ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE (15D14N):

In the morning, we will transfer to Lanjia Lodge, which locates at the top of the mountain in Chiang Khong at Ban Kiewkan. Upon arrival, watch a presentation about  the Hmong and Lahu tribes, the Golden triangle area and the giant catfish (locally known as Pla Buek) – the world’s biggest fresh water fish found in the Mekong River. Learn about activities that affect the Mekong River and people whose lives depend on the river. 10h00: tour the Hmong and Lahu hill tribe village, including a visit at the shaman’s house of the Hmong.  Drink tea with the shaman and discover why the fireplace is important to the Hmongs and why they bury the placenta and umbilical cord of their newborn babies. Lunch will be provided on the charming terrace that looks to the Mekong River and Laos.

14h10: Get first-hand experience on how to make Hmong batik handkerchief with Hmong ladies (about 45 minutes). Alternatively, you can learn how to make and set animal traps.  Then you will help villagers to plant trees at the Herbal Plant Nursery Project. The project is dedicated to His Majesty the King to commemorate his 84th birthday on December 5, 2011. The main objective of the project is to improve the quality of life of local people by educating them on how to grow vegetables and the importance of the eco-system in their village. Dinner and watch traditional Hmong performances.  Overnight at Lanjia Lodge Distance: Chiang Rai – Lanjia Lodge: 82KM | 1.5-hour transfer

After breakfast, (07h45) depart for the Thailand-Burma border at Mae Sai District for a visit. On your own expense, you can cross the border to Burma to visit Tachilek Market. Then drive along the border via Baan Pha Mee to visit Wat Prathat Doi Tung, Doi Chang Mub arboretum garden and Doi Tung Palace. Lunch served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon drive to the Golden Triangle to visit the Hall of Opium (closed on Monday).  Board a long-tail boat for a cruise on the Mekong River down to a fisherman village of Baan Had Bai. Then return to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Lanjia lodge.

After breakfast, transfer directly to the border where the representative of Luangsay Cruise will help you take the public bus crossing the border to Laos. Upon finishing the border formality, our guide will pick you up and transfer to the boat pier. The Luang Say boat leaves Huay Xay pier at 9.30am for a cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng.  After one-hour journeying along the river, the boat stops at a traditional village. This is a chance to observe rural life along the Mekong and witness the daily life of ethnic minorities and their talented craftsmanship. Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a selection of starters and main course from Laos’ main culinary delights as well as a choice of fish and meat dishes. The river cruise arrives at Luang Say Lodge near Pakbeng before sunset, giving plenty of time to refresh, enjoy the scenery of the river and admire the surrounding nature. A Laotian dinner is served on the open air terrace overlooking the Mekong River.

Mornings are special times at Luang Say Lodge with stunning sights of the peaceful neighboring mountains, often shrouded in mist, while a full breakfast is served on the expansive teak terrace. The cruise departs for another day of nature discovery along the legendary river with two stops planned along the way to Luang Prabang.

A few hours into the day after enjoying the sights of granite cliffs and sparkling sandy shores, the river boat makes a stop to visit the hill tribe village of Baw, where you can watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey.

Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a selection of starters and main course from Laos’ cuisine. A different choice of fish and meat dishes than on the first day is prepared for a greater culinary experience. Opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou village, the cruise stops to visit the Tam Thing cave. Translated as Rock Cave, it is famous for housing over 2,500 Buddha statues of all sizes and for being a place of pilgrimage for locals.

Following a day along the mighty Mekong river, with beautiful sceneries of mountains, wild nature, local life and delicious food, the cruise arrives at Luang Prabang, the former imperial capital of Laos. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang

 After breakfast, our guide will take you on an in-depth walking tour of the city with Mr. Francis Engelmann, who is the retired UNESCO specialist. The walk is oriented towards the lesser known parts of the town including charming lanes showing the more traditional atmosphere of the heritage town.

Along the way, we will see the four different types of buildings categorized by UNESCO. The first one is the traditional Lao house which is made from tropical hardwood or bamboo and built on stilts.

The second is a half wood and half cement house built after the arrival of the French.

The third is the traditional French colonial building that are similar to those found in Vietnam and Cambodia.

The last form of architecture you will see is the old Chinese shop houses that were built to be used for both commercial and residential purposes.

During the walk, it is you chance to ask any questions that you may have about Luang Prabang history or culture for our specialist before leaving him around noon time.

In the afternoon, we will visit some famous attractions inside city center including the oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.  We then continue with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. From there, we walk to the nearby Wat Mai, which is one of Luang Prabang’s largest and most richly decorated temples. Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. 

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Tip: In the evening, we recommend joining the Royal Ballet Theatre at the National Museum to watch the traditional show of Phralak Phralam and learn about the history and culture of Laos (not included – payable on spot)

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets. We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken.  After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturday, and Sunday), where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos.

Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals. There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

After visiting Kuang Si waterfalls, you can visit the nearby Butterflies Park, where you can enjoy the afternoon tea with the homemade cookies whilst relaxing inside the green peaceful garden full of colorful butterflies.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Tip: Late afternoon, join the cinema at Amalea Restaurant to watch the 100-year-old Chang Movie, which is the oldest film about Laos. This is a silent film about a poor farmer in northern Nan Province (northern Thailand) and his daily struggle for survival in the jungle.

The dinner is recommended at the restaurant before returning to your hotel (not included – payable on spot)

After picking you up from town or your hotel we will leave Luang Prabang around 08:30 for the nearby village of Xieng Lom. Upon arrival you are invited to have coffee or tea as your guide for the day provides an in-depth introduction to elephant behavior and the ways we should interact with them.

A quick boat ride across the Nam Khan River will deliver you to the waiting elephants. You will be introduced to your new friends and feed them some special treats - a sure way to begin an instant friendship. Enjoy observing elephants from the river bank as Mahouts wash them in the Nam Khan river. You can experience elephants washing, swimming and playing in the water. Please note this is voluntary activity for the elephants and Mandalao does not force them to get in the water. (On cold days the elephants are less likely to want to get wet.)

After 2 hours crossing through a beautiful stretch of traditional Lao gardens you will arrive at the jungle-covered Huay Nok stream. As you walk alongside the elephants and crisscross through the cool water you will experience a profound sense of understanding, respect, and caring for these amazing animals. As you prepare to start your walk back to MandaLao, you will bid farewell to your new friends with more treats and goodbye hugs.

When you get back to MandaLao, you will head to the restaurant and enjoy a delicious fresh Lao meal made from our own organically grown produce. There you can relax, kick-back, and process the day’s experiences on the veranda overlooking the river and misty mountains.

Following lunch, we will walk to the nearby beautiful Chateau Orientale Resort, where we will spend the night.

You are free to stroll around the resort for your own exploration or just stay relax by the riverbank. There are plenty of activities on site such as kayaking, or cycling offered by the resort. Overnight at Chateau Orientale

Today drive North takes through some of the most stunning mountain scenery you will find in South East Asia, with plenty of opportunities to stop off at the various Khmu and H’mong villages along the way. 

We make a few rest stops along the way, which gives you the opportunity to see the ethnic minority groups of Hmong, Khmu, Black Thai and Lu; Hmong hilltribe people at Ban Songja and Ban Jarong. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly; welcoming you with waving hands and smilling faces.

We may also visit the intriguing Pra Xing Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. The 400 years old legendary statue is said to have many supernatural powers and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists. We shall reach Muang La by mid-afternoon, which is famous for its natural hot springs for the night.  No activities are planned for the rest of the day so you can stroll around the village or just relax at the riverside retreat enjoying a massage or sometime in the hot springs. Overnight in Muang La 

You are free to relax and enjoy the nature and facilities of the resort. You can either choose one of the plenty activities offered by the lodge to spend the day. Overnight at Muang La Resort

You are free to relax and enjoy the nature and facilities of the resort. You can either choose one of the plenty activities offered by the lodge to spend the day. Overnight at Muang La Resort

Free before transferring to Oudomxay to take the flight to Vientiane. QV502 ODY VTE 13:10 14:00

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Free for your own exploration of Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power.

After that drive to Buddha Park which takes around 45 minutes away. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. We then visit Lao Disable Women Development Center, which assist disable women to cope with their disability and advocate for their rights. Spend time watching the video and learn about the effort to earn their daily living. You can support them by buying some small handicrafts at the shop.

Start the afternoon with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire.

Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.  Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo.  Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.

End your tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls.  Overnight in Vientiane.

Tip:  You can also visit Sinouk Coffee Pavilion to discover the Lao coffee, stroll around the mini coffee gallery, view the in-house coffee roaster and try a cup of delicious and unique coffee or tea. Discuss with our guide about this. Entrance fee and extra coffee/drinks are payable on spot.

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight