Jungles, Rivers And Elephants, Luang Prabang To Pakse

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the historical old town where the tour begins at the fresh market. Accompanied by the guide, walk through rows of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to local specialties. Next, visit the former Royal Palace. Today housing the National Museum, this site is filled with art, artifacts, and jewels offering some insight into the history and rich culture of the country. After this, continue the tour of Luang Prabang by visiting some of the city’s most important temples. Start at Wat Visoun, home to the famous ‘watermelon’ stupa, before visiting Wat Aham, housing an altar dedicated to the 2 guardian spirits of Luang Prabang. This afternoon head to Ock Pop Tok to discover more about textiles in Laos- including their history, production, and cultural significance. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for taking a short flight to Pakse. This former administrative French colonial city is located at the junction of the Mekong and Xe Don rivers, and sports stunning water and mountain views. Home to ancient temples, French colonial architecture and lazy riverside restaurants, Pakse is a fantastic launch point for exploring the laid-back Southern Laos region. Spend the rest of the day to enjoy some facilities at the hotel or yu may want to take a leisurely walking tour for your own exploration of the city. Overnight in Pakse.

After breakfast, you will be met by your local guide to be transferred to Bolaven plateau. The Bolaven Plateau, which presides over Pakse, is home to a growing number of coffee plantations, and today you'll embark upon an excursion to the agricultural village of Ban Katuu. Here, you'll get a glimpse of local coffee production and sample fresh Lao coffee. Go on to visit Talat Dao Heung Market near the Japanese Bridge, where you can bargain for coffee and browse colorful stalls of spices, dried fish, fresh fruits, and Lao sweets. In the evening, relax and enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to your hotel.

Make your way to Champasak today (1 hour's drive) to visit the ancient ruins of Wat Phu. Outdating Angkor Wat by almost 500 years, these ruins offer insight into the region's cultural heritage and still function today as a Buddhist worship site. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features intricate stone carvings bearing Hindu deities and moss-covered remains of shrines and courtyards. After exploring the site, you'll make your way to La Folie Lodge, on the banks of the Mekong. La Folie Lodge's wooden bungalows offer fantastic water, garden, and mountain views. Overnight at La Folie Lodge on Don Daeng.

Follow a quiet and authentic shaded bamboo path along the Mekong River and immerse in the simple life of Southern Laos. The walk offers insights into the daily goings-on in the village along the way including some traditional handicrafts and spiritual practices. Some highlights of the walk are Wat Muang Kang – the oldest active temple in Champasak and a unique mix of colonial, Vietnamese and traditional Siamese – Laotian styles, a Catholic Church built at the end of 19th century, just after the permanent catholic mission founded in Ubon (Thailand) in 1881. Depending on the season, guests can participate in different village activities, such as fishing, basket weaving, rice planting or harvesting. Having worked up an appetite, head to a local family and help cook a traditional Lao dish. Join with the host family to enjoy the homemade lunch. After lunch, drive to hotel for leisure. Overnight on Don Daeng

After breakfast, you will be met by your local guide for heading south to Si Phan Don. The tiny island of Don Khone is your destination today. Measuring only 1.5 by 2.5 miles, this sleepy village sports thatch-roof huts and swaying palms, as well as a collection of old colonial buildings. Take a tour of the colonial holdovers today, visiting old French villas and the narrow gauge railway that was constructed during World War II. Check into the Auberge Sala Don Khone tonight, a beautiful riverfront property that boasts a restored French colonial house and a floating restaurant offering wide views of the Mekong.

There's only one way to really explore the waters surrounding Don Khone and that's by kayak. Today you can do just that with the assistance of a local guide who can show you where the calmest and most picturesque waterways are. Alternatively, you take to the river with an experienced kayaker and tackle some of its more challenging eddies and rapids. In the afternoon, you'll take a local boat ride to spot Irrawaddy dolphins. Numbers of Irrawaddy dolphins in the area are critically low, but tourism drives support to conserve these friendly creatures, who can most typically be seen at the southern tip of the island. Return to your resort in Don Khone tonight.

Today you'll visit nearby islands, and take a day-trip to the silk weaving village of Ban Saphai. Ban Saphai is the historic capital of weaving in Champasak and it's here where you'll get a demonstration in "mut mee" weaving from local craftspeople and have the chance to pick up a traditional shoulder sash or skirt. Afterwards, explore the islands at your leisure by bicycle – the islands' most popular form of transport. Return to your resort on the riverside in Don Khone tonight.