Heritage Trail Laos 8 Days/7 Nights
| Heritage
Trail Laos 8 days/7 nights Tour Code: HTL5 Luang Prabang-Xiengkhuang- Viengxai |
Our Heritage Trail programme gets you off the beaten track to Xiengkhuang and Hua Phan provinces Xiengkhuang is most famous for the Plain of Jars, a mysterious collection of stone jars said to be about 2500 years old scattered across the vast plains surrounding Phonsavan. Nobody is too sure of their origin, but it makes for a fascinating tour.
The area is also home to the
Hmong people, and Xiengkhuang is the best province to visit the
villages of this interesting tribe. Further east lies the remote
province of Hua Phan, close to the Vietnam border. Anyone venturing
this far is in for a treat; breathtaking mountainous scenery, colourful
ethnic minority tribes and last but not least, the mysterious
underground city at Vieng Xai
Day
1. Arrival - Luang Prabang
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang
Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved
city in South East Asia’. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2. Luang Prabang
– City Tour - Pak Ou Caves
After breakfast, your short city tour starts with a visit to Wat
Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its
shape. Next we visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which
gives us a further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. We
also visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low
to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style. We then
board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic
view of the tranquil countryside.
Our first stop is the village
of Ban Muangkeo where we start a short trek to reach the mysterious Pak
Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered
Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route,
we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local specialty of
rice wine is produced. We then return to Luang Prabang by car via Ban
Nongxai, an artisans village and also to visit a silversmith workshop.
We arrive back in Luang Prabang by late afternoon. Overnight in Luang
Prabang.
Day 3. Luang Prabang
– Hmong Experience and Kuang Si Waterfall (B,L)
After breakfast, we visit the local Phosi Market, this is the place
where all the locals shop and your guide will show you the diverse
offerings on display. We also stop at Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving
centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving
process will be explained. Next we drive to Ban Thinkeo, a Hmong
village and start trekking with the villagers.
Your guide will explain to you
the common use of the plants for the Hmong people. You will go to the
garden and cut some vegetables and herbs with the local people. We then
continue to Kuang Si Waterfall, where you will enjoy a picnic lunch
overlooking the beautiful multi tiered falls. You also have the
opportunity to cool off in the turquoise blue pools. Afterwards you
return to Luang Prabang in time to catch the sun setting over the
Mekong. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4. Luang Prabang
– Xiengkhuang (B)
We start early this morning, around 8am for the drive to Xiengkhuang,
famous for the ‘Plain of Jars’. The road follows a
twisty mountain route, and we make our first stop at Houi Hei, which
offers great views of the surrounding mountains. We then continue Ban
Kiu Kam Pone, a Khmu village to explore, before arriving in Phou Khoun
for lunch. We continue on the road into Xiengkhuang province, reaching
our highest altitude of the day 1500m above sea level, just after Phou
Khoun. We have time to make a stop at Ban Son Boom, a Hmong
village.
Our final stops of the day are
a reminder that this region played a major part during the Vietnam War
– as we visit a hidden Buddha Cave, that served as an army
hospital during the war and our final stop of the day, is an optional
stop to visit an old Russian tank. We arrive at your hotel by early
evening. Overnight in Xiengkhuang.
The area is famous for the Plain of Jars and ethnic minorities
including the Hmong
Day 5. Xieng Khuang -
Plain of Jars and surrounding (B)
This morning we visit the Mines Action Group or MAG office to learn
about the work they do in clearing land mines and unexploded ordnance
in the area. We then transfer out to the picturesque Jar Site 2, and
begin our 1 hour trek along the ridge to the impressive Jar Site 3,
consisting over around 150 jars located on top of a hill, offering
great views over the surrounding countryside. In the afternoon we visit
Jar Site 1, the largest site, containing over 300 jars, before
returning to your hotel by late afternoon. Overnight in Xiengkhuang.
Day 6. Xiengkhuang
– Sam Neua (B)
We begin our long drive today starting early this morning along some
fairly rough roads, but the journey is broken up with stops at Hmong
and Khmu villages, including Ban Nong Oln, as well as time to admire
the breathtaking scenery with a series of photo stops. Following lunch
we visit Hintang. Here we can see the mysterious menhirs (standing
stones). No one is quite sure who built them or why, perhaps burial
sites or markers of some sort. We also stop at Ban Sa Levy, a Tai Phong
weaving village. We arrive in Sam Neua early evening. Overnight in Sam
Neua.
Day 7. Sam Neua
– Viengxai (B)
We begin the day with an optional short walk around Sam Neua town,
including a visit to the weaving house showroom, this area is highly
regarded for its weaving products. We take a walk along the river to
visit the local wet market. We then set off on the short drive to
Viengxai Caves. This is where the Pathet Lao leaders lived during the
“Secret War’. We start our fascinating audio tour,
that includes a visit to the Kaysone Phomivhane Cave, and the Prince
Soupanouvong Cave. We finish with the artillery cave that offers
stunning views, over the surrounding countryside.
In the afternoon, we take an easy walk to some of the little visited caves and an opportunity to take in the beautiful limestone karst scenery. We return to Sam Neua by late afternoon where you will overnight. Overnight in Sam Neua.
Day 8. Sam Nua –
Na Meo border gate to Vietnam (B)
We leave Sam Neua early this morning and head east towards the Vietnam
border, passing though some Black Tai villages as well as some nice
views of the limestone karst scnery. We reach the border by around
10.30 where your tour in Laos ends.
Note: during rainy season the itinerary is subject to change due to the weather conditions, an alternative programme is available.
Prices: from just $US855 per person based on a 2 persons private tour
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