Laos: Top to Toe

Fly overnight to Vientiane, Laos' easy-going capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

This relaxed little city lies nestled in a languid bend of the Mekong River, close to the Thai border. See the Patuxai Victory Monument, dedicated to those who fought for freedom from French rule, and visit the city's main temples, including Wat Sisaket and Wat Phra Keo. This afternoon, visit a Buddha Park unlike anything else in Laos. Founded by a shamanic priest some 60 years ago, it contains over 200 enormous and eccentric statues of gods, demons and animals from Buddhist and Hindu faith.

Today, you will experience a high-speed train journey from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. This comfortable modern train offers a surprising contrast in an otherwise beautifully rustic country. Upon arrival in Vang Vieng, enjoy time at leisure before dinner.

Explore Vang Vieng’s beautiful countryside, venturing through some of the many hillside caves that belong here. Enjoy a leisurely walk strolling along the Nam Song River. The afternoon is at leisure.

This morning, hop on the high-speed railway, which will whisk you north to Luang Prabang in just over an hour. On arrival, enjoy lunch before an introductory walking tour of this former capital. Visit the country's most famous temple, the gold-covered Wat Xieng Thong, with its Tree of Life mosaic, and the neighbouring Wat Visoun. Visit the Royal Palace, preserved as a museum, and learn about the republic's former royal family. Afterwards, head out of the city to visit Kuang Si waterfall, with its beautiful cascading waters. Enjoy time here to relax under the shady trees, paddle at the water's edge, or even bathe in the beautiful turquoise pools.

Rise early to witness the Buddhist ceremony of Takbat, when the monks of Luang Prabang collect alms from the locals. You will then visit a small art studio to try your hand at the local craft of Saa paper making - using pulp and colourful flowers, before boarding a boat to cruise the mighty Mekong up to the sacred caves of Pak Ou, known for the hundreds of miniature Buddha sculptures that reside within. Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon.

Head to Elephant Village, a responsible sanctuary that has been caring for rescued elephants since 2001. Meet these majestic creatures, learn how their mahouts communicate with them, and tour the sanctuary's elephant hospital and museum. Ride a Lao long boat to the Tad Sae waterfall and relax or swim before lunch. Later, visit the UXO Visitor Centre, where you'll learn about the valuable work this organisation is doing to clear rural areas of unexploded wartime bombs from the 1960s and 70s.

Fly to Pakse. On arrival, drive to Champassak to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wat Phou, a ruined Khmer temple complex set in the beautiful landscapes of Mount Phu Kao. Drive to Khong Island, the largest island on the laidback Si Phan Don archipelago in the Mekong River, and your home for the next two nights.

Around Si Phan Don, meaning ‘4000 Islands’ the pace of life is slow and easy and the river views are beautiful. See the magnificent Khone Phapheng Waterfall, Southeast Asia’s largest by volume. Visit Khone Island by speedboat to discover its French colonial buildings and see Liphi Waterfall, nicknamed the Devil’s Corridor.

This morning drive to Pakse, stopping en route to admire Tad Yuang and Tad Fane waterfalls. Continue up onto the Bolaven Plateau to pay a visit to a coffee plantation and hear about the process of planting, harvesting and roasting the beans. This evening, enjoy dinner in Pakse.

Transfer across the border to Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand, from where you will fly to Bangkok. Enjoy time at leisure in Thailand's capital before this evening's farewell dinner.

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.