Northern Laos Highlights

Overview

Experience the best of Northern Laos on our 5-day Northern Laos Highlights tour. This private, meticulously crafted itinerary takes you from the charming capital of Vientiane and the scenic town of Vang Vieng to the cultural heart of Luang Prabang. You will explore sacred temples and ancient caves, cruise the majestic Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves, and discover the timeless traditions of the region. If this tour captures your interest, please share your specific requirements, and we will customize the program to your satisfaction.

Trip Map

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Highlight

Vientiane: Visit Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo, That Luang Stupa, and Patuxay Monument, experiencing the blend of Lao heritage and colonial charm.
Vang Vieng: Explore Tham Jang and Tham Phu Kham caves, meet local villagers, and relax by the Nam Song River.
Luang Prabang: Discover the Royal Palace, Mount Phousi, and vibrant Night Market; cruise to Pak Ou Caves; and visit traditional craft villages along the Mekong.

Detailed Itinerary

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DAY 1: ARRIVAL - VIENTIANE

On arrival at in the capital, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating place, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. After a short rest, we start visiting the major city sights; including Wat Sisaket, the country’s oldest temple, with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. En route, we visit the famous That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos. You will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner at one of the fine restaurants.

Overnight in Vientiane
Inclusions: Private airport pick-up/ Tour guide/ Hotel accommodation

DAY 2: VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG

After breakfast, we catch the express train to Vang Vieng, a small and tranquil town nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. After check into your hotel, we explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. Next, we take a drive through paddy fields to the Tham Phu Kham caves, the country’s beautiful and famous limestone caverns surrounded by forest. Along the way, you will meet local villagers and learn about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can swim and refresh yourself from the heat.

Overnight in Vang Vieng
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

DAY 3: VANG VIENG - LUANG PRABANG

After breakfast, we take an express train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’. After a short rest, we visit The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture throughout the ages. Next, we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU CAVES

Today, we board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We’ll make sure to stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. We will also stop at a few villages during the day, including Ban Muangkeo where the local rice wine is produced and Ban Xiengmene. We also have a chance to climb up to Wat Chomphet. Here you will have one of the best views of Luang Prabang from across the river. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek - small villages well known for silk weavings and Saa (jute) Papermaking.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG - DEPARTURE

After breakfast, [If time permits] you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will find dried buffalo skins, local teas, and saltpeter among the many foodstuffs and hill-tribe textiles before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.
Inclusions: Private airport transfers/ Breakfast

Watch detailed itinerary in video

Watch our quick video for a snapshot of your entire journey — all the must-see stops in one view.

FAQS

1. Is this tour customizable?

Absolutely! This itinerary is a suggested travel idea designed to inspire your journey. It serves as a starting point and can be fully customized to match your interests, schedule, and preferences. Whether you'd like to adjust the activities, include additional destinations, or tailor the pace of the trip, we're here to create a personalized experience just for you. Let us know what you're looking for, and we’ll craft an itinerary that perfectly fits your vision.

2. What makes a private tour special?

A private tour means your journey is exclusively yours. You'll have your own professional guide and private vehicle, giving you the freedom to travel at your own pace. You can linger longer at spots you love, make spontaneous stops for photos, and enjoy an experience built entirely around your interests, not a fixed group schedule.

3. Are solo travelers and small groups welcome?

Yes, absolutely! We specialize in creating personalized journeys for solo travelers, couples, families, and small groups of friends. As a solo traveler, your itinerary is tailored completely to you. A single supplement fee may apply for accommodation, but we will always work to find the best options for your needs.

4. What is included in the tour price?

Your personalized proposal will include a detailed list of inclusions. Typically, this covers:

Accommodation with daily breakfast
Private, air-conditioned transportation
A private, licensed tour guide
Entrance fees for all scheduled sights
Meals as specified in the itinerary

Exclusions are generally international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, and personal expenses.

5. What kind of accommodation can I expect?

We offer a wide range of accommodations to suit your style, from charming boutique hotels and eco-lodges to luxury resorts. To ensure maximum flexibility, we don't specify hotels in our sample itineraries. Your travel expert will suggest carefully selected options in your proposal, and we are happy to adjust them based on your preferences.

6. Do I need a visa for my destination?

Visa requirements vary greatly depending on your nationality and destination. While your travel expert will offer guidance during the planning stage, we strongly recommend checking the official embassy or consulate website for the most current information.

7. What is the booking process?

Our booking process is simple and collaborative:

Send a Request: Fill out the form on our website with your travel ideas.
Personalize Your Trip: A travel expert will contact you to craft a detailed proposal, which you can refine until it’s perfect.
Confirm & Book: Once you are 100% happy with the plan, you confirm your trip with a deposit.

8. What are the payment and cancellation policies?

To secure your booking, we require a deposit, which is typically 30% of the total tour cost. The final balance is due 60 days before your departure. Our cancellation policy is structured based on how far in advance the cancellation is made.

For full, detailed information, please see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

9. Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, travel insurance is essential for your trip. At Custom Asia Travel, we do not include insurance in our packages to allow you the freedom to choose an insurance provider that best suits your needs and guarantees your rights. Your trip is a significant experience, and having reliable insurance ensures you are well-supported in case of unexpected events.

Please note that basic insurance policies in the host country may not meet your expectations regarding support or administrative procedures. Therefore, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance from your preferred provider.

Important: All customers are required to have valid travel insurance, and we request that you share your insurance details with us before departure.

Request a quote for this trip

Free service! No credit card requested at this stage The note if you are a solo traveler

Travel Date