness today, exploring with a combination of jungle hiking, walking along sky bridges, and discovering hidden waterfalls. We start at the tour information centre mid-morning, followed by a short transfer in a private vehicle to Nam Kat Waterfall.

Take time to appreciate the beautiful surroundings before we follow a natural trail through the jungle and walk across 13 sky bridges (rope and wood suspension bridges in the forest canopy). They’re not too high off the ground and easy to cross but a ground-level option is available for those uneasy with heights.

After, the private vehicle drives us back to our resort where we can relax and enjoy the various amenities, like the pool and spa.

Accommodation: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (or similar)

Relax this morning and enjoy the last moments of nature and tranquility at your resort. After an early lunch, we head back to Oudomxay and catch the train (around one hour) to Luang Prabang, where we spend the next three nights.

This afternoon, you can relax or join an optional bamboo-weaving and cooking class, in which you learn the importance of bamboo to the Laos culture and how it influences their cuisine. See the Extra Expenses section of the Trip Notes for more details.

Accommodation: The Luang Say Residence (or similar)

Head out after an early breakfast to visit Phu Si temple before the crowds arrive and take in superb views of the Mekong River and the city from the hilltop. The hike is an easy 10-15 minutes up 300 steps, offering increasingly stunning views.

Returning down, we then set off on a two-hour slow boat trip to visit the Pak Ou Caves, cut out of the limestone banks that line the Mekong. These caves are filled with thousands of Buddha images brought by local villagers as a sign of their devotion. After about an hour, we return to Luang Prabang.

This afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Luang Prabang, a World Heritage site and the former capital of Laos. It takes us to Wat Xiengthong, a Buddhist temple that’s arguably one of the most spectacular in the country.

We also visit the Royal Palace National Museum. Also known as the Golden Hall, it was Laos’ Royal Palace before the 1975 revolution and become a national museum in 1995. The estate contains several buildings, including the Royal Barge Shelter, a conference hall, and Haw Pha Bang (an ornate pavilion) that houses the standing Buddha statue called Prabang. There is also the royal garage, which houses the royal car collection, and an art gallery behind that.

This evening, there is an optional visit to see the Royal Ballet troupe performed Phra-Lak Phra-Lam, the Lao version of the sacred poem, the Ramayana. Performances are limited to Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday most weeks.

Accommodation: The Luang Say Residence (or similar)

For those up at dawn, there is the chance to witness the daily parade of saffron-robed monks receiving alms (known as Sai Bat). After, we return to our hotel for breakfast before we drive (just under an hour) through small villages and hilly terrains to Kuang Si Falls – known for its three-tiered waterfalls and milky turquoise waters. Electric shuttles transport us from the main parking area through the village and to the falls, where the winding forest trail leads you to the pristine turquoise pools of the waterfall, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim (changing rooms are available).

After Kuang Si Waterfall, the group return to Luang Prabang. The afternoon is free to enjoy a few interesting optional activities, such as a natural tie-dying workshop, a chance to meet the residents of the MandaLao Elephant Conservation project, or an afternoon cooking class to learn the secrets of Lao cuisine. Booking these before the tour begins is highly recommended due to limited availability. See the Extra Expenses section of the Trip Notes for more details.

Accommodation: The Luang Say Residence (or similar

Relax this morning with free time to explore the wonders of Luang Prabang. After, we drive to the train station to catch the afternoon train (just under two hours) to Vientiane.

Arriving in Vientiane, we check into our hotel and freshen up before enjoying an optional farewell dinner at a local restaurant, a great opportunity to reminisce about your highlights of the adventure and, perhaps, start planning the next.

Accommodation: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (or similar)

The tour ends this morning after breakfast. Catch your free transfer to the airport to begin your journey home. Alternatively, if you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.