9 days
Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang
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Laos - Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng
13:00
Vientiane/ Arrival
Welcome to Vientiane, our guide will meet you at the airport and then escort you to your hotel for check-in and free at leisure at the rest of day on your own.
Overnight in Vientiane.
09:00
Vientiane/ City tour & Buddha Park
In the morning, we will drive out of town to the famous Buddha Park. We will be back to Vientiane and continue to 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.
If you want, 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
09:00
Vientiane/ Vang Vieng
Today, we head to Vang Vieng via the Nam Ngum Lake with hundreds of small islands. En route we'll stop to visit Ban Bor Village. After a lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the Nam Ngum Lake, you will have about 1.5 hour boat trip on Nam Ngum Lake. Then continue driving to Vang Vieng. Enjoy some leisure time after hotel check-in.
Overnight in Vang Vieng
09:00
Vang Vieng
You’ll begin by meeting in the centre of town. The day will start with a 14km ride to the first cave, Tham Xang (Elephant Cave). The cave lies on the banks of the Nam Song River. It is an important Buddhist Temple and owes its name to a remarkable limestone formation. You will then pass through a small Lao farm and village with green rice fields. Afterwards, you will have the chance to swim in the clear, cool spring water that lies at the mouth of Tham Nam (Water Cave), where you can go tubing up to 500 metres inside of the cave.
The tubing is then followed by a free lunch aside Tham Nam (Water Cave). There will then be a 30 minute walk back to a village, where you’ll be picked up to begin your kayaking.
You’ll be driven to the starting point, Khmu Village, 10km North of VangVieng. The friendly English speaking guides will give you some paddle instructions before you start on this 3 hour kayaking trip.
Further down you’ll have the opportunity to stop at bars throughout the river, like the popular Fluid Bar & Restaurant, where you can relax by the river and get some refreshments or even a bite to eat if you’re hungry. It’s a great place to swim with fantastic views, or play a game such as snooker or table tennis with some fellow travelers.
Once the kayaking is completed, we’ll take a truck ride to the famous Blue Lagoon, where you will have the chance to swim in the lagoon or just relax in the small bamboo huts. Afterwards we will return back to Vang Vieng as the tour comes to a close.
Overnight in Vang Vieng.
09:00
Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang
This morning, we visit a local market and then the Tham Jang Caves. After that, we will drive to Luang Prabang with a lunch break on the way. Arrive in Luang Prabang at late afternoon. Hotel check-in and the rest of day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
09:00
Luang Prabang/City
After breakfast at hotel, we enjoy a short-guided tour visit Wat Mai, the 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; we will visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue past Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s.
Afterthat,we will visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center where you will learn more about local hill tribes in Laos.
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.
09:00
Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Cave
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.
After breakfast at hotel, we visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. 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. Lunch at local restaurant. 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.
The rest of time is free at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
09:00
Luang Prabang/ Khouangsi waterfall
Our guided tour for the late morning starts with some local villages of Lao minority groups at Ban Ouay Village. Then transfer to the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfalls where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. Take a short visit Asian Bear Rescue Center on the way to waterfall. Have lunch near the waterfall and enjoy the pleasant air there before driving back to Luang Prabang.
Return to the city by late afternoon to catch the sunset at Wat Phabath.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
07:00
Luang Prabang/ Departure
After that, transfer you to airport for your departure flight.