15 DAYS | 14 NIGHTS
Southern Laos is an exceptional natural playground: rivers to descend by kayak, roads to explore by bike, cliffs to hike along, the Mekong to cross by pirogue. This 15-day tour is designed for active travelers who want to discover Laos in motion, with authenticity as a bonus. Asia Safari selects the best outdoor activities in the South and the most experienced local guides.
Sports Activities on the Program
Kayaking on the Mekong and Its Tributaries
The Mekong and its secondary channels in the 4,000 Islands region offer ideal conditions for kayaking: calm waters, wild banks, villages accessible only by water. Asia Safari organizes kayaking trips from half a day to several days depending on your level.
Cycling on the Bolaven Plateau
The Bolaven Plateau, at 1,000 m altitude, is ideal terrain for cycling: quiet roads, ethnic villages, coffee plantations, and waterfalls. Asia Safari provides the bikes and organizes return transfers.
Trekking in Protected Areas
The Khammouane region conceals some of the most spectacular karst landscapes in Laos: limestone cliffs, primary forests, underground rivers. The treks organized by Asia Safari are led by certified local guides.
Mekong Descent by Pirogue
The descent of the Mekong by traditional pirogue between Si Phan Don and the Cambodian border is a unique experience. Moderate currents, river landscapes, optional Irrawaddy dolphin watching.
Your Questions About This Sports Tour
What fitness level is required for this tour?
A good level of general physical fitness. No specific technical skills required (no climbing or advanced paddling). Asia Safari adapts the activities according to your declared physical condition.
Are the activities organized in groups or privately?
All Asia Safari activities are private—no group formed with strangers. You are with your guide and your travel party only.
What happens in case of unfavorable weather?
Asia Safari always plans alternatives. In case of rain or unfavorable river conditions, activities are adjusted or replaced with suitable cultural or natural options.
Can this sports tour be combined with a cultural extension?
Yes. This tour already includes cultural stops (Wat Phou, Champassak). Asia Safari can add days in Luang Prabang or Vientiane according to your wishes.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TRIP
Luang Prabang and its superb temples
Kuang Si Falls
Elephant walk at Tad Sae Falls
The Vang Vieng countryside by mountain bike
Nam Ngum Lake
Trek in the Phou Khao Khouay protected area
Kong Lor caves
Homestay and Baci ceremony
Kayaking in the caves
Via ferrata and zipline on the Bolaven Plateau
By pirogue around Don Khone Island
Encounter with Irrawaddy dolphins
The famous Khone Phapheng Falls
The adventure starts here!
Stage: Luang Prabang
Welcome at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and check-in at your hotel located on the peninsula.
Stopovers: Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Falls
Breakfast
Rise at first light: the monks leave their temples and cross the city to collect offerings from the villagers. A spectacle not to be missed! Then, with a private guide, visit at your own pace the main religious buildings of the peninsula from Wat to Wat: the oldest in the city, the watermelon-shaped one, the monastery of the Buddha’s Footprint… The city has more than thirty! Lunch on your own, then swimming at Kuang Si Falls and its terraced cascades.
Return to Luang Prabang in late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel.
Stages: Luang Prabang, Tad Sae Falls
Breakfast, Lunch
15 km from the city, in the middle of a natural setting bordered by the Nam Khan, the elephant village is a peaceful retreat for specimens victimized by forestry operations.
The morning consists of getting acquainted with these Asian elephants during a walk in a magnificent setting along the river. Your destination: Tad Sae Falls, a remarkable natural site with turquoise waters and multiple natural pools. Return by bamboo boat on the Nam Khan with lunch of Lao specialties served on board. Arrival in Luang Prabang in early afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel.
Stage: Vang Vieng
Breakfast, Lunch
En route to Vang Vieng, stops at the colorful markets of Phoukhoune and Ban Houn Xay, then lunch on your own. The Vang Vieng district is characterized by beautiful karst cliffs covered with lush vegetation. Stop at Phatang to admire these works of nature. Check-in at your hotel in Vang Vieng, on the riverbank. A short cruise on the Nam Song will be offered. Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel.
Stage: Vang Vieng
Breakfast, Lunch
Mountain bikes in hand, cross the Nam Song for a first 26 km stage through the countryside to Tham Phoukham cave. Continue through the karst formation landscapes following the narrow valley carved by the Houay San stream. After Pha Deng (meaning the red cliff), lunch is taken as a picnic at Phonxay village.
Return in late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel.
Stages: Nam Ngum Lake, Vientiane
Breakfast
Departure for Vientiane, the capital. Leave the mountains toward Nam Ngum Lake and its impressive dam. Lunch on your own at a fish restaurant by the water with a view of the lake’s islets. Arrival in Vientiane in late afternoon, in time to freely enjoy the small capital and check in at your hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Stages: Phou Khao Khouay, Vientiane
Breakfast, Lunch
Phou Khao Khouay National Park is a biodiversity protection zone. At Ban Hatkhay village, 2 local guides await you with a picnic for the orchid trek and its impressive viewpoints over a gorge more than 40 m high. Along small shaded paths, nature is nothing but forest, bamboo, jungle… and extraordinary biotopes revealing medicinal plants, rattan, ginger, dipterocarpus… Swimming at Tad Say waterfall before returning to the village. Return to Vientiane in late afternoon. Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel.
Stages: Kong Lor, Khammouane Region
Breakfast
Early departure for Kong Lor with a stop to admire an impressive stone forest. Arrival at the hotel in mid-afternoon via a beautiful mountain road. Check-in at your hotel and free time. Meals on your own and overnight at your hotel.
Stages: Kong Lor, Khammouane Region
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Exploration of the Kong Lor caves before starting a 6-hour trek through a dense tropical forest dotted here and there with karst mountains. You are here in the heart of Laos in a majestic, very well-preserved landscape. After your picnic lunch, you will reach Ban Natan village located at the end of the valley where you will meet the inhabitants. Dinner and overnight at one of the villagers’ homes.
Stages: Kong Lor, Khammouane Region, Thakhek
Breakfast, Lunch
Traditional breakfast in the village followed by a Baci ceremony performed by your host. Descent to the river and boarding your kayak for a journey to an underground cave with transparent water. Swimming is irresistible. Lunch at a local restaurant before taking the road to Thakhek in early afternoon to reach your hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Stages: Thakhek, Savannakhet, Pakse
Breakfast
Drive to Savannakhet, the most populated province in Laos. Discovery of colonial-era buildings, most of which are arranged around the central square. Lunch on your own before continuing the drive to Pakse, which you will reach in late afternoon. Check-in at your hotel.
Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
Stages: Pakse, Bolaven Plateau
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, departure for the Bolaven Plateau. Ban Nongluang village is the starting point for your 2-day trek including a via ferrata and the use of ziplines. The trail crosses tea and coffee plantations and magnificent landscapes alternating crops. Entry into increasingly dense forest, ravines, and waterfalls. Lunch break. Through a series of ziplines you will access the canopy and the view before descending into the valley. Installation at Tree Top Explorer, a forest camp with dinner prepared by your guides and overnight in a hut 10 m above the ground.
Stages: Bolaven Plateau, Pakse, 4,000 Islands
Breakfast, Lunch
Wake to birdsong, breakfast, and departure into the jungle to a first zipline that will transport you 400 m. Progress on foot through the exceptional nature of the Bolaven Plateau. After lunch, by minibus, you will reach Pakse then the port of Nakasang in the far south of Laos. Boat transfer to your hotel located on Don Khone Island. Check-in early evening in an old colonial villa.
Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel.
Stage: 4,000 Islands
Breakfast
Discovery of Don Khone Island and what remains of the old railway, a legacy of the colonial era. Continue to Li Phi Falls.
Lunch on your own along the Mekong before taking to the waters by pirogue to meet the Mekong dolphins, the only place in the world along with Burma where it is possible to observe these freshwater dolphins.
Return to Don Khone. Dinner on your own and overnight at your hotel.
Stages: 4,000 Islands, Pakse
Breakfast
Early morning departure by traditional boat to reach the small port of Nakasang, on the mainland, where the minibus awaits to take you to Pakse airport. Detour to Khone Phapheng Falls, the largest in Southeast Asia. This is where the Mekong breaks before continuing into neighboring Cambodia.
Our selection of Hotels
Nam Ngum Lake
Phou Khao Khouay National Park
Kong Lor Caves
Bolaven Plateau
Included
- Accommodation in a room for 2 people
- For each participant not sharing a room, add the individual supplement
- All meals mentioned (breakfast and/or lunch and/or dinner)
- All transfers mentioned, in private cars or air-conditioned minibuses
- All excursions mentioned in the program
- All entrance fees to sites
- The service of French-speaking guides for the different stages
- The guide: our quotation includes the salaries and travel expenses of a guide residing in Luang Prabang. If Luang Prabang guides are not available, we bring guides from Vientiane. This incurs an additional cost which will be communicated to you if applicable.
Excluded
- Domestic and international flights
- Drinks during meals and personal expenses
- Services not mentioned above
- Meals not mentioned above
- Bank or exchange fees related to payment for the trip
- Laotian visa fees (30 USD/person plus one passport photo). As a precaution, plan for 35 USD/person plus two passport photos)
- Your passport must be valid for 6 months after the exit date from the country
- Cancellation / assistance / repatriation and luggage insurance
- Tips
Personalized follow-up
Each client receives personalized follow-up:
- Your French-speaking Asia Safari advisor informs and assists you in your choices, targets your expectations before designing your trip
- From your arrival until your departure day, you benefit from Asia Safari assistance throughout the trip
- We are regularly in the field to ensure the reliability of our partners
- We invest in research and development to integrate novelty and originality into our offer
- We only employ experienced guides
Important
- The services, flights, and hotels offered are subject to availability at the time of booking
- Domestic or international flight schedules may be delayed or changed without prior notice
- Our prices are guaranteed by the payment of a 30% deposit of the total amount of your trip
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Why choose Asia Safari for your trip to Laos?
Asia Safari is not a generalist tour operator based in France. We have been on site, in Vientiane, for over 25 years. Our guides are Lao, our accommodations are hand-picked, and each itinerary is tailor-made. The result: a vibrant, fair trip, without unnecessary frills.
- Local French-speaking agency: we speak your language and know the country from the inside
- Zero intermediaries: you deal directly with the local team
- Truly tailor-made: no fixed catalog — each trip is unique
- 25+ years of experience: founded in 2002, Asia Safari assists hundreds of French-speaking travelers every year
How does our tailor-made service work?
1. You send us your request (dates, budget, desires, profile)
2. We build a proposal within 48 hours — day-by-day itinerary, accommodations, all-inclusive price
3. You refine it with us until the trip is perfect
4. We manage everything on site: guides, transport, hotels, activities
When to visit Laos?
The best period is October to April — dry season, pleasant temperatures. The rainy season (May to September) is also possible: lush landscapes and fewer tourists, but some roads can be difficult. Asia Safari advises you according to the region and type of trip.
Laos, the heart of your Indochina tour
Laos is often the surprise of a trip: uncrowded, authentic, with a quiet beauty. Asia Safari makes Laos much more than a stopover — we make it the central experience of your stay, before or after Vietnam, Cambodia, or Thailand.
Our most requested Indochina combinations
Laos + Cambodia: A classic — temples of Luang Prabang and Angkor Wat, Mekong and Tonlé Sap. 15 days minimum recommended.
Laos + Vietnam: Two contrasting countries — the calm of Laos and the energy of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Vientiane or vice versa.
Northern Laos + Yunnan: For travelers seeking originality — travel from Yunnan to Laos via the Laos-China railway (inaugurated 2021).
Grand Indochina Tour (40 days): Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand — a memorable trip for life.
Tips for preparing your multi-country tour
Visas: each country has its own rules — Asia Safari guides you through all procedures.
Ideal duration: allow a minimum of 12 to 15 days for a 2-country combination.
Seasons: seasons vary by country — we help you choose the best window.
Budget: prices vary greatly by country. Laos is cheaper than Vietnam or Thailand.
Our Story
Jean-Paul Duvergé arrived in Laos at the turn of the 2000s, fell in love with the country, and decided to stay. In 2002, he founded Asia Safari with a simple idea: to offer French-speaking travelers direct access to authentic Lao life, without the filter of large Parisian agencies. Since then, the agency has assisted thousands of travelers, built a network of trusted guides and partners, and refined its philosophy: rigorous tailor-made travel, serving authenticity.
What sets us apart
We are on site: Our team works from Vientiane. We know the roads, seasons, accommodations, guides — and what changed last week. No outdated brochures.
We speak your language: Asia Safari is a 100% French-speaking agency. All our communications, proposals, and guides speak French.
Zero intermediaries: You work directly with us. No central purchasing, no Parisian subcontractors. Fairer prices and higher service quality.
Tailor-made as our only model: We do not have standardized tours. Each trip is designed from scratch, according to your dates, budget, desires, and traveler profile.
Our commitment
Asia Safari actively supports responsible tourism in Laos: prioritizing local accommodations, tours that benefit village communities, respect for cultural and natural sites.
Laos in figures
Area: 236,800 km² | Population: approximately 7.5 million inhabitants | Capital: Vientiane | Official language: Lao | Religion: Theravada Buddhism (65% of the population) | Currency: Lao Kip (LAK) | Time zone: UTC+7
Laos must-sees
Luang Prabang: Former royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, its golden temples, French colonial houses, and gentle way of life make it an undeniable favorite.
Vientiane: The human-sized capital — That Luang, Patuxai, and the banks of the Mekong are worth a visit.
Vang Vieng: Surrounded by limestone karsts, ideal for kayaking, caving, and hiking.
Southern Laos and 4000 Islands: Champassak, the Vat Phou temples (UNESCO), the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong islands.
Lao culture
Theravada Buddhism permeates all of Lao life. The alms giving (offerings to monks at dawn) in Luang Prabang is a daily ritual of great beauty. Lao festivals — Boun Pi Mai (Lao New Year in April), Boun Ok Phansa (Festival of Lights) — are exceptional times to travel.
Nature and biodiversity
Laos is 70% covered by forests. Its protected areas are home to rare species: Asian elephants, gibbons, sun bears. The rivers and plateaus offer natural settings of rare purity in Asia.
