10 DAYS – LAOS EXPERIENCE

DAY 1: VIENTIANE – ARRIVAL     

Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to the airport, picked-up by our guide and transfer to your hotel (early check-in upon availability)

Free for the rest of the day for your own exploration.

Overnight in Vientiane

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: A hotel used in Vientiane

DAY 2: VIENTIANE – BUDDHA PARK

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. We then transfer out to see Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe.
In the afternoon, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. A spectacular view over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: A hotel used in Vientiane

Day 3: VIENTIANE – NAM NGUM – BAN THA HUA

After breakfast, we head out of the city and make our way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by damming the Nam Ngum River; we will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. Along the way we visit the busy and colorful market of Dong Markkhai where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. From there, we will visit Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt extraction plant and a village that distills the local Lao whiskey. On arrival at Nam Ngum Lake, we embark on a long tail boat enjoying a leisurely cruise on the lake and having lunch on boat. On the way to Ban Tha Hua, we may make a photo stop at Hin Heup Bridge, and the fish market in Ban Tha Hua.

We transfer to the hotel in Ban Tha Hua, overlooking the Nam Ngum Lake.

Free for the rest of the day to relax or join some water activities on the lake.

Overnight in Ban Tha Hua

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: A hotel used in Ban Tha Hua

Day 4: BAN THA HUA – VANG VIENG

The limestone cliffs and valleys surrounding the resort complex of Vang Vieng are home to numerous caves and caverns. The most famous of these caves is Tham Jang, which was used by the local people as a refuge from Chinese invaders 200 years ago. Your tour continues by crossing the Nam Song River for a short drive to Tham Pou Kham (Golden Crab Cave). After passing through a small entrance hole you descend 100 meters into the ground. However, the cave widens once inside, where a reclining Buddha statue welcomes visitors to a place once serving as the home to bats, gibbons, monkeys, and antelope.
You have ample time to visit Blue Lagoon, which is a great spot to relax and cool off before transferring back to Vang Vieng. Take a local long tail boat (2 people per boat) to cruise for approximately 30 minutes upstream on the Nam Song River, enjoying the beautiful scenery as you go.
You will then be driven back to your hotel, with the option to stop at local villages and a market along the way.
Relax for the rest of the day and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the Nam Song River from your hotel. Overnight in Vang Vieng

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: A hotel used in Vang Vieng

Day 5: VANG VIENG – XIENG KHUANG

Free in the morning to stroll around the town.

At mid-morning, we start our journey northbound to the impressive Xieng Khuang, which is very famous for its Plain of Jars, which we will visit the day after. Along the way, it is our chance to admire the wonderful panoramic view over the mountainous area at the peak of Phouphiengpha. It is no doubt the most impressive experience of your tour. From there, we will drive a bit further to the T-Junction in Phoukhoun, and take the left turn onto Xieng Khuang province.

After that, the road is getting a bit harder which includes some zigzagging mountain paths; and we will make some stop along the way to visit the local hill tribe villages, or to stretch your legs.

We will make a short stop at Tham Pra, which served as the hospital during the Indochina Wars before arriving in Phonsavanh. Overnight in Phonsavanh

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: A hotel used in Phonsavanh

Day 6: XIENG KHUANG EXPLORATION

In the morning you will journey through Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars.
The Plain of Jars is a huge archaeological complex littered with mysterious 2000 years old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters. Their true origin remains a mystery. It seems that they were carved into boulders. Several researches lead by the French archaeologist Madeleine Colani in the 30’s suggested that they could be old graves, but to this day they remain an enigma.
Your trip will enable you to visit the 3 sites and also discover some local villages where you can observe local village life. Site 1, close to the town is settled at Thong Hai Hin and is the biggest site. Site 2 is at Hai Hin on Phou Salator, “Phou” in Lao means “Mountain”. End your tour at site 3 in Hai Hin Lat Khai. Site 3 is the most impressive with over 150 jars. Close to this site, you will visit Ban Xiengdi where there is a small monastery with Buddha images. On the way back, you will pass areas that were important battlefields during the American secret war. You can still see bomb craters from that time today.
Attention: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.
In the afternoon, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun. Muang Khoun one place in the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period. Then return to Xieng Khuang and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: A hotel used in Xieng Khuang 

Day 7: XIENG KHUANG – LUANG PRABANG

Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribe people barter and exchange merchandises.

We then start driving to Luang Prabang, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape. The roads are well paved along the way for a smooth journey; we pass some stunning landscape scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages, we take a few photo stops at some small hill tribe village en route. Each hill tribe village in Laos has a different feel, some are more prosperous than others but all have plenty of life. We will make a shot stop at Ban Phoudam village, where we can see the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony, before driving to the photo stop at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view prior to reaching Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: A hotel used in Luang Prabang

Day 8: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES

After breakfast, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious 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 stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On arrival back in the city, we will visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. From there, we will transfer to visit Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the really peaceful place to catch the last beauty of the day.

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: A hotel used in Luang Prabang

Day 9: LUANG PRABANG – KHUANG SI WATERFALLS 

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. This is the best chance to experience the flavor of local life
After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River.
If time permits, we will visit UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturday, and Sunday), where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos. This then takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls which is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals. You have the rest of the afternoon to refresh with the cool clear water, or hiking to the top of the waterfalls. There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists If you wish, we will also take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Accommodation: A hotel used in Luang Prabang

DAY 10: LUANG PRABANG – PHA TAD KE GARDEN – DEPARTURE 

The Pha Tad Ke boat departs Ban Wat That at 9:00 (please be at the pier at 8:45). Enjoy a 15-minute leisurely boat trip down the Mekong River. Upon arrival at Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden reception you will be given a short presentation about the gardens. After that walk through the Ginger Garden and the Ethno-botanic Garden, which is the centrepiece of the garden. Follow the path through the Limestone Walk and take in the amazing mountainous Mekong landscape. Learn how to make a bamboo stick animal at the site of the hunting lodge of the former royal family. Then continue your tour of Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden walking through the Arboretum, Palm Garden and Bamboo Garden to our viewpoint that overlooks the rice fields. Stop by the Mist House where you will learn more about the importance of biodiversity conservation. Finish your excursion with an optional orchid talk at Pha Tad Ke Nursery. All of the gardens will have introductory panels and labels. You can always ask our expert staff should you have any questions or require more information.
Enjoy a delicious Lao set lunch at the Pha Tad Ke café before taking the boat back to Luang Prabang.

Free to stroll around the town before taking the departure flight

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.