Itinerary in brief:
Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave
Itinerary in brief:
Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave
Itinerary detail:
Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane (B)
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos. After a short rest, an orientation walk of Lao Capital is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture. The perfect way to finish the day is to enjoy a drink and a meal and one of the riverside restaurants on the Mekong taking in the sunset. Overnight in Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)
You will be picked up from your hotel this morning and enjoy a city tour of the capital. We visit the major sights; including 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. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. From there, we visit the central market or ‘Morning Market’ which is a great place for antiques, handmade textiles and gifts.
After lunch we have time to visit the National Museum former which exhibits artifacts, photos and legends of Laos’s history fighters and leaders from the ancient times to the new revolution period. We then board our short flight to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City of Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia with a huge amount of tranquility and charm. On arrival, we transfer you to your hotel. After a short rest, your guide will lead you up the steps to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient city and the Mekong River. In the evening you may wish to visit the Night Market, which is great for local textiles and local art. Overnight in Luang Prabang .
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave (B)
After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On our way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan, then continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun. We cross to city and take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave (B)
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. This is a real highlight of the tour prior to saying goodbye to this charming city. Following breakfast, we visit The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture. Depending on your departing flight, your guide can also take you to visit the silver smith’s, where they make fine local jewellery, the Fine Arts School or the Central Market. We then say farewell and depart this ancient city.
