ADL8: Laos Culture & Adventure 7 days

Itinerary in Details:

Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane (D)
On arrival at Wattay Airport, you are met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. A city tour acquaints us with the major sights of the capital. We visit the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, then take a walk to the nearby sight of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph, sunset by Mekong Riverside and late evening. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B)
Breakfast, we are heading out of the town by route No.13th north. This day, we travel north by roads to Vang Vieng with stopover at the archaeological sight of Vang Xang dating back from the 11th century. On arrival at Vang Vieng, we cross the Nam Song River, and then enjoy a short trek through the breathtaking mountain landscape to Tam None Cave and some hill villages. Today ends with a Atacular view of the sunset over the Nam Song River. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 3: Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang (B, L)
An early morning start to drive to Luang Prabang by 13th north route, The Luang Prabang which is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The road conditions are good pave, along the way, the unequalled scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages make for an interesting journey, we take a short stop some hill tribe villages for taking photo and greet the villagers, they are friendly and also warm welcome visitors, The Muang Xieng Nguen is next stop, we take few minute brake for observing the local lifestyle prior arriving Luang Prabang. On arrival in Luang Prabang, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of sacred, gilded stupa and a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore Street Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi Waterfall - Luang Prabang (B, L)
This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. Breakfast; and excursion to most beautiful waterfall, you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local village 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 splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths, return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village, return to the city by late evening for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 5: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Nong Khiow (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 represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then embark on traditional boat leisure upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the distillation of local rice wine and continue boating up leisurely trip on the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiow. Along the way we stop to visit at Thai Lu village at Ban Pak Jak, Ban Nongkham, weaving village, Ban Muang Souen and arriving Nong Khiow by late afternoon. Overnight in Nong Khiow.

Day 6: Nong Khiow – Oudomxay – Pakbeng (Road) (B)
Breakfast, upon leaving NongKhiow, we start to drive into the most mountainous area of Laos. The road conditions are some part good pave and some are rugged road; however many villages dot the hillsides and the undulating terrain make for an interesting journey. En route, we can make stop as you please to stretch your legs and visit the Hmong, Khmu, Black Thai and Lu ethnic minority people, Hmong hill tribe people at Ban Songja and Ban Jarong, They are all friendly and interesting and arrival at Oudomxay city then heading out the town to Pakbeng, along the way, we visit some Khmu, Tai Dam (Black Thai), Hmong villages and arrive at Pakbeng and enjoy the daily evening. Hill tribe market before check in into hotel. Overnight in Pakbeng.

Day 7: Pakbeng – HoueiSay (Boat) (B)
Today, we embark on a traditional boat, upstream on Magic of Mekong River. This portion of the Mekong River is not too large but both banks of the river are bordered by very beautiful mountain ranges and green forest. Along the way, we stop over at Ban Houeilampen to visit the Hmong hill tripe people, who are very poor but have unique culture. On arrival at HoueiSay and taking a ferry boat crossing Mekong to Chiangkhong (Thailand).

Accommodation Options

Tour includes:
• Tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
• Private English speaking guide
• Boat cruise as stated
• Elephant riding 2 hrs
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary with local foods (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Government taxes & Service charges

Tour excludes:
• International airfare & airport tax
• Visa in Laos (available at the airport at 30 USD)
• Transfer from Houeisay pier to Chiangkhoang (Thailand)
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
• Personal expenses such as  Telephone and Laundry bills.
• Tips and gratuities