Cultural Odyssey: Discovering Northern Laos by Train 9-Day | Best Tour Package from Luang Prabang to Vientiane

Experience the charm of Northern Laos on this 9-day adventure. From the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang to the bustling capital city of Vientiane, immerse yourself in the stunning natural scenery and diverse cultures of this enchanting country.

1. Explore the Pak Ou Caves and Kuangsi Waterfalls in Luang Prabang
2. Ride the Express Train to Oudomxay and Luang Namtha
3. Stay in a luxury eco-resort in Namkat Yolapa
4. Discover the ancient town of Muang La
5. Trek through the lush forest and visit hill tribes in Muong Sing
6. Take in the stunning limestone karst landscape of Vang Vieng
7. Visit the Tham Phoutham cave and Blue Lagoon in Vientiane
8. Experience the unique culture and cuisine of Laos

Upon your arrival, our staff will meet you and transfer you to your centrally located hotel. Luang Prabang is considered one of the best-preserved traditional cities in Southeast Asia, offering a charming and tranquil atmosphere with its natural scenery and cultural landmarks. After a short rest, we'll visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which houses a collection of artifacts showcasing the richness of Lao culture throughout the ages. We will also visit Wat Mai and climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and enjoy the beautiful sunset views of the city and the Mekong River. We will end the day by visiting the Night Market, where you can peruse a lovely selection of handmade textiles. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

---------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Villa Chitdara Hotel - 3-star or similar

Le Belair Resort - 4-star or similar

Villa maly Hotel - 5-star or similar

Today, we will enjoy a short guided tour of the city's oldest temple, Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, where you can see the impressive “tree of life” mosaic set in colored glass. Afterward, we will board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which will give us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We will make sure to stop at the Pak Ou Caves, which are sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. During the day, we will also visit a few villages, including Ban Muangkeo, where the local rice wine is produced.

In the afternoon, we will head out of town 30km to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls. En route, we will stop to visit some ethnic minority villages and see how these colorful people live. Once we arrive at Kuang Si Falls, you can swim in the turquoise pools or walk along forest paths. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

---------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Villa Chitdara Hotel - 3-star or similar

Le Belair Resort - 4-star or similar

Villa maly Hotel - 5-star or similar

After breakfast, we will catch the express train to Oudomxay. This province is home to 23 ethnic minority groups. Upon arrival, our staff will meet you and transfer you to the jungle resort, Namkat Yolapa. After checking into your hotel, we will enjoy a short trek through the jungle to the Namkat waterfall. You can take your time at the waterfall before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay.

---------------------------------

Accommodation: Namkat Yorlapa (local best)

In the morning, we will depart from Namkat Yolapa towards Pak Khai, enjoying stunning views of the Nam Pak River, terraced rice fields, and small villages along the riverbanks. Upon arrival, we will begin our trek along a mountain trail that follows a mountain stream through lush vegetation. You will have the opportunity to meet local farmers working in their rice fields, and learn about their farming practices, as well as hunting and fishing in the mountain stream. After about 1.5 hours, we will leave the forest and arrive at Ban Phavie, a beautiful Khamu village located on top of a hill. After having lunch in the village, we will continue on to nearby waterfalls, where you can relax in the refreshing waters and enjoy the peaceful surroundings (weather permitting). We will return to Namkat Yolapa at around 2:30 PM and arrive in the late afternoon.

---------------------------------

Accommodation: Namkat Yorlapa (local best)

After breakfast, we will take a short walk to the Khamu village and observe the colorful way of life of these people before catching the express train to Luang Namtha, which is located on the banks of the Tha River or Nam Tha. Upon arrival, our staff will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. After a short rest, we will visit the Luang Namtha Museum, which houses collections of anthropological significance. Here, you can see ethnic clothing, tools, instruments, and artworks, providing insight into local culture and history. We will also visit the Lantern Village of Ban Nam Dee, where you can observe ethnic traditions in action and cool off by the beautiful Nam Dee waterfall. In the evening, we will return to Luang Namtha for overnight.

---------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Phou Iu Bungalow - 3-star or similar

Pou Villa - 4-star or similar

Pou Villa - 4-star (local best)

After breakfast, we will begin our journey to Muong Sing with stops at several hill tribe villages, including Ekor (Aka) and Lan Taen. These tribes were originally from Sino-Tibetan descent. After lunch, we will explore the hill tribe way of life and visit Chieng Tung stupa, Ban Nam Ded Village, Ban Nam Mai Village of Yao people, and Pang Thong local checkpoint, located at the Laos-China border. We will return to Luang Namtha in the evening, and the remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy at your leisure. Overnight in Luang Namtha.

---------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Phou Iu Bungalow - 3-star or similar

Pou Villa - 4-star or similar

Pou Villa - 4-star (local best)

After breakfast, we catch an express train to Vang Vieng, a small and tranquil town nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. After check into your hotel, we explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. Today ends with a superb sunset panorama reflecting over the Nam Song River. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

---------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Vansana Vang Vieng Hotel - 3-star or similar

Inthira Vang Vieng Hotel - 4-star or similar

Amari Vang Vieng Hotel - 5-star or similar

After breakfast, we drive through paddy fields to the Tham Phoukham caves, which are the country's beautiful and famous limestone caverns surrounded by forest. Along the way, you will meet local villagers and learn about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can swim and refresh yourself from the heat. After spending the day at the caves and the surrounding area, we return to Vang Vieng and catch the train to Vientiane. On arrival in the capital, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating place with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. After a short rest, an orientation walk is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city's most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture. We will bask in the sunset by the Mekong Riverside and continue to explore until late evening. Overnight in Vientiane.

---------------------------------

Accommodation Options:

Orchid Laos Hotel - 3-star or similar

Green Park Hotel - 4-star or similar

Crown Plaza - 5-star or similar

After enjoying breakfast, we will depart for a visit to the Buddha Park, which is situated near the Friendship Bridge. This park houses around 200 religious images, including Hindu and Buddhist sculptures that are beautifully scattered around the area. The intricate designs and captivating artistry are sure to leave you spellbound.

Afterward, we will visit the Morning Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong, where you can see locals producing traditional textiles using age-old techniques. If time permits, you can take some time to explore and purchase some souvenirs to bring back home.

Afterward, the tour will come to an end with your transfer to the airport for your departure flight. It was great having you on this trip, and we hope to see you again soon on another adventure with Legend Travel Group.