| Day 1: Arrival - Vientiane |
| On arrival at Wattay Airport or Friendship Bridge, you are met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. On the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is the charming and fascinating capital of Laos. This small city conjures up exotic images, with the curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French influences. After a short rest, we start our city tour with Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha statues. The following sight is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the imposing Patouxai Monument well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triomphe before continuing to the great sacred structure and symbol of Laos, That Luang Stupa. Overnight in Vientiane. |
| Day 2: Vientiane - Luang Prabang |
| The royal capital of the former Lane Xang Kingdom, Luang Prabang with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop retains an unique charm rarely found in all Asia. This morning we take a short flight to Luang Prabang. There is plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai with five tiered roofs. We include these sights in a half day guided tour which ends with a climb to Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the town and the Mekong River. There are 329 steps leading us on zigzag way past various temples to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat Phousi at the summit. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B) |
| Day 3: Luang Prabang - Pakou - Luang Prabang |
| Today we continue seeing this town with the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, which nestles at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. The temple structures are decorated in various ways with gilded stuccoes and doorways while the main sim has a marvellous 'tree life' mosaic pattern on an outer wall. We board a boat for a leisurely trip on the Mekong River, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai to visit the distillation of local rice wine. Upon leaving this village we wave our wave through the stunning mountain landscape to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. They are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, all brought there by devout villagers. After the river trip we drive towards Ban Phanom and visit the hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B,L) |
| Day 4: Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang (Overland) |
| The next destination of our trip will be Xieng Khouang. Upon leaving Upon leaving the town we drive out to Xieng Khouang, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Laos. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long , but we can can make many stops at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. Depending the roads and traffic conditions , the drive wil deliver us to Xieng Khouang by mid or late afternoon. After checking into hotel we enjoy a short walk to catch our first glimpse of the town. Overnight in Xieng Khouang. (B) |
| Day 5: Xieng Khouang - Vientiane |
| Upon leaving the town we drive out to visit the "Plan of Jars" , an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. These huge jars are supposedly over 2,000 years old, but most of archaeologists are still mystified about their purpose. We then continue exploring the province's old capital of Muang Khun and the nearby villages. They are home of the Hmong hilltribe people who are very poor but possess an interesting culture and a colourful history. In the mid afternoon we board a short flight taking us over the mountainour region back to Vientiane. The remainder of the day will be free for your own exploration of the town. Overnight in Vientiane. (B) |
| Day 6: Vientiane - Pakse - Khong Island |
| The journey southwards begins as we board our morning flight to Pakse. On arrival we are greeted and transferred to the boat landing for a leisurely trip to the former royal capital of Champasak, our base for exploring the ruin of Wat Phu. This impressive site is well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between 9th and 13th century. The festival of this site is yearly held during the full moon in February and attracts numerous pilgrims from all over southern Laos. After an enjoyable visit to the ruin of Wat Phu and some nearby temples such as Nang Sia and Thao Tao we make our way to Khong Island, our final destination. Overnight in Khong Island. (B) |
| Day 7: Khong Island |
| Heading out of town we embark on a long tail boat for venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islets jut out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name" Si Phan Done ". Along the way we will anchor at the peaceful island of Ban Khone for a visit to the many relics of French colonial period and the marvelous rushing Liphi falls also called the " Corridor of the Devil". The next stop of our trip is Ban Na Kasang, a very pleasant village where we can see the different local lifestyle. After the river trip we travel by roads southwards to explore the Lao-Cambodia border at Weukham and the impressive sight of Khone Phapheng, which boasts Southeast Asia's largest water falls. Overnight in Khong Island.( B) |
| Day 8: Khong Island - Tatlo - Pakse |
| An early morning start to drive towards Tatlo, which is a great way to discover the real southern Laos as we drive past many lush plantations, hills, forests and villages. The deep contrast of lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible all along the way. On arrival at Tatlo we visit the spectacular waterfall of Xeset and the nearby villages, home of the Kato, Alack and Nge hilltribe groups. These ethnic minorities still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. We continue our journey through Paksong and Boloven Plateau. A part of our pleasure of travelling in this region is to observe the beautiful countryside and meet local people. Overnight in Pakse. (B) |
| Day 9: Pakse - Vientiane |
| The capital city of southern Laos is Pakse, which looks over the confluence of the Mekong and Xedone Rivers. After breakfast we enjoy a short guided tour of this bustling riverside town and travel by air back to Vientiane. On arrival we visit Talat Sao, also known as "morning market", where anything and everything is for sales. We then transfer out to explore the impressive Friendship Bridge which links Laos and Thailand, and the Buddha Park. This landmark represents a curious blend of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created by mystical monk on a parkland located by the Mekong River. A perfect way to round off the day is to watch the spectacular sunset over the Mekong River from one of riverside bars. Overnight in Vientiane. (B) |
| Day 10: Vientiane - Departure |
| There is a free time for your own exploration of the city and catching up on some shopping areas. The trip ends after your transfer to the airport for departure. (B) |
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Tour
Cost in US Dollar per person (Minimum of 2 person)
|
||||
|
Group
size
|
Standard
|
First
Class
|
Superior
|
Deluxe
|
|
2
pax
|
1,362
|
1,485
|
1,550
|
1,762
|
|
3-5
pax
|
1,135
|
1,260
|
1,324
|
1,542
|
|
6-9
pax
|
1,020
|
1,142
|
1,205
|
1,429
|
|
10-14
pax
|
890
|
1,012
|
1,075
|
1,302
|
|
15-19
pax
|
860
|
984
|
1,048
|
1,274
|
|
20
pax & up
|
860
|
982
|
1,047
|
1,274
|
|
Single
suppl.
|
168
|
272
|
330
|
555
|
|
Full
board suppl.
|
204
|
228
|
258
|
290
|
|
Included :
|
Not included
:
|
Pre-booking enquiries or to book a room