Destination: Vientiane/Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang

Highlights: Take the excursion to capture scenic landscapes and remarkable culture in the land of a million elephants country. You'll hit major sites in the capital Vientiane, enjoy a panoramic view around small islands at Nam Ngum Lake, stop at fishing village, visit one of the deepest caves near Vang Vieng - a small town surrounded by mountains and rivers, witness the rural life of various ethnic groups at small villages on the way to the World Heritage City Luang Prabang and more.

Details Itinerary: 

Code: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide  

Day 1: Vientiane arrival

Up on arrival Vientiane Capital Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, the city of the moon - an ancient city, situated on the bend on the left bank of the Mekong River as the largest city and the capital of Laos, you'll be met and driven to check-in your hotel. In the afternoon, you'll have sightseeing tour of Vientiane. You'll visit a religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, Symbol  of Lao nation the single most important monument in Laos which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane. You'll spend the night in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane/Nam Ngum Lake/Vang Vieng (B)

After breakfast at hotel, you'll have an excursion by road No. 10 to Nam Ngum Lake (90 km), with hundreds of small islands. You en route stop to visit a cottage-salt factory, where natural salt are extracted at Ban Bor village. After arriving at Nam Ngum Lake at around noon, you can enjoy Laos' food at a restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll take a boat ride about 1 hour for panoramic view around small islands. You'll continue to drive by the road 13th north into the central highlands, on the way we also stop at Ban Tha Heua, fishing village. You'll arrive in Vang Vieng and catch the sunset over the mountains. You'll spend the night in Vang Vieng.

Day 3: Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang (B)

In the morning, you'll visit Chang cave, one of the deepest caves which is near Vang Vieng. You'll drive about 5 hrs to Luang Prabang, the ancient first capital of Lane Xang kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and today the World Heritage City. A long the way, photo-stops can be made for beautiful scenery with mountain range and also to see rural life of various ethnic groups at small villages. Arrive in Luang Prabang, you'll transfer to hotel for check-in and the rest of the day is spent free for own exploration of this ancient town. You'll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Cave (B)

After breakfast, you'll depart to visit Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple which, more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture and you'll then take a boat trip about a few hours upstream on the Mekong to visit Pak Ou cave in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height. En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Our first stop will be at Ban Muangkeo, a well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky, namely Laoh-Khao to be distilled. You are welcome to taste it and also take away. Lunch is at a riverside restaurant. You arrive back at Luang Prabang in late afternoon, and climb Phousi Hill, the 328 steps leads to the summit of Phousi hill that dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang overlooking the finest panoramic view in the whole Luang Prabang. You'll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 5: Luang Prabang/Kuang Si Waterfall (B)

Breakfast at the hotel, you'll then visit Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana - Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; and excursion by road 30KM to  Kuangsi Waterfall, which though not very high, but it is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the national protected forest area. You can enjoy a picnic lunch in the shady park nearby Kuangsi Waterfall, where there is a plenty of time for relaxing and a swim in the cool water before we drive back to Luang Prabang. After arriving in Luang Prabang, you'll continue to drive outskirt of town to visit Ban Xangkhong, a well-known village for its wood paper making and Ban Phanom Lao silk weavings with natural dyes. You'll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 6: Luang Prabang departure (B) 

After breakfast, you depart to visit the National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, gifts received from foreign dignitaries etc, if time permits, the rest of the day is spent free for own experience in this charming town, till transfer to Luang Prabang airport for departure to next destination.  

Prices per person in US$: 

Valid until December 31, 2007

Surcharge for peak season of hotels are not inclusive in the prices above.

Prices include:

• Breakfast and accommodation in twin or double room.

• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.

• Boat cruise as in the programme

• English-speaking tour guide as indicated in the itinerary.

• Entry fees for all sightseeing as mentioned in the programme.

• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the local restaurants.

• Government Taxes.

Price do not include:

• Flight tickets and airport tax.

• Visas.

• Dinners except as specified.

• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Stars standard

• Vientiane: Donchan Palace (***** along the Mekong River within easy reach to the city's  main business district, Superior room)

• Vang Vieng: Vansana Hotel (*** peacefully nestled on the banks of the Nam Song River)

• Luang Prabang: Boutique Hotel les 3 Nagas (***** the Boutique hotel located in the heart of Luang Prabang's historical peninsula)

Hotel list for Four Stars standard

• Vientiane: Novotel Hotel (**** one of the first international hotel in Laos, city centre location) or similar

• Vang Vieng: Vansana Hotel (*** peacefully nestled on the banks of the Nam Song River)

• Luang Prabang: Grand Luang Prabang Hotel (***** combines modern convenience with traditional Laos)
  

Hotel list for Three Stars standard

• Vientiane: Lanexang Hotel (*** city centre) or similar 

• Vang Vieng: The Elephant Crossing Hotel (*** boutique hotel located on the bank Nam Song river) or similar
• Luang Prabang: New Luang Prabang (*** local standard) or similar

Hotel list for Two Stars standard 

• Vientiane: B & P Hotel (** newly built boutique hotel located in the heart of city centre) or similar  
• Vang Vieng: The Elephant Crossing Hotel (*** boutique hotel located on the bank Nam Song river) or similar 
• Luang Prabang: Rama Hotel (** local standard) or similar

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