Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang
Day 1: Vientiane – Arrival
Day 2: Vientiane – City tour & Buddha park (B, L)
Day 3: Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B, L)
Day 4: Vang Vieng – Kayaking (B, L)
Day 5: Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang (B, L)
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Ancient town – Pak Ou Caves (B, L)
Day 7: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi waterfall – Departure (B, L)
Day 1
Vientiane – Arrival
Welcome to Vientiane. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and then escort you to your hotel for check-in. Free at leisure at the rest of day on your own.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 2
Vientiane – City tour & Buddha park (B, L)
After breakfast, we start to visit 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.
In the afternoon, we take a short drive out of the city to visit the Buddha Park where hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures brought from India are displayed.
Return to the city and enjoy the sunset on the Mekong River.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 3
Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B, L)
Today we head to Vang Vieng via the Nam Ngum Lake with hundreds of small islands. En route we’ll stop to visit Ban Bor, a village where natural salt is produced.
We arrive in Vang Vieng, a small town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet river waters and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. In the mid afternoon, we will embark on a boat for a well-paced trip along the Nam Song River, exploring the breathtaking mountain landscape.
Overnight in Vang Vieng
Day 4
Vang Vieng – Kayaking (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 5
Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang (B, L)
Breakfast at hotel, we then heading out of Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, through the wonderful natural scenery. En route, there will be plenty of opportunities for photos. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in and free at leisure.
Late afternoon, we will climb up 328 steps of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. We then will explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 6
Luang Prabang – Ancient town – Pak Ou Caves (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.
After breakfast at hotel, we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace 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; the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we will make a stop at Ban Xang Hai village where rice wine is distilled. We will visit the caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum which house hundreds of Buddha statues. Lunch at local restaurant. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, continue to visit Ban Xang Khong, a village well known for silk hand-weaving and traditional Saa paper-making.
The rest of time is free at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 7
Luang Prabang – Khouangsi waterfall – Departure (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 until the time transfer to the airport for departure flight.
End of services.
| Inclusive: |
|
