Vientiane day tour: Five temples and Patuxai Gate

Walk through five temples and climb Vientiane's victory monument in one day

A full-day private tour of Vientiane with an English-speaking guide covers the city's most revered temples and landmarks. Starting from your hotel at 8 am, you visit Wat Sisaket (built 1818), Haw Phra Kaew's Buddhist art collection, Wat Si Muang, the golden stupa of Pha That Luang, and climb Patuxai Gate for views across the capital. Hotel pickup, transport, entrance fees and lunch are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Vientiane's key landmarks

• Meet guide and driver at hotel
• Visit Wat Sisaket monastery
• Tour Ho Phra Keo museum
• Stop at Wat Simeuang temple
• Enjoy local lunch in Vientiane
• Visit That Luang golden stupa
• See Patuxai Victory Gate

Stops and time spent at each 5 stops

1. Wat Sisaket Entry included 45m
2. Haw Phra Kaew Entry included 45m
3. Wat Si Muang Entry included 30m
4. Pha That Luang Entry included 45m
5. Patuxai 30m

What’s included

• All entrance fees for the temples and monuments.
• transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver.
• a full-day English-speaking guide.
• lunch at a local restaurant.
• all applicable taxes and service charges.

Times

• Every day 09:00

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Before you book

Group Private

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to 2d before

Ages Adult (12 to 80 years) · Child (2 to 11 years)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Asian Trails LTD

Prices and times updated 22 days ago

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The experience

Vientiane moves at its own pace, and this tour lets you see why. Your guide and driver pick you up at 8 am and head straight to Wat Sisaket, the oldest monastery in the city, built in 1818. The temple's layout and decoration differ from what you'll see at the next stops, which is the whole point: Vientiane's temples each have their own character. From there it's a short drive to Haw Phra Kaew, the former royal temple now housing a museum of Buddhist sculpture and art. The building once held the Emerald Buddha until 1778, when it was taken to Bangkok: a detail that shapes how locals see the space.

After a stop at Wat Si Muang to see another architectural style, you break for lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon centers on Pha That Luang, Laos' most revered shrine. Its central stupa rises 45 meters in the shape of an elongated lotus bud, said to contain a relic of the Buddha. The structure's curving lines are unmistakable from a distance. From there, the tour ends at Patuxai, the victory gate built in 1958 and modeled on the Arc de Triomphe but decorated with Lao motifs including the Kinnaree, a mythical bird-woman. If you have the energy, climbing to the top gives you a panoramic view of the capital.

The full day runs seven hours with an air-conditioned vehicle and a professional driver. All entrance fees, transport and lunch are covered. The tour operates on a private basis, so the pace and timing are yours to shape within the day's structure. Passport details are required at booking for local immigration purposes.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Pha That Luang and why is it important to Laos?

Pha That Luang is the most revered shrine in Laos, with a central golden stupa 45 meters tall shaped like an elongated lotus bud. It is said to contain a relic of the Buddha and stands as the country's most sacred monument.

Can I climb Patuxai and what will I see from the top?

Patuxai can be climbed by energetic visitors. From the top, you get a panoramic view across Vientiane, the capital city.

How many temples does this tour include?

The tour visits four temples: Wat Sisaket, Haw Phra Kaew, Wat Si Muang, and Pha That Luang, plus Patuxai Gate, giving you a range of architectural styles and purposes across the city.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant in Vientiane is included. The operator will do its best to accommodate dietary requirements, though confirmation may depend on the restaurant's menu on the day.

What time does the tour start and how long does it take?

Your guide and driver pick you up at approximately 8 am from your hotel. The full tour runs seven hours.

Does the tour price cover hotel pickup and drop-off?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations inside Vientiane. Transfers from locations outside the city, including airports and resorts beyond the general pickup zone, are not included and require a supplement.