Get ready to be wowed on this trip through Laos, one of Southeast Asia's most remarkable countries. You'll explore the mighty Mekong River, see temples and jungle villages, cook and enjoy delicious vegan food, learn about local ceremonies, community, nature and animal projects and so much more!
Itinerary
Day 1: Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane
Day 3: Champassak
Day 4: Champassak
Day 5: Savannakhet
Day 6: Thakhek
Day 7: Phou Hin Poun
Day 8: Phou Hin Poun
Day 9: Phou Hin Poun
- Detailed Orientation Meeting where you will get to know your fellow travelers and adventure leaders better as we discuss the adventure ahead.
- Introduction to the History, Cultures, and Diversity of Laos Presentation.
- Special vegan fusion feast for lunch representing the different ethnic groups
that call the capital their home. - Visit the country’s most prominent landmark – That Luang. Built-in 1566, That Luang is considered the most sacred Buddhist monument in Laos and is a national symbol of Lao identity.
- Visit the Arc de Triomphe of Laos – the majestic Patuxai. “Patu” means “gateway or door” and “Xai” is from the Sanskrit word “Jaya” meaning “Victory” – so “Victory Gate”.
- Special dinner of “Vientiane specialties” at local vegan eatery.
Day 2: Vientiane
- Breakfast vegan buffet feast made especially for us at one of our longtime Vientiane vegetarian favorites!
- Guests of COPE center for an introduction to the important work they are doing.
- Guests of the Lao Disabled Women’s Development Center where women with disabilities are taught skills so they can become self-sufficient. As guests of the center’s staff and students, we’ll learn about the different skills the women are taught, including making eco-friendly handmade paper from the leaves of local plants and trees, which they will also teach us how to make.
- Visit funky Xieng Khuan as it is known, home to Buddhist and Hindu sculptures made in the 1950s by a local guru that make up an eccentric, but peaceful garden.
- Special vegan dinner of delectable Indian delicacies. Why Indian food? Because, Indian cultural influences in the region date back to ancient times when Hinduism arrived in Southeast Asia brought by early Indian traders, merchants, and monks, among others. Some of Southeast Asia’s largest kingdoms (Srivijaya, Majapahit, Champa, and Khmer to name a few) were local Hindu Kingdoms whose system of government, language, scripts, and other cultural aspects had heavy Indian influences.
- Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner & Drinks.
Day 3: Champassak
- Special vegan breakfast made especially for us.
- Explore by boat the mighty, meandering Mekong River – the lifeline of Laos.
- Join a longtime resident of Champassak as we set out on foot to explore the surrounding countryside.
- Visit the centuries-old Wat Tomo and its captivating 9th-century Hindu ruins that were highly revered by early Khmer empires.
- Your first introduction to, and journey by, songthaew. A songthaew is a popular local form of transport in Laos.
- Lao noodle-making class! Noodles play an important role in Lao cuisine, whether it’s noodle soup or fried noodles – noodles, are a very popular (and tasty) dish in Laos – which we’ll be enjoying for dinner and learning how to make tonight.
Day 4: Champassak
- Meet up with a longtime resident of Champassak, we’ll set out by songthaew and foot to explore the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site of Wat Phou!
- Lao Buddhist Temple Architecture and Symbolism Introduction – like with most houses of worship, there’s a room, reason, and why for everything and Theravada Buddhist temples are no different. Learn the reasons and whys to acquaint you with Lao Buddhist temples found throughout the country.
- Introduction to Theravada Buddhism as it is practiced in Laos, including its history and roots in the country, at local community Buddhist temple.
- Anapana Meditation Session where you’ll learn the basics of Anapana practice – whose roots date back to the Buddha and whose modern influence helped to inspire the Mindfulness movement of today.
- Special vegan fusion sunset dinner by the riverside with local snacks, refreshing drinks and delicious southern Lao dishes as we watch the colors of the day turn to night over the mighty Mekong.
Day 5: Savannakhet
- Anapana Meditation Session overlooking the Mekong River.
- Special vegan lunch at a popular local eatery.
- Historical heritage walk of the colonial-era boulevards of old Savan!
- Enjoy sunset over the mighty Mekong with refreshing local sunset drinks.
- Join our good friend and her family at their home for a special evening of local folk music, dance, a traditional Lao Baci ceremony, and a home-cooked vegan dinner of their family’s favorite recipes.
Day 6: Thakhek
- Special traditional vegan breakfast cooked up by our friends at their local eatery.
- Visit the local wet market and learn about the local market scene and the tasty veggies, herbs, and fruits available in Laos.
- Explore a picturesque Buddha Cave set amongst scenery that seems to jump right off the pages of National Geographic.
- Join the teachers and students at a local college for a cultural exchange where we will help them with their English lessons and they will help us with our Phasa Lao.
- Tasty vegan fusion dinner made specially vegan for us at our colonial-era inn in the heart of Thakhek.
Day 7: Phou Hin Poun
- A scenic drive into the heart of the Phou Hin Poun Biodiversity Conservation Area.
- Hike into the countryside exploring the surrounding villages and dense jungle of this protected semi-evergreen forest area studded with limestone karsts and incredible caves.
- Visit local cave and go for a swim in its fresh mountain spring water.
- Traditional Lao vegan dinner of direct from the farm to the table fresh veggies accompanied by local Lao drinks.
Day 8: Phou Hin Poun
- Special traditional Lao breakfast overlooking the river, veganized for us.
- Navigate and explore the Hinboun River in our local boats where thick jungles meet limestone cliffs and sandy shores.
- Explore Kong Lor Cave as we travel through this seven and a half kilometers long cavern filled with stalactite and stalagmites…not on foot – but by boat!
- Kayak back through the beautiful blue waters of a crystal clear mountain spring fed lagoon – and enjoy a refreshing swim.
- Learn how to make the vegan versions of some of the most famous salad dishes in Laos including the Lao classics.
Day 9: Phou Hin Poun
- Special traditional Lao breakfast overlooking the river, veganized for us.
- Navigate and explore by kayak the Hinboun River where thick jungles meet limestone cliffs, sandy shores and stunning scenery.
- Hike and explore nearby limestone caves as we enjoy our last day in the Phou Hin Poun National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area.
- Learn and join in a popular local game of petanque (similar to bocce ball).
- Campfire Q&A and Introduction to Hmong Culture Program. We’ll settle down for refreshing drinks and tasty vegan snacks under the stars with our good friend for your “Everything You Wanted to Know About Hmong Culture Q&A Session”.
- Special vegan dinner of regional delicacies accompanied by local drinks.
Day 10: The Plain of Jars
Day 11: The Plain of Jars
Day 12: Luang Prabang
- Special traditional local breakfast overlooking the river of veganized delicious dishes, made especially for us.
- Scenically stunning drive up into the picturesque and epic mountains of Laos to the plateau plains surrounding Phonsavan.
- Introduction to the history of the Plain of Jars and their significance from a local’s point of view.
- Join our good friend around the campfire for an introduction to local Lao Drinking Etiquette – tasting, of course, some of the country’s fine Lao-Lao (local rice wine; for those that don’t drink alcohol, we have a substitute).
Day 11: The Plain of Jars
- Explore the mysterious Plain of Jars as we learn about their history and take in their scenic, and times haunting, beauty.
- Hike through the countryside of Xieng Khouang with a longtime resident of the area who will introduce us to the region’s history, struggles, and efforts to rebuild in an area that was relatively recently, almost completely wiped out.
- Join a local family at their home for a tasty feast of home-cooked Hmong dishes all made especially vegan just for us.
- Learn about Hmong culture, village structure, and homes as guests of a local family.
- Fireside dinner with our friend and his family Xieng Khouang style.
Day 12: Luang Prabang
- Traditional local fireside breakfast.
- Scenic drive through the picturesque and epic mountains of Laos to the enchanting historical UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang.
- After arriving in this historical city and settling into our home for the next 4 nights, a charming heritage villa in the heart of the old town off a quiet lane, you’ll have the evening free to explore on your own and take in the city at your own pace – whether it is exploring the town’s narrow-winding lanes or visiting its colorful night bazaar, or simply relaxing in one of the city’s cozy café.
Day 13: LUMBINI
Day 14: Luang Prabang
Day 15: Luang Prabang
Day 16: Luang Prabang to Vientiane
- Guests of the extraordinary team at Free the Bears where we’ll spend the day helping out at their Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary and learning about the plight of the wildlife in Laos and the active conservation efforts being made to protect them.
- Special vegan lunch out at the sanctuary.
- Cultural culinary experience – a unique hands-on cooking class where we’ll learn to make some of the finest local recipes from Luang Prabang at a delightful farmhouse on the outskirts of town.
Day 14: Luang Prabang
- Visit the local veggies and fruit market.
- Guests of Free the Bears Rescue Center where we’ll spend the morning and early afternoon helping out at the center and learning about the beautiful Asiatic Bears, or moon bears’ struggle for survival.
- Special vegan picnic of traditional Luang Prabang dishes at the base of the striking Kuang Si Falls.
- Traditional Lao Massage.
Day 15: Luang Prabang
- Heritage walk into the storybook-like streets of Luang Prabang.
- Hike to the top of Phousi Hill for great views of the historical town, its surrounding valley, and of course, the Mekong River.
- Visit the old Royal Palace. At the simple, yet palatial grounds of the palace, we’ll learn about the town’s rich history.
- Guests of the Children’s Cultural Center, a non-profit grassroots organization that teaches local children a variety of local arts and cultural subjects.
- Special tasty vegan French-Asian fusion lunch.
- Visit one of the ancient capital’s most sacred temples – Wat Xieng Thong. Built-in 1559, the temple was where the Lao kings’ coronation ceremonies took place up until 1975.
- Farewell Festive Dinner Party of tasty local Lao vegan fusion dishes, snacks, refreshing drinks, and traditional local dance at one of the town’s finest examples of Luang Prabang fusion architecture.
Day 16: Luang Prabang to Vientiane
- Travel back to Vientiane by electric train on one of the most spectacular railway journeys in South East Asia.
- Special Vegan Taste of Laos lunch back in the capital.
Tour Includes
Not Included
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