Chasing WaterfallsItinerary

VESA retains the right, as per our Terms and Conditions to alter this itinerary at any time.

Day 1 Visit Nam Ngum LakeWe leave the bright lights of Vang Vieng behind us to explore some of the less-touristed, natural wonders of Laos for the next 10 days.

Travelling like the Lao on a Songthaew (literally, 2 benches), we head for Thaheua, a thriving fishing village. After seeing fresh fish, dried fish and smoked fish on an unbelievable number of market stalls, we head for The Lake.

Nam Ngum Lake is a vast 70km long reservoir. We take a boat to a tiny island, where we'll camp, BBQ and watch the lights of the traditional Lao fishing contraptions under a starlit sky.

Day 2 See the Eighth Wonder of the World

After breakfast, we cross this huge lake by boat to the Nam Ngum Dam passing lakeside villages, before taking a minibus through great Lao scenery to Ban Na Hin, the Gateway to Konglor Cave, arguably the Eighth Wonder of the World. Cameras ready for the epic shot from the view point.

Day 3 Trek to Nam Sa Nam Waterfall

We trek to Nam Sa Nam waterfall and to another incredibly photogenic viewpoint, before heading to Konglor Cave for a 7.5km boat ride under a mountain and a walk to the authentic Lao village, Ban Natan where we stay and eat with your local hosts in wooden Lao houses.

Day 4 Banish bad spirits at the ancient Lao Baci ceremony

Watch a real Lao village wake up. The local industry is growing and drying tobacco leaves and today, we join them at work in the fields.

Later, you will experience the ancient Lao Baci ceremony which will banish bad spirits and welcome in good spirits to wish us a safe onward journey. We share a dinner with our new Lao friends and join them in drinking Lao Hai, a delicious traditional rice wine.

Day 5 Trek to Konglor villageAfter breakfast, we trek over the mountain to Konglor village and then take a refreshing dip in the lagoon, before we pitch tents and experience the tranquillity of Lao evenings.

Day 6 Visit the Mighty Mekong riverLong drive, today, towards Pakse, following the course of the Mighty Mekong river. We stop at Napong, a quaint market village, where you will see all kinds of Lao delicacies for sale. Snails, silk-worm grubs and you can sample Ping Kai, the tastiest BBQ chicken in Laos.

We then visit Wat Phu, a World Heritage site at Champasak. This beautiful Khmer Temple is best seen at sunset - and that's what you'll see.

Day 7 See 4 beautiful waterfallsA short drive today to visit 4 beautiful waterfalls. With only 7 million people, Laos has 46 different ethnic groups and we'll visit some more today. The climate of the Bolaven Plateau is perfect for growing coffee beans and we'll visit a coffee plantation in this scenic area.

Overnight in a beautiful location at Tad Lo waterfall in nice bungalows.

Day 8-9 See tiny islands in the MekongNow, we head for 2 days on ‘4,000 Islands’, probably the most "chilled" place in Southeast Asia. This group of tiny islands nestle in the Mekong, many of them no more than clumps of grass.

We stay on Don Det (3km x 2km), linked to Don Khone by an old French colonial railway bridge.

Ideal for wandering or relaxing, there are waterfalls, rapids and relics of France's dream of a thriving Indo-China. If you're lucky you can spot a rare, freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin.

Day 10 Overnight drive through South Laos

Farewell to the ‘backpacker heaven’ of ‘4,000 Islands’. After a final visit to the thundering falls of Khon Phapheng, we head off on an overnight drive through the South Laos scenery to Vientiane with happy memories of Laos, Lao people and new friends for life.

Day 11 Flight homeTransfer to the airport for your flight or a day tour for those departing on an evening flight.

VESA retains the right, as per our Terms and Conditions to alter this itinerary at any time.VESA retains the right, as per our Terms and Conditions to alter this itinerary at any time.

10 nights accommodation

Breakfast, lunch and dinner for 10 days

Drinking water, where required

All transportation

All activities

VESA team leader and local guide

Accommodation

Inclusions

Camping, Nam Ngum Island

1 night

Xaychaleun Guest House, Ban Na Hin

1 night

Homestay, Ban Na Hin

1 night

Village dorm, Ban Na Hin

1 night

Camping, Konglor Village

1 night

DownTown Hostel Pakse

1 night

Palamei Bungalows, Tad Lo1 night

Easy Go Backpackers Dorm Don Det, 4,000 Is2 nights

Overnight minibus1 night