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DAY 1: ARRIVE VIENTIANE
When you arrive in
Vientiane, meet and greet with your
guide and transfe to the hotel. Start
your tour with the visit to
Pha That
Luang, famed for its glorious golden
stupa which can be dated back to the 3rd
century. Standing magnificently against
time in the heart of the city, Phat That
Luang is revered as the sacred monument
and severs as a national symbol of Laos.
Further on to Ho Pha Keo, once a royal
temple that claimed to house the Emerald
Buddha before Siamese seizure several
centuries ago. Having been converted
into a museum, it contains many
beautiful Buddhist sculptures. Nearby
visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in
Vientiane since 1551, renowned for its
stylish Laotian architecture and
containing thousands of Buddha relics.
Drive along the wide boulevards of
Vientiane to visit a momumental arch -
Patuxai or “Victory Gate”, built in
resemblance to Arc de Triomphe in Paris
but decorated with Lao motifs and
designs. Get a panoramic view of the
city at the top of Patuxai. Overnight in
Vientiane.
DAY 2: VIENTIANE - LUANG PRABANG (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the
airport for flight to Luang Prabang, one
of the most fascinating towns in
Northern Laos, full of historic temples,
cultures and traditions. Begin the tour
with visit to Wat Visoun, the oldest
temple in Luang Prabang since 1513 and
famous for the collection of Buddha
antiques and the impressive That Makmo
or “The Watermelon Stupa” Nearby visit
Wat Aham or “the temple of the opened
heart”, beautifully designed with
ancient interiors and roof decoration.
Next visit to Wat Xieng Thong or “The
Temple of the Golden City” built in 1560
on the confluence of the Mekong and the
Nam Khan River. The temple represents a
classic architectural style of Luang
Prabang and arguably the most beautiful
temple in Laos. Then stroll down the
Wat
Street of Luang Prabang where you may
stop if time permiets at Wat Siboun
Heang, Wat Si Moung Khoun Wat Sop and
Wat Sene. In late afternoon, visit the
Mount Phousi for sunset. It is a
spectacular hill right in the center of
the town with a small temple on top.
After climbing 328 steps from the
entrance, you can enjoy a picturesque
scenery of the town and the river.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG (B)
After breakfast, experience the touch
with the locals at the Phousi Market
where you can find a unique market
scenario of people buying and selling
fresh fruits and vegetables, meats,
clothing, and household goods. Then take
a brief tour to the
Luang Prabang
National Museum, a former Royal Palace
built by French as a royal residence to
the last king of Laos. The museum offers
a good insight to the Laos tradition and
history. Visit the nearby
Wat Mai or
“the New Monastery”, a picturesque
temple with its five-tiered roofs and
traditionally-designed veradah.
Afterwards, take a scenic boat trip
along the Mekong River to the famous
Pak
Ou Caves where you can see the village
life along the riverside. The Pak Ou
caves are consisted of a lower Tham Ting
and an uppoer Tham Phueng, both of which
are impressively overhanging on the
limestone cliffs. Inside these two
caves, you can find thousands of Buddha
statues in different shapes, sizes and
positions lying all over. Nearby visit
an ethnic local village of
Ban Xang Hai,
famous for its production of local rice
wine whisky called lao lao. which is a
unique traditional whisky bathing the
creatures such as snakes, scorpions,
geckos or centipedes. Then visit
Ban
Xang Khong, renowned for its silk
weaving by traditional handlooms and
traditional Sa paper making before
returning to Luang Prabang for
overnight.
DAY
4: LUANG PRABANG (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Take a trip
to one of the most impressive waterfalls
in Luang Prabang - the
Kuang Si
Waterfalls. Its cascading steps of
waterfalls and ponds nestled in the
forested green trees offers a pleasant,
perfect atmosphere for relaxation and
swimming. Very close by to the
waterfalls is a
Khmu Village of Ban Tha
Pene where you can visit and touch the
village life of Khmu. Return to Luang
Prabang and spend the rest of your day
freely on your own to explore the town,
street, or market further. Overnight at
the hotel in Luang Prabang.
DAY
5: LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE (B)
Take your hearty breakfast. Today you
are free on your own at leisure for
further exploration and shopping. If you
rise early enough, you can enjoy seeing
the traditional alms giving to the
Buddhist monks in the morning. Transfer
out to the airport or departure to the
next destination.
In and Out of Vientiane :
- By plane: Internationally
from/to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi,
Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Siem reap,,
Kuaal Lumpur, Kunming, and
domestically from Luang Prabang,
Luang Namtha, Pakse
- By Road - 10 hours drive from/to
Luang Prabang and 10 hours drive
from/to Pakse
- By Train - Take train to Nong
Khai from Bangkok, Thailand and
cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
to the border and drive to the city
about 20 minutes.
In and Out of Luang Prabang:
- International flights from/to
from: Bangkok, Hanoi, Chiang Mai and
Siem Reap
- Domestic flights from/to Vientiane
and Pakse
- By road - 10 hours driver
from/to Vientiane
- By boat from/to Huay Xai border
via Pakse (connection with Thailand)
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