TIME: 6 days 5 nights
TRANSPORT:
ORIGIN: Ho Chi Minh City
DESTINATION: Vientiane – Luang Prabang
Highlights Laos is definitely one of the world’s most impressive nations. Silent, quiet, sweet, laughing, preserved and reserved, the travelers are truly spell-binding.
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.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane city tour – Buddha Park
After breakfast, we explore Vientiane capital by visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. 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.
Afternoon, transfer out to visit Buddha Park with the impressed collection of Buddha Statues inflected by Hindu Buddhism.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 3: Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Tham Jang Cave – Blue Lagoon
After breakfast, visit Talad Sao Market before transfer to 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. Enroute, visit Tha Hue Fish market on the way.
Upon arrival, we cross the bridge to visit Tham Jang Cave (Dried Caves) and Blue Lagoon. Free at your leisure.
Overnight in Vang Vieng
Day 4: Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang – Mount Phousi
After breakfast, transfer to Luang Prabang via mountainous zig zag road. On the way, we will stop for photos at Phou Pheng Fa – the highest point of the region.
We arrive Luang Prabang in the late afternoon, transfer to hotel for checking in. 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 5: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou – Khoang Si
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.
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. 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.
Afternoon, transfer by private vehicle to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority groups-Ban Na Ouane 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.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 6: Luang Prabang – city tour – departure
After breakfast, we visit 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. Continue to Wat Visoun – the oldest temple in Luang Prabang.
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
End of services./.