Day 01 Arrive Vientiane (None)
On arrival Vientiane capital, welcome by our local guide and transfer to hotel for check in.
Enjoy a guided tour of Vientiane and discover the hidden charms of the capital, whose name means 'the city of sandal wood'. Vientiane is one of the quietest capitals in the world, far away from the bustle and hustle of other Asian capitals and far from the real-estate frenzy of the regional megalopolis.
We start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.
On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Free on own.
Meals on your own.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 02 Vientiane - Vang Vieng (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Heading out of the town, Drive to Vang Xang archeological site. The name means Elephant Palace, a reference to an elephant graveyard found in the vicinity. The site, which consists of a cluster of 10 high-relief Buddha sculptures on cliffs, is usually assigned to an 11th century Mon provenance.
Continue to the beautiful Dane Pha pink sandstone canyon, a holy site since the Mon times. Walk along the canyon to see the Buddha images carved on the cliffs.
Visit the famous weaving village of Ban Phone Ngeun, whose inhabitants come from Samneu and then a Hmong village at Km 52.
Continue to Nam Ngum Lake and take a boat trip (approx 2 hours) to explore the lush vegetation along the backwaters.
We travel by roads to Vang and we cross the Nam Song River, and then enjoy a short trek through the breathtaking mountain landscape to visit Tamjang Cave. Free and easy for a superb view of limestone mountain and Namsong,
Lunch included / Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 03 Vang Vieng - Xieng Khouang (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Vang Vieng before continuing your road journey north to the Plain of jar; Xieng Khouang . The drive will take approximately 5 hours, including a stop for lunch in a local restaurant. This journey takes you through spectacular scenery and you might want to stop regularly for photos.
Please be aware that there are numerous sharp bends and you will climb/descend a lot of mountains along the way.
Arrive in Xieng Khouang and check in to your hotel. Free on your own.
Lunch included / Dinner on your own.
Over night in Xieng Khouang.
Day 04 Xieng Khouang - Plain of Jars (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel. you then transfer for a visit to the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau and you and then drive to visit Muang Kham.
En route, you will visit tribal minority villages of H’mong, Tai Dam and Khmu… hot spring water and Tham Piew cave, where hundreds of local people hiding were killed in Indochina War by bombing. Explore local market at Muang khum and visiting some villages before returning to Phonsavanh by late afternoon.
Lunch included / Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Xieng Khouang
Day 05 Xieng Khouang - Luang Prabang (B/L)
Visit this lively open-air local market. By vehicle from Phonsavanh (Xieng Khuang) to Luang Prabang with sightseeing at Muang Sui A slow journey along mountain roads with stunning views of the forested mountains, lush valleys and karst formations.
Stop at MUANG SUI, visiting WAT BAN PHONG, the second oldest temple in the province; the scenic NONG TANG LAKE, rimmed with limestone cliffs; and the extensive cave network of PHA CAVE. Only discovered recently, this cave contains a 5m high Buddha image dating from 777 AD, surrounded by gold and wooden statues of smaller size.
Lunch included / Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 06 Luang Prabang – Kuang Si water falll (B/L)
Early morning join local people for alms giving to 250 -300 local monks as part of the original old culture.
Otherwise we take a stroll through the morning market. We then head back to the hotel for breakfast. We will visit major sites including the National Museum and Wat Xieng Thong.
A winding road takes you through small minority villages (Lao Lum, Khmu & Hmong) and rice paddies into the lush area of Kuang Si water fall.
As you wander through the cool rain forest you will come upon a majestic tiered water fall tumbling a 100 meters over white limestone formations into turquoise multi-level pools. It is possible to cool off in some of the pools below, or just wade in the water.
Walk down the path that follows the stream, passing small pools and ancient trees before arriving at the bear sanctuary.
Asiatic black bears, now a class I endangered species, are poached throughout Asia for their supposed medicinal value, young cubs are trafficked from Laos to ‘Bile farms’ where they are kept imprisoned in small cages while their bile is extracted.
Free the bears fund established the rescue centre at Tad Kungsi to care for bears rescued from illegal poachers and traders. The rescue centre is now home to around 23 bears from newly orphaned cubs to full grown adults. You will then have a restful night at your hotel in Luang Prabang.
Lunch included / Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 07 Luang Prabang – Pak ou cave (B/L)
Today you will take a Mekong riverboat trip to visit the famous and sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Ou Rivers. The caves are home to many thousands of Buddha images that have been placed here by local people since the 16th Century.
Next, you will return to Luang Prabang to visit the Por Sa paper handicraft and textile area at Ban Xang Khong.
We end the day by walking up Phousi Hill - the 328 steps lead to the summit and provide the finest panoramic city view.
Lunch included / Dinner on your own.
Over night in Luang Prabang.
Day 08 Luang Prabang – Cooking class (B/L/D)
Following breakfast at your hotel you will embark on a full day cooking class by starting at the local market where your chef will explain the different herbs and spices used in Lao cooking and purchase ingredients for today’s dishes. From the market you will head out to Tamarind Gardens Cooking School set out of town amongst fish ponds and tropical gardens.
Following the class, and with full stomachs, we will head back to town and the rest of the day is free to use as you please.
At 5:30 transfer to Traditional story telling theater is promoting and preserving the local traditional stories – myths, legends, and folktales. Every evening, from 5-6pm, 2 Lao people present a selection of traditional Lao stories in an intimate twenty-five seat theatre. The stories are told in English, by a Lao storyteller, with the live musical accompaniment of the khene.
Lunch & Dinner included.
Over night in Luang Prabang.
Day 09 Luang Prabang – Elephant experience (B/L)
We have an optional early wake-up call to participate in giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from dawn prayers. Otherwise we take a stroll through the morning market. We then head back to the hotel for breakfast.
After break fast at the hotel together with your local guide you will proceed to the Elephant Project and the "Elephant Village" about 15 km out of town and in the middle of a green, natural surrounding, settled on the banks of the Nam Khan river. Here you will be introduced to the protected Asian Elephants and go out for a scenic ride in the beautiful settings along the river.
Enjoy the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 1 hour Elephant ride through which you support the rescue of our former logging Elephants. A stunning landscape, tranquility and lush nature gives you a relaxed stay on the back of the Elephant. Lean back in your seat and enjoy...
Transfer back to Luang Prabang. We stop at Yensabai, where you will see some Lao traditional stensils made with Saa paper.
Our next stop is the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos.
Evening performance at the Royal Ballet Theater. Founded in 2002 in cooperation with the Institute of Cultural Research, the Ballet aims to preserve this important aspect of Lao cultural heritage. Watching the spectacular performances of the Royal Ballet, including scenes from the Lao-Ramayana, Lao folk dances and tribal dances will provide a unique experience that you will never forget. Show starts at 6:00pm (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday). Please note that the Royal Ballet Theater is normally closed from June to September.
Lunch included / Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 10 Luang Prabang - departure (B)
Having breakfast at your hotel; being free on your own until transfer to the airport flight to next destination.
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