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Laos Discovery 14-day
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Please note that this itinerary is our
suggestion only- all our tours are custom made to your
requirements.
Wat Hoprakeo
The Mekong from Phu Sii
Luang Prabang - Main Street
Pak Ou Caves
Plain of Jars
Auberge de Plain de Jars
River Nam Song at Vang Vieng
Wat Phu
Si Phan Don - 4000 islands
Li Phi Falls
Sala Phae floating guesthouse
Your quoted price will normally include:
International flights
Accommodation with breakfast daily.
Lunch and Dinner where shown in the programme.
Transfers, tours with English speaking guide.
All entrance fees and boat fees.
Service charges, rooms tax and handling fee.
Domestic flights.
Your tour price will not include:
Visa fees
Drinks with provided meals
Departure taxes
Tips, personal expenses and other services which are not mentioned
in the program.
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This in-depth tour of the fascinating country of
Laos covers all the main sites of interest.
Day 1: Arrival - Vientiane
Arrive Vientiane airport, our agent will meet you and transfer
you to your hotel. Afterwards, our city tour visits Wat Hoprakeo built in 1566 by King
Setthathirat to house the Emerald Buddha, Wat Sisaket the only
temple in Vientiane that has survived the destruction of the
city by the Siamese (Thai) in 1828; That Luang Stupa Museum
shrine (great Sacred Stupa), the most important national
monument in Vientiane, with a golden stupa believed to contain
a relic of Lord Buddha: Pratuxay Monument situated in the
center of Vientiane prefecture, its architecture inspired
the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and incorporating typical Lao
motifs. See the Sunset at the Mekong riverside.
Day 2: Vientiane - Luang Prabang
Transfer to airport for your flight to Luang Prabang, pick up & transfer you to your hotel.
After lunch at a local restaurant, afternoon city tour of the former Royal capital, Luang Prabang,
the crown jewel of the ancient Lane Xang Empire (pronounced 'lane sang' - the Land of a Million Elephants).
Visit Wat Visoun, the site of the impressive Thad Makmo stupa. Phou Sii hill stands right in the centre of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding
views for many miles in each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of Indochina
war anti-aircraft guns. Then continue to visit Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel)
emphasizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Wat Xieng Thong is considered to emphasize & characterize
the uniqueness of Luang Prabang's local style: its several roofs sweep low to the ground; visit the National Museum,
which was once the king's palace. Displayed inside is a collection of personal artifacts of the former royal family, including photos,
musical instruments, and many gifts received from dignitaries of foreign countries.
Return to hotel.
Day 3: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves & Ban Phanom
After breakfast, begin a full day
boat trip on the mighty Mekong River to visit the Pak Ou
Caves with their lacquered Buddha statues. Then make a visit
to the village of Ban Phanom where traditional Lao textiles
are woven on ancient wooden looms. Then return to Luang
Prabang.
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Khuangsii Waterfall
After breakfast drive with your guide by car to the Tad Khuang Sii waterfall. The falls cascade over many
calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green
tint due to the high mineral content. You can climb the stairs and look down from various high viewpoints on the way to the top!
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the afternoon and then return to the hotel to relax or explore at your leisure. Luang Prabang is a wonderful walking town.
Day 5: Luang Prabang - Phonsavan (Plain of Jars)
If you like, we can take you into the centre of Luang Prabang at 5:30 in the morning to watch local people give food & rice to the
hundreds of monks who line the street. You can also give rice to the monks - your guide will provide sticky rice for you to give.
(This dawn tour is optional - a very early start!) Afterwards a stroll though the morning market before returning to your hotel for breakfast.
Today we travel by road to Xiengkhouang, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973 during the Indochina War.
The journey takes us through beautiful mountain scenery passing various hill tribe villages.
En route, we stop at Sala Phoukhoun, located on the top of hill, then the Hmong villages at Ban Phouvieng , Ban Nongthang , Muangsuy and Thampra .
Upon arrival in Phonsavanh by late afternoon transfer to Phouphadeng (plain of Jars) Auberge mountain lodge.
Day 6: Plain of Jars
After breakfast, we head out the town to visit the "Plan of Jars" an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of
large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. Each of these mysterious jars understood to have been made more than 2000 years ago.
We will visit all three sites. After lunch, we visit the local central market, observing their daily lifestyle and colorful traders before
returning to the Auberge overnight.
Day 7: Phonsavan - Vang Vieng
After breakfast we drive to Vang Vieng. The 4 hour journey is through stupendous scenery of green fields, mountains, local
villages of wooden stilt houses & markets along the way. This is the best way to see the natural beauty of the landscape without
any sight of commercial activities. Vang Vieng is a lovely town resting by the Nam Song River. Arriving at Vang Vieng, we check-in at hotel.
After lunch, visit Tam None cave & boat cruise along the Nam Song River. Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 8: Vang Vieng - Vientiane
This morning we complete the journey back to Vientiane by road. On the way, visit the scenic Nam Ngum Lake where you will enjoy an
excursion by boat around the lake with thousands of islands and floating fishermen's villages. After lunch, we also visit the 11th century
Buddhist sanctuary of Vang Sang and Salt Extraction Site. Arrive back to Vientiane & check-in.
Day 9: Vientiane - Pakse - Khong Island
Our journey southwards begins today as we board our morning flight to Pakse. On arrival we are greeted and transferred to the
boat landing for a leisurely trip to the former royal capital of Champasak, our base for exploring the ruins of Wat Phu. This impressive site is
well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between 9th and 13th century. The festival of this site is yearly held
during the full moon in February and attracts numerous pilgrims from all over southern Laos. After an enjoyable visit to the ruins of Wat Phu
and some nearby temples such as Nang Sia and Thao Tao we make our way to Khong Island & transfer to hotel. Dinner & overnight in Khong Island.
Day 10: Si Phan Done
Heading out of town we embark on a long tail boat for venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where
thousands of islets jut out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name” Si Phan Done ”. Along the way we will anchor at the peaceful
island of Ban Khone for a visit to the many relics of French colonial period and the marvelous rushing Liphi falls also called the " Corridor of the Devil".
The next stop of our trip is Ban Na Kasang, a very pleasant village where we can see the different local lifestyle.
After the river trip we travel by roads southwards to explore the Lao-Cambodia border at Weukham and the impressive sight of Khone Phapheng,
which boasts Southeast Asia’s largest water falls. Dinner & overnight in Khone Island at the Sala Phae Floating hotel on the river.
Day 11: Si Phan Don - Pakse
A trip by boat to see Mekong Dolphins at Ban Hang Khone. Afterward drive to Pakse & overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Pakse - Tadlo
After breakfast we set off on our journey towards Tadlo, which is a great way to discover the real southern
Laos as we drive past many lush plantations, hills, forests and villages. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and
red surface of basaltic soil is incredible all along the way. On arrival at Tatlo we visit the spectacular waterfall of Xeset and
the nearby villages, home of the Kato, Alack and Nge hilltribe groups. These ethnic minorities still retain their age-old
cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. We continue our journey through Paksong and
Boloven Plateau. A part of our pleasure of travelling in this region is to observe the beautiful countryside and meet local people.
Dinner & overnight at Tadlo Lodge.
Day 13: Tadlo - Pakse
A day trekking through forest paths, local villages & waterfalls in the Tadlo area.
Drive back to Pakse in the afternoon & transfer to hotel.
Day 14: Pakse - Departure
Transfer to airport for your flight to Vientiane and onward flight to UK or your next destination.
Please note that, whilst every effort will
be made to carry out the programme shown above, small changes may sometimes be
necessary. Due to limited availability of hotel rooms, sometimes a
particular hotel may not be available - if so we will
discuss options with you..
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