MYSTERIES OF LAOS

(9 DAYS)

duration
9 days
destination
Laos
travel in style
suitable

A journey through the enchanted, peaceful and mysterious country of Laos. We start from the temples and the Buddhist park in the capital Vientiane, following by the Unesco Heritage, the Plain of Jars, and we will finish in the sacred Pak Ou cave with thousands of Buddha statues of different sizes and shapes, in Luang Prabang.

Tour Highlights

  • Day 1: Arrival Vientiane
  • Day 2: Vientiane
  • Day 3: Vientiane – Ban Thaheua
  • Day 4: Ban Thaheua – Xieng Khuang
  • Day 5: Xieng Khuang – Muang Khoun – Plain of Jars
  • Day 6: Xieng Khuang – Luang Prabang
  • Day 7: Luang Prabang: Pak Ou Caves
  • Day 8: Luang Prabang: Kuang Si Waterfall
  • Day 9: Luang Prabang – Departure

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MYSTERIES OF LAOS Itinerary

Arrival in Vientiane, reception and transfer to the hotel. Free time and overnight in Vientiane.

  • Notes: the official check-in time is after 14h00.

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. After that drive to Buddha Park filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. We then visit Lao Disable Women Development Center, which assist disable women to cope with their disability and advocate for their rights. Start the afternoon with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”. Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.

We leave the capital early for our journey northbound to Ban Thaheua. We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. Along the way, we visit the busy and colorful market of KM52 where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. We may also make a short photo stop at Hin Heup bridge, and the fish market in Ban Tha Heua.

In the morning, we start our expedition to Xieng Khuang. We have chance to take a few photo stops at some small hill tribe village enroute. Our most impressive stop is at the peak of Phou Phiengpha offerring the panoramic view over the mountainous area. We will make a short stop at Tham Pra, which served as the hospital during the Indochina Wars before arriving in Phonsavan.

Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribe people barter and exchange merchandises. After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoune, the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoune is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. In the afternoon, visit the thought-provoking UXO Information Centre, run by British organisation MAG (Mines Advisory Group) that’s been helping to clear Laos’ unexploded ordnance since 1994. Then, we continue to visit the plain of jars Site 1, the biggest and closest to town that opened for tourists.

Early morning, depart for Luang Prabang via the windy zigzagging mountain paths, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape. We will make a shot stop at Ban Phoudam village, where we can see the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony, before driving to the photo stop at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view prior to reaching Luang Prabang.

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. After breakfast, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum. We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching 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 arrival back in the city, we will visit the old Wat Sene and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture. If time permits, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. We also visit the nearby village of Ban Xienglek specializing in making the traditional Saa paper. Late afternoon, we will make a stop at Wat Prabath to admire the sunset. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. On the way to Kuang Si waterfall, we will make a stop at Buffalo Dairy Farm. You can join in the feeding, bathing and milking the buffalos. Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center. On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center.

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight.

  • Notes: the official check-out time is before 12h00 noon.

END OF OUR SERVICES.

*** INCLUSIONS
  • 08 nights in proposed or similar hotels with daily breakfast.
  • Transfer: by private vehicle according to the program.
  • Meals: as indicated (excluding beverages).
  • Expert and professional guide in English according to the program.
  • Entrance fee to indicated site.
  • Boat fee as program.
*** EXCLUSIONS
  • International flights and airport taxes
  • Visa to Laos
  • Meals not mentioned and beverages
  • Travel insurance, tips and personal expenses.
  • All other expenses not clearly mentioned in the program.

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