Laos Highlights 7 Days and 6 Nights
Laos Highlights (7 days) – LAO-003
Day 1: Bangkok – Vientiane via the adventurous night train.
Your adventure to Laos starts aboard the night train from Bangkok to Vientiane, arriving the following morning at the train station in Nong Khai.
Next stop is the immigration office where you will receive your exit visa from Thailand. From here you will board a train (20 Bhat, excluded) which leaves at 09.00 and will take you across the Friendship Bridge to the Tha Naleang station, arriving around 09.15. You will need to obtain a visa to enter Laos (excluded) which can easily be arranged.
Day 2: Arrival with the shuttle train to Vientiane ( – )
After obtaining your visa, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences.
After a short rest, we will tour the major sights of the capital, including Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao’s national icon, the precious and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own ‘Arc de Triumph’.
The Mekong river bank is the perfect place to end the day and admire the sunset.
Overnight at our hotel in Vientiane. The evening Market is a great way to enjoy the evening.
Day 2: Vientiane – VangVieng on road ( B/-/- )
After breakfast. we leave the capital city early for our journey northbound; we will enjoy breathtaking scenery enroute, as we pass through spectacular countryside heading towards the mountainous region.
Along the way we will visit the busy and colorful market of Thalat where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions.
Our next stop is Vang Xang, a famous archaeological site dating back to the 11th century.
We reach our final destination VangVieng nestled in a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism.
After checking into your hotel you have free time to relax or sightsee.
Overnight in VangVieng.
Day 3: VangVieng – Luang Prabang on road ( B/-/- )
After breakfast we head out of Vang Vieng to explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which were once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders.
We will cross the river to Ban Huai Ngai, a very pleasant village, exploring the way local people live their lives.
Leaving Vang Vieng, the roads begin to deteriorate; however the stunning mountain scenery makes for an interesting journey. We wind our way through the mountains to Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang, with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountainous backdrop, has been claimed by UNESCO to be the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia. There is little traffic on Luang Prabang roads and monks in orange robes scurry in all directions carrying umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 4: LuangPrabang – Pac Ou caves ( B/-/- )
After breakfast, we begin our city tour, seeing the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, which is nestled at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. The temple structures are decorated in various ways with gilded stuccoes and doorways. The back wall has an intriguing large flame ‘tree of life’ pattern set in colored glass mosaic.
Next we embark on an upstream cruise of the Mekong River. We will enjoy watching the tranquil countryside pass by before stopping for a visit to the mysterious Pac Ou Caves, comprised of 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 Ban Xang Hai, where local rice wine is produced.
Our tour continues with a visit to the famous weaving village of Ban Phanom where shoppers have a chance to try their hand at bargaining. Afterward, we climb the Phousi Hill to enjoy excellent views of the lush green World Heritage city and the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 5: Luang Prabang ( B/-/- )
If you are an early riser you have an opportunity to see a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander through town blessing local people who give the monks offerings or alms (mostly sticky rice). This morning ritual is repeated throughout South East Asia and the monks depend on their daily food from the alms given them by the people.
Our first stop today is the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls where turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. The abundance of water forms a magnificent display of nature. Below the Kuang Si are large pools perfect for swimming and cooling off under the spray of the Falls. Driving to the waterfalls we will pass stunning landscapes, teak forests and several ethnic minority villages (Hmong and Khmu). Near the waterfalls we will visit a center where the endangered black Asiatic bears are kept for breeding.
We’ll return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon with free time to enjoy shopping at the night market, or just relax at your hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 6: LuangPrabang Departure ( B/-/- )
Today free time to wander around the town and explore the Central Market before transferring to the airport for a short flight (excluded) to your next destination.
RATES INCLUDE:
Accommodation based on twin or double rooms with daily breakfast.
Private vehicle/boat during the trip as per program.
English speaking local guide during the trip as per program.
Entrance fees during guided time.
All excursions as mentioned in itinerary.
Mineral water + wet wipe.
All service charges and government taxes.
RATES EXCLUDE:
International / domestic airfares and taxes.
Visas and visa fees.
Personal expenses such as bar, telephone, internet and laundry bills.
Travel insurance against any personal injury of illness and damage to property incurred during the course of the trip.
Foods and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
Tips and gratuities.
Entrance fees during free time.