Houeixay – Pakbeng – Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane
Day 1: Houeixay – Pakbeng (L, D)
Day 2: Pakbeng – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang (B, L)
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Ancient town & Arts (B, L)
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi waterfall (B, L)
Day 5: Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang (B, L)
Day 6: Xieng Khouang – Plain of Jars (B, L)
Day 7: Xieng Khouang – Vang Vieng (B, L)
Day 8: Vang Vieng – Exploration (B, L)
Day 9: Vang Vieng – Vientiane (B, L)
Day 1
Houeixay – Pakbeng (L, D)
Remark: Regarding immigration and visa on arrival, effective 30 Jan.12, Houeisay’s immigration had changed for immigration and visa procedure, all the forms have to be collected and filled in there and Clients have to stand on queue themselves. Therefore, please kindly inform your Clients to check in at Houeisay bridge at 07:00 am to avoid any delay due to too many tourists there. Please also inform guests to bring along 30 Thai Baht per person for the shuttle bus bridge crossing, 1 photo 3 X 4 size and visa fee of USD 35 – 42 USD per person (subject to change and vary between nationals), pay in cash. The original passport (must have empty pages for visa and immigration and not valid less than 6 months) to be submitted with the immigration for visa procession.
After passing through immigration, you will cross the Mekong River by Friendship bridge to HoueiSay in Laos where your Lao guide will be waiting for you. Afterthat, you will transfer to the boat pier and board a private traditional boat for the trip down the Mekong River. Laos is one of Asia’s most unvisited, unchanged countries. This once-powerful kingdom known as Lane Xang (Million Elephants) was founded in the 14th century with the help of the Khmers, and it went on to become one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia until its demise in the late 19th century. Bisected and bordered by the Mekong River, omnipresent symbol of Indochina, Laos today is an amalgam of cultural influences; Theravada Buddhism, animism, France, and the socialist ideal. It is a peaceful place, and the legendary hospitality, resilience and friendliness of the Lao people is much in evidence. Laos is Old Asia preserved. As your journey downriver you will stop to visit some tribal minority villages such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu. Upon arrival in Pakbeng, we visit local market; experience daily lifestyle of colorful hill tribe traders exchanges their goods.
Lunch on boat and Dinner at hotel in Pakbeng.
Overnight in Pakbeng
Day 2
Pakbeng – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang (B, L)
Breakfast, as you sail downriver as a second leg, you will pass areas of un-spoilt forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You visit a fishing village and a rice winemaking village and perhaps even taste some of the infamous beverage known as Lao Rice wine. You also visit the Pak-Ou caves, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. You arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset. Upon arrival to Luangprabang Boat pier from Pak Beng, pick up & transfer to hotel. Free at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 3
Luang Prabang – Ancient town & Arts (B, L)
You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered).
We then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.
In the mid morning, we will explore Luang Prabang by bicycle (or Tuk-Tuk), a fun and eco-friendly way of exploring the ancient town. After a short briefing to explain you the use of your bicycle, it will be time to start your discovery of Luang Prabang. Start to visit The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. We then ride along the Nam Khan River to visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong and it was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carving and mosaics. Afterthat, we will visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center where you will learn more about local hill tribes in Laos. Next, we will visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue past Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s.
Drop your bicycles and have lunch at local restaurant in town.
In the afternoon, we drive to visit Ban Xang Khong where we learn more about Saa paper. We then visit the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre, an organization that is offering the weavers in the area the chance to earn a decent income through their weaving skills.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 4
Luang Prabang – Khouangsi waterfall (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel.
We visit the Phousi Market, then drive our way to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority groups-Ban Ouay Village, Ban Ou village and Ban Thapene Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible. Lunch at local restaurant.
We will be back to Luang Prabang and free at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 5
Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel. We then heading out of Luang Prabang to Xieng Khouang, driving 6-7 hours through the wonderful natural scenery. En route, there will be plenty of opportunities for photos. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Xieng Khouang
Day 6
Xieng Khouang – Plain of Jars (B, L)
This morning, get a feel for the local lifestyle in the Central Market. Then visit the UXO MAG Exhibition Room. We then transfer out to the picturesque Jar Site 2, and the impressive Jar Site 3, consisting over around 150 jars located on top of a hill, offering great views over the surrounding countryside. And then driving out to the ancient town of Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital, where you can explore the ruins of a number of ancient pagodas in the Lanna style That Fun sputa and Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha. We then return to Phonsavanh Town on the way we visit Jar Site 1, the largest site, containing over 300 jars, before returning to your hotel by late afternoon.
Overnight in Xieng Khouang
Day 7
Xieng Khouang – Vang Vieng (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel. We leave Xieng Khouang for our scenic drive to Vang Vieng, a small and tranquil town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. Depending on road and traffic conditions, we will arrive at Vang Vieng by late afternoon.
Overnight in Vang Vieng
Day 8
Vang Vieng – Exploration (B, L)
You’ll begin by meeting in the centre of town. The day will start with a 14km ride to the first cave, Tham Xang (Elephant Cave). The cave lies on the banks of the Nam Song River. It is an important Buddhist Temple and owes its name to a remarkable limestone formation. You will then pass through a small Lao farm and village with green rice fields. Afterwards, you will have the chance to swim in the clear, cool spring water that lies at the mouth of Tham Nam (Water Cave), where you can go tubing up to 500 metres inside of the cave.
The tubing is then followed by a free BBQ lunch aside Tham Nam (Water Cave). There will then be a 30 minute walk back to a village, where you’ll be picked up to begin your kayaking.
You’ll be driven to the starting point, Khmu Village, 10km North of VangVieng. The friendly English speaking guides will give you some paddle instructions before you start on this 3 hour kayaking trip.
Further down you’ll have the opportunity to stop at bars throughout the river, like the popular Fluid Bar & Restaurant, where you can relax by the river and get some refreshments or even a bite to eat if you’re hungry. It’s a great place to swim with fantastic views, or play a game such as snooker or table tennis with some fellow travellers.
Once the kayaking is completed, we’ll take a truck ride to the famous Blue Lagoon, where you will have the chance to swim in the lagoon or just relax in the small bamboo huts. Afterwards we will return back to Vang Vieng as the tour comes to a close.
Overnight in VangVieng
Day 9
Vang Vieng – Vientiane (B, L)
After breakfast at hotel, free at leisure.
Afternoon, we spend half our day driving to the capital city Vientiane, which is located on the banks of the Mekong River. Enroute visit Vang Xang.
The rest of day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 10
Vientiane – Departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Your half day morning city tour, begin with the oldest Wat Sisaket, the city’s oldest temple. Dates back to 1818, Wat Sisaket is the most important heritage temple now standing in Laos. It houses thousands of Buddha images from many countries, long lost architectural styles, sculptures and paintings; Wat Prakeo, former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and originally built in 1565, is home to the Emerald Buddha image, Buddhist sculptures are displayed along the perimeter wall, including a 6th to 9th century Dvaravati-style stone Buddha and several standing and sitting Buddhas. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
Free at leisure until transfer to Wattay airport for your departure flight.
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