Charm of Laos

Itinerary in details

• DAY 01: LUANG PRABANG - ARRIVAL

  Arrive at Luang Prabang airport then transfer to the hotel, free time

  Overnight at Luang Prabang

• DAY 02: LUANG PRABANG - CITY TOUR ( B,L)

  Welcome to Luang Prabang. Your guide will meet you at the airport upon arrival and bring you to your hotel.

  Then enjoy a half -day spin around Luang Prabang and you will understand why it deserves the World Heritage title! Visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Continue to visit Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Visit Wat Xieng Thong further emphasizes the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. See also the impressive “tree of life” mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes from the Ramayana.

  Climb up Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits a top the mountain, along side the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns!

  Shopping night market, where hundred of Hmong vendors display their handmade handicraft. Diner on your own but our guide recommence the nice restaurants in town for you.

  Overnight in Luang Prabang.

• DAY 03: LUANG PRABANG  - PLAIN OF JARS ( B,L)

• DAY 4: MORNING MARKET – DRIVE TO VANG VIENG – EXPLORE VANG VIENG & SURROUNDINGS(B,L)

  After breakfast, visit Morning Market, first market in Vientiane, to spend time shopping on your own. Drive to Vang Vieng, about 3 hours from the capital. Once a key military airfield during the Indochina wars, the town’s central feature is the long-abandoned runway along the eastern side of town. On the west side, a small river separates the town from the nearby caves & mountains, which can easily be visited from town. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant en route. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

• DAY 5: EXPLORE CAVES – PANORAMIC DRIVE TO PHONSAVAN – PLAIN OF JARS(B,L)

  After breakfastl, check out of your hotel; visit the local market and then the ThamJang caves through which flows a crystal clear stream. Drive ahead to Phonsavan, known for the Plain of Jars, about 6-7hours drive that passes through splendid scenery and past many panoramic lookout points on the winding mountaintop road. There are several stops en route to take in the scenery. Welcome to Phonsavan! Uon arrival check in at your hotel before escorting you to the Plain of Jars, an impressive archeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. Have lunch at a local restaurant, and then continue to visit the old capital of Muang Khun Province and nearby hilltribe villages. They have a fascinating culture and a colorful history. Return in the late afternoon to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Overnight in Phonsavan.

• DAY 6: DRIVE TO LUANG PRABANG – DISCOVER WORLD HERITAGE & TEMPLE SITES(B,L)

  After Breakfast, we take a half day drive to the former Royal capital, Luang Prabang. It takes around 6,5 hours to arrive. En route we stop to talk with local ethnic people who have built their houses and settle down along the road. Also enjoy the very beautiful landscape that will make you temporary forget your home town. Upon arrival your guide will meet you and bring you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

• DAY 7: WORLD HERITAGE & TEMPLE SITES

  After breakfast enjoy Visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Continue to visit Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Visit Wat Xieng Thong further emphasizes the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. See also the impressive “tree of life” mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes from the Ramayana. Climb up Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, along side the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns! Overnight at same hotel.

• DAY 8: ROYAL PALACE MUSEUM – MEKONG RIVER BOAT EXPERIENCE – PAK OU BUDDHA CAVES(B,L)

  After Breakfast at Hotel Visit the National Museum, once a king’s palace. Displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries.

  Begin a Mekong Riverboat trip with your guide on the mighty Mekong River to visit the famous & sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Ou Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Lunch local restaurant, return to the town late after noon visit Por Sa Paper Handicraft & textile area at Ban Xang Khong. Overnight at same hotel.

• DAY 9: KUANG SI WATERFALL(B,L)

  After breakfast, Drive to the Tad Khuang Sii waterfall. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green tint due to the high mineral content. You can climb the stairs and look down from various high viewpoints on the way to the top! Enjoy a picnic lunch and later in the afternoon return to the hotel to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

• DAY 10: VIENTIANE - CITY TOUR
  

  After breakfast, you will head to the outskirts of Vientiane, following the road along the Mekong River to visit Xieng Khuan Buddha Park, the park, 28km east of Vientiane, containsover a hundred status of indu divinities and Buddha. You drive past villages on the bank of the Mekong and will be rewarded with beautiful views of vegetable gardens and tobacco plantations. It is a perfect photo opportunity and the chance to see rural life in Laos.

  You will also get a chance to see the Mekong Friendship Bridge, which serves as the border between Laos and Thailand . Return to Vientiane town and visit Ban Nongbua hong, a hand­ weaving village. Take a walk along the Mekong’s riverside before heading back to the hotelfor the night.

  After breakfast, drive out of town visit the elepahnt camp at Ban Noon. On the way, stop at the famous and well-knwon village, Ban Phom Nom, almost of those villagers are weavers. They used to be servants and made handicraft souveniors for the last king of Laos. Another stop at Henrimouhot monument at Kang Noon, a french man, who founded Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, but he died at Kang Noon when he moved to Laos for his discovery as Mararia.

  Then continue to the camp. At your arrival, your guide will brief about those 10 elephants jabout original come from and daily living condition, and take some vegetables for those elephant, return to the town. The rest of the day is free on your own.

  Overnight in Vientiane.

• DAY 11: VIENTIANE - DEPARTURE

  After breakfast, relax before you transfer to the airport, or enjoy our optional program.

   End of services!