14 DAYS | 13 NIGHTS
Northern Laos and China’s Yunnan share the same mountains, the same ethnic groups, and a thousand-year border history. This 14-day tour crosses this unique region along the Tea Road: from Luang Prabang and Phongsali on the Lao side to Jinghong, Dali and Lijiang on the Yunnan side. Asia Safari masters this rare route that few agencies offer, with local guides on both sides of the border.
The Tea Road between Laos and Yunnan
Phongsali — The gateway to the Far North of Laos
On the Sino-Lao border, Phongsali is home to Akha, Lahu and Phu Noi ethnic groups whose cousins live in Yunnan. Phongsali’s morning markets look more like those in Yunnan than in the rest of Laos—an early taste of the crossing.
Jinghong and Xishuangbanna
Xishuangbanna, in southern Yunnan, is China’s most tropical region. Home to the Dai (cousins of the Thai Lao), tropical forests and pu-erh tea plantations, it naturally extends the atmosphere of northern Laos.
Dali — The Bai old town
Dali and Lake Erhai enchant visitors with their preserved Ming architecture and the Bai people, known for remarkable craft traditions. Asia Safari selects accommodation in the old town for an authentic immersion.
Lijiang — The Naxi old town
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang’s old town is one of the most beautiful in China: cobbled lanes, canals, wooden houses, Naxi music. Jade Snow Peak (5,596 m) dominates the horizon. A grand finale.
Your questions about this tour
Do I need a separate Chinese visa?
Yes. The Chinese visa must be obtained before departure in your country of residence (Chinese embassy or consulate). Asia Safari will provide you with the documents required for the application.
How do you cross the Laos–China border?
The Boten (Laos) / Mohan (China) border crossing is done by private vehicle. Asia Safari coordinates transfers on both sides with its local partners.
Is this tour suitable for travelers with no experience of China?
Yes. Asia Safari handles all logistics on the Chinese side: Mandarin-speaking guides, accommodation, transport. Yunnan is one of the most accessible regions of China for foreign travelers.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TRIP
Dali, former Silk Road stopover townCultural visit to Shaxi, on the Tea and Horse Road
The Shibaoshan Caves
Beautiful Lijiang and Tiger Leaping Gorge
The Menglun Tropical Garden
The Baci ceremony at Muang La Lodge
Meeting the ethnic groups of northern Laos
Cruise on the Nam Ou River
Luang Prabang and its temples, the monks’ alms round and the National Museum
Sunset on Mount Phousi
Themed day on rice production
Kuang Si waterfalls
The adventure starts here!
Stop: Kunming
Arrival at Kunming airport, the capital of Yunnan located on the fringes of China and Southeast Asia. The starting point for your journey in a little-known region, shaped by its cultural diversity and varied landscapes. At 1,800 m altitude, the mildness of its climate has earned it the nickname “City of Eternal Spring”. Welcome by your French-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel.
Meals at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
Stop: Dali
Breakfast
Drive to Yunnanyi, a former caravan relay on the Tea and Horse Road and more recently an air base for the “Flying Tigers”, the American aviators of World War II. Continue to Dali, a preserved small town straight out of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, once an important stopover on the ancient Southern Silk Road. Stroll through the old town: stone ramparts, medieval gates, traditional residences… a heritage that is the pride of the Bai, the region’s majority ethnic group.
Stop at the Temple of the Three Pagodas of Santa Si.
Meals at leisure and overnight at your hotel.
Stop: Shaxi
Breakfast
Drive to Xizhou, one of the most important villages of the Bai people. Visit its lively market run by small vendors.
Continue to Shaxi, a cultural and economic crossroads on the Tea and Horse Road under the Tang dynasty. Yunnan tea was traded for Tibetan horses used in the fight against northern invasions. A peaceful atmosphere around its square, its temple, its museum and its caravan bridge.
Meal at leisure and overnight at your hotel.
Stops: Shaxi, Shibaoshan Caves
Breakfast
Visit the Shibaoshan Caves, home to an important set of Buddhist sculptures from the Tang period. Option to return to Shaxi on foot (3–4h) via a stepped path. Free bike ride to discover the Shaxi countryside.
Meals at leisure and overnight at your hotel.
Stops: Shaxi, Lijiang
Breakfast
Departure for Lijiang and then the impressive Tiger Leaping Gorge, a canyon carved by the Yangtze River as it rushes between the Yulong (5596m) and Haba (5396 m) mountains. Option to go down to the riverbank. 15 km from Lijiang, Shuhe, built at the foot of Jade Dragon Mountain, is a charming traditional Naxi village.
Meals at leisure and overnight at your hotel in Lijiang.
Stops: Lijiang, Jinghong
Breakfast
Visit the Dongba Museum, a fine showcase of the customs and culture of the Naxi minority. Walk through Lijiang’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its huge Zhongyi market. Flight to Jinghong, located on the banks of the Mekong in the Xishuangbanna region bordering Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar.
Meals at leisure and overnight at your hotel.
Stops: Jinghong, Menglun
Breakfast
Drive to Menglun, a town known for its extraordinary botanical garden, the largest in Asia: 860 ha and 12,000 domestic and introduced plant species, including the 800-year-old “king of tea trees”. A must-see site in this beautiful Xishuangbanna region.
Meals at leisure and overnight at your hotel in Jinghong.
Stops: Jinghong, Oudomxay, Muang La
Breakfast, Dinner
Private transfer to the Laos border at the Boten border post, where your Lao guide will be waiting for you.
In the heart of northern Laos, Oudomxay province is renowned for its many ethnic minorities. Stop at a market and
lunch at leisure before climbing to the top of the That overlooking the town.
Check-in at Muang La in a beautiful ecolodge on the banks of the Nam Pak River. In the evening, take part in the animist Baci ceremony.
Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Stage: Muang La
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walk along the Nam Pak River to Wang Wanh, a Khamu village specializing in making bags from plant fibers. You will be welcomed in a magnificent rice field surrounded by hills. A shared moment of traditional life and lunch in the Sala with a 360-degree view over the valley. Another village in Vieng Kham, known for its master weavers of sarongs.
Walk back to the Lodge with a visit to Muang La primary school and its temple, a highly revered place of worship. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Stage: Muang La
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A day meeting three typical communities of northern Laos: Khamu, Hmong and Akha. At 1,000 m altitude, the views over the valley are superb.
With your guide, you will go from a Khamu village to a Hmong village, an ethnic group originating from the high steppes of Tibet, with a way of life in great harmony with fauna and flora.
Picnic lunch, then return to the Lodge via an Akha village.
The sun sets over the valley.
A culinary rendezvous at the Lodge’s Sala, on an islet in the middle of the river. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Stop: Luang Prabang
Breakfast, Lunch
Drive to Muang Khua and board for a private cruise on the magnificent Nam Ou River. Stop at the Tai Dam village where local rice alcohol (lao lao) is made.
Picnic lunch on a sandy beach.
This river journey down to Nong Khiaw is without a doubt the most beautiful in the region! The karst formations herald your arrival at destination in the late afternoon.
A vehicle then takes over to Luang Prabang, which you will reach in the evening.
Dinner at leisure and overnight at your hotel.
Stage: Luang Prabang
Breakfast
This beautiful day begins at first light: the monks leave their temples and cross the town to collect offerings from villagers. A must-see spectacle, best combined with a stroll through the market. It is most active at dawn.
With your guide and according to your wishes, visit the National Museum (former Royal Palace), the main temples and pagodas, narrow lanes and old colonial houses.
Lunch at leisure and late afternoon on Mount Phousi. Dinner at leisure and overnight at your hotel.
Stop: Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Waterfalls
Breakfast, Lunch
A day themed around rice, the staple food in Laos.
Its production will hold no more secrets for you: selecting grains, sowing, transplanting seedlings… all the way to harvest. At each stage, you will learn to use the strength of a dear friend to every farmer: the water buffalo, an indispensable partner in the absence of modern tools. A picnic prepared by the Soum Noum restaurant will be served at the foot of the magnificent Kuang Si Waterfalls. Optional short hike to discover the tiered cascades. Return in the late afternoon. Dinner at leisure and overnight at your hotel.
Stop: Luang Prabang
Breakfast
Free time to enjoy the peninsula before your transfer to Luang Prabang airport.
Our selection of Hotels
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.
