Thoroughly Laos – Heritage, Nature & Culture
(9 nights, 10 days)
Vientiane – Plain of Jars – Luang Prabang
Description
This rich and complete tour will take you on an excursion to Laos' most beautiful natural sites and cosy towns. In Vientiane, the sleepiest capital of the world, the many beautiful monuments, parks and temples will enchant most. Do not miss the legendary National That Luang Stupa that is covered with gold. Cultural experiences are also strong when you meet and stay with minority tribes in remote villages. Later, the trill of rides in rivers and the swimming in turquoise pounds at the foot of waterfalls can only refresh you. The discovery of mysterious legends surrounding some of the visited places can leave you intrigued. In Luang Prabang, the former royal capital and spiritual center of Laos, you’ll enjoy some of the most interesting fusion of traditional architecture and European colonial style, giving it the status of a World Heritage Site.
Highlights
- Explore the most impressive sights surrounding the former and current capital
- Meet the friendly people and visit some ethnic minority villages
- Enjoy riding and inner-tube down the gentle rapids of the river
- Swim in clear turquoise pools at the foot of waterfalls
- Meet the friendly people and visit some ethnic minority villages
- Discover the remains of the mysterious Plane of Jars
- Witness the long lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas
- See the mysterious Buddha’s of Pak Ou Caves
- Discover That Luang Stupa, a national and religious symbol of Laos.
Program
Day 1. VIENTIANE
Upon arrival Vientiane you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon there will be a tour of Vientiane. Although it is a capital city, Vientiane has a feel of a small provincial town. The wide boulevards are almost devoid of traffic, and with its many temples, the city retain the feel of another age. Our tour includes visit to the major temples of Wats Sisaket, Prakeo, and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country's most important monument. We will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum and the main market. In the evening, following the meal you can enjoy an evening stroll along the banks of the Mekong River. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 2. VIENTIANE – VANG VIENG
Following breakfast at the hotel, head north to the sleepy riverside hamlet of Vang Vieng (approx 3 hours drive). Vang Vieng is a small town next to the Nam Song River and surrounded by jagged limestone karsts. The town is a traveler’s haven with good food, many places to hire bikes to explore the countryside. Along the way to the caves, you will pass through villages where local children will be playing in streams, and where the villagers weave material for sale in local markets and will be only be too happy to invite you into their homes. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 3. VANG VIENG
Today, you are free to explore the city. You can enjoy riding and inner-tube down the river and shoot the gentle rapids of the Nam Song. If you cannot, enjoy the atmosphere while sitting outside of the restaurant and watch the superb sunset over the lake and mountains. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 4. VANG VIENG - PHONSAVAN
Following breakfast, we leave our riverside paradise and drive to the Plain of jars (approx 6 or 7 hours) with a stop half way, for lunch at Sala Phoukhoun. In the afternoon, we travel through high mountains and karsts formations with stopover to visit remote dwellings of ethnic minority villages. You can notice that many houses have looms underneath with which the family’s clothes, bags and accessories are manufactured. Later, we arrive at Phonsavan, the capital of the Xieng Khoung province. Overnight in Phonsavan.
Day 5. PHONSAVAN (Plain of Jars)
After breakfast, we’ll take a short trek to explore the mysterious Plain of Jars (number 2 and 3) and the surrounding area. The jars are thought to be 2000 years old, although there is little proof to date them very accurately. Archaeologist still struggle to confirm the specific purpose of the jars, were they used for funerary urns or to store rice wine remains a mystery until now. Overnight in Phonsavan.
Day 6. PHONSAVAN – LUANG PRABANG
Following breakfast, drive to Luang Prabang (approx 6 or 7 hours) while heading south again with a stopover for lunch at Sala Phoukhou. In the afternoon, we keep on going along the road n° 13 which has beautiful landscapes. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 7. LUANG PRABANG
Following breakfast at the hotel, visit the former king’s palace, which is now a museum. The many items nicely displayed include rare furniture, traditional costumes and arts, jewelry, ornaments as well as working tools and utensils of the early part of the 20th century. When finished, we embark on a tour of this enthralling town to visit Wats Xieng Thong, the Golden City monastery, which dates back to the 16th century and is considered to be the finest in Laos. Furthermore, we visit the fine temples of Wats Mai, Vixoun, and the national stupa of That Luang. Later that day, we adjourn to the Phousi Holy Hill to enjoy the marvelous panoramic views of the town at sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 8. LUANG PRABANG
Today we travel to the lower and upper Pac Ou caves, where thousands of Buddha images are to be found. On the way, we pay a short visit to Ban Xang Hai to learn about traditional process used in the making of local sticky rice alcohol, called “Lao Lao ". We enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Luang Prabang. We then continue to Ban Phanom and Ban Xang Khong, two traditional weaving villages where one can appreciate the skills of local craftspeople in the making of these intricate clothes and hangings. Around 4 pm, we are back in the township where monks of Wat Ho Siang begin to beat the drum and clang the cymbals high in the drum tower. The acoustics are incredible! If we have time, we can climb up the Phousi hill to observe the excellent view of the city and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 9. LUANG PRABANG
This early morning you may want to wake up early and participate in a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander trough town blessing local people who give them offers (mostly sticky rice). After breakfast, a day trip is organized to Kuang Si waterfalls where you can admire turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. The abundance of water forms a magnificent display of nature. Below the Kuang Si are large ponds perfect for swimming and cooling off under the spray. Before enjoying a picnic lunch next to the pools, we will pass stupendous landscapes, teak forests and several ethnic minority villages (Hmong and Khmu). Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon. You can explore the world heritage city by yourself. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 10. LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, transfer is organized to the airport for the departure out of Laos.