Day 1 - Full day sightseeing in Vientiane
Arrive at Vientiane airport, and
after customs & immigration formalities, transfer with your guide to your
hotel for check in and Lunch. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a city tour
to Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature
Buddha statues. Other sites you will see include the huge golden
That Luang monument, and next door, Vientiane's own Victory
Monument, which looks like the Arc de Triomphe. This was built at
the end of the Indochina wars with money rumored to be American, and
earmarked for the airport’s new runway. Thus the departing Americans dubbed
this monument the vertical runway! Have a look at the lovely arches
inside the monument. Also visit Wat Simuang and Wat
Prakeo, which was the original home of the famous Emerald
Buddha, which today lives in Bangkok. There are many excellent
restaurants in Vientiane, and you will easily find something to suit your
taste.Meals:
Lunch
Day 2 - Vientiane – Luangprabang
Surrounded by thickly forested
mountains and situated at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong Rivers,
Luang Prabang has a tranquil, old world charm rarely found in Asia today.
This fascinating town was the capital of the Lane Xang (million elephants)
kingdom until the mid-sixteenth century. In colonial times it served as a
provincial headquarters of the north. The legacy of the European presence
here - well preserved French architecture and careful street planning – has
blended delightfully with more than 30 gilded Buddhist temples to create a
town rich in atmosphere and history.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the morning flight to the
former Royal capital. Your guide will meet you at the airport and bring you
to your hotel. To check in before taking you to a local restaurant to try
the local cuisine for lunch! Welcome to Luang Prabang! Your guide will meet
you upon arrival at the airport and bring you to your hotel. Then enjoy a
half-day spin around Luang Prabang and you will understand why it deserves
the World Heritage title! Visit Wat Visoun, the site of
impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically
more Sinhalese than Lao. Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this
small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in
each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, along side
the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns! Then continue on to visit
Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim
(chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style.
Wat Xieng Thong further emphasizes & characterizes the uniqueness of
Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. See also the
impressive "tree of life" mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the
chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes from the Ramayana. Then visit the
National Museum, once a king's palace, where displayed inside is a
lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family,
including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the
dignitaries of foreign countries. This town is wonderful for walking,
and today’s excursion will help to give you your bearings! Spend the rest of
the day exploring or relaxing on your own. You can find dinner at any number
of clean & delicious international restaurants. Lao beer is an excellent
pilsner, and many types of French wine are also available at reasonable
prices.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch
Day 3 - Luangprabang
If you wish, get an early start
(6:00am or so) and go watch or participate in the traditional Lao rite of
Almsgiving to the monks. In the city, some 300+ monks file
through silently collecting alms. This is an amazing sight and your guide
will be on hand to demonstrate and explain this important ritual. Return to
your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, begin a Mekong Riverboat trip with your guide
on the mighty Mekong River to visit the famous & sacred Pak Ou Buddha
Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Ou
Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that
were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat
found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many still pay respect
with this old tradition. Walk through the caves before returning to your
boat and to Luang Prabang town. Enjoy lunch en route.
Return to the hotel to relax or explore on your own. Luang Prabang is a
wonderful walking town, and you can find dinner on your own at any number of
fine international restaurants.
Tonight, if you’d like, have your guide escort you to the local nightlife
spot – Muang Swa. Part 50s prom, part 70s disco and very Lao. Places like
this are rapidly disappearing in the world. Learn charming Lao circle
dancing (Lamvong) techniques! You’ll have to go early though; all nightlife
in Laos shuts down at 11:30pm.
Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch
Day 4 - Luangprabang – Departure
After breakfast, drive with your
guide by car to the Khuang Sii Waterfall. The falls cascade
over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of
cool, turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green tint due to the
high mineral content. You can climb the stairs and look down from various
high viewpoints on the way to the top! Bring a bathing suit if
you’d like to swim. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight
onward.
Meals: Breakfast
Price Includes:
- All domestic land, water,
and air transportation as listed in the itinerary
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- All accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- Insurance
- All entrance fees
- Government Taxes and VAT
Price Does Not Include:
- International air tickets
and ticket Luang Prabang - Vientiane
- Visa Fee (30-42$) depending on nationality + 1 passport size picture
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Items not listed in the itinerary
|






|