Laos Discovery Tour 14-days
This in-depth tour of the fascinating country of Laos covers all the main places of interest.
Day 1. Arr.Vientiane
Arriving at Vientiane airport, our Laos guide will be there to meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Afterwards, our city tour of
Vientiane includes Wat Hoprakeo, built in 1566 by King Setthathirat to house the Emerald Buddha,
Wat Sisaket, the only temple in Vientiane that survived the destruction of the city by the Siamese (Thai) in 1828;
ThatLuang 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 and the Pratuxay Monument situated in the centre of Vientiane prefecture,
its architecture inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and incorporating typical Lao motifs. Finally see the sunset at
Mekong riverside.
Day 2: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang, where our local guide will mmet you and
transfer you to your hotel. Today's city tour of the former Royal capital, Luang Prabang, include a visit to Wat Visoun,
the site of the impressive Thad Makmo stupa and Phou Sii hill which stands right in the centre of the small city, where you
can climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views over the Mekong. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of
Indochina war anti-aircraft guns. Then we continue, visiting Wat Mai (1796) with its five-tiered roof, and Wat Xieng Thong which is
considered to characterize the uniqueness of Luang Prabang's local style, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. We see also
the impressive "tree of life" mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes
from the Ramayana. Later we visit the National Museum, which was once the king's palace. Displayed inside is a collection of
personal artifacts of the former royal family. Dinner at a local restaurant and evening walk of the night market.
Day 3: Luang Prabang (B/L)
After breakfast, we board a cruise heading upstream on the Mekong River, giving a panoramic view of the
tranquil countryside. Our first stop is the village of Ban Muangkeo where we start a short trek
(45 mins) to reach 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 specialty of rice wine is produced. On the way, we also
visit Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek and Ban Nong Xai, small villages well known for silk weavings
and for Saa (jute) Papermaking. Once back in Luang Prabang city we visit a traditional silversmith's
workshop.
Day 4: Luang Prabang (B/L)
Today we visit the Tad Khuang Sii waterfall, on the way visiting a Hmong village and Ban Ouh village where Lao and
Lu hill people live. 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 viewpoints on the way to the top. We take a picnic
lunch by the waterfall then return to Luang Prabang and take the afternoon at leisure.
Day 5: Luang Prabang - Plain of Jars (B/L/D)
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.
(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 Indochina War. The journey takes us
through beautiful rugged mountain scenery passing many hill tribe villages. En route, we stop at Sala Phoukhoun,
located on the top of hill, then a Hmong village at Ban Phouvieng, Ban Nongthang, Muangsuy and Thampra .
Upon arrival in Phonsavanh by late afternoon we transfer to our mountain lodge hotel. Dinner at Lodge.
Day 6: Plain of Jars (B/L)
After breakfast, we head out of town to visit the "Plain of Jars", an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of
large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. Each of the mysterious jars is thought to have been made more than
2000 to 2500 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 (B/L/D)
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 (B/L)
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 (B/L/D)
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 (B/L/D)
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 Done - Pakse (B)
A trip by boat to see Mekong Dolphins at Ban Hang Khone. Afterwards drive to Pakse & overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Pakse - Tadlo (B/L/D)
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 (B)
A day trekking through forest paths, local villages & waterfalls in the Tadlo area.
Drive back to Pakse in the afternoon & check in at hotel.
Day 14: Pakse - Vientiane - Departure (B)
Transfer to airport for your flight to Vientiane and onward flight to UK or your next destination.
Whilst every effort will be made to carry out the programme shown above, small changes may sometimes be necessary.
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