Vientiane province where the capital city Vientiane is located has lot of natural beauty especially in the areas of Vang Vieng ( 170 km north of Vientiane city ) and Nam Ngum Dam Lake ( 90 km north of Vientiane ).

Vang Vieng town is surrounded by limestone mountains and many magnificent caves. The most popular one is Tham Jang cave. Boat riding on Xong river flowing around the high limestone cliff is an unforgettable experience for a traveler.

Nam Ngum Dam Lake formed from the building of Ngam Ngum hydroelectric dam is 250 square kilometers large and dotted with many islands. The lake and the surrounding high mountains are an amazing view. Boat riding in the lake is possible.

Tours to Vientiane province could be combined together with a trip to the national parks in the central and north-eastern parts of Thailand such as Khao Yai, Nam Nao, Phu Rua, Phu Kradung, Phu Pha Mam, Phu Khao-Phu Phan Kham, Phu Wiang, Phu Phan. Or you can directly go into Laos from Nong Khai, Thailand's border city with Laos. There are daily flights to Vientiane from Bangkok by Thai Airways and Laos aviation. Below is a sample tour itinerary to Vientiane starting and ending at Bangkok central train station.

Day 1
Bangkok's Hualampong Train Station at 1800 Hours. Take a night sleeper train ( Air-conditioned or with fans )

Day 2 < LD >
Arrive in Nong Khai early morning. After the north eastern style breakfast at a local restaurant, take tuk tuk ( three wheeler taxi ) to get to the Thai-Laos border bridge. Cross the border and arrive at the Laos side.
Transfer to Vang Vieng ( 3 hours driving ). Check in hotel and lunch. Visit the caves, Tubing Floating dinner and overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 3 < BLD >
After breakfast visit the local market and temples. Drive to Nam Ngum dam lake. Check in hotel and lunch. Sightseeing and a boat ride in the lake for an hour. Overnight in Nam Ngum lake.

Day 4 < BL >
After breakfast drive to Vientiane. On the way visit Vngxang, the ancient archaeological site dated back to 12th century. Lunch in Vientiane. Sightseeing in Vientiane includes Wat Pakeo ( the Emerald Buddha image, now in Bangkok, was kept here as the symbol of Lanexang kingdom for more than 200 years ), Wat Sisket ( it contains 6840 items of small Buddha images in the inner side of the wall ) and That Luang ( the great stupa for Laos. The monument of King Sayasetthathirat who founded Vientiane as the capital of Laos is installed in front of the stupa ). Transfer to the Thai-Laos border bridge to come back to Thailand side. Take tuk tuk to get to Nong Khai train station to take the air-conditioned night sleeper train.

Day 5
Arrive into Bangkok early morning.

Above estimate includes :
Night sleeper train ride between Bangkok and Nong Khine ( 2 ways )

Transfer between Nong Khine train station and Thai-Laos border bridge using tuk tuk.

All transfer and transports inside Laos.

Hotel accommodation 2 nights in twin share basic inside Laos. Hotels used are Thavone resort in Vang Vieng and Nam Ngum Resort in Nam Ngum , or similar standards ( about 3 star ).

English speaking local guide in Laos.

All meals as specified in the itinerary inside Laos.

Not included in the estimate are :
Meals inside Thailand ( dinners on Day 1 and Day 4 can be purchased on the train, and a breakfast on Day 2 can be had in Nong Khai )

Laos visa fees ( US$ 30 per person ), Departure tax, etc.

Expenses of the personal nature such as laundry, drinks, phone calls, etc.

Any enquiry for the Laos trips are welcome. Combination of Thailand and Laos tour programs are also available. Please email us with your requirements for the exact quotation. For other places in Laos such as Luang Prabang please click here.

Payment
Laos programs are operated together with our associates in Laos. Once the tour is confirmed by both sides, you need to send 100% payment by bank 3 weeks ahead. In case there is no time to transfer the payment in advance we can discuss how to settle the payment. For many people group ( more than 10 people ), 40% advance payment, instead of 100%, can be possible. The remaining shall be paid at the start of the trip.