Laos Special

Day 1. Pakse – Wat Phu – Khong Island

On arrival at Pakse airport you will be met and transferred to the Mekong River wharf where we board our long tail motorboat and cruise downstream towards Champasak and the 4000 islands area. Arriving in Champasak we visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated mountain top temples. We continue our journey by road and ferry boat to Don Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight in Khong Islands. (B)

Day 2. Khong Island – Surrounding:

Following breakfast we continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands by boat and visit the beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia.

We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the ‘Niagara of the East’.

Returning to Don Khong late afternoon you can enjoy a few drinks watching the sunset over the Mekong River. Overnight on Khong Island (B)

Day 3. Khong Island – Tad Lo – Pakse

Leaving Done Khone this morning we head for the refreshing mountain climate on the Bolevan Plateau. The area is famous for its many waterfalls and we will visit two of the best, Tad Fan, with it’s impressive twin falls cascading over 100 metres to the valley floor below and Tad Ngeuan, with

it’s prisitine pools for taking a refreshing dip and coffee shop and plantation where you can sample some real Lao coffee.

Along the way you will see the rich soils of the region being cultivated for coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops before we arrive at Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall and numerous ethnic minority groups. We visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu before before returning to Pakse late evening. Overnight in Pakse (B)

Day 4. Pakse – Vientiane –Xieng Khouang (Flight)

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for a flight to Vientiane and transit to Xieng Khouang.

Upon arrival at Phonsavan airport we will drive out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars that litter the plateau. If time permits, we may see the old capital of Muang Khoum and its’ surrounding villages which are home to the Hmong hill tribes people. They have an interesting local culture and a colourful history.

We will return to the hotel late evening and you are free to explore the town or relax at your hotel. Overnight in Phonsavanh (B)

Day 5. Xieng Khouang – Muang Kham District

Today we will pay an early morning visit to the Phonsavan Central Market, an interesting market where different hilltribe people come to barter and exchange merchandise, then drive 50 kilometres to Ban Muang Kham.

En route we visit the tribal villages of Hmong, Tai Dam and Khmu ethnic groups. We will also visit the hot springs and Tham Piew cave, where hundreds of local people hid during the bombings of the Indo-china War. We explore the local market at Muang Kham and visit local villages before returning to Phonsavanh by the late afternoon. Overnight in Phonsavanh (B)

Day 6. Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang (Road)

Leaving Phonsavan we head towards Luang Prabang, stopping along the way to see the 200 year old Buddha images at Thampra. We drive on through the spectacular scenery of the Xieng Khouang Province with it’s many stunning photo opportunities and stopping a couple of times to explore hill tribe villages.

The journey will take us through the mountainous northern regions of Laos until we reach the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang in the early evening. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 7. Luang Prabang – Pak Ou

This morning after breakfast we will head out to see the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

From there board our private boat for a pleasant and scenic cruise up on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These caves are an ancient pilgrimage site and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years.

Returning to Luang Prabang we disembark our boat and have the option of taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving or returning to the hotel for free time to relax.

The evening is free to explore the town, enjoy a drink as you watch the sunset over the Mekong or relax at the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 8. Luang Prabang – Khouangsi Waterfall

This morning you have the option and opportunity to rise early and participate in the daily morning ritual of Alms Giving, you will experience saffron-clad monks collecting offerings or ‘Alms’ from faithful local residents. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the daily procession.

After breakfast back at your hotel we drive to Khouangsi Waterfall stopping along the way to visit the morning Phousi Market, this where all locals of Luang Prabang come to do their da

You will see a variety of local foodstuffs and products including dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit, everything needed for daily life in Laos.

On arrival at the Khouangsi Waterfall you will have the opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim in the topaz pools below the falls, walk along the forest trails and visit the Bear Sanctuary.

Arriving back in Luang Prabang mid afternoon you are free to treat yourself to a spa treatment or massage, relax at the hotel or head to the Night Market to do some shopping. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 9. Luang Prabang – Vientiane (Flight)

After breakfast we take a stroll through the Dalat Sao or morning market, full of local foodstuffs from the farms and jungles surrounding Luang Prabang. From here it is a short walk to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang.

We then transfer to the airport for your short flight to Vientiane. After being met and transferred to your centrally located hotel you will have time for a short orientation walk of the main city area.

Your evening is free to explore, take a walk along the waterfront or relax at the hotel. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)

Day 10. Vientiane – City Tour

This morning’s city tour. You are seeing the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph, from there you visit COPE Center. The COPE was created in response to the need to provide UXO survivors with the care and support they required, namely by way of orthotic and prosthetic devices. This museum was set after in 1997 to help covering the victim during Indochina war.

This afternoon you have the option to continue our tour of Vientiane by bicycle, we will ride the capital taking in sites such Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok, the main shopping district and Vientiane’s Central Market, Talad Sao.

Returning to the hotel your evening is free to relax or take in some more sights of Vientiane and enjoy the sunset over a few drinks on the riverfront. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)

Day11. Vientiane – Departure

This morning is free until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B

Included :

· Accommodation in twin shared basis

· Private, Airconditioned Transport

· Boat trips as stated in the itinerary

· English speaking guide

· Admission fees to sites stated in the itinerary

· Meals: daily breakfast at hotel

· Gov’t taxs and service charges

· Luggage handling

· Drinking water

Exclusive:

· Visas and Immigration fees on arrival

· Domestic airticket

· Int’l air tickets to/from Laos

· Travel and/or Medical Insurance

· Lunch or dinner unless stated in the itinerary

· Single room accommodation (quoted separately)

· Child or adult in triple share accommodation

· Foreign language guides other than English

· Peak Season or Special Events Surcharges

· Tip, drinks and other personal expenses