LAOS
Classic Tours
AMAZING LUANG PRABANG - 4 days/3 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Arrive Luang
Prabang
On arrival in Luang Prabang transfer
to hotel. In the afternoon after a
brief orientation tour of the
spiritual capital of Laos before
climbing the 328 steps to the top of
Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic
view of the city and the surrounding
countryside. Stop at the evening
hilltribe market. Overnight in Luang
Prabang.
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Luang Prabang
After breakfast, a city tour begins
at the former Royal Palace, now the
National Museum. Continue to Wat
Mai, a temple renowned for its
golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai,
the lao new year, the Prabang
normally housed in the Royal Palace
Museum is brought and put on public
display in this temple. Then the Wat
Sene with its beautiful golden
façade. Finish the morning with the
visit of the most photographed
temple: Wat Xieng Thong.
In the afternoon, Wat Visoun,
entirely rebuilt after being
destroyed in 1887 by the invading
Black Flags from southern China. In
the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands
the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the
fruit it takes its name from. We
will also visit Wat Aham where we
can find the altar of the 2 genius
of Luang Prabang and then visit of
Wat That where the ashes of King
Sisavang Vong are interred inside
the large central stupa. Visit of
the Pra Bat Thai for the sunset.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Luang Prabang-Pak
Ou Caves-Luang Prabang
Very special (optional) dawn visit
before breakfast to witness the long
lines of orange-robed monks leaving
their pagodas to receive offerings
of food from Luang Prabang
residents. Return to the hotel for
breakfast. After breakfast, embark
on a boat trip on the Mekong River
to visit the mysterious Pak Ou
Caves. In Pak Ou, thousands of gold
lacquered Buddha statues are crammed
into the two caves carved out of a
towering limestone cliff. They range
in size from a few centimetres to
the size of a human. Return to Luang
Prabang. In the afternoon, enjoy a
visit to Kuang Si Waterfall, south
west of Luang Prabang with stops
en-route to visit some ethnic
minority villages. It is possible to
walk to the top of the falls via a
steep track and if the weather is
good swim in the clear water at the
foot of the falls.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Depart Luang
Prabang
After breakfast, visit a weaving
village (Xang Khong) where
traditional Lao textiles are woven
and where Sa paper is made from and
Wat Xieng Lek before transfer to the
airport for departure flight. (B) |
AUTHENTIC LAOS - 8 days/7 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Houey Xay- Xieng
Kok
After your arrival in Houey Xay, you
will embark in a local boat that
leads you to the edge of many
countries such as China, Myanmar and
Laos. Arrive in Xieng Kok then have
a short transfer by road to Muang
Sing. On the way, your guide will
give you some essential information
about a civilization of different
areas, which is quite unique from
one to another. Dinner and overnight
at the Stupa Mountain Lodge. (L, D)
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Muang Sing
Tour departs from That Xieng Tueng
following the old French road to Nam
Keo Noi Water Fall. Lunch is
prepared by the villagers at the
waterfall. After lunch carry on to
the old village site and walk
through pine forest and old growth
forest before descending to Ban Lao
Khao. On the trail the guides will
have a forest activity such as bird
watching, collecting bamboo shoots,
medicinal plants. Overnight in the
Ban Lao Khao Lodge. While waiting
for dinner, visit with the Ban Lao
Khao village hosts. Touring the
village, enjoy traditional dance;
listen to traditional musical
instruments, stories, and legends
while watching the preparation of
the evening meal. Learn about
traditional houses.An after dinner
massage from the young women of the
village before going off to listen
to the courting songs of the youth
at the courting grounds. (B, L, D) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Muang Sing
After breakfast start walking to Ban
Phou Yae. The trail passes through
secondary forest. In Phou Yae
Village be guests of a family for
lunch. After lunch continue to Ban
Houeinagang. Stop for tea in Ban
Houeinagang do a village activity
such as cotton spinning, making and
playing with children's toys or
pounding rice. Continue to Ban Eu
La. Along the way do an agricultural
activity like planting rice, riding
a buffalo or gathering vegetables.
Stop in Eu La Village for tea and
visit with the village. (It is an
Akha custom for visitors to stop in
the village and chat before passing
on through). Continue on to Ban Tamy
to the village lodge. (B, L, D) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Muang Sing-
Luang Namtha
After breakfast do a village
activity such as cotton spinning,
making and playing with children's
toys or pounding rice. Depart for
Ban Nam Hoo. Along the way do
agricultural activities like
planting rice, riding a buffalo or
gathering vegetables. Stop for tea
in Ban Nam Hoo. Eat lunch in a
family home in Monaa Village.
Afterwards walk through the forest
to a view of the Muang Sing. Walk
down to Ban Piyer and stop for tea.
Visit the village handicraft store
before taking the truck back to the
guesthouse. In late afternoon,
transfer by road to the main
provincial of Luang Nam Tha. During
all your journeys with the Akha
people, you will involve yourself
into many different activities that
occur every year depending on the
seasons (participation in a farming
work, collecting medicinal plants,
singings and dances, etc.).
Overnight at the Boat Landing Guest
House. (B, L) |
| Day 5 |
: |
Luang Namtha -
Pakbeng
In the early morning, your driver
will pick you up at your guesthouse
and drive to Pak Beng (On the way
make a stop at Oudomxay for lunch at
the local restaurant-Optional- and
visit of the local market). After
lunch, continue the road to Pakbeng.
Overnight in Pakbeng. (B, D) |
| Day 6 |
: |
Pakbeng - Kamu
Lodge
After breakfast, you will embark in
a local boat, which will take you to
the Kamu Lodge. The Kamu Lodge is
enclosed with 20 tents, which are
recovered of thatches roof in a
harmony with the nature and the
local houses style. Each tent is
appointed with traditional furniture
made of bamboo and wood. Hot water
is available in each bath room
(solar power) and all are in a 100%
nature, away from tourist circuits.
Lunch on boat. On arrival at Kamu
lodge with welcome drink. Diner and
overnight at Kamu lodge. (B, L, D) |
| Day 7 |
: |
Kamu Lodge -
Luang Prabang
After breakfast, you may choose to
participate in the different
activities. You will be rewarded
with a very original Lao experience:
- Demonstration of rice
planting (with participation
possible) with traditional
techniques of cultivating the
rice.
- Find some gold in the Mekong
river (period from January to
June).
- Have a walk in the forest
and gain some new information
about the medicinal traditional
plants.
- Fishing in the Mekong
- Trekking around and discover
a waterfall of 15 m height (2
hours of walk and boat)
- Visit the Kamu village and
local people.
Lunch at the Lodge's Sala.
After some time to relax in the
afternoon, departure to Luang
Prabang by boat. On the way make a
stop at the Pak Ou cave. In Pak Ou,
thousands of gold lacquered Buddha
statues are crammed into the two
caves carved out of a towering
limestone cliff. They range in size
from a few centimeters to the size
of a human. On arrival to Luang
Prabang, transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B, L) |
| Day 8 |
: |
Depart Luang
Prabang
Free at your leisure time until
departure, transfer to the airport
for your flight to other
destination. (B) |
| |
|
NOTE:
Rates for this tour are based on a
minimum of 2 pax and the tour is
limited to 8 participants. Due to
the remoteness of the region, this
tour includes some elder vehicles,
basic Accommodations and bad roads.
Plans, schedules and itineraries
might have to be amended at the last
minute to adapt to some changing
circumstances. Therefore
flexibility, an open mind and a
genuine interest for off the beaten
track visits are required. |
ESSENTIAL LUANG PRABANG - 3 days/2 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Arrive Luang
Prabang
On arrival in Luang Prabang transfer
to hotel. In the afternoon visit the
former Royal Palace, now the
National Museum and Wat Mai, a
temple renowned for its golden
bas-reliefs before climbing the 328
steps to the top of Mount Phousi to
enjoy a panoramic view of the city
and the surrounding countryside.
Stop at the evening hilltribe
market. Overnight in Luang Prabang. |
| Day 2 |
: |
Luang Prabang-Pak
Ou Caves-Luang Prabang
Very special (optional) dawn visit
before breakfast to witness the long
lines of orange-robed monks leaving
their pagodas to receive offerings
of food from Luang Prabang
residents. Return to the hotel for
breakfast. After breakfast, visit
beautiful Wat Xieng Thong showing
its best face in the morning sun,
before embarking for a boat trip on
the Mekong River to visit the
mysterious Pak Ou Caves. In Pak Ou,
thousands of gold lacquered Buddha
statues are crammed into the two
caves carved out of a towering
limestone cliff. They range in size
from a few centimetres to the size
of a human. Return to Luang Prabang.
In the afternoon, continue the
exploration of town with stops at
Wat That, Wat Visoun and Wat Aham.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Depart Luang
Prabang
In the morning visit a weaving
village (Xang Khong) where
traditional Lao textiles are woven
and where Sa paper is made from and
Wat Xieng Lek before transferring to
the airport for your flight out. (B) |
KAMU
LODGE - 2 days/1 night
| Day 1 |
: |
Luang
Prabang-Kamu Lodge
Depart from Wat Xieng Thong pier at
0900H for a cruise upstream and a
stop at the sacred Pak Ou caves. In
Pak Ou, thousands of gold lacquered
Buddha statues are crammed into the
two caves carved out of a towering
limestone cliff. They range in size
from a few centimetres to the size
of a human.
Continue upriver for 1 hour to reach
the Kamu Lodge. In a unique setting
and with original (and optional)
activities like rice planting, gold
panning, trekking and fishing in the
Mekong, this eco-oriented lodge will
make you live a very different Lao
experience. Overnight at the Kamu
Lodge. (L, D) |
| Day 2 |
: |
Kamu Lodge-Luang
Prabang
After breakfast a free morning to
relax at the lodge, head back to
Luang Prabang by boat. (B)
|
LAND OF A MILLION ELEPHANTS - 5 days/4
nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Arrive Vientiane
On arrival in Vientiane, transfer to
your hotel.
In the afternoon, a city tour takes
in Wat Sisaket, with its thousands
of miniature Buddha statues, Wat
Prakeo, Wat Simuang, the That Luang
Monument and Vientiane's own Arc de
Triomphe, the Patouxai Monument.
Overnight in Vientiane. |
| Day 2 |
: |
Vientiane-Luang
Prabang
Transfer to Wattay Airport for a
morning flight to the former royal
capital, Luang Prabang. Transfer to
hotel before setting out to explore
some of the sights of this peaceful,
provincial city. There is little
traffic on the Luang Prabang roads
and monks in orange robes scurry in
all directions carrying umbrellas to
shade themselves from the sun. This
afternoon visit the former Royal
Palace, now the National Museum,
followed by nearby Wat Mai and its
famous bas-reliefs. Then Wat sene
with its beautiful golden façade.
Continue to climb the 328 steps to
Mount Phousi and its panoramic view
for sunset. Overnight in Luang
Prabang. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Luang Prabang-Pak
Ou Caves-Luang Prabang
After breakfast, visit the most
beautiful Wat Xieng Thong showing
its best face in the morning sun
before embarking on a half-day boat
trip on the Mekong River to visit
the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. In Pak
Ou, thousands of gold lacquered
Buddha statues are crammed into the
two caves carved out of a towering
limestone cliff. They range in size
from a few centimetres to the size
of a human. Return to Luang Prabang.
In the afternoon, continue the
exploration of town with stops at
Wat That, Wat Visoun and Wat Aham.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Luang Prabang
A very special (optional) dawn visit
before breakfast to witness the long
lines of orange-robed monks leaving
their pagodas to receive offerings
of food from Luang Prabang
residents. Back to the hotel for
breakfast. After breakfast, enjoy a
visit to Kuang Si Waterfall, south
west of Luang Prabang with stops
en-route to visit some ethnic
minority villages. It is possible to
walk to the top of the falls via a
steep track and if the weather is
good swim in the clear water at the
foot of the falls. Picnic lunch by
the falls or return to Luang Prabang
for lunch. In the afternoon visit a
weaving village (Xang Khong) where
traditional Lao textiles are woven
and where Sa paper is made and Wat
Xieng Lek. Overnight in Luang
Prabang. (B) |
| Day 5 |
: |
Depart Luang
Prabang
After breakfast, free at leisure
before transferring to the airport
for your departure flight. (B) |
LAOS PEE MAI - 6 days/5 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Luang
Prabang-Kamu Lodge
Arrive in Luang Prabang and transfer
to restaurant for lunch. Please
prepare a small bag for the
one-night stay at Kamu Lodge. Arrive
at the Kamu Lodge around 17:00 for
welcome drinks and check-in to
tents. In the evening, enjoy a Loy
Kratong ceremony along the Mekong
River and dinner at the lodge.
Overnight at the Kamu Lodge. (L, D) |
| Day 2 |
: |
Kamu Lodge-Pak
Ou Caves-Luang Prabang
After breakfast, participate in some
activities available in Kamu Lodge:
- Demonstration of rice
planting (with participation
possible) with traditional
techniques of cultivating the
rice.
- Find some gold in the Mekong
river (period from January to
June).
- Have a walk in the forest
and gain some new information
about the medicinal traditional
plants.
- Trekking around and discover
a waterfall of 15 m height (2
hours of walk and boat)
- Fishing in the Mekong
- Visit the Khmu village and
local people.
After lunch, return to Luang
Prabang by boat, with a stop at the
Pak Ou Caves en route. After
arriving in Luang Prabang, visit Wat
Xieng Thong. Experience a baci
ceremony before dinner at the
Heritage House. (B, L, D) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Luang Prabang
Optional: depart the hotel at 05:30
to go see the monk procession
through town. After breakfast enjoy
a tour of Luang Prabang's Royal
Palace, Wat Mai, Wat That, Wat
Visoun and Wat Aham. After lunch
visit a weaving village. The
afternoon is free at leisure. In the
evening, visit the H'mong night
market. (B, L, D) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Luang Prabang
Optional: depart the hotel at 05:30
to go see the monk procession
through town. After breakfast enjoy
a tour of Luang Prabang's Royal
Palace, Wat Mai, Wat That, Wat
Visoun and Wat Aham. After lunch
visit a weaving village. The
afternoon is free at leisure. In the
evening, visit the H'mong night
market. (B, L, D) |
| Day 5 |
: |
Luang Prabang
After breakfast, the day is
dedicated to New Year festivities,
including street parades, market
visits, monk processions, etc. (B,
L, D)
|
| Day 6 |
: |
Luang Prabang
After breakfast, you will experience
a lao cooking class made by the Chef
Mr Chantanong from The Residence
Phou Vao. (max 30 pax). You will
start by the visit of the market,
the chef will teach you how to
select the products. Return to the
hotel for the theory and practice of
the lao cooking class. Cooking class
can be organised in our main kitchen
or outside, in front of the pool,
overlooking the Phousi
mountain.11h30 Lunch at the
Residence Phou Vao.12h15 approx.
Transfer to the airport for your
flight to Bangkok PG 13h30-15h20.
(B, L)
|
LUANGSAY CRUISE - 2 days/1 night
| Day 1 |
: |
Houey
Xay-Pakbeng
Leave Houey Xay on the Thai border
on the Pak Ou for a leisurely cruise
down the Mekong to Pakbeng. Several
stops along the way offer the
opportunity to sample rural life in
the villages scattered along the
riverbank. Arrive in Pakbeng in time
to catch the sunset and dine on the
terrace overlooking the Mekong.
Overnight in the Luang Say Lodge,
Pakbeng. (L, D) |
| Day 2 |
: |
Pakbeng-Pak Ou
Caves-Luang Prabang
After breakfast at the lodge board
the Pak Ou for the second leg of the
cruise to Pak Ou Caves, stopping for
a picnic lunch en route at a fishing
village. At Pak Ou, thousands of
gold lacquered Buddha statues are
crammed into the two caves carved
out of a towering limestone cliff.
They range in size from a few
centimetres to the size of a human.
Stop off at Ban Sang Hay village to
sample some homemade rice wine
before disembarking in Luang Prabang.
(B, L) |
LINKING CAPITALS - 7 days/6 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Arrive Luang
Prabang
On arrival in Luang Prabang transfer
to hotel. In the afternoon after a
brief orientation tour of the
spiritual capital of Laos before
climbing the 328 steps to the top of
Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic
view of the city and the surrounding
countryside. Stop at the evening
hilltribe market. Overnight in Luang
Prabang. |
| Day 2 |
: |
Luang Prabang
After breakfast, a city tour begins
at the former Royal Palace, now the
National Museum. Continue to Wat
Mai, a temple renowned for its
golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai,
the Lao New Year, the Prabang
normally housed in the Royal Palace
Museum is brought and put on public
display in this temple. Then the Wat
Sene with its beautiful golden
façade. Finish the morning with the
visit of the most photographed
temple: Wat Xieng Thong.
In the afternoon, Wat Visoun,
entirely rebuilt after being
destroyed in 1887 by the invading
Black Flags from southern China. In
the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands
the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the
fruit it takes its name from. We
will also visit Wat Aham where we
can find the altar of the 2 genius
of Luang Prabang and then visit of
Wat That where the ashes of King
Sisavang Vong are interred inside
the large central stupa. Overnight
in Luang Prabang. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Luang
Prabang-Kuang Si Waterfall- Luang
Prabang
After breakfast, enjoy a visit to
Kuang Si Waterfall, south west of
Luang Prabang with stops en-route to
visit some ethnic minority villages.
It is possible to walk to the top of
the falls via a steep track and if
the weather is good swim in the
clear water at the foot of the
falls. Return to Luang Prabang. Rest
of the afternoon free at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Luang Prabang-Pak
Ou-Kamu Lodge
Very special (optional) dawn visit
before breakfast to witness the long
lines of orange-robed monks leaving
their pagodas to receive offerings
of food from Luang Prabang
residents. Back to the hotel for
breakfast. After breakfast, embark
for a boat trip on the Mekong River
to visit the mysterious Pak Ou
Caves. In Pak Ou, thousands of gold
lacquered Buddha statues are crammed
into the two caves carved out of a
towering limestone cliff. They range
in size from a few centimetres to
the size of a human. Continue
upriver for 45 minutes to reach the
Kamu Lodge. In a unique setting and
with original (and optional)
activities like rice planting, gold
panning and fishing in the Mekong,
this eco-oriented lodge will make
you live a very different lao
experience. Overnight at the Kamu
Lodge. (B, L, D) |
| Day 5 |
: |
Kamu Lodge-Luang
Prabang-Vientiane
After some time to relax at the
lodge, head back to Luang Prabang by
boat. In the afternoon visit a
weaving village (Xang Khong) where
traditional Lao textiles are woven
and where Sa paper is made from and
Wat Xieng Lek before transferring to
the airport for the evening flight
back to Vientiane. In Vientiane,
transfer to your hotel on arrival.
Overnight in Vientiane. (B)
|
| Day 6 |
: |
Vientiane
Full-day dedicated to the visit of
capital city, Vientiane, with Wat
Sisaket and its thousands of
miniature Buddha statues, Wat Prakeo,
Wat Simuang, the That Luang
Monument, Vientiane's own Arc de
Triomphe, the Patouxai Monument and
the Talat Sao or Morning market.
Overnight in Vientiane. (B)
|
| Day 7 |
: |
Depart Vientiane
After breakfast, free at leisure
until your transfer to the airport
for your departure flight. (B) |
OVERLAND LAOS - 7 days/6 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Luang Prabang
On arrival in Luang Prabang transfer
to hotel. In the afternoon after a
brief orientation tour of the
spiritual capital of Laos before
climbing the 328 steps to the top of
Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic
view of the city and the surrounding
countryside. Stop at the evening
hill tribe market. Overnight in
Luang Prabang. |
| Day 2 |
: |
Luang Prabang
Optional: For early-risers (05h30)
there is a very special dawn visit
to witness the long lines of
orange-robed monks leaving their
pagodas to receive offerings of food
from Luang Prabang residents. Return
to the hotel for breakfast. After
breakfast, a city tour begins at the
former Royal Palace, now the
National Museum. Continue to Wat
Mai, a temple renowned for its
golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai,
the Lao New Year, the Prabang
normally housed in the Royal Palace
Museum is brought and put on public
display in this temple. Then the Wat
Sene with its beautiful golden
façade. Finish the morning with the
visit of the most photographed
temple: Wat Xieng Khong. In the
afternoon, Wat Visoun, entirely
rebuilt after being destroyed in
1887 by the invading Black Flags
from southern China. In the
courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the
Watermelon Stupa shaped like the
fruit it takes its name from. We
will also visit Wat Aham where we
can find the altar of the 2 genius
of Luang Prabang and then visit of
Wat That where the ashes of King
Sisavang Vong are interred inside
the large central stupa. In the end
of the afternoon, visit of the Pra
Bat Thai for sunset. Overnight in
Luang Prabang. (B, D) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Luang Prabang -
Pak Ou - Kuang Si - Luang Prabang
After breakfast board the boat for
the river journey to the mysterious
Pak Ou Caves. Thousands of gold
lacquered Buddha statues are crammed
into the two caves carved out of a
towering limestone cliff. They range
in size from a few centimetres to
the size of a human. After lunch,
continue to a village to sample to
local rice alcohol known as Lao. In
the afternoon enjoy a visit to the
Kuang Si Waterfall, south west of
Luang Prabang with stops en-route to
visit some ethnic minority villages.
It is possible to walk to the top of
the falls via a steep track and if
the weather is good swim in the
clear water at the foot of the
falls. (Bring swimwear and towels).
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B, D) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Luang Prabang -
Vang Vieng
After breakfast, Mid-morning depart
for a drive down spectacular Route
13 towards Vang Vieng. Stop in Kasi,
the center of a fruit-growing area.
Continue to Vang Vieng, nestled
along the Nam Song River and framed
by spectacular karst formations
housing numerous caves. Visit of
Tham Jam Cave in the afternoon and
stroll through town along the
Namsong River. Overnight in Vang
Vieng. (B) |
| Day 5 |
: |
Vang Vieng -
Vientiane
After breakfast mid-morning leave in
direction of Vientiane with a stop
for lunch (optional) at the man-made
Nam Ngum Lake, created by a
hydroelectric dam. In the afternoon,
continue towards the capital city
Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane.
(B)
|
| Day 6 |
: |
Vientiane
After breakfast, start to explore
some of the main monuments of
Vientiane.
Vat Sisaket: the only temple left
intact after the Siamese invasion in
1828. One of the most beautiful
temple of the capital with its
thousands of miniature Buddha
statues. Continue with Vat Phra Keo,
used as a religious museum where are
displayed Lao and Khmer works of art
and visit the Patuxai monument, also
called Anousavari from its roof
enjoy a panoramic sight over the
city. Finish with the That Luang,
the holiest place in Laos. In the
afternoon visit the most popular and
venerated temple in Vientiane: Wat
Simuang with its famous stone column
that marks the spot where the city
of Vientiane was founded and, if
time allows, the National Museum,
which documents the history of Laos.
Overnight in Vientiane. (B)
|
| Day 7 |
: |
Depart Vientiane
After breakfast, free at leisure
till your transfer to airport for
your onward departure flight. (B) |
RICHNESS AND SPLENDOURS OF LAOS - 10 days/9
nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Arrive Luang
Prabang
On arrival in Luang Prabang transfer
to hotel. In the afternoon after a
brief orientation tour of the
spiritual capital of Laos before
climbing the 328 steps to the top of
Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic
view of the city and the surrounding
countryside. Stop at the evening
hilltribe market. Overnight in Luang
Prabang. |
| Day 2 |
: |
Luang Prabang
After breakfast, a city tour begins
at the former Royal Palace, now the
National Museum. Continue to Wat
Mai, a temple renowned for its
golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai,
the Lao new year, the Prabang
normally housed in the Royal Palace
Museum is brought and put on public
display in this temple. Then the Wat
Sene with its beautiful golden
façade. Finish the morning with the
visit of the most photographed
temple: Wat Xieng Thong.
In the afternoon, Wat Visoun,
entirely rebuilt after being
destroyed in 1887 by the invading
Black Flags from southern China. In
the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands
the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the
fruit it takes its name from. We
will also visit Wat Aham where we
can find the altar of the 2 genius
of Luang Prabang and then visit of
Wat That where the ashes of King
Sisavang Vong are interred inside
the large central stupa. Overnight
in Luang Prabang. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Luang
Prabang-Kuang Si Waterfall- Luang
Prabang
Very special (optional) dawn visit
before breakfast to witness the long
lines of orange-robed monks leaving
their pagodas to receive offerings
of food from Luang Prabang
residents. After breakfast, you will
experience a Lao cooking class made
by the Chef from The Residence Phou
Vao. (Max 30 pax) You will start by
the visit of the market, the chef
will teach you how to select the
products. Return to the hotel for
the theory and practice Cooking
class can be organised in our main
kitchen or outside, in front of the
pool, overlooking the Phousi
Mountain. Lunch at the Residence
Phou Vao. After lunch, enjoy a visit
to Kuang Si Waterfall, south west of
Luang Prabang with stops en-route to
visit some ethnic minority villages.
It is possible to walk to the top of
the falls via a steep track and if
the weather is good swim in the
clear water at the foot of the
falls. Return to Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B, L,
D) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Luang Prabang-Pak
Ou-Kamu Lodge
Thismorning embark for a boat trip
on the Mekong River to visit the
mysterious Pak Ou Caves. In Pak Ou,
thousands of gold lacquered Buddha
statues are crammed into the two
caves carved out of a towering
limestone cliff. They range in size
from a few centimetres to the size
of a human. Continue upriver for 1
hour to reach the Kamu Lodge. In a
unique setting and with original
(and optional) activities like rice
planting, gold panning and fishing
in the Mekong, this eco-oriented
lodge will make you live a very
different lao experience. Overnight
at the Kamu Lodge. (B, L, D) |
| Day 5 |
: |
Kamu Lodge-Luang
Prabang-Vientiane
After a free morning to relax at the
lodge, head back to Luang Prabang by
boat. In the afternoon visit a
weaving village (Xang Khong) where
traditional Lao textiles are woven
and where Sa paper is made from and
Wat Xieng Lek before transferring to
the airport for the evening flight
back to Vientiane. In Vientiane,
transfer to your hotel on arrival.
Overnight in Vientiane. (B)
|
| Day 6 |
: |
Vientiane
Full-day dedicated to the visit of
the capital city, Vientiane, with
Wat Sisaket and its thousands of
miniature Buddha statues, Wat Prakeo,
Wat Simuang, the That Luang
Monument, Vientiane's own Arc de
Triomphe, the Patouxai Monument and
the Talat Sao or Morning market.
Overnight in Vientiane. (B)
|
| Day 7 |
: |
Vientiane-Pakse
After an early breakfast, transfer
to the airport for your flight to
Pakse. On arrival, short visit of
Pakse town followed by a drive to
the Tad Lo Falls. After lunch
continue to Tad Fane Falls and visit
tea and coffee plantations of the
Bolaven Plateau. Return to Pakse in
the afternoon. Overnight at your
hotel. (B) |
| Day 8 |
: |
Pakse-Wat
Phu-Elephants-Khong Island
After breakfast, transfer by boat or
road to Champassak. From here
continue to Wat Phou, a pre-angkorian
Khmer temple and a UNESCO World
Heritage site. Return to Champasak
for lunch, and see former royal
mansions and samples of French
colonial architecture. After lunch
continues to Ban Kiet Ngong, a small
Lao village where you will go for a
90min elephant ride through the
forest (2 persons per elephant) and
up to Mount Assa. Continue by road
to Khong Island, the biggest island
in south Laos. Overnight in Khong.
(B) |
| Day 9 |
: |
Khong Island-Khone
Island-Pakse
Afterbreakfast, take a local boat to
the peaceful islands of Done Det and
Done Khone, sites of the only
railway ever built in Laos at the
end of the 19th century. After a
stroll through the palm-fringed
villages and lunch continue to the
southernmost part of Laos and the
imposing Khone Papheng waterfalls,
near the Cambodian border. In the
afternoon return to Pakse and stop
at the exotic evening market.
Overnight in Pakse. (B) |
| Day
10 |
: |
Depart Pakse
After breakfast transfer either to
the Thai border or to the airport
for your onward flight. (B) |
THE PLAIN OF JARS - 2 days/1 night
| Day 1 |
: |
Phonsavan-Plain
of Jars-Phonsavan
Arrive in Phonsavan and transfer to
hotel. The Plain of Jars is one of
Asia's most unusual sights, hundreds
of stone jars some weighing up to a
tonne scattered over a large area of
countryside. The jars are thought to
be over 2,000 years old but their
origins are still a mystery.
NOTE: Depending on flight timing,
the 3 main sites (one near town and
2 further south at Phasay District
and Salato Mountain) will be visited
in different order. A stop will also
be made at the ancient capital Muang
Khoun. Overnight in Phonsavan. (D) |
| Day 2 |
: |
Depart Phonsavan
After breakfast, finish the visits
and see the local market before
transferring to the airport for your
departure flight. (B, L). |
THE 4000 ISLANDS - 4 days/3 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Arrive in Pakse
On arrival, short visit of Pakse
town followed by a drive to the Tad
Lo Falls. Continue to Tad Fane Falls
and visit tea and coffee plantations
of the Bolavens Plateau. Return to
Pakse in the afternoon. Overnight in
Pakse. |
| Day 2 |
: |
Pakse - Wat Phou
- Khong Island
After breakfast, transfer by boat or
road to Champassak. From here
continue to Wat Phou, a pre-angkorian
Khmer temple and a UNESCO World
Heritage site. Return to Champasak
to see samples of French colonial
architecture. After lunch continue
to Ban Kiet Ngong a small lao
village where you will go for a 90
min elephant ride through the forest
(2 persons per elephant) and up to
Mount Assa. Continue by road to
Khong Island, the biggest island in
south Laos. Overnight in Khong. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Khong Island -
Khone Island - Pakse
After breakfast, take a local boat
to the peaceful islands of Done Det
and Done Khone, sites of the only
railway ever built in Laos at the
end of the 19th century. After a
stroll through the palm-fringed
villages and lunch (optional)
continue to the southernmost part of
Laos and the imposing Khone Papheng
waterfalls, near the Cambodian
border. In the afternoon return to
Pakse and stop at the exotic evening
market. Overnight in Pakse.(B) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Pakse
After breakfast transfer either to
the Thai border or to the airport
for your onward flight. (B) |
WAT PHOU CRUISE - 3 days/2 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Pakse-Wat
Phou-Champasak
Depart from Pakse for Champasak, on
a joined journey of two hours by a
local longtail boat (with other
cruise passengers) to meet the boat
and check-in. After lunch on board,
transfer to Wat Phou Temple for a
visit to the site before returning
to the boat as the sun sets. Dinner
and overnight on board. (L,D) |
| Day 2 |
: |
Huei Thamo-Ban
Dua Tae
After breakfast sail to the island
of Don Daeng and the village of Huei
Thamo (Oum Moung). A shore excursion
allows exploration of the nearby
ruins hidden in the forest. Return
to the boat and sail south into the
area known as the '4,000 Islands'.
Lunch on board. In the afternoon
visit the traditional Laotian
Village of Ban Dua Tae. Dinner and
overnight on board. (B,L,D) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Khong Island-Phapheng-Pakse
After breakfast, sail to Ban
Veuthong on Khong Island. On arrival
transfer by long-tail boat to visit
Khone Island. Enjoy lunch at local
restaurant before departing for
Phapheng Falls and returning to
Pakse by road (with other cruise
passengers). (B,L) |
|
