Laos Holiday 5 days

Destination: Vientiane/Xiang Khoang/Luang Prabang

Highlights: This holiday offers various interesting activities in Vientiane where history and architecture still intact, and in Luang Prabang, the former Royal capital of Laos Lanexang now registered as a world heritage site. You'll be able to visit beautiful temples, the caves at Pak Ou, the waterfall and hill tribe people. You'll also have sightseeing in Xieng Khuang - there lies the 2,000 - 3,000 year old Plain of Jars and numerous must-see points.

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/Xieng Khuang (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Xieng Khuang, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, you transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars 1, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. You also have time, this afternoon seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. You'll spend the night in Phonsavanh in Xieng Khuang.

Day 3: Xieng Khuang/Luang Prabang by car (B)

Early morning, you'll visit Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch different Hill Tribes to barter and exchange merchandises. Then heading out the this small town to Luang Prabang, on the way, you?ll be dropped off to see a site more than 200 years old Buddha images in Thampra and varied Hmong and varied hill tribe minority villages along the road. They are nice, friendly and welcome you to visit. After a photo stop, you?ll continue driving up hill, enjoying mountain splendid natural scenery, forest and landscape. After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, where the T-junction of bordering meets Vientiane - Xiengkhouang - Luang Prabang. The journey will take us over mountainous region to Luang Prabang. The tranquillity and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After checking into hotel, [if time permits] you'll start seeing the impressive sputa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai. You'll then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded sputa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, you'll explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. You'll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

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

After breakfast, you'll enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. You then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, you'll stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, you take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. You'll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 5: Luang Prabang departure (B)

After breakfast, you'll have a 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 are not to be missed. You'll visit these sights in the morning before catching a flight departs this small, charming city of former royal capital. 

Prices per person in US$: 

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.
• One way domestic flight ticket: Vientiane - Xieng Khoang, including domestic airport taxes.
• 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.
• Government Taxes.

Price do not include:

• Flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas.
• Meals 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)
• Xieng Khuang: Vansana Hotel (*** local standard)
• 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
• Xieng Khuang: Vansana Hotel (*** local standard)
• 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
• Xieng Khuang: Vansana Hotel (*** local standard)
• Luang Prabang: New Luang Prabang (*** local standard) or similar

Hotel list for Two Star standard 

• Vientiane:B & P Hotel (** newly built boutique hotel located in the heart of city centre) or similar 
• Xieng Khuang: Vansana Hotel (*** local standard)
• Luang Prabang: Rama Hotel (** local standard) or similar