This 6 days / 5 nights journey in northern Laos will show you the main jewels of a naturally preserved area, home to ethnic groups still living at ancestral lifestyle. We will visit Luang Prabang, the Pearl of Asia, before exploring one of the mysteries of southeast Asia, ending in Vientiane, capital of Laos, a city located on the bank of the Mekong River.
Itinerary at a glance:
- Day1. Arrival - Luang Prabang
- Day2. Luang Prabang - Pak Ou cave - Khouangsi Waterfall
- Day3. Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang
- Day4. Xieng Khouang - Vientiane
- Day5. Vientiane - City Tour
- Day6. Vientiane - Departure
Detail of the journey
Day1. Arrival - Luang Prabang
On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquillity and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After a short rest, we visit the impressive Stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, Gilded Stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the watch the setting sun as it is reflected on the Mekong River. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles, made by the local and hill-tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day2. Luang Prabang - Pak Ou cave - Khouangsi Waterfall (B/.../...)
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. You will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpetre among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weaving.
AM: After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and 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 stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, on the way we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village well known for its hand weaving.
PM: We continue our excursion toward Khouangsi Waterfall, en route, we visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk handweaving and for traditional Saa Paper making.
At 5:30, we will enjoy the experience of the diner-cruise on the Nava Mekong, a luxury boat cruising during the sunset. You will assist to a traditional dance representation, on board.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day3. Luang Prabang - Xieng Khuang (Road) (B/.../...)
After breakfast we visit the The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artefacts, which reflect the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Today we leave this charming town and drive to Xieng Khouang, an area once devastated by American bombings between 1964 and 1973. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Laos. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long, but we can make many stops at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. In the afternoon there will be time to see the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and its’ nearby villages.
Overnight in Xieng Khuang
Day4. Xieng Khouang - Vientiane (flight) (B/.../...)
Following breakfast at Hotel, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site encompassing hundreds of large stone jars scattered throughout the plateau. In the afternoon there will be time to see the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and its’ nearby villages which are home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people who possess an interesting local culture and a vibrant history. We then board our short flight (30min) to the charming and fascinating Lao capital Vientiane. On arrival at 16:10, transfer without guide at your hotel we check in to the hotel.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day5. Vientiane - City Tour (B/.../...)
After breakfast, we see 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, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop en-route to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
In the afternoon we transfer out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. A spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day6. Vientiane - Departure (B/.../...)
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our departure flight.
Our tariffs:
On demand.
Depends on the category of hotel
Optional way Xieng Khuang - Vientiane by road
Optional visits, and 1/2 day with handicraft professional.
Example of accommodation in 3 stars Boutique Hotel:
- in Luang Prabang, Le Bel Air* (bungalow riverside)
- in Xieng Khuang, Vansana* (Deluxe rooms)
- in Vientiane, Mandala Boutique Hotel* (Superior rooms)
Inclusive of above program:
- English speaking guide
- Private transportation in private air-conditioned
- Accommodation in twin shared
- Pak Ou cruise in private boat
- Flight Xiengkhouang (plain of jars) - Vientiane
- Admission fee to indicated sights
- Meals : daily breakfast at hotel
- Luggage handling
- 2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour
- 2 cold tower per day during the tour
- Government tax and service charge
