Responsible Laos

Arrive into Vientiane, where a guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to the hotel in a private car. After settling in, set out on a half-day guided tour of the capital, beginning at Wat Phra Keo, home to a collection of Lao and Khmer artworks, and the nearby Presidential Palace, a colonial-era building viewable from the outside only. Visit the COPE Centre, an organisation supporting landmine survivors, offering an in-depth look at the lasting impact of unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War era and the work underway to clear it. Continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos's answer to the Arc de Triomphe, with the option to climb to the roof for sweeping views over the city, then finish at the sixteenth-century That Luang, the holiest site in the country, its golden spire catching the last of the day's light. This evening, enjoy a traditional Lao dinner at Amphone. Overnight in Vientiane.

Set out early for an authentic ecotourism trek close to Vientiane, led by guides from Ban Hatkhai village. Part of the proceeds from each tour go directly to the villagers and a village development fund, a genuine source of income tied to protecting the surrounding forest. After a drive of around an hour and a half, begin a guided walk through Phou Khao Kway National Park, home to more than half of Laos's wild orchid species. Wander through bamboo and evergreen forest, taking in views of waterfalls and keeping an eye out for orchids and local wildlife along the way, before a picnic lunch beside a river. Continue to Tad Xay Waterfall, cascading down seven levels, for a refreshing swim, before heading back toward Vientiane. Stop en route at Dong Mak Kai, a local market selling produce and delicacies including ant eggs and insects, before arriving back in the city in the late afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, take the scenic drive north on the new highway to Vang Vieng, arriving in time for lunch on the riverbank. In the afternoon, cross the Nam Ou River north of town to Tham Xang, then hike an easy thirty minutes, past a small village, rice fields, grazing cows and fruit gardens, to two lesser-known caves, Tham Loup and Tham Hoy. Continue to Tham Nang Faa, or Angel Cave, one of Vang Vieng's most recently discovered, filled with striking caverns, stalactites, stalagmites and a surprising open-air hidden chamber. For the more adventurous, the nearby Tham None, or Sleeping Cave, involves floating through a water-filled passage on a tube while holding a rope before reaching the main cavern, not for the faint of heart. Return to the hotel in time to catch the sunset on the banks of the Nam Song River. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Vang Vieng before transferring to the train station for the roughly one-hour journey north to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Check in to the hotel on arrival, then take an evening stroll to the nearby night market, where ethnic vendors sell a wide range of handicrafts. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Set out by bike at 8:30am with a local guide for a full day exploring Luang Prabang. Begin at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, before continuing to Wat Mai, known for its golden bas-relief, then Wat Visoun, the city's holiest temple, passing the sixteenth-century Wat Aham en route to Wat That, resting place of King Sisavang Vong's ashes. Finish the temple circuit at Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang's most revered temple. Break for lunch at Tamarind, among the best Lao cuisine in town (closed Sundays), before cycling on to Phosy Market to sample fresh produce alongside the locals, with every purchase benefiting the vendors directly. Continue to Ock Pop Tok, a nonprofit preserving traditional Lao weaving techniques, for a short tour of the silk-dyeing and loom-weaving process. Ride back along the Mekong to finish at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, dedicated to the country's ethnic diversity (closed Mondays), before cycling back to the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, transfer to the royal boat pier behind the National Museum for a five-minute cruise across the Mekong to Ban Chan, a village long known for its clay pottery, once favoured by the kings of Laos for its craftsmanship and still built around it today, with many houses containing their own kiln. Meet the Lamphet family, who established the village's Pottery House in partnership with the Luang Prabang Tourism Department to preserve this disappearing trade. Go behind the scenes to see the ancient techniques up close, then get hands-on, shaping clay under the guidance of the village's skilled potters. Afterward, join the Lamphet family for a traditional Lao lunch made from local ingredients, sometimes from their own organic garden, sampling Luang Prabang specialties such as khaiphaen, grilled fish, eggplant dipping sauce and spicy papaya salad. Cruise back to Luang Prabang, with the rest of the afternoon free at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Depart the hotel for the village of Xieng Lom, where a guide shares insights over coffee or tea into elephant behaviour and how best to interact with them. Cross the Nam Khan River by boat to meet the elephants, feeding them healthy treats as they bond with their mahouts during bathtime in the river; guests do not enter the water directly, and only the mahouts wash the elephants, in line with World Animal Protection guidelines. Cross a stretch of Lao gardens to the jungle-clad Huay Nok stream for a trek alongside the elephants, building a genuine sense of respect and understanding for these animals, before a traditional Lao lunch in the jungle. Walk on to Tad Kuang Song Waterfall for a swim or a cooling dip beneath its spray. Round out the day with an interactive mahout lesson, learning how to read and communicate with the elephants and hearing about each one's individual personality, followed by some quiet, uninterrupted time in their company. Help the mahouts lead the elephants to their nighttime feeding grounds before returning to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Transfer by private car to the airport for your departing flight.