AUTHENTIC LAOS

AUTHENTIC LAOS

BRIEFING AND TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY 

Day 1
LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL

Meet your guide on arrival, transfer and check-in to your hotel. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Luang Prabang, answer any questions you have, and make arrangements for the following day. Enjoy free time for the remainder of the first day.

Nestled in a mountain valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers is the enchanting World Heritage town and former royal capital of Luang Prabang. It’s a magical and captivating place with stunning colonial architecture, ornate monasteries and colourful markets. Rise early to witness the ancient dawn ritual of saffron robed monks collecting alms, discover the hundreds of Buddha sculptures in Pak Ou Caves, see the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall and climb Phou Si hill to watch the sun sink slowly behind the Mekong River.

Luang Prabang has many great cafes and restaurants and also night food stalls which emerge at dusk. Ask your guide for personal recommendations.

Included meals: None
Accommodation in LUANG PRABANG

Day 2
LUANG PRABANG – HIGHLIGHTS CITY VISIT

After breakfast, we visit the quaint Royal Palace Museum that provides a fine overview of the culture and history of this ancient city.  We follow the quiet back lanes to the beautiful historical Huan Chuan Heritage House, taking in its historical items and architectural charms while learning about the connection it has with the Royal Palace. After a refreshing Iced Tea in the gardens, we continue our walk up the peninsula to the country’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xiengthong. With its roof that sweeps low towards the ground, this temple’s architecture best represents the classical Luang Prabang style. We wander the temple grounds before crossing the road to Wat Khili where this temple’s charming traditional library building houses an historic photo exhibition of Buddhist heritage.

In the early afternoon, we first visit the excellent ‘Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre’, which gives a great insight into the rich and diverse ethnic and cultural blend of Laos.  We then transfer out of town and visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Back in town, we continue to Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape.

There are 3 options for the final stop of the day;

• Transfer to Mt Phousi for a climb up the sacred hill that offers spectacular sunset vista and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and across the Mekong River.
• If you prefer to beat the steps (or the crowds on busy days) transfer to Wat Prabath Tai for a more accessible sunset experience.
• If you prefer to witness the evening Monk Chants, visit Wat Aham, where monks and novices come together in the colourful prayer hall for their daily rituals. Greet the eager novices returning from monk school and take in the meditative chants.

Note: The T.A.E.C. is closed on Mondays

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in LUANG PRABANG

Day 3
LUANG PRABANG – TAK BAT & PAK OU CAVE

You can discuss with your guide for an optional early morning start (5.30am) to witness and partake in the daily morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’ or giving alms to the monks.  This is a unique ritual still followed by the locals in Luang Prabang.  We can also visit the local fresh market to see how the locals shop, before returning to your hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we transfer to the peninsula boat landing, where we board a private boat for a cruise up the Mighty Mekong River. Enjoy the tranquil countryside passing by, until we reach the village of Ban Muangkeo where we start a short trek to reach the mysterious Pak Ou caves, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Lunch at lcoal restauant. We then return downstream, making a stop at Wat Done Khoun temple, a unique temple situated on an island in the Mekong, before continuing to Luang Prabang where we arrive by mid-afternoon.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in LUANG PRABANG

Day 4
LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATERFALL

After breakfast, we visit the local Phosi Market, this is the place where all the locals shop and your guide will show and explain to you the diverse offerings on display. We also stop at Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving process will be explained.

We then drive out of the town where you have the option of stopping to visit Khmu, Hmong and Lao Loum villages, representing the main ethnic groups of Laos. This then takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails.  Enjoy your picnic lunch at the falls. Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre, that does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear.

We then return to Luang Prabang by mid afternoon and rest of the day is free at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in LUANG PRABANG

Day 5
LUANG PRABANG > FLY TO VIENTIANE

Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before being transferred to the airport for your flight.

Meet your guide on arrival, transfer and check-in to your hotel. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Vientiane, answer any questions you have, and make arrangements for the following day.

Set on a sweeping bend of the Mekong River, Vientiane is the tranquil and timeless capital of Laos with a kaleidoscope of architectural styles and influences ranging from traditional Lao to Thai, Chinese, French, Soviet and American. Discover crumbling French mansions, the golden spires of Pha That Luang, ancient atmospheric temples, bizarre sculptures and the Patuxai Monument, the Arc de Triomphe of Laos. From steaming noodle bars to riverside cafes, Vientiane will surprise and delight you with its quaint placid charm.

Enjoy the afternoon to explore Vientiane. Vientiane has many great restaurants with Lao, Thai, French, Italian, Mexican and Chinese cuisines available. Ask your guide for personal recommendations.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in VIENTIANE

Day 6
VIENTIANE – BUDDHA PARK & CAROL CASSIDY

Accompanied by your guide, drive southeast of the city to the Buddha Park, built in 1958 by Luang Pu, a yogi-priest shaman. The park is a fanciful garden full of Buddhist and Hindu religious sculptures which appear to be centuries old. They include statues of Shiva, Krishna, Buddha and many other deities. Of particular interest is a giant pumpkin shaped concrete monument, with three levels joined by interior stairways. The three levels are said to represent hell, earth and heaven. The cement statues are ornate and many are bizarre in design.

In the afternoon visit the weaving home-studio of Mrs Carol Cassidy, an American textiles expert who arrived in Vientiane in 1989 as part of a United Nations project to promote traditional weaving. Carol was so impressed by the quality and diversity of weaving throughout Laos that she set up the Lao Textiles Studio in Vientiane. Today the studio employs over forty local weavers who create naturally dyed and woven silk pieces reflecting traditional Lao designs. Learn about the weaving techniques or make a purchase at the gift shop to help support the cause.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in VIENTIANE

DAY 7
VIENTIANE – HIGHLIGHTS CITY VISIT

Your half day city tour, begins with the oldest wat in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which now serves as a museum of arts and antiques.  We then travel up Lanexang Avenue you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxai Monument, which resembles its Parisian inspiration, the Arc de Triomphe.  The climb to the top offers great views over Vientiane.   We continue onwards down Rue Singha 23 to Laos’ National icon, and most important religious building, the golden stupa of That Luang.

The final visit of the day will be the excellent COPE exhibition centre, 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 area.  We then return to your hotel.

Note: Carol Cassidy is closed on Saturday-afternoon and on Sunday

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in VIENTIANE

Day 8
VIENTIANE > FLY TO PAKSE – BOLAVEN PLATEAU

Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before being transferred to the airport for your flight.

Upon arrival in Pakse you will be met by your driver and guide.  Today you will be taken by road east into 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 Houey Ten, a village specializing in knifemaking.  We then stop tea plantation, followed by a stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall.  We then make a stop at a coffee plantation.  We then drive direct to Champasak, arriving there early evening.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in CHAMPASAK

Day 9
CHAMPASAK – WAT PHOU

After breakfast you will be transfer to Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5^th Century.  This dramatically sited temple is one of the highlights of any trip to Laos. After your visit you be transfer back to Hotel where you have the rest of the day to relax.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in CHAMPASAK

Day 10
CHAMPASAK – 4000 ISLAND TOUR

After an early morning breakfast, we cross over to the mainland and drive south to Ban Hatsaikhone, where we board a local private boat for a boat tour of the 4000 Islands. We reach the picturesque island of Don Khone by lunchtime, and in the afternoon explore the island by bicycle, tracing the route of an old abandoned railway and admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings, and the beautiful Liphi Waterfall. We then return to our boat and head back to the mainland, visiting the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia. In the late afternoon we drive back to Champasak, arriving there by early evening.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in CHAMPASAK

Day 11
CHAMPASAK – PAKSE DEPARTURE

Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before being transferred to Pakse airport for your flight.

Included meals: Breakfast  

TOUR PRICE(S):

Standard 3*    : from US $ 1,533
Superior 4*     : from US $ 1,896
Deluxe 5*        : from US $ 2,113

* Prices are based on twin/ double share for group of at least 02 passengers travelling together and depend on availability and season.

All our itineraries can be customised. For questions or further information, Enquire Now!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION