This is the big tour of Laos, demonstrating the huge variety of sights and activities the country has to offer, and showing you just how to spend two unforgettable weeks in this enchanting country. From a luxury Mekong Cruise, to Hmong villages, mysterious archaeological sites, ornate temples and stunning waterfalls this tour has it all! After a comfortable last night in Thailand, this tour starts with a Luang Say cruise along the Mekong from the Thailand/Laos border to Luang Prabang via the Pakbeng and the Pak Ou Caves. Once in Luang Prabang we experience Lao life as it once was with the continuation of alms for the monks, the traditional night market and visiting a Hmong village, just to name a few. Next we move onto Xieng Khuang to visit the famous Plain of Jars, which is an archeological site of hundreds of large stone jars, as well as taking in the central market, hill tribe villages and the temples and stupas of Muang Khoun. Our tour then takes us south to the nation's capital, Vientiane via the town of Vang Vieng. Vientiane is home to Wat Sisaket - which holds thousands of Buddha statues, Wat Prakeo - a formal royal temple, Patuxay Monument - Vientiane's Arc de Triumphe as well as an option of going to the COPE exhibition centre - which draws attention to the ongoing problem of unexploded bombs, shells, grenades etc. The following day we fly south to Pak Xe and the Bolaven Plateau. This area is known for waterfalls, vegetation and crop growing e.g. coffee, tea, bananas etc. This is a time to really experience the road least travelled and spend an evening at a hotel right next to Tad Lo waterfall. After this special night we move on to the 4000 islands and more specifically Khong Island via the World Heritage Site of Wat Phu which pre-dates the world famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Enjoy a day trip around the most breathtaking area in Laos which includes a long tail boat trip, the largest waterfall in SEA, the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and finishing with a boat to the delightful island of Don Daeng. This is a sample private tour itinerary and we can customise the daily itinerary, duration and accommodation levels and styles as much or as little as you wish.