LT Travel

Vientiane to Luang Prabang

Here is an original circuit, from Luang Prabang Vientiane.
This Vientiane - Luang Prabang trip is usually done in one day (6-8 hour drive, depending on the number of people and the type of vehicle), or in 2 day (with a stop in Vang Vieng).

We offer you an alternative: make a detour to visit the elephants in the Conservation Centre of Sayaboury to approach the elephants and learn about these large animals in a natural setting, away from the more touristy options that can be found in Luang Prabang.

Itinerary at a glance

  • Day 1. Vientiane - Vang Vieng
  • Day 2. Vang Vieng - Sayaboury
  • Day 3. Sayaboury - Luang Prabang

Itinerary in detail

Day 1 Vientiane - Vang Vieng (.../.../...)

In the morning, the guide and the minivan will meet you at your hotel ; so begins the first day trip that will take you to Vang Vieng (about 3-hour drive). Along the way you will visit the archaeological site of Vangxang, and explore the area to look the sculptured stone representing Buddha.
We can also now take the train (1-hour) to Vang Vieng where we would be waited by our new chauffeur.

You then take a ride to the market of Pha Hom, and have a visit of the Tham Chang caves near Vang Vieng, climb to a view point, visit the famous "Blue Lagoon".

After a city tour and an exploration of the surrounding area, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

Day 2 Vang Vieng - Sayaboury (B/.../D)

In the morning, we travel (4 hours drive) that will take you in majestic mountains of Northern Laos. You will regularly stop to visit villages, and to admire the scenic area to take some great pictures.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Arriving at Lake Nam Tien, you will take the boat that will bring you to elephants Conservation Centre, where you will be welcomed by the local guide for a first introduction to the big animals.
Dinner at the camp.

Overnight in ECC

Day 3. Sayaboury - Luang Prabang (B/L/...)

After breakfast, you will learn more about elephants, how to care, how to ride and how to bathe.
Lunch at the camp.
You will then have some free time to swim in the lake, before being transferred to the minivan in term to join Luang Prabang before sunset (about 2h30-3h drive).
Arrive late afternoon in Luang Prabang and transfer to your hotel.

End of tour.

Karst mountains in Vang Vieng
Karst mountains in Vang Vieng
The Elephant Conservation Center area
The Elephant Conservation Center area
Elephants bathing at the Conservation Center
Elephants bathing at the Conservation Center
Young elephant at the Elepant Conservation Centre
Young elephant at the Elepant Conservation Centre
Wat Si Bounheuang - Ruins of an old temple
Wat Si Bounheuang - Ruins of an old temple
Le tronc de 11 tonnes et le gong à prières
Le tronc de 11 tonnes et le gong à prières
Sayaboury, definetely the Lao city of elephants
Sayaboury, definetely the Lao city of elephants
The temple before the work starts
The temple before the work starts
Detail of the vihan: the mythical Nagas
Detail of the vihan: the mythical Nagas

Included in the tour

  • Accommodation :
    • Vang Vieng : Vilayvong Hotel*** (or similar)
    • Sayabouri : private rooms in Elephant Conservation Center
  • Daily Breakfast
  • English Speaking guide
  • Travel with AC Minivan
  • Meals as indicated : B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
  • Elephant Conservation Center activity 2 days 1 night (notice that price > 300 USD / person for that special program)
  • 2 Drinking water & 2 Cool Towels a day per person
  • All Entrance fees at various sites
  • All government taxes and service fees
  • Baggage Handling

Excluded on the tour

  • Visa stamping fee at arrival
  • International & domestic flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals (but specified: B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = dinner)
  • Banking fees during money transfers
  • Any service not indicated on tour itinerary
  • Personal expression
  • Beverages
  • Tip - Gratuities are a wonderful way to thank your crew for a great trip. If you would like a guideline, standard tipping averages around 10usd / day for the guide and 5usd / day for the driver

Interested in this tour?

Testimonials

What our travelers say

28 August 2026
Dear Sir, We would like to sincerely thank you for taking the time to call us this morning. We greatly appreciated the quality of our conversation, your availability, and your high level of (…)
Silviana & Marc M.

3-days in Luang Prabang
16 March 2026
Hi Ben, I’m finally taking the time to write to you after our return to thank you for organizing our trip to Laos. Everything was truly perfect. The itinerary was very well planned, the (…)
Yannick C.’s family

Northern-Laos program, 9 days
15 December 2025
Hello Benjamin, everything went well, a great overview of the Luang Prabang region. The two days were very enjoyable, especially yesterday (Mekong River, waterfall, etc.), very well organized (…)
Laurent J.

2 days in Luang Prabang
26 January 2025
Hello, Today was another great day. The driver, guide, car, sightseeing, Pho Sy market, the Hmong people, Kuang Sy, the meal—everything was perfect. Just one small detail: two days ago, I paid (…)
Christian G.

1 day in Luang Prabang
5 December 2024
Hello Benjamin, The trip went very well. Our guide, Ananas, adapted the visits so we didn’t have to do the waterfalls and the mandalao on the same day, which turned out to be great. This (…)
Patrick S. L-G

5 days from Luang Prabang to Vientiane
12 November 2024
Hello, Thank you so much for your service and for the trusting relationship established during the payment process. Everything went very smoothly, with remarkable punctuality. Congratulations (…)
Muriel J.

3 days in Luang Prabang
21 May 2023
Good evening, The trip was excellent and so was the tour guide! I will definitely recommend you to others. Thank you very much. Catherine
Catherine

3-days in Luang Prabang
12 December 2019
Hello, Just a quick note about the trek. We really enjoyed the trip. The guide was excellent and spoke very good English; he answered our questions and shared his culture with us. The only (…)
Manon F.

3 days trekking
4 April 2019
Hello Ben and Lem, Véronique and I were delighted with how our tour in Laos went. Thank you for the front-row seats at the Luang Prabang show. A big thank you to you and Lem for your (…)
Christian C

5 days in Northern-Laos
11 October 2016
Hello Benjamin, We arrived home safely from our short trip to Luang Prabang, and I wanted to thank you for your help in organizing it. Everything was perfect. In addition to the stunning (…)
Philippe et Pascale

5 days in Luang Prabang
15 August 2015
Hi Benjamin, The Luang Prabang tour was quite comprehensive, and we enjoyed Mone’s company, even though she’s very discreet and speaks very softly. The two-day excursion with Lem was very (…)
Familly Rochelle

3 days in Northern-Laos
27 January 2015
Hello Sir, Thank you for the program you proposed, organized at the last minute. Everything went very well; the guides and drivers did an excellent job. Sincerely, Mr. and Mrs. M.
Mr André M.

2 romantic days in Luang Prabang