10-Days Tour in Laos

Tour Code: ETC 103

Day 1: Arrival - Luang Prabang

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best-preserved city in South East Asia’. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: _/_/_

Day 2: Luang Prabang – City Tour - Pak Ou Caves

After breakfast, your short city tour starts with a visit to Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. Our first stop is the village of Ban Muangkeo where we start a short trek to reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local specialty of rice wine is produced. Then we return to Luang Prabang by car. Also, we have the option to visit the weaving textile and Sa papermaking villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Then we arrive back in Luang Prabang by late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Meals: Breakfast/_/_ Note: during the rainy season (May-September) the itinerary is subject to change due to the weather conditions, an alternative program is available.

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Hmong Experience and Kuang Si Waterfall

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning ritual of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms from the faithful residents. This procession is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the tradition. Afterward, we have the option of visiting the local morning market, before returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we visit the Royal Palace Museum which hosts a range of interesting artifacts (closed on Tuesday). We also stop at Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving center. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving process will be explained. Next, we drive to Ban Thinkeo.

Hmong minority to learn about their culture and traditional. We then continue to Kuang Si Waterfall, where you will enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the beautiful multi-tiered falls. You also have the opportunity to cool off in the turquoise blue pools. Afterwards, we return to Luangprabang continue to visit Wat Visoun and watermelon stupa Late this afternoon stretching your legs climb Mount Phousi, which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. Afterward, strolling through the night market (open between 5pm-10pm) setting in downtown selling a large variety of local textiles and ethnic handicrafts. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/_ Note: during the rainy season (May-September) the itinerary is subject to change due to the weather conditions, an alternative program is available.

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Xiengkhuang (Road)

We start early this morning, around 8 am for the drive to Xiengkhuang, famous for the ‘Plain of Jars’. The road follows a twisty mountain route, and we make our first stop at Houi Hei, which offers great views of the surrounding mountains. Then we go to Ban Kiu Marknao 2, a Khmu village to explore, before arriving in Phou Khoun for lunch. We continue on the road into Xiengkhuang province, reaching our highest altitude of the day 1500m above sea level, just after Phou Khoun. At the end, we have time to make a stop at Ban Son Boom, a Hmong village.

Our final stops of the day are a reminder that this region played a major part during the Vietnam War – as we visit a hidden Buddha Cave, that served as an army hospital during the war. We arrive at your hotel by early evening. if time permits visits the Mines Action Group (MAG) office. (The road journey today takes approximately 7-8 hours including stops on the way) Overnight in Xiengkhuang.

Meals: Breakfast/_/_

Day 5: Xiengkhouang – Vientiane (Flight)

After breakfast transfer out to visit Jar Site 1 and site 2 located on top of a hill offering great views of the surrounding countryside. Then driving out to the ancient town of Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital, where you can explore the ruins of a number of ancient pagodas in the Lanna style and Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha. We return back to Phonsavan town, and going on to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. Flight from Xiengkhuang to Vientiane with Lao airlines on QV402 departs at 14:40, arrives at 15:10. (Note: the flight schedules are subject to change without prior notice from the airlines) Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane.

Meals: Breakfast/_/_

Day 6: Vientiane – Half day city tour

Your half day city tour, begin with the oldest, Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Wat Si Muang, site of the lak meuang (pillar-stone) of Vientiane, Si Muang temple is home to the guardian spirit of the statues. You have the option to visit the excellent COPE exhibition center, highlighting a much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day to day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era. Overnight in Vientiane.

Meals: Breakfast/_/_

Day 7: Vientiane – Pakse –Khong Island (Flight)

You will be transferred to the airport early this morning for the flight to Pakse. Flight from Vientiane to Pakse with Lao airlines on QV301 departs at 08:35, arrives at 09:50. (Note: the flight schedules are subject to change without prior notice from the airlines) Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred directly onto a private traditional boat for a 2- hour cruise to Champassak.

Disembark at this ancient town, of the Champa Kingdom; continue by car to Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became recognized by UNESCO in 2002. Wat Phou is the site of ruins which were once part of a temple built sometime before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It contains some of the most Ancient Khmer architectures which date back to between the 7-11th centuries. In the afternoon you will drive to Don Khong, an area of 4000 islands which is the widest point of the Mekong River during the rainy season, although during the dry months the river recedes, leaving behind thousands of islands and islets.

This area of the river is also famous for being the home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. En route, we visit the atmospheric ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo, located in the forest. Arrive at Khong Island via ferry early evening. Overnight on Khong Island.

Meals: Breakfast/_/_

Day 8: Khong Island – Surrounding

Following breakfast, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a long tail boat tour to Don Khone, where we disembark and have the option of exploring the island by bicycle, which takes you to visit the remains of the French period and Liphi Waterfall or "the Corridor of the Devil". We return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia; this is a really impressive site near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Then we drive back to Khong Island. Overnight on Khong Island.

Meals: Breakfast/_/_

Day 9: Khong Island – Bolaven Plateau – Pakse

This morning we leave early and drive north to the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Our first stop is to visit Lak Sipkao (Kilometre19), a Laven village specializing in knifemaking. We then stop at a tea plantation, followed by a stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall. We then make a stop at a coffee plantation, en route to Tha Teng Market, a colorful ethnic minority food market. Next, we explore another interesting minority village, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village, that boasts a sacrificial altar. We arrive at the beautiful Tadlo Waterfall by late afternoon and head back to Pakse, stopping at Ban Houi Hun, Katu foot weaving textile, where they keep coffins under their houses, before arriving back in Pakse by early evening. Overnight in Pakse.

Meals: Breakfast/_/_

Day 10: Pakse – Departure

After breakfast; there will be free time for your own exploration of Pakse Town before catching a flight to Siem Reap-Cambodia or exiting Laos overland from the Chongmek International checkpoint to Ubon Ratchathani Thailand.

Meals: Breakfast/_/_

END OF SERVICES

HIGHLIGHTS & INCLUDE

• Experiencing the peaceful ambiance of Luang Prabang and visiting its cultural heritage sites
• Visiting the sacred Pak Ou Caves and a traditional Lao textile village by boat
• Watching a procession of saffron-robed monks collecting alms at sunrise
• Feeling the mist of one of Asia's most spectacular natural attractions, Kuang Si Waterfalls
• Wandering around in Laos' capital, Vientiane and visiting some of its highlights
• Hiking on the Bolaven Plateau, in Pakse, surrounded by incredible natural beauty
• Seeing Khmer temples at Wat Phou and visiting mysterious ruins on an elephant
• Cruising through 4000 Islands and witnessing the largest waterfalls in Asia

NOTES:

• In the wet season, the drive by minivan is not very comfortable due to the slippery road. So we recommend 4WD truck (prices accordingly)
• Prices are in USD, per person, based on two people traveling together and sharing a room. At Laos Senses Travel, we carefully select all hotels, homestays, and guesthouses to ensure that your accommodations match our standards of trip and service excellence.
• Prices include the following: .All hotel accommodation including all taxes and breakfast.Internal economy flights as stated with airport taxes.All transfers & sightseeing transportation in private vehicle.Private services of local guides.All special events & private tours, guest experts.All entrance fees into historical sights & museums.Drinking water and refreshing towels for touring. 24/7 support from the Laos Senses Travel Team