Duration: 07Days/06Nights
Tour code: AV07D-LAOS01
Highlights: Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Xieng Khuang – Luang Prabang
SUMMARY
Day 1: VIENTIANE – ARRIVAL
Day 2: VIENTIANE – BUDDHA PARK
Day 3: VIENTIANE – vang vieng
Day 4: VANG VIENG – xieng khuang
Day 5: XIENG KHUANG – luang prabang
Day 6: luang prabang – pak ou caves
Day 7: LUANG PRABANG – kuang si waterfalls – departure
1
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
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: A hotel used in Vientiane
2
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
3
Day 3: VIENTIANE – vang vieng
We leave the capital early for our journey northbound; 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 KM52 where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. We may also make a short photo stop at Hin Heup bridge, and the fish market in Ban Tha Heua. We reach our destination Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism.
In the afternoon, we start our board through paddy field areas heading to Tham Phoukham caves, where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, you have chance to explore the local cultures by greeting the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can take a swim to refresh yourself from the hot climate or you could explore the nearby area.
Overnight in Vang Vieng
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: A hotel used in Vang Vieng
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: A hotel used in Vang Vieng
4
Day 4:: VANG VIENG – xieng khuang
Today, we start exploring the town by visiting the most famous in Vang Vieng, the cave of Tham Jang, which was used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders. We also cross the river to Ban Phathau, a very pleasant village where we can explore the different local lifestyles.
After lunch, 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 Luang Prabang
5
Day 5: 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
6
Day 6: 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
7
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. We then transfer out to the airport to take the departure flight
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
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