Visitez Luang Prabang, et le reste du Laos

3 days in Luang Prabang

Benolaos — 2018-12-01T07:10:13Z

3-day journey in the city classified by UNESCO, with the help of an experienced English speaking guide.

Day 1. City centre tour [../../ ..]

Your guide will meet you at your hotel at 8:30 am, with your driver if you have taken the local minivan or tuktuk option, and with your bikes if you choose this option.

You will start this day with the visit of the National Museum and former Royal Palace when it was time of the the Kingdom of Elephants and White Parasol. You will then move to the neighbouring temple, Vat Mai, one of the most important temples in town.

Then you will join the Centre for Traditional Arts and Ethnology (TAEC) with exceptional annual exhibitions.

If you are interested in secret warfare, we recommend that you visit the newly renovated UXO Centre which proposes to rediscover this period and its consequences.

You will also pass through the Vat Visoun Temple and Watermelon Stupa, before climbing Phousi Hill to admire the stunning views of the city, especially before sunset.

You will go down on the other side of the hill to the night market for a visit of the stands showing local handicraft.

Day 2. Morning Alms and day cruise on the Mekong [../L/ ..]

Before sunrise, your guide will meet you to make you live the morning offerings by participating in the traditional Laotian ritual, whose guide will teach you the principles, the importance of this daily act, and its singularity in the Buddhism world's practice.

Then you will head to the morning market, located in down-town, which centralizes the jungle products reported by the hunters of the region. There is a fate of exoticism, endemic species.

You will then return to your hotel for your breakfast; Then it will be time to leave for the day on the Mekong.

The boat will be charted at the foot of Vat Xieng Thong, the most emblematic Temple of the town, which you will visit before embarking on.

Then you will be enjoying 2 hours cruise on the Mekong with scenic view on the local life, crossing landscapes of primary forest, in more or less narrowed water corridor. You will arrive at the village of Pak Ou around noon, to visit the 2 caves hosting hundreds of representations of the Lord Buddha.

It will be time for lunch, that will be organized in a local gourmet restaurant on the bank of the Mekong, viewing the caves.

Then it will be time to go down to Luang Prabang. On the way, you will probably be interested in visiting craft villages, alcohol to Ban Xang Hai, silk and Saa paper at Ban Xang Khong.

Then we will stop at Ban Xieng Mene to discover this small village in front of Luang Prabang. You will visit a unique temple, enjoying a magnificent view from there of the city of Luang Prabang.

Optional fee: you can also visit the potter village downstream, and possibly try 1 hour to practice pottery with a local craftsman.

Return to Luang Prabang at the end of the afternoon.

Day 3. Ethnic Villages and Kuang Si Waterfalls Park [../../ ..]

After your breakfast, departure for the falls of Kuang Si. On the way, we can stop at Phosy Market, on the outskirts of the city. It is the largest local market.
Not far away, you can also be interested in visiting the Ock Pop Tock Tail Center, which offers a guided tour (and weaving and dyeing workshops).

We will then take the road to the Park (approximately 45 minutes drive). On the way, we can stop in some of the villages of ethnic minorities bordering the road.

We will arrive late around noon.
Option: book a table at the Carpe Diem Restaurant

You will visit the park of little black Bear saved by traffickers, then the waterfall, a particularly beautiful scenic place where pure mountain filtered water comes out with the turquoise colour in a karst environment. Some areas are allowed to swim, you might think about special dress.

Option: visit to the Butterfly Park

You will return to Luang Prabang late afternoon. Before we get back to your hotel, we will stop at Vat Phabatthai temple, on the bank of the Mekong, enjoying an exceptional view of the sunset.

End of program.

Indicative rate for 4 people:

Optional, with air conditioning minivan for 3 days: 648 USD (162 USD / person)

Included in the tariff:

* Minivan private, air conditioning with driver
* English speaking local guide
* Private boat for the day Muang Khua - Nong Khiaw
* Meals according to: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
* All paid entries
* The organization at sunrise of traditional offerings
* All government taxes and service charges
* Handling of luggage
* 2 bottles of drinking water per day
2 cold towels per day

Options available:

Available Options:

Lunch days 1 and 3
Bicycle Day 1
Tuktuk local days 1 to 3
1 hour of elephant backdrop on day 2
visit the potter village on day 2
visit the Butterfly Park on day 3
Guide in Italian, Chinese, Spanish, German, Japanese

5d / 4n: Handicraft in Luang Prabang

Benolaos — 2017-10-03T09:16:37Z

This five-day tour around Luang Prabang will bring you to ethnic villages specializing in the local traditional products hndicraft, especially weaving whose arts have always been very important in the former royal capital of Laos.

Itinerary

Day 1. Visit emblematic sites of the UNESCO-listed city
Day 2. Visit villages 1) Blacksmiths 2) Weavers 3) Saa paper producers
Day 3. 1 day of weaving at the Ock Pop Tok centre, lacquer and baker
Day 4. 1 day on the Mekong, Laolao producers, potters, and botanical garden
Day 5. 1/2 day at the organic farm in the paddy field, then visit the Kuang Si falls

The Tour in Detail

Day 1. Visit of the emblematic sites (../L/..)

Your guide will meet you at 8.30 am at your hotel for this first day in Luang Prabang, classified World Heritage of Humanity in 1995.

First, we will discover ithe pagoda of Wat Xieng Thong, with the architecture so singular with the roofs grazing the ground.

Then we will visit the National Museum, former Royal Palace of the Kingdom of the Million Elephants, where the royal family stayed until the 1975 events.

Then we will go for a little visit to UXO centre talking about the secret war which took place in Laos for more than 10 years and the different use of the shelter bombs by local people

Ethnic lunch at Café Vat Sene

In the afternoon, visit the temple Vat Visoun and its stupa That Mak Mo

Then climb Mount Phousy, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the whole area under a particularly favourable light at the end of the day.

We will finish this day with a visit to the night market which centralizes products of the local crafts made by the villages of different ethnic groups living around Luang Prabang.

Day 2. Visit of the villages of blacksmiths, weavers and Saa paper (../L/..)

Your guide will arrive at your hotel at 8.30 am for a 2nd day oriented towards the craftsmen.

We will begin this day with the visit of TAEC (Traditional Art & Ethnology Center) and its heterogeneous collection of well-documented pieces. (Centre closed on Monday).

We will continue with a visit to the blacksmith village of Ban Hat Hien, historically specialized in the making of the local machete (Pha), indispensable tool for all Laotians. Today, there are only 3 families producing these items that are more and more "imported" from the northern regions of Laos.

Then visit the village of Ban Xang Khong, specializing in the production of Saa paper (obtained after crushing the bark of the Saa tree) and used in particular to produce the books used to collect the sacred Buddhist texts still written in Pali (the ancient Indian language). This village is also specialized in silk products, with both traditional motifs and new contemporary creations.

Lunch at a local restaurant on the banks of the Mekong River

After lunch, visit to the village of Ban Phanom, specializing in the manufacture of cotton-weaving and silk-weavings, used in the old days by the royal family.

On the way back, we will stop at Wat Phon Phao temple, unique in Laos by its architectural style with a 4 floors vihan, decorated by special paintings representing all the architectural styles of the Buddhist countries. This temple is also a singular one because it houses an important community of women. Notice also that this temple is also one of the Vipassana Meditation Centre.

Return to the center of Luang Prabang before sunset, and transfer to the hotel.

Day 3. Weaving experience at the Ock Pop Tok center (../L/..)

Your guide will come to your hotel at 8:15 to bring you to the Ock Pop Tok Weaving Center, for 1 of the 3 types of courses:

* Class of natural weaving and dyeing
* Class of batik of the ethnic Hmong
* Bamboo basketwork class

You will spend the day, lunch included, in the centre, in the company of weavers and local weavers and will be able to keep the fruit of your work.

In the late afternoon, we will go to the local bakery still fuelled with wood and coal. Besides the bakery, we can also go to one of the 2 lacquer shops of the city to admire the local productions mainly intended for the Buddhist rites.

Sunset at Vat Phabatthai.

Day 4. Morning offerings and day on the Mekong to meet LaoLao producers and pottery, and Botanical Garden (../L/..)

At sunrise, your guide will join you at your hotel to accompany you and to explain the daily singular ritual of the Offerings to the monks.

Then we will pace the morning market where all the ethnic groups around are gathering back the products of hunting, fishing and gathering. Notice that Laotians are very fond of these products, and ready to pay high prices.

Return to your hotel for breakfast.

We then go to the boat peer for a 1-day cruise the Mekong River with a traditional privatized long tail boat. First stop at the end of the morning, at the sacred caves of Pak Ou, located 2 hours of navigation upstream of Luang prabang.

Visit the 2 caves gathering hundreds of representations of Buddha in earth, in stone, in wood covered with gold leaf.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Pak Ou village, on the bank of the Mekong, overlooking the caves.

On the way back, we will stop for a tour of the village producing local rice alcohol, the Laolao, a kind of sake in which medicinal plants or animals considered potent and dangerous sometimes macerate.

Then we continue our cruise downstream after Luang Prabang, to the village of potters specializing in making bricks and local pots in Luang Prabang.

A little further downstream, we will end this day with a visit to the botanical garden and its extraordinary local collections of bamboo and orchids.

Day 5. Morning in the rice field, and afternoon at the falls (../L/..)

At 8:30, your guide will come to your hotel to start a day meeting the producers of rice and organic vegetables.

During 3 hours, you will follow an introduction to all the stages of growing and preparation of rice. You will enjoy experimenting yourself, including feet in the mud to dry the buffalo when plowing, planting and transplanting of shoots, turn the grain in flour. You will finish this morning by tasting some rice products whose variations are so numerous.

Then we will take the road for 1/2 hour, to join the falls of Kuang Si

Lunch in the Carpe Diem restaurant, surrounded by small waterfalls.

Afternoon relaxation at Kuang Si Falls. Visit the Park of rescue Bear, and get a swim in one of the many natural pools with fresh and turquoise water.

Return afterwards, before sunset, and transfer to the hotel.

End of the circuit.

Prices :

For 4 people: 1804 USD (451 USD / person)

Included services:

An English speaking guide
Air conditioned minivan with driver
Private boat for the day on the Mekong River
1 day of initiation to weaving at the Ock Pop Tock centre
1/2 day of rice cultivation in Living Land
Botanical Garden of Luang Prabang entrance fee
All admission fees at the indicated sites
Meals as mentioned: B = Breakfast // L = Lunch // D = Dinner
2 bottles of drinking water per day
2 refreshing towels per day
All government taxes and service charges

3-day Jungle trek close to Luang Prabang

Benolaos — 2017-06-21T05:33:10Z

Day1. Luang Prabang – Hill Tribe Khmu Villages [../L/D]

In the morning, around 8am, your guide will pick you up at your hotel.
The first part of this journey consists on a 4-5 hours trek to Khmu villages. This bring you completely out of town and comfort, in areas where no electricity.

You will see and experience the local rural way of life of the remote villages. Life here is punctuated by the sun cycle, fully connected to the nature and the elements, with traditions and culture from another time. Medicine is mostly found through plants, food is mostly made from picking and hunting, and you will be a part of the village, during this end of the day.

You will have a dinner with locals and overnight in one of the family of the Ban Long Louak village.

Day2. Hill Tribe Khmu Villages [B/L/D]

The 2nd day, early morning, you will wake with local people to observe the local life. After a local breakfast, it will be time for you to say goodbye, and to go further to the next village. You will go through the jungle and dense forests, before reaching Hmong and Kmou minorities, living in small and remote villages avec 5-6 hours of trek.

Same as for the first day, you will probably want to participate to the preparation of the dinner, learn about the people and the local way of life, eventually assist to a little music instrument show. Interacting with the inhabitants is one of the goal of the visit, and your experienced guide will be there to facilitate and translate...

Overnight at the Kalungkong village

Day3. Hill Tribe Trek – Hill Tribe Villages – Luang Prabang [B/L/..]

After your breakfast, you will continue your trek (on this day, about 5-6 hours of walk) through villages an jungle.

In the afternoon, you will reach the meeting point, where a vehicle is waiting for you. You will be driven back to Luang Prabang and transferred at your hotel.

End of service.

Included in this tour:

English speaking trekking guide
Local Lao guide (different in each area)
Meals as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Accommodation in Homestay on day 1 and 2 in ethnic villages
Minivan for transfers from town / starting point / town
2 bottles of water per day
Taxes (local, provincial, and state)
Assistance 24/7

3d / 2n: Night Safari in Nam Nern

Benolaos — 2015-08-27T13:11:00Z

To know beforehand:

Up to 10 people.
Happens in a protected park dedicated to the conservation of species threatened with extinction, including the tiger.
Terms of rudimentary accommodation for 2 nights (1 night in a modest guesthouse, 1 night at the ecolodge inside the reserve).
Exceptional costly ecotourism activity
To learn more about the international award, read this official page: Winners 2013 (en) and 2014 Winners (in).

Day 1. Luang Prabang - Ban Vieng Thong (10h whose 7-hour drive).
En route visit the villages of weavers Lao Loum (the outskirts of Luang Prabang), and Thai Lue outskirts of Nong Khiaw.
Local lunch in Nong Khiaw.
Visit caves where stayed the administrative center of the region during the 12 years of the secret war.
By late afternoon, check into a guesthouse Ban Vieng Thong.

Day 2. Night safari camp preservation and study
In the morning, your guide will take you to the rendezvous point, in a village of Kamou ethnicity. Here begins your safari. After location scouting, you will take a boat up the river to the ecolodge. There, a breakfast awaits you; Then you have some free time to relax or walk the camp before taking the boat up the river again in a perfectly preserved jungle landscape.

Dinner will be on the banks of the river as a barbecue, before silently down the river, with research guides for species with powerful spotlights.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/gJMpcZ0Zb_Y

Laos wildlife ecotourism adventure in Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area WCS

The ecotourism products at NEPL NPA have been designed to create a direct link between conservation and tourism so that the money that tourists pay has a positive impact on encouraging local people to protect endangered wildlife.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been supporting the NEPL Management Unit since 2003, and has assisted with the development of ecotourism products commencing in 2009. During this time significant experience has been gained on how to implement ecotourism in the Laos NPA context, and how to ensure effective operations and meaningful community engagement.

You will return to the Ecolodge to spend the night.

Day 3. End of safari, and options ...:
In the morning, after breakfast in the jungle, you will have time to learn about medicinal plants locally very used and very effective against many ailments. It is time to take stock of these 24 a unique and authentic experience of a lifestyle living in near autarky, in full harmony.
Then you will take the boat down the river to the place where the adventure began.
Then...

Notice: now, the 2-day trek can be extended up to 5 days in the conservation area.

Treks up to 5 days

The Nests trek consist of moderate 2 and 3 day trekking options with an overnight stay in spherical baskets hanging from the trees. Near the campsite a wildlife observation tower has been constructed overlooking the Poung Nyied salt lick and offering opportunities to spot wildlife.

The Cloud Forest Climb involves a more challenging 4 to 5 day trek up to the summit of Phou Louey (Elev.2257m) – the third highest peak in Laos and one of the few cloud forests in the region. This trek through the evergreen forest includes a homestay in a Khmu village at the start of the tour, followed by camping in jungle huts inside the NPA.

Proposal of programs with the 2-day Night Safari Trek

Option 1: 3D / 2N - back to Luang Prabang on Day 3

Day 3: Return to Luang Prabang in the late evening
However, the journey is long and you get tired. It is recommended to add 1 day. as presented below, which presents only qualities:

Option 2: 4D / 3N - return to Luang Prabang by day 4

Day 3 night break in a good hotel in Nong Kiaw
With a night at Nam Ou Riverside, run by a German married to a Thai, comfortable rooms, retreat for Yoga practitioners; with a pool ; or Nong Kiao Ecolodge, with its very inspired bungalows of traditional houses but with all the comfort very neat decoration. often overlooking the breathtaking sunset in Nong Khiaw, a village located 3 hours from Luang Prabang along the Nam Ou.

Day 4: Small boat trip and return to Luang Prabang
the morning by private boat for a walk, or long boat to the most upstream walks to Muang Ngoi, Sopjam. Possibility of the tubbing (large buoys tractors on which we descend part of the Nam Ou River) or kayaking in magnificent landscapes, dense and mysterious.

Return to Luang Prabang in the day, as desired.

To remember :

* On day 4: ability to adjust the schedule to be returned in connection with domestic and international scheduled flights.
* This program can be accompanied by a professional photographer serving as tour leader. French speaking exclusively.

Option 3: 6D / 5N: Hanoi rally

Day 4: Xieng Khouang (and the Plain of Jars) // Day 5: Xieng Khouang morning, Sam Nua night (Sam Neua, historical bastion of liberating communist party with its grottos (Audio -tour remarkable) // Day 6: Sam Neua - Passage of the international border Lao-Viet, then on to Hanoi.

Option 4: 6D / 5N: Vinh rally

Day 4: Sam Neua (historical bastion) // Day 5: Xieng Khuang (and the mystery of the Plain of Jars) // Day 6: Xieng Khuang - Passage of the border Nam Khan to Ky Son and Vinh further.

Option 5: 9N / 8N: rally Danang or Hue

Day 4: Sam Neua // Day 5: Xieng Khuang // Day 6: rustic Night in Pak Kading for the restaurant // Day 7: 4 hours road to Hinboun, 2013 favorite // Day 8: Visit the surrounding area, and 5 hours' drive from Savannakhet // Day 9: Crossing the international border Lao-Viet Ban Dong for continue to Hue or Danang.

View online : Official link to Night Safari

3d / 2n: Vientiane - Luang Prabang via Sayaboury

Benolaos — 2015-02-18T12:17:27Z

Here is an original circuit, from Luang Prabang Vientiane.
This trip is usually done in one day (8 to 10 hours of drive, depending on the number of people and the type of vehicle), or in 2 day (with a stop in Vang Vieng).

We offer you an alternative: make a detour to visit the elephants in the Conservation Centre of Sayaboury to approach the elephants and learn about these large animals in a natural setting, away from the more touristy options that can be found in Luang Prabang.

Day 1 Vientiane - Vang Vieng [.../.../...]
In the morning, the guide and the minivan will meet you at your hotel ; so begins the first day trip that will take you to Vang Vieng (about 3 hours of drive).
Along the way you will visit the archaeological site of Vangxang, and explore the area to look the sculptured stone representing Buddha.
You then take a ride to the market of Pha Hom, and have a visit of the Tham Chang caves near Vang Vieng.
After a city tour and an exploration of the surrounding area, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight at Vilayvong Hotel*** or similar

Day 2 Vang Vieng - Sayaboury [B/.../D]
In the morning, we travel (4 hours drive) that will take you in majestic mountains of Northern Laos. You will regularly stop to visit villages, and to admire the scenic area to take some great pictures.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Arriving at Lake Nam Tien, you will take the boat that will bring you to elephants Conservation Centre, where you will be welcomed by the local guide for a first introduction to the big animals.
Dinner at the camp.

Overnight camp (in rustic bungalows*).

Day 3. Sayaboury - Luang Prabang [B/L/...]
After breakfast, you will learn more about elephants, how to care, how to ride and how to bathe.
Lunch at the camp.
You will then have some free time to swim in the lake, before being transferred to the minivan in term to join Luang Prabang before sunset (about 2h30-3h drive).
Arrive late afternoon in Luang Prabang and transfer to your hotel.

End of tour.

Included in the price:

Accommodation : in Vang Vieng, hotel***, in Elephant Conservation Center, the private rooms
Daily Breakfast
English Speaking guide
Travel with AC Minivan
Meals as indicated : B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Elephant Conservation Center activity 2 days 1 night (notice that price > 300 USD / person for that special program)
2 Drinking water & 2 Cool Towels a day per person
All Entrance fees at various sites
All government taxes and service fees
Baggage Handling

Alternative Info:

Vientiane - Luang Prabang in one day:
Vientiane - Luang Prabang in 2 days (1 night in Vang Vieng):

6d / 5n: Trek & Cruise in Northern Laos

Benolaos — 2014-12-01T10:00:00Z

Here a proposal for a loop around Luang Prabang. It starts with a 1 day cruise on the Mekong River, followed by a 3-day trek in a remote area. You will pass through beautiful scenery, explore minority ethnics in authentic villages, when finishing with a cruise on the Nam Ou River, wonderful and peaceful region with karst mountains in dense and pristine jungle.

Itinireray at a glance:

Day 1: Luang Prabang - sacred Pak Ou Caves - Pakbeng (cruise).
Day 2: Pakbeng - Muang Khua by road.
Day 3: 1st day Trek. Overnight homestay.
Day 4: 2nd day Trek. Overnight homestay.
Day 5: 3rd day trek back to Muang Khua, and cruise to Nong Khiaw.
Day 6: Return to Luang Prabang by road.

Tour Details:

Day 1: One day cruise from Luang Prabang - Pakbeng [.../L/D]
In the morning the minivan with the guide takes you to the pier where a boat will be chartered for a private day cruise on the Mekong River.
This 1st day will evolve under the sign of contemplation of the local life, watching the nature and the inhabitants living of the banks of the great river.
After 2 hours sailing, you will stop to the sacred caves of Pak Ou, where hundreds of Buddha images are hosted.
Lunch will be served on board.
You reach the village of Pakbeng in the late afternoon and can enjoy the sunset from the resort where you will spend the night.

Dinner and overnight at Pakbeng Lodge *** (1)

Day 2: Pakbeng - Muang Khua by road [B / ... / ...]
After breakfast, you will have time to visit the elephant camp run by the Lodge (additional cost) or even a ride on the back of the pachyderms.
Then take the road to reach the trek point (approximately 6 hours of travel), located in North Laos, near the Vietnamese border.
Along the way you will make stops to discover and observe different villages, inhabited by many different ethnic minorities in this region.

Overnight at Hotel Sernalli **

Day 3: Trek [B / L / D]
You will meet your local guide in the morning, which will assist you during three days to visit the region, the villages of local ethnic minorities, including the nature and medicinal plants whose inhabitants of these remote areas retain knowledge and transmit the virtues and preparations.
Meals are served with the guide, meals made on site, in the villages.
With guides, you will also be introduced to the lifestyles and customs of different ethnic groups that you will cross.

Overnight homestay

Day 4: Trek [B / L / D]
2nd day of trek. You will continue the exploration of this region and will slepp again with the locals.

Day 5: Trek - Back to Muang Khua - Cruise to Nong Khiaw [B / L / ...]
3rd day trek in the morning only because you need to reach the village of Muang Khua which will be chartered a private boat. This 4 hours cruise will bring you in one of the most beautiful area of Laos (Nam Ou River), with its karst moutainous scenery. On the way, you will stop in fishing villages.
Picnic lunch on board or stop on a beach bench for lunch time.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw Or at Mandala Resort ***

Day 6: Nong Khiaw - Luang Prabang [B / ... / ...]
According to your wishes, you will reach Luang Prabang on the morning or have a half-day exploration of the Nong Khiaw village and surroundings, including caves that served as the command base during the secret war.
Return to Luang Prabang takes about 3 hours by road.
If you're interested, take 1 hour to meet a Thai Lu Village (Ban Nagnane), specializing in the production of cotton products and indigo dye. Arrive in Luang Prabang before sunset. Transfer to your hotel.

End of tour.

Rates:

With Recommended accommodations:

1 person: 2404 USD
2 persons: 1265 USD
From 3 to 5 persons: 788 USD
De 6 to 9 people: 722 USD

Included in the program:

English speaking guide throughout the tour
Private cruise on a traditional boat from Luang Prabang to Pakbeng
Private Minivan, air conditioning, driver, between Pakbeng and Muang Khua
3-day trek with local trail guide (English)
Accommodation in double room shared
Homestay, including villages security fees
Private Cruise between Muang Khua and Nong Khiaw
Private Minivan between Nong Khiaw and Luang Prabang
Meals as mentions: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
All government taxes and service fees
All entrance fees to visit the sites
Baggage Handling
2 bottles of drinking water and 2 cool tissues daily

Information about accommodation:

Pakbeng Lodge: Superior Rooms
Mandala Ou: Bungalow on the banks of the Nam Ou River

(1) This selected hotel is our recommendation. You can ask to change the comfort category: Mekong Riverside Lodge**+, or Monsavanh**

5d / 4n: Houessay - Luang Prabang

Benolaos — 2014-08-02T07:53:00Z

1 day cruise on the Mekong River, 2 days in the Muang La Resort, and back to Luang Prabang after a cruise on the magnificent Nam Ou River

This 5 days / 4 nights journey make you discover Norther Laos, remote areas and superb resort. You will enjoy admiring untouched landscape and natural life of dozens of ethnic minorities.
We will stop for two days in Muang La Resort ****, a haven of peace offering SPA services and massage in an preserved area with typical Lao villages.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1. One day cruise on the Mekong River
Day 2. Pakbeng - Muang La Resort
Day 3. Muang La Resort - Discover the area, or free time at the resort
Day 4. Muang La - Muang Khua - Cruise the Nam Ou River - Nong Khiaw
Day 5. Nong Khiaw - Luang Prabang

In detail:

Jour 1. One day cruise on the Mekong River (../L/D)

After an overnight in Chiang Rai or in one of the hotels nearby, you will be transferred in the early morning, on the Thai-Lao ; you will ideally arrive around 8:30 am.

Here starts your 5d/4n journey. Your guide will meet you at the Lao immigration office, with a vehicle, and you will be transferred to the small peer of Huay Xay. A traditional boat awaits you for a full day cruise on the Mekong.

Your goal is to reach Pakbeng, a small town along the river. Along the way you will make a few stops in villages of ethnic minorities living in near-autarky because of their distance from any urban center.

Lunch will be served on board.

You will arrive in the late afternoon at Pakbeng, and will be installed at your hotel, located along the Mekong River, overlooking the river. From there, you will admire the sunset on the jungle and the Mekong River

Dinner at the hotel

Overnight in Pakbeng Lodge ***

Day 2. Elephants - Pakbeng - Muang La (B/L/D)

After breakfast, you will visit the Pakbeng Lodge's elephant camp. This area is well known to host the last wild elephants in Laos. From the camp, you can watch them evolve, bathing, and can have an hour's ride if you wish.

Back to hotel for lunch.

Early afternoon, an air-conditioned minivan and privatized will drive you to Muang La (about 4 hours drive) by a mountainous road where you can stop to visit some ethnic minority villages. Arrived in Oudomxay, you will make a city tour before going further to the small village of Muang La.

Dinner at Muang La Resort

Overnight in Muang La Resort****

Day 3. Take a break in Muang La Resort, or explore the area (B/.../D)

After your breakfast at the Resort, you can choose to have a 1 day break (the Resort proposes SPA services and massage) or you can decide to explore the area by bicycle, 4x4 or even opt for a short trek to discover isolated ethnic minorities living there for centuries.

Dinner at Muang La Resort

Overnight at Muang La Resort****

Day 4. Muang La - Muang Khoua - Cruise the Nam OuRiver - Nong Khiaw (B/L/...)

In the morning, after breakfast, take the road (2h30 drive) to reach the small village of Muang Khoua, located along the Nam Ou River. From there, take a traditional and privatized boat, that will get you down the river. This part of Laos is one of the most beautiful area, with untouched jungle scenery, karst mountains, and small traditional fishing villages.

Lunch on board

Stop at Sopcham, a beautiful small village in one of the bends of the river, overlooking a karst peak. This small village has specialized in weaving silk and offers 100% hanidcraft products. You will then make another stop in Muang Ngoi Kao, a village known to be a good start for trekking.

After 1 additional hour cruise, you will arrive in Nong Khiaw, a small village where the bridge overlooking the river provides access to the north-eastern Laos.

Dinner at your own in Nong Khiaw

Overnight in Nong Kiau Riverside*** or Mandala Ou***

Day 5. Nong Khiaw - Luang Prabang (B/.../...)

In the morning after breakfast, you can visit the caves in the limestone rock, that served as the local government's headquarters for 12 years (during "the secret war").

It will then be time to drive to Luang Prabang (3:30 transport). Along the way you will make a short visit to see the typical village of Ban Nagnane inhabited by the Thai Lu ethnic minority. This village specialized in weaving cotton and indigo dye.

Lunch at your own.

Before arriving in Luang Prabang (if enough time), you can visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou. You will cross the Mekong River by local small boat before discovering hundreds of representation of Buddha, mostly made in wood and in stone.

If enough time, you will then stop just before Luang prabang to visit 2 weaving villages, specialized in silk and in Saa paper products (made from the bark of the Saa tree.)

You will then arrived in Luang Prabang, where you will be transferred at your hotel.
End of the journey.

Inclusive:

English speaking guide
Private transportation in private air-conditioned
Accommodation in twin shared
Mekong River cruise in traditional privatized boat
Nam Ou River cruise in traditional privatized boat
Admission fee to indicated sights
Meals : B=Breakfast // L=Lunch // D=Dinner
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

Recommended hotels:

in Pakbeng : Pakbeng Lodge*** (www.pakbenglodge.com)
in Muang La : Muang La Resort**** (www.muangla.com)
in Nong Khiaw : Nong Kiau Riverside*** (www.nongkiau.com) or Mandala Ou*** (www.mandala-ou.com)

Optional (with supplement) :

Transfer from your hotel in Chiang Rai to the Thai-Lao border
1 hour elephant ride in the jungle in Pakbeng
1 day trek around Muang La
1 day journey in 4x4 to discover some remote areas around Muang La
1 day bicycle to discover villages surrounding Muang La Resort

3d / 2n: Luang Prabang - Muang Ngoi

Benolaos — 2012-08-29T16:52:50Z

From Luang Prabang, visit for 3 days / 2 nights (or more) a really preserved area, well known for its untouched nature, its calm atmosphere, and the authentic villages around.
Beginning your journey with a minivan, you will explorer handicraft villages specialized in silk, cotton and mulberry paper. You will reach Muang Ngoi, where you will spend 2 days, before coming back to Luang Prabang on a private boat for a little exclusive cruise. Recommendation: stay more and do a 2-day trek (or even 3-day trek!) in the natural, preserved area of Muang Ngoi "the old".

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1. Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw - Muang Noi
Day 2. Discover the area of Muang Ngoi
Day 3. Private cruise to Luang Prabang

Detail of the journey

Day 1. Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw - Muang Ngoi (.../.../...)

Early morning, your minivan with chauffeur and guide will pick you up at your hotel. Destination, Nong Khiaw, where a boat is waiting for you to go up to rise Muang Ngoi, a small fishermen village, in a beautiful nature.

En route, you will have an introduction to the weaving village in Laos, working silk and cotton : Ban Xiang Khong, Ban Xieng Lek, Ban Nagnane, 3 traditional villages, specialized in handicraft.
Free lunch in Nong Khiaw

After lunch, we will have a 1h30 cruise on one of the most beautiful rivers in Laos, with a majestic karst mountains landscape covered by a dense jungle. Possible stops in villages. recommended stop at the waterfall on the way.

Arrival in Muang Ngoi before the Sunset.

Night in Muang Ngoi

Day 2. Muang Ngoi (B /... /...)

Free Day.
Optional proposals:

1-day trekking: beginning early morning, when the sun is relatively mild, for 1 hour of very easy walk to the first village, Ban Na, the village of rice fields. We then can reach a couple of villages, depending on your wishes : Hmong village, Kamou village...
You will cross rice paddies, go through jungle, in a karst landscape which rise rocky peaks. You will also have the opportunity to visit one of the many caves where the inhabitants where living for ten years during the "secret war".
1-day kayaking (or tubing): we will go by boat further up the river (about 1 hour cruise) for an exploration of two villages: Ban Ban Sopcham and Atsapeui. You will then go down the river with your kayak or tubing on a very quiet river (2 to 4 hours). You will be followed all the way by the boat that carry material, food, etc. Level: easy. Beginners welcomed.
1-day fishing: spend one day with a fisherman, barbecue on one of the sand beach with the catch of the day. Visit of the 2 villages of Atsapeui and Sopcham.
2-day trekking (B/L/D - B/L): the journey is 1 day extended and become a 4D/3N. The trek is a loop from Muang Ngoi, with an overnight in homestay in one ethnic group village (Hmong or Kamou). Back to Muang Ngoi mid-afternoon.

Day 3. Muang Ngoi - Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang (B/ L /...)

After breakfast, a junk will be chartered for about 1 hour cruise, down the Nam Ou River. You will stop at Nong Khiaw, where a minivan will await you to finish the journey by road.

Stop a the mouth when the Nam Ou goes on the Mekong ; there stand the 2 holy caves of Pak Ou, hosting thousands of Buddha images. These representation are left by the believers who come here to pray and seek guidance from spirits.

Back to Luang Prabang, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Options :

2-day trek around Muang Ngoi
On day 3, continue to cruise downstream from Nong Khiaw to Ban Ngeun (2h cruise)

Included in the program:

Private transportation in air-con minivan
Accommodation in twin shared in Guesthouse**
Private boat trip Nong Khiaw - Muang Ngoi
Private boat trip Muang Ngoi - Nong Khiaw
Visit of Pak Ou Caves
English speaking guide all trip
Admission fee to indicated sights
Meals: daily breakfast at hotel
Government tax and service charge
Luggage handling
2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour
2 cold tower per day during the tour

3d / 2n: Luang Prabang - Plain of Jars

Benolaos — 2012-08-28T07:48:40Z

From Luang Prabang, spend 3 days / 2 nights to explore a region of mystery and history. Through mountains jungle, rally Phonsavanh city by conditioned minivan with driver and guide (English or other language); you will there visit the local sights: the Plain of Jars, the local market full of exotic products, the Mulberry, sericulture unit production, the old capital of Xieng Khuang...

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1. Luang Prabang - Plain of Jars
Day 2. Discover the region and its mysteries
Day 3. Phonesavanh - Luang Prabang

Detail of the journey

Day 1. Luang Prabang - Plain of Jars (... / ... / ...)

Today we will 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. you will discover the 3 ethnic groups on the way, with their special architecture, culture, tradition and language...

On arrival, we visit the first site of the “Plain of Jars”, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. The largest jar reaches a height of 3.25 metres; researchers still question the origin and significance of these jars.

Night in Xieng Khuang

Day 2. Discover the region and its mysteries (B/.../...)

After breakfast we will begin with a visit of the local market, well known to propose local special exotic products.

We will then head out to the old capital of Muang Khoun province and its nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Thai Dam people.

Our excursion continues to the 2nd and 3rd Plain of jars fields, where you can obtain more scenic views. Along the way, we visit more local villages and learn about the local culture and lifestyle. Return to Phonsavanh by late afternoon.

Night in Xieng Khuang

Day 3. Xieng Khuang - Luang Prabang (B/.../...)

After breakfast, we will come back to Luang Prabang. Leaving Phonsavanh, we will visit the craft workshop specialized in Sericulture (Mulberry shop, closed on Sunday) where you can follow all the stages of production, breeding the worms, weaving, spinning, dyeing ...

Then, couple of hours of driving, through the mountainous jungle inhabited by ethnic groups.

Transfer to your hotel in Luang Prabang

Tariffs for a group of 4 persons :

with Standard Room (Twin or double) : 1320 USD (330 USD / pers.)
with Suite Room (Deluxe Double) : 1500 USD (375 USD / pers.)

Included in the tariff:

Private transportation in private air-conditioned
Accommodation at Vansana*** in double occupancy
English speaking guide
Admission fee to indicated sights
Meals : daily breakfast at hotel
Government tax and service charge
Luggage handling
2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour
2 cold tower per day during the tour

4d / 3n: Romantic journey in Luang Prabang

Benolaos — 2012-08-24T15:12:00Z

Here's an exceptional 4 days / 3 nights journey exclusive for the "green season" in Luang Prabang, to discover in comfort, the Heritage town by UNESCO. We offer two types of housing, the Santi Resort & Spa or the Villa Maly, two establishment known for their excellent services.

We can change this journey to a 3 days / 2 nights, or even for a week-end (2 nights / 2 days)...

Day1. Arrival - Luang Prabang

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by the UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia'. During our time here, 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 for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day2. Luang Prabang - Pakou - Luang Prabang (B/.../...)

Today, 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 embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as explore the mysterious 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 village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.
On return, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong, a small village known for its hand silk weaving and paper made by mulberry tree's bark.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day3. Luang Prabang - Khouangsi water fall (B/.../...)

An optional early start gives you the 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. Back to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we start our road trip to the Kuang Si Waterfall. Before living the centre-town, we will visit the 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. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts.

On the way, we will 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 cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails.

After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we continue to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its weaving and for its Saa (jute) Paper-making. If we return to the city late, we can observe the sunset at Wat Phabath.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day4. Luang Prabang - Departure (B/.../...)

After breakfast, we visit The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. Also the Central Market is not to be missed. After visiting these sights in the morning, you have free time to explore the town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure.

Inclusive:

Private transportation in private air-conditioned
Accommodation in twin shared
Private boat trip as stated in above sights
English speaking guide
Admission fee to indicated sights
Meals: daily breakfast at hotel
Government tax and service charge
Luggage handling
2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour
2 cold tower per day during the tour