TRIP
FEATURES
 |
Name
of the trip: Incredible Laos |
|
Trip
Code: VNLT-LPT-03 (Reference Code) |
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Duration: 10 days/09
nights |
|
Trip
type: Private & Daily departure |
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Trip
Starts from: Vientiane City |
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Trip
Ends in: Vientiane City |
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Extension:
The trip can be extended if tourists want to visit
Cambodia, Thailand or Vietnam pre/post of the trip. |
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Call to Book:
+84.91.2270058 |
|
Required booking
time: At least 30 days in advance for group and 15
days for individual |
TRIP OVERVIEW
UNESCO
has recognized and preserved a former capital of the realm
Luang Prabang, also known as the “Kingdom of Millions of
Elephants” in the 13th century. This tour takes you to visit
historical relics including a trip to the ruins of the Khmer
temple Wat Phou near Pakse, the mysterious plain of jars in
Xiengkhouang and the ancient remnants at Don Khone Island. You
will also absorb the hidden sleeping beauty within the
4000-island region, and be captivated at the sight of
Southeast Asia’s largest waterfall, Khone Phapeng.
DETAILS OF THE TRIP
Day 1: Arrival Luang Prabang
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred
to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved
traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm
of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural
sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in
Laos. After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat
Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb
up to the top 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. From there, we explore the
Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of
handmade textiles made by the local and hilltribe people
surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang Prabang - Pakou - Luang Prabang
After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the
city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat
Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground,
representing classical Laotian architecture. We then board a
cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a
panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an
interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked
caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues
of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we
stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local speciality
of rice wine is produced. Once back in Luang Prabang city we
take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its
hand weaving. We also have time to visit Ban Xangkhong and Ban
Xienglek, small villages well known for silk weavings and for
Saa (jute) Papermaking Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang - Khouangsi Waterfall
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to
participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks
collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky
rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very
unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still
preserving the ritual. You can also visit the morning Phosi
Market where you canl see such diverse offerings as dried
buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens,
vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its
traditional handicrafts, and today you will visit local
village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay and Ban
Thapene. Time permitting you may also wish to drive to the
beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can take a dip in the
inviting pools or walk along the forest paths. We return to
Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a
well-known weaving village, and then return to the city by
late evening to admire the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouoang
After breakfast, we visit the National Museum (close Tuesday)
at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection
of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating
from the days of the early kings right through the last
sovereign. Today, we drive 306km uphill a mountain surrounded
by wonderful natural scenery to Xiengkhouang. Upon arrival, we
transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive
archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are
scattered all over the plateau. If time permits, we see the
old capital of Muang Khoun and the nearby villages, home to
the Hmong hill tribe people. They have an interesting local
culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Phonsavanh
Day 5: Xieng Khouoang – Vientiane
Following breakfast, we visit the Central Market. After you
will have free time to explore the town further before
catching our flight back to Vientiane. After checking into the
hotel, time permiting we continue our sightseeing tour of the
surrounding areas of Vientiane; we visit the impressive
Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge and 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.
A spectacular view of the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect
way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane Day
6: Vientiane City Tours AM:
After breakfast, we continue to explore Vientiane capital by
visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest
Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the
former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the
famous Emerald Buddha Image. . Enroute to Lao’s national
precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That
Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some
pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known
as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. PM:
We continue visiting the rest of Vientiane by foot, including
Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. We pass by the major
shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of
Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where various goods are displayed
for sale; including fresh food, household goods, souvenirs,
textiles, gold, silver and antiques. We return to the Mekong
Riverside in the late afternoon for observing the sunset.
Overnight in Vientiane Day
7: Vientiane – Pakse – Don Khone Island (Flight)
After breakfast, we catch an early flight to Pakse. On
arrival, we drive south to Champassak and tvisit the
fascinating pre-angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast
Asia's most dramatically situated temples. We have time to
explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the
base of Mount Phu Kao. We continue our journey by long
tail boat to Don Khone, the largest island in the South Mekong
river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic
areas in Laos. Overnight on Don Khone Island
Day
8: Don Khone Island – Surrounding (Boat)
After an early morning breakfast, we begin by re-tracing the
French colonial-past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial
houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its
own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the
4000 islands leisurely by boat and visit the most beautiful
Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a
natural border between Lao and Cambodia. If we have luck, we
may catch a glimpse of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong
dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. We return to Ban Nakasang and
drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng - the largest
waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the 'Niagara of
the east'. Overnight on Don Khone Island Day
9: Don Khone Island - Tadlo – Pakse
Upon leaving Done Khone Island, we journey towards Tadlo,
through the Boloven plateau. The Boloven Plateau is known for
its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong
Valley. Rivers run off this high plateau in all directions and
then plunge out to lush forests along in a series of
spectacular surging waterfalls. A trip to the plateau provides
a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the
cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other
crops that can be seen en route. This trip gives
visitors the chance to venture off the beaten track and to
discover some of the lesser-known areas of Laos, exploring the
wild beauty of this southern region. Upon arrival at Tad Lo
waterfall, we visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu,
populated by ethnic minority groups. We return to Pakse by
late evening. Overnight in Pakse Day
10. Pakse – Departure
After breakfast; there will be free time for your own
exploration of Pakse Town before catching a flight to Siem
Reap-Cambodia or exiting Laos overland from the Chongmek
International checkpoint to Ubon Ratchathani Thailand. |
Vientiane City
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