Highlights of Laos: After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people on earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers. It is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane it’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. Then, of course, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.
TRIP FACTS
- Travel Style: Cultural & Classic Travel
- Duration: 6 days - 5 nights
- Start / Finish: Vientiane / Luang Prabang
- Departure: Departs daily on a private basis
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the Capital of Laos - Vientiane
- Explore the world Khuang Si Water Fall
- Discovery the Unesco Heritage site of Luang Prabang
- Boat Trip upstream in Mekong River
- Participating in the traditional Lao rite of passage by giving alms to the monks in the early morning
- Wandering the quiet streets of ancient Luang Prabang
- Visiting ancient temples, exploring markets and hill tribe villages
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Welcome to Luang Prabang (No Meals)
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Alm Giving Cermony – Khuang Si Water fall – City Tour (B/-/-)
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B/-/-)
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Elephant Camp (B/-/-)
Day 5: Luang Prabang – Departure (B/-/-)
Unique Experience
100% satisfaction guarantee
REFUND if promises are not kept
The stages of your trip:
Luang Prabang, Khuang Si, Pak Ou- Car
- Hotel
Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel for check-in or dropping off your luggage (Early check-in is NOT included & subject to hotel’s availability). The remainder of the day is free at leisure
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
- Car
- Hotel
After breakfast, enjoy city tour to visit the city’s major historic sites including, Wat Si Saket -the oldest standing temple in Vientiane and among the most atmospheric built in 1818 by Chao Anou in the Bangkok style. Within the cloister walls are hundreds of niches housing Buddha images large and small, made of wood, stone, silver and bronze. Wat Haw Pha Kaew (opposite Wat Si Saket), King Setthathirat's former royal temple, which housed the magical Emerald Buddha (Pha Kaew) after it was taken from Lanna (Chiang Mai). The interior has been turned into a small jumbled museum housing Buddha images; look out for the beautiful tall, lithe, long-armed Buddha in the hands-down "calling for rain" pose. That Luang Stupa, the national symbol and most important religious monument in Laos, That Luang is a three-layered gilded stupa. The current version dates from 1566, although it has been ransacked and renovated numerous times since then. Patuxai (Victory Gate), a local rendition of Paris Arc de Triomphe. The monument itself aside, the palm tree-lined park around it complete with fountains is quite pleasant though lacking of shade during the day time, and you can climb up to the 7th storey (stairs only) for a view of downtown Vientiane. Enjoy a stroll around the Morning central market to observe the busy selling and buying of the locals
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
- Car
- Hotel
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to hotel for check-in or dropping off your luggage (Early check-in is NOT included & subject to hotel’s availability). Then, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, gifts received from foreign dignitaries…etc, Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple, which more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture. The remainder of the day is free at leisure
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
- Car
- Hotel
Optional: rising early at around 05.30AM to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks (the Buddhist monks) receive alms from local people – an awe-inspiring sight for many travelers.
Please tell your guide if you wish to make an offer so he/she can prepare some food for you. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning and then return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, embark on a slow boat for a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, passing by lovely tranquil countryside towards the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, which are two caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. On the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xang Hai, famous for producing local rice wine. Before returning to Luang Prabang, drive to the hill tribe village of Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving products. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Arrives back in town and the remainder of the day is free at leisure
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
- Car
- Hotel
After breakfast, take a rural drive (30 km South) to visit Kuangsi Waterfall, though not very high but spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National park. We stop en-route to visit a fresh produced market namely Talad Phosy, and also visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of a hill-tribe group “Hmong”, probably the best-known minority group in Laos. Just before arriving at Kuangsi waterfall, there is another village of Khmu minority group, namely Ban Tha Pane that we will visit. Our picnic lunch is served at the shady park nearby Kuangsi waterfall. There is plenty of time for relaxing and a swim in cool water, before heading back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
- Car
- Hotel
After breakfast, free at leisure. 12.00PM check-out of the hotel and free on your own until transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals : Breakfast & Lunch
*** END OF SERVICES ***
THE DIFFERENCE OF AMO TRAVEL
- Map of Vietnam with 04 famous destination detail maps in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon
- 01 bottle of water/day/person.
- Post Card for sharing your memorable trip
- Bookmark with basic Vietnamese lesson
- Vietnamese Sim-Card for 24/24 support
SERVICES INCLUSION
- 01 Night in the junk in Ha Long with 03 sea food meals on board
- All of meals as mentioned in the program (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
- Air-conditioned private car
- Professional and Experience local English speaking guide.
- Private boat trip in along Perfume River in Hue
- Private boat trip in Mekong Delta
- All of entrance fees and visiting permission in the restricted area (if applicable) as program
SERVICES EXCLUSION
- International and domestic air-tickets.
- Bank Fee related to the payment.
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Visa to Vietnam, Visa stamping fee
- Beverage, personal expenses
- Tipping for Tour-guide and driver. Our suggestion: 1-3$US/day/driver, 3-5$US/day/person for tour-guide depending your group size.
NOTE
- Time check in: from 13h00 to 14h00, time check out: 12h00 (except the Junk in Ha Long about 10AM)
- Program is subject to change without prior notice due to Vietnam Airlines unexpected changes of schedule or flight cancellation.
- Hotels are subject to change by the time of booking.
- B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner