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18 Highlights · 18 Days / 17 Nights · Fully Private & Customizable

Off the Beaten Track: Laos & the Mekong River in 18 Days

Your own guide, your own vehicle, and an itinerary shaped entirely around you.

18 Days / 17 Nights Up to 25 Guests Free Itinerary Changes Local Expert Guide

About This Tour

An 18-day in-depth journey through Laos — a two-day Mekong River cruise into Luang Prabang, jungle wildlife tracking in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park, the Plain of Jars, Vientiane, and a coffee-country finish across the Bolaven Plateau to the 4,000 Islands. This entire trip stays within Laos. Day 1 begins with a pickup from your hotel in Chiang Khong, on the Thai side of the border, purely to reach the Friendship Bridge crossing — from the moment you clear Lao immigration that morning, every night of the trip is spent in Laos, with no other border crossings.

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Day-by-Day Itinerary

A private guide, driver, and vehicle for the entire trip, with hotels pre-arranged at every overnight stop — the pace and any optional stops can still be shaped around your group.

A

Arrival

Pickup from your hotel in Chiang Khong, northern Thailand, with a private transfer to the Friendship Bridge and Lao immigration to begin the tour.

1

Day 1 — Cruise the Mekong River

Pickup from your Chiang Khong hotel, a crossing at the Friendship Bridge into Laos, then a private boat cruise down the Mekong River with tribal village stops and a local tea tasting, overnighting in Pakbeng.

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Day 2 — Luang Prabang Cruise & Night Market

Continue the Mekong cruise downstream, stopping at a Hmong village and the Pak Ou Caves, then arrive in Luang Prabang for a visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center, sunset from Mount Phousi, and the Night Market.

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Day 3 — City Tour & Natural Dyes Experience

Visit the Lao National Museum, Heuan Chan Heritage House, and Wat Xieng Thong, then join an afternoon natural dyes class before a sunset cocktail in a secluded spot.

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Day 4 — A Day of Immersive Activities

An optional dawn alms ceremony, a Laotian cooking class starting at the Talat Phosy food market, then Kuang Si Waterfalls for swimming and a visit to the bear sanctuary, finishing with a Garavek Storytelling show.

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Day 5 — Overland Journey & Hot Springs

A seven- to eight-hour drive to Muang Viengthong in Houaphanh province, with a stop to soak in the Muang Hiam hot springs on arrival.

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Day 6 — Into the Wilderness

Set out into Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park, meeting the Khmu village of Ban Sop Koua before a long-tail boat journey up the Nam Nern River to a bamboo-hut camp, a forest wildlife hike, and an after-dark nocturnal wildlife tour.

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Day 7 — Journey by River & Land

A guided morning jungle walk, then float back downriver before continuing overland to Xiangkhouang province, stopping at Muang Kham hot springs and Tham Piu Cave.

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Day 8 — Explore the Surreal Plain of Jars

Visit the Plain of Jars, then The Mulberry Farm silk and handicraft cooperative and the Phou Xang viewpoint at sunset.

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Day 9 — Journey to Vientiane

Stop at the ruined pagodas of Muang Khoun and Wat Phia Wat, then drive on through the mountains to Vientiane.

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Day 10 — Take a Tour of Vientiane

A guided tour of Wat Si Saket, the golden stupa of Pha That Luang, and the Buddha Park, with its Hindu-Buddhist sculpture garden outside the city.

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Day 11 — See a Different Side to Vientiane

A flexible, resident-led alternative tour of the city, adapted to your interests.

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Day 12 — Journey into the Highlands

Fly to Pakse, then drive up into the Bolaven Plateau's coffee and tea country, visiting the 120m Tad Fane Waterfall before checking into a coffee plantation resort.

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Day 13 — Coffee Farm Homestay

A jeep tour along rustic trails to the Tad Moun Waterfalls, then a hike to the Mystic Mountain Coffee Farm for lunch, a rural homestay, and a tour of the coffee production process.

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Day 14 — Zip-Lines & Treehouse Dwellings

A hike through coffee plantations and semi-evergreen forest, a canopy walkway, zip-lining through the trees, and an overnight in a treehouse 10m above the ground.

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Day 15 — Mountain Summit Views

An uphill trek to a mountain summit with views over the Mekong River into Thailand, a picnic lunch, then on to Champasak town.

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Day 16 — Ancient Temple Discovery

Visit Vat Phou, a pre-Angkorian UNESCO World Heritage temple built by the Khmer Empire amid the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos.

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Day 17 — Explore the Magical 4,000 Islands

A full day in the Si Phan Don archipelago, with a boat to Don Khon for its farms and villages, the Lippi Falls, and the Khon Phapheng Waterfalls.

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Day 18 — Farewell, Laos

Free time as your schedule allows before a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Z

Departure

The trip ends in Pakse with a transfer to Pakse International Airport for your onward journey.

What's Included

A private vehicle and driver, just for your group
A professional, knowledgeable local guide
Hotels and transport arranged for every day of the trip
Pacing and optional stops shaped around your group
All tolls, parking, and fuel

What's Not Included

Attraction admission tickets, unless noted as included
Meals and snacks
Gratuities for your guide or driver
Personal expenses

Why Book a Private Tour With Voyzo?

Your group only — never combined with strangers
Crowded 50+ seat group buses
Fully custom stops, built around you
A fixed script with no flexibility
Door-to-door pickup, wherever you're staying
Meeting at a fixed public meeting point
Direct, transparent pricing — no marketplace markup
Third-party booking fees

Important Information

Know Before You Book

  • Group size can range from 1 to 25 guests — we match the vehicle to your party.
  • Pricing depends on group size, vehicle, and tour length, and is confirmed after your quote request.
  • Tour duration is flexible — the times shown are a typical starting point.

Know Before You Go

  • We'll confirm your exact pickup time and vehicle details after booking.
  • Bring a camera, comfortable shoes, and weather-appropriate layers.
  • Your arrival flight details are required to confirm the itinerary.

Special Requests

  • Mobility needs, dietary notes, or accessibility requirements? Let us know when requesting your quote and we'll arrange accordingly.
  • Traveling with young children or larger groups — just tell us, and we'll recommend the right vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — the only border crossing is right at the start, on Day 1, when you're picked up from your Chiang Khong hotel in Thailand purely to reach the Friendship Bridge into Laos. From that morning on, every night of the 18-day trip is spent in Laos.
Day 6's night safari uses guide headlamps to spot nocturnal wildlife such as sambar deer, otters, civets, porcupines, and owls, though sightings in a genuine wild national park are never guaranteed.
No — the source itinerary lists a transfer to Ubon Ratchathani International Airport in Thailand as an optional, additional-cost extra for travelers connecting through there; the standard trip ends with your onward flight from Pakse.
Yes — private transfers in an air-conditioned car and an English-speaking guide throughout, aside from the shared river cruise on Days 1–2.
Once your quote is accepted, we'll confirm your exact pickup time, vehicle, and driver details by email ahead of your tour date.
Yes — reach out to our team any time before your tour and we'll do our best to accommodate itinerary or schedule changes.

Not quite what you're looking for?

Every Voyzo tour is a starting point — tell us what you have in mind and we'll build it.

Off the Beaten Track: Laos & the Mekong River in 18 Days Request a Quote