Vientiane, Vang Vieng & Luang Prabang 3-day tour: Temples & river

Nam Song River paddle tour with cave stops and sunset views

A 3-day guided tour from Vientiane through Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, visiting historic temples, exploring caves by kayak on the Nam Song River, and crossing mountain countryside where hill tribes trade at local markets. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, lunch daily, hotel pickup and transport by air-conditioned vehicle. Groups stay under eight people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Vientiane full day city tour

• Pick up at airport or hotel
• Visit Wat Sisaket temple
• Visit Wat Prakeo temple
• See That Luang Stupa
• Photo stop at Patuxay Monument
• Visit COPE Center museum
• Overnight in Vientiane

Day 2: Travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng

• Leave Vientiane early morning
• Pass through countryside scenery
• Visit Thalat market
• Stop at Vang Xang archaeological site
• Arrive in Vang Vieng on Nam Song River
• Overnight in Vang Vieng

Day 3: Vang Vieng river adventure and return

• Set off down Nam Song River
• Stop at Tham Xang Cave and walk inside
• Kayak to riverside picnic spot
• Enjoy lunch by the river
• Continue to Organic Farm visit
• Visit Tham None Cave
• Gentle paddle downstream to Vang Vieng
• Watch sunset in Vang Vieng

The experience

The first day is a full-day city tour of Vientiane itself. You visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the capital, where thousands of miniature Buddha statues line the walls, then move to Wat Prakeo, the former royal temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha Image. The itinerary includes That Luang Stupa, the national icon of Laos, and the Patuxay Monument, Vientiane's own Arc de Triomphe. You also stop at the COPE Center, a museum documenting the care and recovery of unexploded ordnance survivors from the Indochina War. Overnight is in Vientiane.

Day two takes you north from the capital through mountain scenery toward Vang Vieng. The route passes through Thalat, a busy market where hill tribes from surrounding areas come to trade goods and buy provisions. You stop at Vang Xang, an archaeological site dating to the 11th century, before arriving in Vang Vieng, which sits on a bend of the Nam Song River. The overnight is there.

The final day is built around the river itself. You set off down the Nam Song in a kayak, passing small rapids, and stop at Tham Xang Cave, where you walk into a theater-like cavern and hear the local history of the area. After emerging, a short paddle takes you to a riverside spot for lunch. You continue downstream to Tham None Cave, one of the largest in Vang Vieng, which served as a bomb shelter during the Second Indochina War and now houses a bat colony and the "Magic Stone of Vang Vieng." The final paddle is gentle, timed so you arrive back in Vang Vieng as the sun sets over the river.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide throughout the three days.
• lunch at a local restaurant daily.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Vientiane.
• transport by air-conditioned vehicle between cities.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Bravo Indochina Tours

Is this one for you?This is a shared small-group tour with a set itinerary and fixed schedule, which is what keeps three distinct regions and the river kayaking inside three days without rushing. Choose it if you want a guide who knows the temples and the local history, and if paddling the Nam Song yourself matters more than a motorboat ride.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What temples do I see on the first day in Vientiane?

Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the capital with thousands of miniature Buddha statues; Wat Prakeo, the former royal temple that housed the Emerald Buddha Image; and That Luang Stupa, the national icon of Laos. You also pass the Patuxay Monument and visit the COPE Center, a museum about war recovery.

Do I kayak on the Nam Song River, or is it a boat tour?

You kayak yourself down the Nam Song on day three, paddling past small rapids and stopping at two caves (Tham Xang and Tham None) with a riverside lunch break and a final paddle timed to catch the sunset.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide throughout, lunch at a local restaurant each day, hotel pickup and drop-off, and transport by air-conditioned vehicle between cities.

How many people typically go on this tour?

Groups are kept to a maximum of seven people, with a minimum of two required per booking. Group discounts are available for bookings of three or more.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The kayaking on day three involves paddling down the river with stops at caves, but the pace is relaxed and you control your own speed.