Travelling Through the Heart of Laos 11 Days and 10 Nights

Activities: Boattrip, Temple, Nature, Culture

Travelling through the heart of Laos 11 days – LAO-005

Highlights

  • Two days cruising down Mekong River
  • Visit Plain of Jars
  • Visit Vang Vieng and Vientiane

Day 1: Chiang Khong – Pak Beng

Upon arrival Laos side we meet up with our local guide before continuing our trip to Laos. In Ban Houai Xai we will board our boat and cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. Stops are made en route to observe village life along the river and discover dwellings of ethnic minority groups.

Overnight at hotel in Pakbeng

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Day 2: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang (B/-/-)

It’s a good idea to get up early and visit the local markets and witness people from the surrounding minority villages exchanging their wares. Afterwards we start the second leg of the cruise. Before arrival in Luang Prabang we’ll stop at a Hmong village and visit the Pac Ou caves filled with thousand statues of Buddha. En route you’ll get the opportunity to taste the national liquer ‘lao lao,’ and observe the traditional processes of making local rice whisky at Ban Xang Hai. We will arrive Luang Prabang before the sunset and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

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Day 3: Luang Prabang (B/-/- )

Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, is best known for its ancient temples and romantic setting at the confluence of the Mekong and Kane Rivers. Because of the compact size of the peninsula, Luang Prabang is best explored on foot and bicycle. In the morning we embark on a half-day walking tour, visiting the National Museum (formerly known as the Royal Palace), wat Xieng Thong, wat Sen and wat May. The afternoon is free to explore or relax on your own. Perhaps you’d like to climb the Phousi Hill to enjoy excellent views of the lush green World Heritage city and the Kane and Mekong River.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

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Day 4: 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.

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Day 5: Luang Prabang – Phonsavan ‘’Plain of Jars’’ (B/-/- )

After breakfast we have a scenic drive to Xieng Khouang, the home amazing Plain of Jars.
On the way through high mountains and karsts formations, we have time to stop and have a short visit at the remote dwellings of ethnic minority villages. Probably you will notice that many houses have looms underneath with which the family’s clothes, bags and accessories are manufactured. Late afternoon we’ll arrive at Phonsavan, the capital of the Xieng Khouang province

Overnight at hotel in Phonsavan

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Day 6: Phonsavan visit Plain of Jars (B/-/-)

Today we’ll spend the day exploring the Plain of Jars (number 2 and 3) and the surrounding area. The jars are thought to be 2000 years old, although there is little proof to date them very accurately. Archaeologist still struggle to find out the specific purpose of the jars, were they used for funerary urns or to store rice wine. We‘ll see the sunset at the site number 1 before returning to the town.

Overnight at hotel in Phonsavan

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Day 7: Phonsavan – Vang Vieng (B/-/-)

Following breakfast and travel to Vang Vieng, on the way we’ll have time to stop to take in the scenery from the viewpoints. Vang Vieng is a small village settled between a spectacular spread of limestone karsts and is surrounded by lush green paddy fields and dwellings of ethnic minorities. We’ll arrive the town before sunset and check in your hotel which offers splendid sunsets amidst these magnificent natural settings.

Overnight at hotel in Vang Vieng

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Day 8: Vang Vieng (B/-/-)

Today we will visit the caves ‘ Tham Chang “ in the morning and it’s free in the afternoon or you can do the bicycle trip around and in the nearby countryside. Other alternatives include ‘tubing’ down the Nam Song River. Vang Vieng is also the perfect place to unwind.

Overnight at hotel in Vang Vieng

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Day 9: Vang Vieng – Vientiane (B/-/-)

After breakfast we have a scenic drive to the capital of Laos. Vientiane is a friendly sleepy town resting on the shores of the mighty Mekong River. In the afternoon we’ll also have a sightseeing tour around the city. We’ll explore some of the best sights including the Victory Gate (Arc de Triomphe), the wat Sisaket, and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country’s most important monument. Also visit the ‘morning market’ where you can wander around and buy silver, silk or other items you like to take back home. In the evening you can walk along the path beside the Mekong at the sunset is always popular for travelers and locals alike.

Overnight at hotel in Vientiane

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Day 10: Vientiane – Bangkok (B/-/-)

Free in the morning and we drive out of Vientiane to Buddha Park. On the way we will pass the Friendship bridge between Laos and Thailand. We may stop the beautiful point to take a photo. Xiengkhouan is the name of the village, during the Lao Royal Kingdom, Mr Boun Leua who believe and used to study in India about Hinduism constructed and hired the people to make many statuses in this area. Inside this garden you can see the statuses of Buddha and Hinduism mixing. It is a good idea if you walk through the big pumpkin from the ground to the top and you can see the nice view of this garden. We will spend the time here about 1 or 2 hrs before transfer to the train station at Thanalang for departure to Thailand.

After checkin out of immigration Laos, you will boart the local train (20 Baht exclusive) to the train station in Nong Khai. After disembarking you will go through the Thai immigration to enter Thailand once again. After immigration, the night train is waiting for you to board.

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Day 11: Arrival in Bangkok

Early in the morning you arrive in Bangkok to continue with the rest of your vacation plans.

RATES INCLUDE:

  • Accommodation based on twin or double rooms with daily breakfast
  • Meals as indicated in itinerary
  • Private vehicle/boat all through the trip as per program
  • Guidance of English speaking local guide through the trip as per program
  • Entrance fees during guided time
  • All excursions as mentioned in itinerary
  • Mineral water + wet wipe
  • All service charge and government taxes

RATES EXCLUDE:

  • International / domestic airfares and taxes
  • Visas and visa fees
  • Personal expenses such as bar, telephone and laundry bills.
  • Travel insurance against any personal injury of illness and damage of the property incurred – during the course of this trip.
  • Foods and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Entrance fees during free time