Wonders of Laos (9D/8N Program)
Luang Prabang – Xiengkhuang – Vientiane - Pakse –Khong Island – Tad Lo - Pakse
Day1: Arrival in Luang Prabang (-, -, -)
Meet on arrival at Luang Prabang airport and transfer to your hotel. Have an afternoon sightseeing tour of Luang Prabang, considered as the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia and listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1995. 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 2: 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.
Alternative option:Khuang Xi Waterfalls
After the temple tour, depart by road to the Khuang Xi Waterfalls (37 km, approx. 1 hour drive). These pretty waterfalls cascade over multi – tiered limestone formations into cool, clear pools of various sizes. On the way back to Luang Prabang, visit Ban Xang Khong village to see how traditional Sa paper is made.
Day 3: Luang Prabang - Xiengkhuang (B, -, -)
Depart for Xiengkhuang by a scenic drive through wonderful natural surrounds. The journey will give you plenty of opportunities for photos and visiting hill tribe villages. Upon arrival, visit to Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. Stay overnight in Xiengkhuang.
Day 4: Xiengkhuang – Vientiane (B,-,-)
Enjoy a sightseeing tour which features Central Market in Phonsavan, MAG exhibition and Site 2 of the Plain of Jars before taking a short scenic trek to Site 3 via a Tai Dam and Lao Leum village. Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Vientiane. Pick up on arrival at Vientiane Wattay Airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Vientiane.
Day 5: Vientiane (B, -, -)
Have an morning 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. Afternoon drive 30km south of Vientiane to visit Xiengkheuan Buddha Park, a blend of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures made by a mystical monk and displayed on the by the bank of the Mekong River. Stay over night in Vientiane.
Day 6: Vientiane – Pakse –Khong Island (B,-,-)
Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Pakse. On arrival at the airport, transfer onto a private traditional boat for a 2 hour cruise to Champassak. Disembark at this ancient town, of the Champa Kingdom. Then drive to Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became recognized by UNESCO in 2002. Wat Phou is the site of ruins which were once part of a temple built some time before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It contains some of the most Ancient Khmer architectures which date back to between the 7-11th centuries. In the afternoon drive to Don Khong, an area of 4,000 islands which is the widest point of the Mekong River during the rainy season, although during the dry months the river recedes, leaving behind thousands of islands and islets. This area of the river is also famous for being the home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. En route, stop to visit the ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo. Arrive at Khong Island via ferry early evening. Stay overnight in Khong Island.
Day 7: Khong Island (B,-,-)
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour which features the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng - the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the 'Niagara of the east'. Afternoon free time for your own exploration island or relax at your hotel. Stay overnight in Khong Island
Day 8: Khong Island – Tad Lo - Pakse (B,-,-)
Drive to Tad Lo, through the Bolaven Plateau. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route. This trip gives you the chance to venture off the beaten track and to discover some of the lesser-known areas of Laos, exploring the wild beauty of this southern region. Upon arrival at Tad Lo Waterfall, visit to villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu, populated by ethnic minority groups. Travel to Pakse by late evening. Stay overnight in Pakse.
Day 9: Pakse – Departure (B)
Spend last minutes shopping before check-out. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
