TOUR DETAILS

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T our type: History and Culture, Local life, Heritage site, Yin Yang food, Adventure

Duration:   8 day

Availability: Whole year

Participants: Unlimited

Rating: *****

 

VALUE

• Visiting almost highlights of Laos such as: Luang Prabang ancient town on riverside, Xieng Khuang with plain of jars, Vang Vieng with well-known Kuangsi fall, Vientiane capital, Phou Khao Khouay National Park with amazing trekking route through lush forest.

• Savour Yin - Yang food menu for each meal at nice local restaurant

• Get overview of Laos history during Indochina war

• Get deep exploration of the true beauty of Laos - the land of million elephants by reaching some less-touristic places and impacting with the local community.

 

WEATHER NOTICE

• Laos weather is similar to other Asia countries at same area with two main seasons: Dry season from October to late April and Wet season from May to late September. In addition, each season has a range of various temperature. The hottest month is May and June at the begining of Wet season. 

• However, if travel this shoulder season (May - Sept), almost travelers can get lower hotel costs and not crowded.

• When travelling on this land, should bring with you these necessary stuff: anti-sun cream, clothes with long sleeves, hat, sung-glasses and insect-repellent, good shoes, etc... 

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PROGRAM

 

Day 1:  Arrive in Luang prabang - City Tours (B)
"Xa-bai-di" from Luang prabang. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.
In the afternoon, we start visiting the majors sites included National museum, it was a highly recommended attraction in Luang Prabang to learn more about the history of Laos and the royal family. All internal buildings are quite far from each other, so you are advised to bring good shoes with you.

About time schedule, it is opened for short period of time daily and you are required to wear shorts or skirts over the knees. If you miss this dresscode, you can rent long pants from the museum. 

Subsequently, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham; visit Wat Xieng Thong. Then move to Phousi Mount for watching a beautiful sunset view of the city and the calm Mekong river after 25' climb up to the top. - one of the best experience in this anxiety-free city. 

Following climb-up, we move downward to explore Street Night Market, where you can find the charming collection and handmade textile by the local and hill tribe people in the nearby area of Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation: Villa Saykham/Standard room
 

Day 2: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave  – Kuang Sii Fall (B)
Following breakfast, we enjoy a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a pretty scenery of the tranquil countryside while sightseeing along the river as well as an interesting stop-in the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves which is the home of a thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes even it is quite small cave.

On the way, we drop-in at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the distillation of local rice wine.
Following lunch, stop at Luang Prabang Elephant Camp. Arrive the camp, enjoy elephant ride near by about 60 minutes (or short class to order the elephant) before we continue approximately 29km to the beautiful Kuang Sii Fall and Bear Conservation Center. In this place, you can swim, relax, soft hiking to the top of the fall or just sightseeing the waterfall at all level with its unique torquoise blue water. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation: Villa Saykham/Standard room

Note: From Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Cave, we can take round trip by bus or one way by boat and other way by bus to bring more sightseeinng value to the tourists.
 

Day 3: Luang Pranbang - Xieng Khuang(B)
Today we will have long 7-hour drive to Xiengkhouang which is famous for the important historical relics during America sceret war in Laos

Upon arrival, we will come by MAG Office where displayed about bombing film during the Indochina War (Indochina includes Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia) with many powerful documents. Overnight in Xiengkhuang.
Accommodation: Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel/Standard room
www.vansanahotel-group.com
 
Day 4: Xieng Khuang - Plain of Jars – Muang Khoun (B)
After breakfast, Visit Phonsavanh Market before we drive out to visit the Plain of Jars. 

Upon arrival, get to walk around site to look at these nearly 2000 years old jars and bomb craters. It takes us approximately at least half a day to witness the greenery and mysterious scenery of the landscapes. The sites are said to be well maintained and peaceful. The Information Centre at this main site seems to be excellent for who are excited on studying. 

Later on, we visit the old capital of Muang Khoun and the nearby ethnic villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe as well as the colorful local culture. 

In other hand, we also can witness the relics of some temples, stupas, former French buildings bombed by US Army. Have your restful night in the hotel in Xiengkhuang.
 

Day 5: Xieng Khuang - Vang Vieng (B)
Buffet breakfast at your hotel before heading to Vang Vieng about 6-hour drive.  Vang Vieng is a key military airfield during the Indochina wars, the town seems to be quite remote when compared with other main cities in Laos, located in the middle of Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Nowadays, coming there, this charming town will bring both the peace in your mind, excited experience to your heart. It has a variety of choice for interesting dynamic outdoor activities for the adventure lovers such as: sky-scooter, hot balloon, tubing, hiking, kayaking, visiting caves, etc...

Reaching to Vang Vieng, check in your hotel.
In the afternoon, visit Jang cave where the local used as their hidden basement under the war. We then cross Song river visit blue lagoon, where you can take pretty shots, cool swim, restful relax or soft hiking visit Phoukham cave. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Accommodation: 3* The Elephant Crossing/Deluxe room: www.theelephantcrossinghotel.com
Or Vansana Vang Vieng Hotel/Standard room
www.vansanahotel-group.com
 
Day 6: VANG VIENG  – VIENTIANE - CITY TOUR (B)
After breakfast, we drive to Vientiane about 3-hour drive. Arrive in Vientiane, check in at your hotel. The weather during summer here is quite similar to North of Vietnam, fierce sunlight and quite humid. The best attractions of this capital city is "the garden of Buddha statues" in everywhere scattered inside the downtown. Taking Tuk Tuk ride between each pagodas is also one optional tour. Enjoy your first night in the hotel in Vientiane.

At 14:00 We start visiting the major sights of the capital; including Wat Sisaket - the oldest temple surviving after the war in the past, we are amazed with the unaccounted number of the Buddha statues inside. Next place is to visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo.

We will end our tour today with the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, It was covered with 500kg gold leaf previously. Now it's still one of the most important the main landmarks of Vientiane as well as Laos. It is just approximately 3km from downtown so reaching there by tuk tuk is also a good option. Spend another night in the hotel in Vientiane.
Accommodation: 3* Vientiane Golden Sun Hotel/Superior room
www.vientianegoldensunhotel.com

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Day 7: Vientiane - Ban Hatkhai – Tad Xay – Vientiane (B,L)

Starting your new day to enjoy a trek through lush forest and explore the many orchids inside Phou Khao Khouay National Park as well as visit the friendly village of Ban Hatkhai (where you will spend overnight there if choose 2 day 1 night option).

We will spend most of the time on exploring one of the prime areas of the park. This trip bring lots of value for both the serious botanists and nature lovers.

Around 07:30am, meet your guide and travel about 90 km along Highway No. 13 (south) and reaching to Ban Hatkhai where is the starting point of our trip. Our truck brings you directly to Pha Xay, passing rice fields and beautiful forest. We then challenge ourself to conquer this park's trails by trekking or other optional choices (kayaking or cycling). 
Following, under the guidance of the local orchid experts, you will be amazed with the abundance of orchids as well as the insights into their specific biology and ecology.  

While hiking through bamboo forests and jungle paths, you will also have the opportunity of getting introduced to many trees as the local's nature medicine to some popular diseases or food supplement. A picnic lunch will be prepared for you in the midst of the forest.

After having short rest, gental walk to the meeting point where our car will wait to drive us back to Ban Hatkhai. Estimated time to arrive Vientiane is in the late afternoon (around 18:30).  Spend night in the hotel in Vientiane.
Accommodation: 3* Vientiane Golden Sun Hotel/Superior room
www.vientianegoldensunhotel.com
 
Day 8: Vientiane - Phnom Penh (B)
Free for last minute shopping in downtown before being transferred to the airport for your departure flight to next destination. Leaving with a bag of full memories.

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INCLUSIONS

·       All private transfer and transportation

·       Accommodation in shared twin/double room with daily breakfast

·    Experienced English speaking guide, except the free days as mention in the program

·       Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner)

·       All sightseeing tickets and permits.

·       Water on car.

·       Services charges and government tax.

·       No extra charge after confirmation

·       24/7 hotline support guaranteed

·       Bottled mineral water on bus

 

EXCLUSIONS:

·       All flights in tour

·       Other meals and drinks

·       Travel insurance

·       Personal expenses, tips and gratuities

·       Vietnam visa stamp fee

·       Others not mentioned above 

 

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