Located on the Mekong River, bordering Thailand, and with a population of just under 800,000, Vientiane is Laos’ capital and largest city. Vientiane enjoys a relaxed pace, the roads are congestion-free, and strolling the streets is an enjoyable experience.

Begin your sightseeing with a visit to exquisite Wat Sisaket, Vientiane’s oldest original temple, and the only one to survive the Thai invasion of 1828. Following this, discover the golden-spired stupa, Pha That Luang, the most sacred and revered temple in Vientiane and symbolic of both the monarchy and the Buddhist religion. End the morning’s sightseeing at Patuxai Monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, before enjoying a break for lunch.

In the early afternoon, visit Carol Cassidy, a Lao resident who has worked tirelessly to encourage and promote the production of traditional Lao textiles. At the back of her French colonial villa, you’ll learn about the importance of the weaving tradition to Lao culture and see artisan weavers honing their craft.

Afterwards, explore the COPE Visitor's Centre, an inspiring organization which provides prosthetic limbs to victims of exploded ordinance and vehicle accidents. This center gives you both an informative and interactive experience into some of the issues still plaguing Laos from the Indochina war era. Travel towards the Thai/ Lao Friendship Bridge to ‘Buddha Park.’ Located on the banks of the Mekong, this eclectic venue is full of larger-than-life concrete statues lifted from Buddhist and Hindu epics. The creator of these statues was rumoured to have been eccentric, so a visit here is interesting and makes for great photos. Breakfast at your hotel

Take a morning train to Luang Prabang, Laos’ most enchanting town and a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Surrounded by mountainous forests and situated at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang has a tranquil, old-world charm. Well-preserved French architecture and careful street planning has blended beautifully with more than 30 gilded Buddhist temples to create a town rich in atmosphere and history. Begin your discoveries with the short walk to the National Museum, the former royal palace filled with fine examples of Lao art and furniture. Afterwards, visit serene Wat Mai temple, which was spared sacking by the Chinese Black Haws in the late 19^th century - supposedly because of its beauty and stunning design. Enjoy some free time for the rest of the afternoon to explore Luang Prabang at your own pace.

In the early evening, travel to a picturesque rural setting to participate in a special Lao welcome at a traditional baci blessing, to honour your arrival in Laos and to wish you safe travels in this magical country. Breakfast at your hotel

After breakfast, transfer by a vintage Tuk tuk to the very tip of the Luang Prabang peninsula - little visited yet one of the most beautiful parts of town. Here, at the scenic junction of the Nam Kham and Mekong rivers learn about the origins of Luang Prabang and its former royal history. Walk to nearby Xieng Thong temple, regarded as the most beautiful temple in Laos, and an architectural masterpiece. Then, walk the length of the Luang Prabang peninsula along a quiet backstreet to the Royal Palace jetty. Board a boat for a trip up the magical Mekong to the mysterious ‘cave of a thousand Buddha’s’ at Pak Ou. Here, in a tradition that has lasted centuries, local people add annually to a repository of Buddha statues. The trip to the cave will take up to two hours and you will lunch en route on traditional Lao dishes at local restaurant or purchase a sandwich at a French Bakery before you embark on the cruise. You will also have the chance to visit a riverside village and may even get to sample the local rice wine (Lao-Lao) and Ban Xang khong a Mulberry saa paper making and silk textiles weaving at the conclusion of your boat trip. Breakfast at your hotel

Rise early this morning and see brightly-robed Buddhist monks collecting alms, following an ancient ritual known as Takbat. Afterwards explore a morning market on foot, and see and sample some of the delectable Lao fruits and snacks that make up the local diet. Return to your hotel for a leisurely breakfast before you travel to Kuang Si falls, make a stop at the riverside setting of the Ock Pop Tok weaving centre. At this tranquil venue, explore an environment devoted to the preservation of traditional Lao weaving practices. Learn about the importance of textiles to Lao culture, browse in the boutique, or cool down on a drink in the peaceful restaurant area. Depart for Kuang Si falls, a journey of 40 minutes. Swim in the turquoise waters, or simply explore the beautiful surrounds. Enjoy free time before visiting a nearby sanctuary which cares for and rehabilitates bears rescued from animal traders, or from deforested habitat. Return to Luang Prabang, stopping as you like at the Buffalo Dairy farm and take photos of countryside and villages. Breakfast at your hotel

It’s time to say goodbye, but just think of all the wonderful stories you will take home. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward travels. Breakfast at your hotel