MYSTERIES REVEALED (9D8N):
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OUTLINED ITINERARY Day 1. VIENTIANE – ARRIVAL
Day 2. VIENTIANE – BUDDHA PARK (B)
Day 3. VIENTIANE – BAN THAHEUA (B)
Day 4. BAN THAHEUA – XIENG KHUANG (B)
Day 5. XIENG KHUANG – MUANG KHOUN – PLAIN OF JARS (B)
Day 6. XIENG KHUANG – LUANG PRABANG (B)
Day 7. LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVE (B)
Day 8. LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATERFALL – BUFFALO FARM (B)
Day 9. LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE (B)
Upon arrival at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, transfer to your hotel in town (early check-in upon availability). From its sleepy tuk-tuk drivers to its location on the right bank of the lumbering, lazy Mekong, this former French trading post is languid to say the least.
Indeed, despite being the capital and largest city of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, there's not a whole lot to do in Vientiane. But that is also, quite honestly, its selling point. There is no activity planned for today, so you can stroll around the town for your own exploration. 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.
Tips:
+ 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.
+ There is also the chance to visit Ban Hom, where you can visit the farmers working on the field and learn about the rural local life. Just 12Km from the old quarter! Extra mileage: $10/car
We leave the capital early for our journey northbound to Ban Thaheua. We will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. Along the way, we visit the busy and colorful market of KM52 where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. We may also make a short photo stop at Hin Heup bridge, and the fish market in Ban Tha Heua.
From there, we will transfer to the nearby resort in Ban Thaheua locating at the north side of Nam Ngum lake, the “sea of Laos”. In the afternoon, our guide will escort you to the nearby village, passing through the local primary school, which is livelier during the school time. We will also visit the local market with plenty of fish stall displays. Back to the resort, relax by the pool and admire the sun setting behind the mountains. Overnight at Sanctuary Nam Ngum Beach Resort
Distance: 160KM | 4-hour transfer
In the morning, we start our expedition to Xieng Khuang. The roads are well paved along the way for a smooth journey. We pass some stunning landscape scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages. We have chance to take a few photo stops at some small hill tribe village enroute. Each hill tribe village in Laos has a different feel, some are more prosperous than others but all have plenty of life.
Our most impressive stop is at the peak of Phou Phiengpha offerring the panoramic view over the mountainous area. From there, we will drive a bit further to the T-Junction in Phoukhoun, and take the right turn onto Xieng Khuang province. After that, the road is getting a bit harder which includes some zigzagging mountain paths; and we will make some stop along the way to visit the local hill tribe villages, or to stretch your legs. We will make a short stop at Tham Pra, which served as the hospital during the Indochina Wars before arriving in Phonsavanh. Overnight in Phonsavanh
Distance: 240KM | 6-7 hour transfer | MAPS
Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribe people barter and exchange merchandises. After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoune, the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war.
Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.
In the afternoon, visit the thought-provoking UXO Information Centre, run by British organisation MAG (Mines Advisory Group) that's been helping to clear Laos' unexploded ordnance since 1994.
The centre's information displays underline the enormity of the bomb drops, and there are also examples of (defused) UXO to ponder.
Xieng Khuang is famous for its mysterious Plain of Jars, a huge archaeological complex littered with mysterious 2000 years old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters. You have time today to visit the plain of jars Site 1, the biggest and closest to town that opened for tourists.
Attention: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines. Spend the rest of the day wander around the small town of Xieng Khuang to admire the life of local people. Then return to Xieng Khouang and overnight.
Early morning, depart for Luang Prabang via the windy zigzagging mountain paths, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape.
The roads are well paved along the way for a smooth journey; we pass some stunning landscape scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages; we take a few photo stops at some small hill tribe village en route. Each hill tribe village in Laos has a different feel, some are more prosperous than others, but all have plenty of life. We will make a shot stop at Ban Phoudam village, where we can see the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony, before driving to the photo stop at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view prior to reaching Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Distance: 265KM | 7-8 hour transfer
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, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.
We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.
On arrival back in the city, we will visit the old Wat Sene and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall.
If time permits, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. We also visit the nearby village of Ban Xienglek specializing in making the traditional Saa paper. You can either get to the nearby village and join a petanque game with the local team.
Late afternoon, we will make a stop at Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the ideal place to catch the last beauty of the day. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Tip: If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday).
After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. On the way to Kuang Si waterfall, we will make a stop at Buffalo Dairy Farm to join a scheduled tour of the farm every 20 minutes starting on the hour from 10am until 5pm
Cuddle up to our beautiful buffalos at 450 kilos or feed Ferdinand, the friendly buffalo at just 750 Kilos! They love to eat, not only grass but bananas as well! After eating, our buffalo’s next favourite activity is having a bath. You’ll get to wash them and give them a scrub. It’s like a “day spa” for buffalo!
Hands on milking demonstration! Learn how to milk a buffalo and why buffalo milk is so good for you. The Buffalo may be the stars of the show but our playful pigs, cheeky chickens and rollicking rabbits are also plenty of fun for the young and young at heart!
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.
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
Tips:
+ 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.
+ Before having dinner, we recommend heading to Lao Red Cross to enjoy a traditional Lao massage, which will help you recover from the exploration in the last some days. (Not included – payable on spot)
You have ample time to stroll around the resort or the nearby village, or just relax by the pool of the resort admiring the lazy Nam Ou river before transferring back to Luang Prabang to take the departure flight. End of services !
Tip: we recommend joining a morning Yoga class at Luang Prabang Yoga, which will take about 1 hour starting at 07:30AM at Utopia Bar & Restaurant before returning to your hotel for breakfast. Class fee is KIP40,000/person ~ $5 (payable on spot in KIP only – pre-reservation not accepted). Note: you need to come on time if you are interested. In case you come late, you are not allowed to join. Here is the class schedule & pricing
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