19-Day Ultimate Luxury Escapes & Epic Journeys Through Laos
Laos is a country where time seems to slow down, inviting travelers to swap the frantic pace of modern life for golden sunsets over the Mekong and the scent of frangipani. This 19-day epic journey is designed for those who seek the finer things—combining the thrill of the newly launched high-speed rail with the timeless elegance of colonial-era boutique hotels and private river expeditions.
From the bustling, croissant-scented streets of Vientiane to the misty mountains of the north and the cascading waterfalls of the south, you will experience Laos in absolute comfort. Expect private guided tours of UNESCO World Heritage sites, gourmet Lao-French fusion dining, and exclusive access to the country's most breathtaking natural wonders.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Vientiane, Laos - Arrival & Capital Comforts
Arrival & Private Transfer
Touch down at Wattay International Airport where your private chauffeur awaits to whisk you to your luxury suite at the Crowne Plaza Vientiane.
Sunset at Patuxai Monument
Climb the 'Victory Gate' for a panoramic view of the capital as the sun sets over the Lan Xang Avenue.
Fine Dining at Pimenton
Indulge in a high-end Spanish-Lao fusion dinner featuring premium cuts of meat and an extensive wine list in the heart of the city.
Day 2: Vientiane, Laos - Spiritual Temples & Golden Spires
Pha That Luang Discovery
Visit the most important national monument in Laos, a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa that glows under the morning sun.
Wat Si Saket & Ho Phra Keo
Explore the oldest temple in Vientiane, home to thousands of tiny Buddha images, followed by the former temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khuan)
A private drive 25km outside the city leads to this surreal park filled with over 200 religious statues scattered across a meadow.
Riverside Cocktails
Enjoy a sophisticated sundowner at a premium lounge overlooking the Mekong River before a stroll through the upscale night market boutiques.
Day 3: Vientiane to Vang Vieng, Laos - The First-Class Rail
LCR First Class Experience
Board the high-speed Laos-China Railway in a first-class carriage for a smooth, scenic 1-hour journey to Vang Vieng.
Riverside Boutique Check-in
Arrive at the Riverside Boutique Resort, offering stunning views of the limestone karst mountains across the Nam Song River.
Private Long-tail Boat Cruise
Drift down the Nam Song River on a private boat, sipping local refreshments as the karst landscapes tower above you.
Day 4: Vang Vieng, Laos - Mountains & Hot Air Balloons
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
Witness the dramatic karst topography of Vang Vieng from above in a premium hot air balloon experience at dawn.
Blue Lagoon 3 - Exclusive Access
Head to the furthest and quietest of the blue lagoons for a private swim in crystal-clear turquoise waters away from the crowds.
Gourmet Picnic Lunch
Enjoy a luxury picnic setup arranged by your resort at a secluded spot overlooking the rice paddies.
Day 5: Vang Vieng, Laos - Caves & Luxury Spa
Tham Chang Cave Exploration
Walk across the iconic orange bridge to explore this historic cave, which served as a bunker during the 19th-century civil war.
Afternoon of Rejuvenation
Indulge in a traditional Lao herbal massage and spa treatment at your resort, focusing on relaxation after your morning hike.
Dinner at Lotus Restaurant
Dine on organic Lao cuisine prepared with ingredients from the local farmers' market in a sophisticated garden setting.
Day 6: Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, Laos - Heading North
Train to the Heritage City
Another short first-class rail journey takes you through breathtaking tunnels and over bridges to the UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang.
Heritage Hotel Check-in
Check into the iconic Amantaka or the Satri House, two of the most prestigious heritage hotels in the region.
Mount Phousi Sunset
Climb the 328 steps for the best 360-degree view of Luang Prabang and the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
Day 7: Luang Prabang, Laos - Rituals & Royal History
Alms Giving Ceremony (Tak Bat)
Witness the daily silent procession of saffron-robed monks receiving offerings. Your hotel can arrange a private, respectful participation set.
Royal Palace Museum
Explore the former residence of the Lao Royal Family, featuring the sacred Prabang Buddha image and rare royal artifacts.
Wat Xieng Thong
Visit the 'Temple of the Golden City,' a masterpiece of Lao temple architecture with its sweeping roofs and 'tree of life' glass mosaic.
Day 8: Luang Prabang, Laos - Turquoise Falls & Picnics
Kuang Si Waterfalls
A private chauffeur takes you to these multi-tiered limestone falls. Enjoy a private swim in the cool, azure pools before the crowds arrive.
Luxury Picnic by the Falls
A white-linen picnic lunch served by a private butler near the base of the main waterfall.
Free the Bears Sanctuary
Visit the bear rescue center located within the falls park to see Sun Bears and Moon Bears in a protected environment.
Day 9: Luang Prabang, Laos - Private Mekong Expedition
Private Cruise to Pak Ou Caves
Board a luxury long-tail boat for a private cruise up the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues.
Ban Xang Hai (Whiskey Village)
Stop at this riverside village to see how traditional Lao rice wine (Lao-Lao) is distilled and browse high-end hand-woven silks.
Dinner at Manda de Laos
Dine around a UNESCO-classified lotus pond. This is widely considered the best atmosphere for fine dining in Luang Prabang.
Day 10: Luang Prabang, Laos - Culinary Arts & Weaving
Exclusive Cooking Class
Join a private cooking class at Tamarind, starting with a market visit to select fresh ingredients before cooking in a garden pavilion.
Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre
Engage in a private silk weaving or batik workshop at this world-class social enterprise on the banks of the Mekong.
Traditional Baci Ceremony
Experience a private Baci ceremony at your hotel, a traditional Lao blessing ritual to wish you safe travels and good health.
Day 11: Luang Prabang to Pakse, Laos - Flying South
Leisurely Morning & Shopping
Enjoy a final croissant at a French bakery or pick up high-end textiles at the boutiques along the main street.
Domestic Flight to Pakse
Skip the 12-hour bus ride and take a 1 hour 40-minute direct flight to Pakse, the gateway to Southern Laos.
Pakse City Briefing
Check into the Champasak Grand Hotel and enjoy a sunset cocktail on the rooftop overlooking the Japanese Bridge.
Day 12: Pakse to Bolaven Plateau, Laos - Coffee & Waterfalls
Tad Fane Waterfalls
Witness the highest twin-stream waterfalls in Laos, plunging 120 meters into a lush jungle gorge.
Zip-lining Over the Canopy
For the adventurous luxury traveler, take a private zip-line tour that flies directly over the Tad Fane falls.
Tad Yuang Exploration
A picturesque waterfall perfect for a refreshing dip and a stroll through the manicured garden paths surrounding it.
Day 13: Bolaven Plateau, Laos - The Coffee Connoisseur
Private Coffee Plantation Tour
Visit Paksong Highland or Jhai Coffee for a private 'seed-to-cup' experience, tasting some of the world's best volcanic soil coffee.
Farm-to-Table Lunch
Enjoy a gourmet lunch prepared with organic vegetables grown on the plateau at a boutique coffee lodge.
Return to Champasak
Drive down the plateau to the quiet riverside town of Champasak for a change of pace.
Day 14: Champasak, Laos - Ancient Angkorian Roots
Wat Phou UNESCO Site
Explore this pre-Angkorian temple complex at the base of Mount Phu Kao. It is older than Angkor Wat and incredibly well-preserved.
Traditional Lao Massage
Relax with an open-air massage at your resort, listening to the gentle flow of the Mekong River.
Riverside Dining
Enjoy a private candlelit dinner on the resort's jetty, featuring fresh Mekong fish prepared with local herbs.
Day 15: Champasak, Laos - Village Life & Relaxation
Champasak Village Bicycle Tour
Take high-quality mountain bikes provided by your hotel to explore the French colonial architecture and sleepy local life of the village.
Pottery Workshop
Visit a local artisan for a private lesson in traditional pottery making, a craft still practiced in this region.
Sunset Yoga
Join a private sunset yoga session on the deck of your resort to center yourself before the final leg of your journey.
Day 16: Champasak to Si Phan Don, Laos - 4,000 Islands
Drive to the Deep South
A private transfer takes you further south to the region where the Mekong stretches to its widest point, creating thousands of islands.
Boat Transfer to Don Khone
Board a private boat to reach the island of Don Khone, your base for exploring this tranquil archipelago.
French Colonial Bridge & Railway
See the remains of the only railway ever built in Laos, a French project designed to bypass the powerful waterfalls of the Mekong.
Day 17: Si Phan Don, Laos - Dolphins & Mighty Falls
Irrawaddy Dolphin Spotting
Take a private boat to the Cambodian border waters to catch a glimpse of the rare and endangered Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins.
Khone Phapheng Falls
Visit the 'Niagara of the East,' the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia. The sheer power of the water is a sight to behold.
Don Det Sunset Walk
Walk across the historic bridge to Don Det and enjoy a quiet sunset at one of the upscale riverside cafes.
Day 18: Si Phan Don, Laos - Final Island Serenity
Somphamit Waterfalls (Li Phi)
Explore the jagged rocks and rushing rapids of Li Phi, believed by locals to trap bad spirits in its churning waters.
Gourmet Riverside Lunch
Enjoy a final traditional Lao feast on a private terrace overlooking the rapids.
Farewell Dinner
Celebrate the end of your 19-day journey with a specially curated tasting menu at your lodge, paired with fine wines.
Day 19: Si Phan Don to Pakse, Laos - Departure
Transfer to Pakse Airport
Enjoy a final scenic drive back to Pakse, taking in the sights of the southern Lao countryside one last time.
Final Souvenir Shopping
Stop at the Dao Heuang Market in Pakse to pick up high-quality southern Lao coffee and tea to take home.
Departure Flight
Board your flight from Pakse International Airport for your connection home or your next destination.
Best Time to Visit Laos
The best time to visit Laos is during the dry season, from November to February, when the weather is comfortably warm and the skies are clear. This is the peak season for luxury travel as all transport routes are easily accessible and outdoor activities like hot air ballooning are at their best. March to May can be very hot, while the rainy season from June to October offers lush green landscapes and the most powerful waterfalls, though some rural roads may be more challenging.
Currency & Money
The official currency is the Lao Kip (LAK). While high-end hotels and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), Laos remains a cash-heavy society. It is essential to carry Kip for local markets and smaller towns. Tipping is not mandatory but highly appreciated; in luxury settings, a tip of 10% is standard for excellent service. US Dollars and Thai Baht are also widely accepted in larger establishments.
Getting Around Laos
For an epic journey, a mix of transport is best. The Laos-China Railway (LCR) is the gold standard for travel between Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang—always book First Class for comfort and space. For travel between the north and south, a domestic flight with Lao Airlines is the most efficient luxury choice. Within cities, private chauffeured cars or high-end SUVs are the preferred method for reaching remote waterfalls and temples in total comfort.
