Day 1: Vientiane Arrival
Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we start to visit the major sights of the capital including Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in town dating back to 1828. We will also visit Haw Pha Kaew, the former Royal temple of Laos Monarchy, now converted into a museum and Pha That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos and the Patuxai Monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. From there, we explore the Central Market.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B)
We take a short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. On arrival, we transfer you to hotel and then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a superb view over the town and river. From there, we walk through the streets of Luang Prabang to visit lively street night market.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 3: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave (B)
Today we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Continue to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then take a boat ride upstream on the Mekong River to 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 local rice wine. On return, we overland local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan, continue seeing the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belongs to royal family patronage and near by Sackarine Caves. We cross to city and take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Khouangsi Waterfalls (B)
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. You will visit the Phosi Market where you will see a numerous diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea, vegetables, and hill-tribe weavings.
We also visit some local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village before drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall. Here you can enjoy fresh atmosphere, splash in the pools or walk along the forest paths. We continue to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village and return to the city by late evening for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 5: Luang Prabang Departure (B)
We take time this morning to visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, and the Central Market before transfer to the airport for departure flight.
(B) : Breakfast (L) : Lunch (D) : Dinner
Hotels to be used:
In Vientiane: Deluxe: Lao Plaza Hotel or similar Superior: Novotel Hotel or similar Standard: Inter City Hotel/ Beau Rivage Hotel or similar Economy: Day Inn Hotel/ B & P Hotel
In Luang Prabang: Deluxe: The Grand Hotel or similar Superior: Villa Santi Hotel or similar Standard: Ancient Luang Prabang Hotel or similar Economy: Sanakeo Hotel or similar
* All hotels are subject to availability
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