Laos, a serene gem along the Mekong River, captivates with its rich heritage, timeless traditions, and stunning natural landscapes. This thoughtfully curated journey invites you to go beyond sightseeing — blending cultural discovery with meaningful engagement and opportunities to give back.
Travel through charming towns and tranquil countryside, visit ancient temples, and experience daily life alongside warm, welcoming communities. From serene Buddhist rituals to hands-on craft workshops and village visits, each moment offers an authentic, immersive connection to Laos’ people and enduring traditions.
More than a journey, this is an opportunity to contribute positively to local lives while deepening your understanding of a land where simplicity and spirituality gracefully meet.
Laos
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed town that embodies the spiritual and cultural heart of Laos. Known for its golden temples, French-Indochinese architecture, and breathtaking river scenery, this charming town offers a harmonious blend of tradition and colonial elegance.
Take a half-day walking tour exploring some of the highlights of this incredibly picturesque town. Start with a visit to the Royal Palace, which is now a National Museum housing precious artefacts that belonged to the Royal Family. Drive or enjoy a leisurely walk to explore some of Luang Prabang’s famed temples including: Wat Visoun, Luang Prabang’s oldest temple. Notice its unusually shaped stupa designed to look like a lotus flower but referred to by locals as “the watermelon stupa”; Wat That Luang, traditionally the cremation site for Lao royalty; the gorgeous Wat Mai with its detailed golden reliefs depicting scenes from village life; and Wat Xieng Thong, built in the 17th century. Notice the stunning “tree of life” mosaic set on its western exterior wall. End the tour by climbing up to the top of Mount Phousi to admire the panoramic views across the Mekong and Khan rivers as well as the mountain range. Return to your hotel.
Experience the spiritual and cultural essence of Luang Prabang on this immersive journey. Begin with the sacred Tak Bat alms-giving ceremony, followed by a visit to the morning market before enjoying breakfast at your hotel. Cycle through the charming streets, passing Wat Xieng Thong, the National Museum, and a vibrant local market. Visit the Deaf & Mute Community Centre, where you’ll engage with students, explore their training facilities, and participate in a jam-making workshop, supporting their livelihood. Enjoy a heartwarming meal prepared by the centre’s staff before cycling back across the old French bridge, stopping at the Mekong and Nam Khan confluence for breathtaking views. This journey blends spiritual tradition, cultural discovery, and meaningful community engagement for an unforgettable experience.
Spend the afternoon exploring one of Luang Prabang’s most picturesque sights, the Kuang Si Waterfall, just an hour’s drive south of the city. Enjoy a leisurely hike through the lush natural park, discovering the waterfall’s cascading pools and visiting the Asiatic Black Bear Rescue Center. Continue to the Butterfly Park, a serene sanctuary showcasing Laos’ diverse butterfly species. Before returning to your hotel, visit the Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre to learn about traditional Lao textiles. End the day with a sunset cocktail and snacks at the park’s café, soaking in the tranquil surroundings before heading back to your hotel.
Begin your day at the Luang Prabang Public Library, supporting literacy through initiatives like the Book Boat and Tuk Tuk Library, which bring books, educational games, and hygiene programs to rural villages. Engage with local children as volunteers loan books and distribute health or learning bags based on community needs.
In the afternoon, embark on a scenic boat trip along the Mekong River, visiting a village known for traditional weaving and whisky distillation. Continue to the Pak Ou Caves, home to over 4,000 Buddhist statues, before relaxing on the boat with a delicious meal, enjoying the sunset over the Mekong, before returning to your hotel.
Fly to Pakse and, upon arrival, transfer to Ban Kiat Ngong, passing through Dong Hua Sao National Park and the Bolaven Plateau. En route, visit Wat Phou, one of Southeast Asia’s most picturesque pre-Angkorian temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its symbolic integration with the surrounding landscape. Continue 35 km south to Champasak to explore the temple’s two-tiered structure, featuring ancient palace ruins, sacred ponds, and a temple sanctuary. For a breathtaking view of the countryside, you may choose to climb the naga-adorned staircase before transferring to your hotel.
Spend your full day exploring the rural life in Ban Kiat Ngong. Visit Ban Kiat Ngong School, home to 149 students and supported by seven dedicated teachers. With its aging infrastructure, the school is in urgent need of renovations. Your contribution—whether through fans, water filters, plants, or school supplies—will help create a more comfortable and supportive learning environment for the students.
In the afternoon, take part in a traditional Basi Ceremony, an integral Lao ritual that symbolizes blessings and well-being. Join local elders in preparing banana leaf pyramids, skillfully decorated with flowers and ribbons, before experiencing a monk-led blessing ceremony attended by villagers. Receive heartfelt wishes for happiness, longevity, and success, a gesture of gratitude for your visit. This immersive experience offers a unique glimpse into the deep-rooted traditions of Laos, blending community engagement with cultural discovery.
Journey into the heart of Paksong, where stunning landscapes, rich traditions, and world-class coffee come together in an unforgettable experience. Depart from Pakse, stopping for a refreshing coffee break, before switching to an all-terrain Jeep for a scenic ride to Tad Moun Waterfalls. Capture the beauty of cascading waters as you enjoy a picnic lunch in nature.
Continue your adventure with a thrilling 90-minute off-road drive to Khasone’s coffee farm, where owner Mr. Khamsone reveals the secrets of coffee cultivation and roasting. Experience a guided tasting session, savoring the rich flavors of Robusta, Arabica, and Typica beans grown in the fertile Bolaven Plateau.
In the afternoon, visit a 300-year-old Laven village, home to families preserving ancient traditions, before heading to a Souay village to witness their unique bamboo houses—spacious, communal homes sheltering multiple generations. End the day with a scenic drive back to Paksong, rejoining your minivan to Pakse, where you’ll reflect on a day filled with adventure, culture, and sensory delights.
Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for your onward flights.
Want to know more about this adventure and how to plan for your trip? Essential Trip Information is a one-stop resource that provides everything you need to know about this trip. Read about your destination country's requirements for passports, visas, vaccinations, baggage restrictions, packing lists, and tipping guidelines before you go.
Visitors to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos require a passport to enter the country, and all travelers must hold a passport with validity for 6 months after their planned exit from above countries
Citizens of the UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and almost all other nationalities will require a visa. Non-UK residents should check with the Embassy in their country of residence for the most up-to-date information. Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at airports without prior registration. A visa is issued on arrival for most nationalities for US $25/pax to $30/pax, and the visa has a one-month validity. You need to pay in cash and in US dollars and provide two recent, identical passport photographs.
Read more about applying for an eVisa here:
You will be met by your guide in the arrivals hall, after immigration and baggage reclaim. He/She will be wearing the Footsteps Indochina Travel logo and will be holding a meeting board displaying your name.
You will be met by your tour guide and driver at your arrival point. They will be holding a Footsteps Indochina Travel name board with your name on it. It is possible you will be a little bleary-eyed after a long flight and there are also likely to be a large number of meeting boards displayed, so please take your time to locate them.
Firstly, do not panic - let the crowds clear a little and stay with your luggage. After 15 minutes, if you still have not been met then one of you should locate the airport information point and check that you are in the correct place (many airports have several terminals and your guide will be waiting for you at the timetable arrival terminal).
Travel insurance is not included in the tour price. You can arrange travel insurance with your preferred insurance company. As medical facilities in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand & Laos are rather limited, it is imperative for you to take out a good medical insurance policy when traveling.
Although not mandatory, for the safety of travelers, we strongly recommend immunization against malaria, infectious hepatitis, tetanus, typhoid, diphtheria and polio. Travelers should visit their general practitioners for advice on the best pills to take for malaria prevention. Although it is not required in all circumstances, travelers may want to consider immunization against Japanese Encephalitis as an added precaution.
Meals are included as per the itinerary that we have mentioned. Most meals are local and feature noodles, rice, curries, and soups.
While traveling with us, you will have the opportunity to not just experience the wide variety of wonderful food available in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand & Laos but also get to try some of it too. Your guide will be able to suggest some great restaurants for you to try during your trip.
If you have any specific food requirements (vegetarian, vegan, or food allergies), please inform us in advance so that we can provide a notice to the restaurant or hotel where you will be served.
Keeping you hydrated is one of the most important parts of our tours. We provide cold water, as well as local fruit and soft drinks to keep you energized and refreshed during your trip. Beers and alcoholic drinks are freely available everywhere but are not included in the price.
At Footsteps Indochina Travel, we’re ensuring that we’re fulfilling the core values of our business. We operate in a responsible manner to protect our local culture and environment, as well as youth development in our community. We’ve made a commitment to be a responsible business and live up to this promise every single day.
