Discover Laos in Comfort

Name: Discover Laos in Comfort
Brand: Exodus
SKU: AOU
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Rating: 4.8 (4 reviews)

4 reviews

Overview

Immerse yourself in the cultures and wild landscapes of Laos, while staying in beautiful hotels each night

Temples glitter, nature runs wild, and distinct cultures flourish – Laos is a treasure chest just waiting to be unlocked. Luckily, our expert guides are the keyholders, taking you (mostly) by train to discover storied towns and cities, such as Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, and off-grid to dense rainforests, meandering rivers and hidden waterfalls. To elevate the experience, we stay in a selection of wonderful hotels, including a resort deep within the protected forests of Nam Kat Yorla Pa.

Key Information

Activity: Culture
Activity Level: Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Comfort Level: Superior
Trip Code: AOU
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Laos
Carbon Footprint: 25.7kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 2 Premium nights (rainforest resort), 7 Superior nights (hotels)
All breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner
Immersive itinerary with all transport (train and private air-conditioned minibus) and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Arrival and departure transfers

Positive Impact

We donate to our Foundation and rewild 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller. Find out more about how our adventures support nature and people to thrive.

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations. Also, check out Vietnam Highlights, and Highlights of Cambodia, which you can combine with this adventure.

Highlights

Immerse yourself in the best of Laos: wild landscapes, golden temples and traditional culture

Stay in a selection of handpicked hotels, each with a swimming pool

Kayak down the Nam Song River to explore the rural beauty of Vang Vieng

Explore the Nam Kat jungles, venturing deep into the protected sanctuary

Take a longtail boat to the Buddha statue-filled Pak Ou Caves

Swim under the milky cascades of Kuang Si Waterfall

Itinerary

First Destination: Vientiane
Next Destination: Vientiane

Accommodation:Eastin Hotel Vientiane (or similar)
Meals included:Dinner

Accommodation:Amari Vang Vieng (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Amari Vang Vieng (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:The Luang Say Residence (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:The Luang Say Residence (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:The Luang Say Residence (or similar
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Eastin Hotel Vientiane (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Vientiane
Next Destination: Vientiane

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)
Meals included:Dinner

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)
Meals included:Breakfast

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)
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Upgrade to a deluxe river cottage today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Accommodation:Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

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.

Upgrade to a deluxe river cottage today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Accommodation:Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (or similar)
Meals included:Breakfast

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)
Meals included:Breakfast

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)
Meals included:Breakfast

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
Meals included:Breakfast

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)
Meals included:Breakfast

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.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Need flights or extra nights? Book through us and fly with confidence

Call us: 020 3733 5948

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Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

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Accommodation

Hotels and forest resort

Elevating your adventure in Laos, the accommodation on this adventure is a real highlight. All are ideally located for our explorations, putting us right in the action, plus they all have a pool when you want to unwind.

Upgrade to a deluxe river cottage on Day 4 and 5 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Vientiane: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (nights 1 and 9)

Discover Laos in Comfort

Right on the Mekong shores, the Eastin is an idyllic spot to start and end our adventure. Head to the fourth floor for a swim with views over the Mekong waters or rise even higher to drink in the views (and a cocktail or two) at the 360°@ Eleven rooftop restaurant and bar.

Vang Vieng: Amari Vang Vieng (nights 2-3)

Discover Laos in Comfort

When you’re not out exploring the wonders of Vang Vieng, the Amari offers a peaceful spot to unwind. The freeform swimming pool has wonderful views of towering karst limestone formations (and there’s a pool bar for drinks, too).

Oudomxay: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort (nights 4-5)

Discover Laos in Comfort

Hide yourself in the wild rainforest of Nam Kat Yorla Pa, a sanctuary of luxury within a protected forest. Start your day with a buffet breakfast by the river, explore the biodiversity museum for an insight into the local wildlife, and end the day with a cocktail as you soak in the views. For many, this away-from-it-all retreat will be a highlight of the adventure.

Luang Prabang: The Luang Say Residence (nights 6-8)

Discover Laos in Comfort

Relax in this refined French colonial–style retreat, which has elegant rooms set across lush, mountain‑backed grounds. With a pool, library, the atmospheric 1861 Bar, and the fine‑dining at La Belle Epoque restaurant, it blends Laos’ rich heritage with contemporary comfort. Its serene ambience and evocative explorer‑era design make it one of the most iconic stays in Luang Prabang.

Worth knowing

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most adventure tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s possible to do this on all nights for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Journeys: We primarily use trains to travel, sitting in comfortable second-class carriages with short journeys between one and three hours. On some occasions, we also transfer by private air-conditioned minibus.

Train: A passport copy is required to reserve train tickets in Laos. Please send us a copy of your passport at least 30 days prior to your travel date.

E-cigarettes/vapes: E-cigarettes/vapes, heated tobacco products, and shisha are illegal in Laos. You could be fined or imprisoned for purchasing, using, possessing, selling, or taking these items in or out of Lao, even in transit. We strongly advise against bringing or using these devices on your trip.

Key information

Start hotel: Eastin Hotel Vientiane, Unit11, Khaemkong Road Oumoung Village Sikhottabong District, Vientiane
Phone: +856 21 219 999
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm.
Airport: Wattay International Airport (VTE)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a 10-minute drive from the airport. We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for everyone. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

We provide free departure transfers to Wattay International Airport for everyone from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Laos

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Laos. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/laos
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/laos
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Laos.html

A visa can be obtained on arrival for most nationalities, though not all and not at all entry points. The cost depends on nationality and you will require at least one passport photo. When you enter Laos, make sure you get an entry stamp in your passport. Not having a legitimate entry stamp could lead to arrest or a large fine.

Lao Digital Immigration Form (LDIF)

Laos has launched a new online immigration form, replacing the traditional paper arrival/departure cards. Here’s what you need to know.

Who must register:

All foreign passport holders entering or exiting Laos via:

Wattay International Airport (Vientiane)
Luang Prabang International Airport
Pakse International Airport
Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane–Nong Khai)

How to register:

Visit immigration.gov.la
Submit the form within the three days before your travel date for both arrival and departure
Upload passport details and a selfie with your passport
Receive a QR code to present at immigration

For more information, watch this video

The food on this trip is a real highlight. The national staple of Laos is sticky rice, which is served with all meals and is often used as a scooping device to pick food up as meals are traditionally eaten with hands and not utensils. Noodle dishes are common and the sweet offerings tend to focus around the abundance of fresh fruit available – be sure to seek out the mangosteen, the sweet segments are a local favourite and unlike any other fruit.

Western food is readily available almost everywhere. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Please note, in Southeast Asia the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these items from home.

For most of the year, the weather is hot and humid throughout with daytime temperatures of 28C-34C (82F-93F). It is a little cooler at nights and can be cold from November to March in the mountains with temperatures occasionally dropping as low as 10C (50F).

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Visit a Tai Lue village in Oudomxay to learn about traditional cotton weaving and support the continuation of local craft heritage.
Can choose to meet residents involved in the MandaLao Elephant Conservation project to learn about ethical elephant protection efforts.

Reviews

Add new review

Philip Mogford

Added March 2026

Discover Laos in Comfort

First time with Exodus - exceeded our expectations - programme well planned and varied - loved the activities - group leaders excellent - fellow group members great company.

Most Inspirational Moment

For Tracy - visit to elephant project; walking the sky bridges to the waterfall For me - loved the atmosphere of Luang Prabang, the beauty of Laos in general, the waterfalls

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both leaders were excellent - Toni was exuberant and great fun - Sat was more reserved, but had excellent local knowledge and was also good company Special mention for the way that they managed the train journeys on some very crowded trains!

Neil Thomas

Added March 2026

Welcome to Buddhist Central

We were among the first people to test out this Exodus itinerary, our group of 11 being the third to undertake Laos in Comfort since it was added to the schedule. I have been hankering to tour Laos for some years, having already been with Exodus to Vietnam and Cambodia, and for me it was the destination and not the comfort that was of prime importance. Having said that, all the hotels we stayed at were excellent, offering comfortable facilities with welcoming pools and good breakfasts. It was a joy to visit Luang Prabang, which is really Buddhist Central, and in particular getting up before sunrise to hand out alms to passing monks. We also enjoyed kayaking on the river at Vang Vieng and visiting (and swimming in) the waterfalls at Nam Kat. Our adventure included four journeys on the high speed train, which now cuts through Laos from China. While this was a new experience for me, I felt it was at least one high speed trip too many. For me, Luang Prabang was such a high I didn't want to return to Vientiane for our final farewell. Hopefully in future Exodus travellers will enjoy an extra night in Luang Prabang and end the trip with flights from there.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up before dawn to hand out alms to monks, then seeing even more of them parading past our hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tony was very well organised and rearranged the schedule to suit times of trains etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cash is king. I succeeded in using my credit card on occasions, mainly in the hotels, but a surcharge of 3 or 4 per cent was applied.

Annabel Campbell

Added February 2026

Discover Laos in Comfort

A great mix of culture and adventure. Informative guides who genuinely care. Friendly and knowledgeable travel consultants that go out of their way to answer questions and offer previous advice and destination tips

Most Inspirational Moment

Kayaking in VangVieng, Alms giving and soaking up the stunning scenery of breathtaking waterfalls

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ning mixed well with the group, quickly learning everyone’s name. She had a good sense of humour and involved everyone, I was given the opportunity to give tips to the drivers and use my newly learned “thank you”. Nothing was too much trouble for Ning and was extremely kind and thoughtful. Mr Sak was so pleased to welcome us to his country and was always on hand to ask questions and support Ning and all of us.

Diana Ankeny

Added February 2026

Discover Laos in Comfort

What a great trip! Laos has the most extraordinary people. They are so kind and gentle. We loved riding the train. The motels were great, the outdoor activities were so much fun and the historical sites and temples were very interesting. Our guides Ning and Sac were outstanding and organized. I highly recommend this trip. I love the way Exodus respects and rewards the local people and businesses.

Most Inspirational Moment

Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort and the time we spent there was so peaceful and beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Neing was very well organized and kept everyone informed and involved. She was kind and friendly and was ready to help no matter the problem. I really enjoyed getting to know her. Sac did such a great job introducing us to his culture. He was fun and knowledgeable and made sure we were safe and taken care of. We really enjoyed him a lot.

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