Laos: Top to Toe

Fly overnight to Vientiane, Laos' easy-going capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

This relaxed little city lies nestled in a languid bend of the Mekong River, close to the Thai border. See the Patuxai Victory Monument, dedicated to those who fought for freedom from French rule, and visit the city's main temples, including Wat Sisaket and Wat Phra Keo. This afternoon, visit a Buddha Park unlike anything else in Laos. Founded by a shamanic priest some 60 years ago, it contains over 200 enormous and eccentric statues of gods, demons and animals from Buddhist and Hindu faith.

Fly to Pakse. On arrival, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wat Phou, a ruined Khmer temple complex set in the beautiful landscapes of Mount Phu Kao. Drive to Khong Island, the largest island of the enchanting Si Phan Don archipelago in the Mekong River, and your home for the next two nights.

Around Si Phan Don, meaning '4000 Islands', the pace of life is slow and easy, and the river views are beautiful. See the magnificent Khone Phapheng Waterfall, Southeast Asia's largest by volume. Visit Khone Island by speedboat to discover its French colonial buildings and see Liphi Waterfall, nicknamed the Devil's Corridor.

Depart Khong Island for Pakse, stopping en route to admire Tad Yuang and Tad Fane waterfalls. Continue up onto the Bolaven Plateau to pay a visit to a coffee plantation and hear about the process of planting, harvesting and roasting the beans. This evening, enjoy dinner at Pakse.

Fly from Pakse to Vientiane and drive to Vang Vieng, admiring the views as the flat river valleys give way to limestone mountains. On arrival, enjoy lunch and check in at your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Explore Vang Vieng's beautiful countryside, venturing through hillside caves and strolling along the Nam Song River, before enjoying an afternoon at leisure.

This morning, hop on the high-speed railway, which will whisk you north to Luang Prabang in just over an hour. This comfortable modern train offers a surprising contrast to the otherwise beautifully rustic country. On arrival, enjoy lunch before an introductory walking tour of this former capital. Visit the country's most famous temple, the gold-covered Wat Xieng Thong, with its Tree of Life mosaic, and the neighbouring Wat Visoun. Visit the Royal Palace, preserved as a museum, and learn about the republic's former royal family.

Head to Elephant Village, a responsible sanctuary that has been caring for rescued elephants since 2001. Meet these majestic creatures, learn how their mahouts communicate with them, and tour the sanctuary's elephant hospital and museum. Ride a Lao long boat to the Tad Sae waterfall and relax or swim before lunch. Later, visit the UXO Visitor Centre, where you'll learn about the valuable work this organisation is doing to clear rural areas of unexploded wartime bombs from the 1960s and 70s.

Rise early to witness the Buddhist ceremony of Takbat, when the monks of Luang Prabang collect alms from the locals. Visit a small art studio to try your hand at the local craft of saa paper making, using pulp and colourful flowers. Later, head out of the city to visit Kuang Si waterfall, with its beautiful cascading waters. Enjoy time here to relax under the shady trees, paddle at the water's edge, or even bathe in the beautiful turquoise pools.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. Enjoy time at leisure in Thailand's capital before this evening's farewell dinner.

Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.