Laos Cultural School Trip – 8 Days

This 8-day student tour takes us to some of the most popular parts of Laos: the laid-back capital Vientiane, the exciting pit-stop for young travelers with many outdoor adventure activities – Vang Vieng, the World Heritage City also, the best preserved ancient city in the Southeast Asia – Luang Prabang. Beside of the sightseeing, we will have plenty of chance to interact with local people and do some community works.

General Information

Duration: 8 Days/ 7 Nights
Start/ End: Vientiane/ Luang Prabang
Tour Route: Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Xieng Khoang – Luang Prabang
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Vientiane Arrival (D)
Day 2: Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B, L, D)
Day 3: Vang Vieng – Xieng Khoang – Plain of Jars (B, L, D)
Day 4: Xieng Khouang – Plain of Jars – Luang Prabang (B, L, D)
Day 5: Morning Alms Giving – Pak Ou Cave (B, L, D)
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Cycling Tour (B, L, D)
Day 7: Luang Prabang City Tour (B, L, D)
Day 8: Luang Prabang – Departure

Laos Cultural School Trip Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Vientiane Arrival (D)

On arrival at Wattay Airport in Vientiane, students and teachers will be welcomed by our local guide and then transferred to the hotel for check-in.
After a short rest, we start our school trip by a venture out to explore the city. We first drive to the extraordinary Buddha Park, a special sculpture park which is 25 km out of the city center. We then back to the city to visit Wat Sisaket with thousands of tiny Buddha statues. Our next stop is Wat Ho Pra Keo, which was originally constructed to be the Lao royal family’s personal chapel before we head over to the That Luang. We finish our day with a visit to Patuxai Victory Monument for a photoshoot of the group. Dinner in a nice local restaurant and spend the night in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B, L, D)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will take 3-hour driving to Vang Vieng (150 KM). Arriving in Vang Vieng at around noon, we will check in our hotel and have lunch.

In the afternoon, we will explore Tham Jang caves before enjoying a short trek to the Tam None Cave and its surrounding villages. Later this afternoon, we make our way to the banks of the Mekong River to enjoy the amazing sunset over the Nam Song River, have a fun time together with kayaking on the river and arrive back in the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner and spend the night in Vang Vieng.

Day 3: Vang Vieng – Xieng Khoang – Plain of Jars (B, L, D)

Today, we will drive to Xieng Khoang. The drive should belong with 6 hours on the road but there will be plenty of stops at local villages en-route for us to stretch our legs, take photos or talk with the local villagers.

Arrival in Phosavan – the capital of Xieng Khouang at around 2 PM, we will check in our hotel and have a short rest before exploring the nearby Hmong and Tai Dai ethnic minority villages. Dinner and overnight in Xieng Khoang.

Day 4: Xieng Khouang – Plain of Jars – Luang Prabang (B, L, D)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will explore the Plain of Jars, a mysterious archaeological site with hundreds of large stone jars scattered throughout the plateau. We then drop at the Central Market of Phonsavan and see how local people purchase and sell their local products. We then board our bus and make our way to the ancient capital of Laos, Luang Prabang. Today, our drive will pass through one of the most spectacular routes in Laos with an amazing landscape of mountain and forest. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon, we will check in our hotel, refresh and have dinner. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 5: Morning Alms Giving – Pak Ou Cave (B, L, D)

Get up early in the morning, students and teachers will join the local people with their daily Morning Alms Giving. This tradition is unique in Laos and some other countries in Southeast Asia. The offerings are normally sticky rice, flowers, fruits and sometimes money. Afterward, we return to the hotel for a proper breakfast and embark on a traditional wooden boat ride to discover the mysterious Pak Ou Caves overlooking the Mekong River. Along the way, we also stop at Ban Xanghai, a village famous for the production of Lao Khao – the national drink of Laos made by a rice distillation process. This afternoon we partake in a Laos cooking class where we have the opportunity to cook our own Laos feast before sitting down to enjoy what we have just cooked for dinner. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6: Luang Prabang – Cycling Tour (B, L, D)

This morning, we hop on our bikes and cycle to discover authentic Lao rural life. We will leave the city behind as we take in the countryside and discover the beautiful scenery and mountainous landscape. Stops can be made at an en-route village, local school to talk and meet friendly lovely children. In the late afternoon, we return to the town for dinner and accommodation.

Day 7: Luang Prabang City Tour (B, L, D)

This morning, we head out to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We start our day with a visit to Wat Xieng Thong – “The Monastery of the City” before we make our way to the city’s oldest and prettiest temple Wat Visoun. Our next stop is the National Museum also known as the former Royal Palace. Today we will also have a chance to visit the village of Ban Xang Khong which is known for its products made from silk and saa paper. Here we will have 2-hour to 3-hour community service work to help the local people in their daily life.

Back to the city center and we climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy the amazing panoramic sunset over Luang Prabang. After farewell dinner in a nice local restaurant, we will have time to explore the street night bazaar as we are dazzled by the masses of beautifully hand-made textiles. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Luang Prabang – Departure

We then have time at leisure to do some last-minute shopping and transfer to the airport for our flight home. Tour ends.