Incredible Laos 10 Days/9 Nights
| Incredible
Laos 10 days/9 nights Tour Code: VLP7 Luang Prabang-Xiengkhuang- Vientiane-4000 Islands-Pakse |
A perfectly balanced tour
taking in Laos’ most impressive sights, including Luang
Prabang, the Plain of Jars and the 4000 Islands. Great variety, nicely
paced and superb value for money makes this tour a Viengchampa
favourite.
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 (B)
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.
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.
Day 5. Xiengkhouang
–
Vientiane (Flight) (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 Jar Site 1, the largest site, and Jar
Site 3, located on top of a hill offering great views of the
surrounding countryside. We return back to Phonsavan town, and onto the
airport for your flight to Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 6. Vientiane
– Half day
city tour (B)
Your half day city tour, begin with the oldest, Wat Sisaket with
thousands of
miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo,
which
previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. . Enroute to
Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred
structure
of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some
pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as
Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
The final visit of the day will be the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day to day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 7. Vientiane
– Pakse
–Khong Island (Flight) (B)
You will be transferred to the airport early this morning for the
flight to Pakse. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred directly
onto a private traditional boat for a 2-hour cruise to Champassak.
Disembark at this ancient town, of the Champa Kingdom; continue by car
to Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became
recognized by UNESCO in 2002.
Wat Phou is the site of ruins which were once part of a temple built some time before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It contains some of the most Ancient Khmer architectures which date back to between the 7-11th centuries. In the afternoon you will drive to Don Khong, an area of 4000 islands which is the widest point of the Mekong River during the rainy season, although during the dry months the river recedes, leaving behind thousands of islands and islets.
This area of the river is also famous for being the home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. En route, we visit the atmospheric ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo, located in the forest. Arrive at Khong Island via ferry early evening. Overnight on Khong Island.
Day 8. Khong Island
–
Surrounding (B)
Following breakfast, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside,
and embark on a long tail boat tour to Don Khone, where we disembark
and have the option of exploring the island by bicycle, which takes you
to visit the remains of the French period and Liphi Waterfall or "the
Corridor of the Devil".
We return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia; this is a really impressive site near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Then we drive back to Khong Island. Overnight in Khong Island.
Day 9. Khong Island
– Bolaven
Plateau - Pakse (B)
This morning we leave early and drive north to the Bolaven Plateau. The
Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high
above the Mekong Valley. Our first stop is to visit Houey Ten, a Katu
village specializing in knifemaking. We then stop at a tea plantation,
followed by a stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute
waterfall.
In the afternoon, we then make a stop at a coffee plantation, en route to Tha Teng Market, a colourful ethnic minority food market. Next we explore another interesting minority village, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village, that boasts a sacrificial alter. We arrive at the beautiful Tadlo Waterfall by late afternoon and head back to Pakse, stopping at Ban Houi Hun, an Alak weaving village, where they keep coffins under their houses, and at another picturesque waterfall, Paxuam, before arriving back in Pakse by early evening. Overnight in Pakse
Day 10 : Pakse –
Departure (B)
After breakfast; there will be free time for your own exploration of
Pakse Town before catching a flight to Siem Reap-Cambodia or exiting
Laos overland from the Chongmek International checkpoint to Ubon
Ratchathani Thailand.
Note: during rainy season the itinerary is subject to change due to the weather conditions, an alternative programme is available.
Prices: from just $US1,305 per person based on a 2 persons private tour
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