Highlights of Laos (4D/3N Program)
Vientiane – Luang Prabang
Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane (-, -, -)
Meet on arrival at Vientiane Wattay airport and transfer to your hotel. Have an afternoon city tour of the major sights of the capital. Visit the famous and most sacred sculpture of That Luang Stupa, built by King Setthathirath in 1566, this great sacred stupa is considered as the Laos’ national symbol. The next stop is Wat Sisaket, one of the oldest and most interesting pagodas in Vientiane, featuring remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha statues. Continue visiting the former royal temple of Ho Prakeo which once housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image and contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in the country. The final stop is the imposing Patuxay Monument, well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Stay over night in Vientiane.
Day 2: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B, -, -)
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Luang Prabang, 420km north of Vientiane, listed in 1995 as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the well-preserved traditional city, famed with its 32 historical temples built before the era of French colonization and the lovely Royal Palace. Explore the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and That Makmo.Then take walk to the nearby Wat Aham, one of the city’s major tutelary shrines, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Continue visiting the shrine of Wat Mai, famous for the five–tiered, timber-framed roof. Next, walk 328 steps uphill to the summit of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded Wat Chamsi stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. In the evening explore the lively Street Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection of handmade textiles and woodcarvings by local and hill tribe people from the surroundings of Luang Prabang. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou caves - Luang Prabang (B, -, -)
Enjoy a unique sight of the early morning ritual parade of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents and visitors, and from there have a leisurely stroll around the nearby morning market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Then pay visits to the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. Next, board a traditional river boat cruising upstream the Mekong River for the sacred Pak Ou Caves. Enjoy the beautiful mountain landscape, the tranquil countryside along the journey. On arrival, explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. After the river trip, drive to Ban Xang Khong village to see how traditional Sa paper is made. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4: Departure from Luang Prabang (B, -, -)
Visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) where displays a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family, including photos, musical equipment and gifts received from foreign countries. Then drive to the famous hand-weaving village of Ban Phanom. Spend last minutes strolling around the shopping area. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
