A 16-day small-group journey for up to 12 travellers, tracing the Mekong River from Vientiane through the ethnic highland villages of Luang Namtha to Luang Prabang's temple ceremonies and the waterfalls and coffee plantations of the Bolaven Plateau.
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A unique tour to South East Asia’s best kept secret, Laos, where we get well beyond the tourist trail. We start this cultural odyssey in Vientiane, Laos’ delightfully friendly capital, studded with crumbling French mansions, bougainvillea-blooming streets and steaming noodle stalls. Next up is the little visited North of Laos to experience the ethnic diversity of the many hill tribes in the region of Luang Namtha and observe local customs and traditions. A 2-day journey down the mighty Mekong River then awaits culminating in an arrival in Luang Prabang, which captivates even the most jaded travellers with its brew of gleaming temple roofs, crumbling French provincial architecture and multi-ethnic inhabitants. Nest we head south to the spectacular lush jungle of the Bolaven Plateau and immerse ourselves in authentic coffee culture and visit some of the most alluring scenery in Asia, the landscape scattered with volcanos and sparkling waterfalls. The conclusion of this off the beaten track adventure takes us to the enchanting 4000 islands, an area where time stands still, and revel in the joy of leisurely exploring villages by bicycle or tuk tuk and even try your hand at fishing. Join us to experience the hidden charms of Laos.
Laos – The Secret Heart of Asia
Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.
The tour opens in Vientiane with a full day across the capital's Buddhist landmarks — Wat Sisaket, Wat Ho Pha Kheo, Wat That Luang, Wat Si Muang, and the Patouxai monument — alongside the COPE Visitor Centre, a market exploration, traditional food preparation, and a Mekong River sunset. The river then defines the journey north: a 6.5-hour slow boat cruise from Huay Xai reaches Pakbeng with a stop at a riverside village, before the continuation to Luang Prabang the following day via a Hmong village visit and the ancient Pak-Ou Caves, arriving in time for dinner at Mande De Laos.
A short internal flight from Vientiane reaches Luang Namtha, where three days explore Laos's most ethnically diverse region. Villages of the Akha, Hmong, Khmu, and Lanten peoples are visited in turn, whilst a two-hour jungle walk to a Lanten village and a picnic at Nam Dee Waterfall weave natural and cultural encounters together. Demonstrations of traditional weaving and bamboo paper making fill the village mornings, a drive through the Nam Ha National Protected Area extends the sense of a region largely untouched by mass tourism, and the Luang Namtha night market closes each day's exploration.
Luang Prabang delivers the tour's most concentrated cultural experiences across two days. Kuang Si Falls and its tiered pools are visited alongside the Sunbear Refuge and the Buffalo Dairy Farm on the first full day, before Day 9 brings a local market tour, a private family cooking lesson, a Mekong riverside cruise, a Baci blessing ceremony in Ban Mano village, and a meditation session in a hidden temple. The pre-dawn monks' alms rounds the following morning close the Luang Prabang chapter with one of the most distinctive images of Lao Buddhist daily life.
A flight south to Pakse opens the final chapter with the UNESCO-listed temple complex of Wat Phou and a sunset over Don Deang Island. The Bolaven Plateau fills two days with coffee culture and volcanic scenery: the Jhai Café and the Mystic Mountain Coffee plantation — with a full roasting demonstration — precede a trek to the Dan Xinxay inactive volcano and a sequence of waterfalls including Tad Moun, Tad Champee, and the spectacular Tad Fan with its drop of over 100 metres. The 4000 Islands region closes the tour across two days on Don Khone Island — cycling, local fishing with traditional nets, and a secluded BBQ dinner are followed by a boat ride to Kon Phapheng Waterfall, the largest waterfall by volume in Asia.
Key moments for Laos – The Secret Heart of Asia
Full itinerary · 16 days
Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.
Every one of our Laos journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
Before travelling, consult the latest UK FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos. Laos is generally a safe destination, though travellers should be aware of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in remote rural areas — our Laos itineraries stick to safe, well-established routes. US travellers should check travel.state.gov for current guidance.
Reviews from across our small-group programme — Mongolia, Madagascar, the Silk Road and beyond. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.
Make Laos – The Secret Heart of Asia your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Laos specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
Common questions
Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.
Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.
Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.
The next available departures are 26 October 2026; 15 February 2027; 25 October 2027. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.
Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; Domestic flights; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.
This tour visits Laos. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.
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