Simply Beautiful – Laos is famous for its great scenery, ethnic villages and unexplored corners. It’s probably best known for being home to some of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular waterfalls, including Tad Fane and Dong Hua Sao.
Laos is a Southeast Asian country traversed by the Mekong River and known for mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and Buddhist monasteries. Vientiane, the capital, is the site of the That Luang monument, where a reliquary reportedly houses the Buddha’s breastbone, plus the Patuxai war memorial and Talat Sao (Morning Market), a complex jammed with food, clothes and craft stalls.
Day 1 – Vientiane – Arrival (L / D)
Upon arrival at the airport, you are greeted and transferred to the hotel. The capital city of Laos, Vientiane still feels like a sleepy city with relaxed charm, tree-lined boulevards, interesting wats and colorful markets. Tour the different highlights of the city, including Pha That Luang, a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps most important national monument in Laos; Ho Pha Keo, the formal royal temple, now a museum with beautiful examples of Buddhist sculpture; Wat Si Saket; and Patuxai, a monumental arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, but executed with Lao motifs.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 2 – Vientiane City Tour (B / L)
Breakfast at the hotel, this day’s excursion is to visit an open-air museum, Wat Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park). This is a collection of whimsical but compelling statues of Buddhist and Hindu gods. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 3 – Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B / L / D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave the hotel to the airport to catch a flight to Luang Prabang. Set between the Nam Khan and Nam Ou rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting town filled with historic temples and colonial style buildings. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Begin your tour with Wat Visoun (Wat Wisunalat). The oldest living temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun dates back to 1513 and contains a collection of antique wooden Buddhas. Visit the nearby Wat Aham before continuing to Wat Xieng Thong, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in the city. Its many ornate buildings feature exquisite mosaic and gold-stenciled murals. From there, stroll down the main street (Wat Street) of Luang Prabang. Time permitting, stop at some of the many temples that line its sides, including Wat Sibounheuang, Wat Si Moungkhoun, Wat Sop and Wat Sene. Visit Mount Phousi for sunset Climb the hillside stairs to the small temples atop Phou Si, the 100m high hill which sits in the middle of the town, offering beautiful views over the temples and river.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4 – Luang Prabang (B / L / D)
Breakfast at the hotel, Visit local market. Visit the National Museum (former Royal Palace, closed on Tuesdays), a modest but graceful building which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. This turn-of-the century royal residence has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here and provides unique insights into the history of Laos. Travel down the Mekong River to the steep limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, home to the Pak Ou Caves. These extraordinary caves are filled with Buddha images, of every style and material imaginable. On the return journey, stop at Ban Xang Hai, a local village famous for the production of lao lao, the local rice wine whisky. Visit the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong, a village near Luang Prabang well known for its traditional handwoven cotton and silk, as well as production of the local sa (mulberry) paper.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 5 – Luang Prabang – Departure (B)
Transfer to the airport for departure flight to onward destination. End of Services!
THE PACKAGE DETAILS:
• Return Air ticket
• Accommodation and meals as described (please note that some hotels provide only CBF).
• All transfers within the journey, including pick-up at airport.
• Domestic airfares as states in the itinerary in economy class.
• All entrance fees.
• English, French or German speaking guides (Other languages available upon request).
• Visa fees
(B=Breakfast/ L=Lunch/ D=Dinner)
(Please note that all tours and transfers are private. That said, there may be other people around at the sites)
