ESSENTIALS OF LAOS
(7 days/ 6 nights)
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VIENTIANE
Meals included: Lunch
Upon arrival in the morning and after hotel check-in, we will set out for the afternoon city tour. The tour includes some major sites of the city: The oldest, Wat Sisaket, with its many of miniature Buddha statues, and Wat Prakeo, the former royal temple which houses the well-known Emerald Buddha Image. After these, we will continue on with the national symbol of Laos, That Luang Stupa, have a short stop on the way for a photo opportunity of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane
DAY 2: VIENTAINE – VANG VIENG
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, you will have an early breakfast, then say good-bye to Vientiane capital and make our way northbound. The morning drive takes about 4 hours passing through beutiful rural lands before uphill into the mountainous regions. We will have some stops on the way for photo opportunities and visit colorful local markets. This is a good chance for us to meet various hill tribes who gather around to trade domestic goods and purchase provisions. Around noon, we will arrive in the stunning karst country of Vang Vieng where we have lunch with some local specialties. In the afternoon, we will go to visit Than Jang Cave, it was once used by local people as a shelter from Chinese invasions. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore Vang Vieng by foot or bicycle, take a boat ride up river or just relax by the pool at your hotel. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
DAY 3: VANG VIENG – LUANG PRABANG (Baci Ceremony)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After your breakfast in the hotel, we will start the day with the morning drive further North. The scenery becomes very impressive with hill tribe villages here and there. Our lunch place today is at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, and it is surrounded by the endless mountain peaks in this remote area. In the afternoon, we carry on the journey on Route 13, have stops sometimes on the way for taking photographs of beautiful points. Arrive in Luang Prabang early evening. Check into your hotel. After refreshing yourself and relax, we get ready for the evening traditional Baci & Cultural Show (optional quotation). Out of respect for the nature of this traditional performance, you are requested to wear formal dress and we will provide you with a traditional Lao shoulder scarf. Overnight in Luang Prabang
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG CITY TOUR & COOKING CLASS
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
As usual, the breakfast is served in your hotel. After that, we set out for a bicycling tour of the city with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang. Moving on, it is followed by the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, This temple has its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture. Then, with the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. You will have a special lunch today as you will be cooking the traditional Lao meal at the Tamnak Lao Cooking School. Among the traditional Laotian dishes, you will have time to learn some good ones such as Lap, consisting of minced meat and fresh herbs and spices, a fish and eggplant soup and a stir-fried chicken and pork dish. You will also learn how to make the famous Jeowbong, a traditional sauce eaten as an accompaniment to sticky rice and BBQ meat. After lunch, you will take time to relax at your hotel before paying a late afternoon visit to the Arts and Ethnology Centre where you are able to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. Thence, we will move to climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to admire the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River. We will end the day with the Night Market in Luang Prabang, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hill tribe people surrounding the valley. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 5: KUANGSI WATERFALLS AND PAK OU CAVES
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, if you wish, there is an option and opportunity for you to wake up early and participate in the daily morning ritual of ‘Alms Giving’. This offers you a chance to experience saffron-clad monks collecting offerings or ‘Alms’ from faithful local residents. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the daily procession. Otherwise, you can stay in bed till breakfast time at the hotel. Our tour today is Kuangsi Waterfall and Pak Ou Caves: Get on your private vehicle and make our way to Kuangsi Waterfall. On the way we will have a short stop to attend the morning Phousi Market, this is where local people come to do their daily shopping. At this market, you will see a variety of local foodstuffs and products including dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit, everything needed for daily life in Laos. On arrival at the waterfall, if you want, you will have an opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim in the topaz pools below the falls, walk along the forest trails and visit the Bear Sanctuary. The lunch today is a picnic one. In the afternoon, we head back to Luang Prabang and board our private boat for a pleasant and scenic cruise upstream on the Mekong River, enjoy the scenery at the sides. We will get off the boat to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, these caves are an ancient pilgrimage site and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years. After that, we will return to the city. After disembarking, you have the option of taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving or returning to the hotel for free time to relax. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG WITH LIVING LAND FARM EXPERIENCE
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, we head out to Living Land Farm, a working community farm approximately 5kms from Luang Prabang. There, you will learn all about the rice growing process and have an opportunity to participate in seasonal farm activities such as identifying viable rice seeds, ploughing with a buffalo, hand planting, weeding and harvesting rice and threshing rice seed. You may be picking vegatables from the organic garden or catching fish to cook for your all natural, organic lunch where there will be a variety of local rice products for you to sample. We will return to Luang Prabang late afternoon and have the options to go to a local petangue game and enjoy a few Beer Lao, experience a spa treatment or massage or just relax at the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Note: Petangue game and spa treatment or massage are optional (You can do it on your own or we can help to book)
DAY 7: DEPARTURE FROM LUANG PRABANG
Meals included: Breakfast
Breakfast in the hotel and free at leisure until getting picked up and transferred to the airport for the onward flight. End of service.
***** HAVE A NICE TRIP *****
Inclusive:
Private tours with Local English speaking guide
A/C transport throughout the tours and all Transfers
Entrance fee to any applicable tourist sites
Meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L= Lunch)
Other tours related service stated in the itinerary
Boat cruise as mentioned
Cold water and towel during the trip
Government tax & Service charge
Hotel accommodation (based on twin/double sharing room)
Exclusive:
International and domestic flight tickets
Visa stamps upon arrival
Compulsory Gala Dinner on 24 Dec and 31 Dec
Other meals not mentioned
Tips & personal expenses
Laundry
Other not stated above
Travel insurance.