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Vacation Activities Highlight |
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This tour gives us 12 incredible days touring from the North town of Houixai all the way to the sleepy capital of Vientiane. You will enjoy a relaxing cruise down two days of Laos major rivers: Mekong and Nam Ou . We will experience many different tribal cultures and temples on our journey. Witness the stunning natural landscapes including: the impressive Kuangsi waterfall, and explore numerous caves and caverns. We travel to the ancient archeological siteof plain of jars in Xiengkhouang and stunning Vangvieng with incredible limestonekarst mountains all around. Finally we visit Vientiane the Capital and its temples and museum.
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Vacation Activities Information |
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DAY 1: HOUIXAI –PAK BENG (L)
Crossing the border from Chiangkhong(Thailand) to Houixai (Laos) we meet our guide and then embark on a traditional boat to the fishing village of Pak Beng,located halfway between Houixai and Luang Prabang.At this idyllic place in Laos you will witness the culture and lifestyle of the locals,many of which are fishermen.We have lunch on the boat and along the river we will also visit tribal villages including the Hmong Village of Ban Houeilam Pen.Hmong women are renowned for their beautiful embroidered costumes and impressive silver jewellery, and the Thai Lu Village of Ban Pak Lung.We arrive in Pak Beng in time for the magnificent sunset,where we will have dinner and stay overnight.
DAY 2: PAKBENG –OUDOMXAI (B)
After breakfast today we visit the colourful local market, where minorities from the surrounding area’s come daily to trade their goods.Then leaving for Oudomxai. We visit many tribal ethnic villages along the way including a Thai Daeng village, where animist practices are still preserved and a Khmu village.The Khmu,who belong to the Mon –Khmer ethnic group are the original inhabitants of the Indochina peninsula.We will also stop at the small but thriving market at the village of Muang Hun.The many villages on the hillsides and the undulating terrain make for an interesting journey.Finally we drive to Oudomxai where stay overnight.
DAY 3: OUDOMXAY – NONG KHIAW (B)
Today we’ll start with a visit to Oudomxay’s local market with all it’s colourful and friendly tribal people including Ikor,Thai Dam,Khmu and Hmong afterwhich we drive to the riverside town of Nong Khiaw.On the way visiting the Hmong mountain top village of Ban Songja and stopping at the Thai Lu village of Ban Nayang famous for its silk weaving.Arriving in the town of Nong Khiaw,situated amongst breathtaking mountainous scenery in the picturesque Nam Ou River valley.We’ll check into our hotel and if you like you have time to go and take a look at the famous wartime limestone cave of Tham Pha Thok which is situated just across the Nam Ou bridge.Overnight Nong Khiaw.
DAY 4: NONG KHIAW – LUANG PRABANG (B)
Breakfast then we board a boat to cruise along the Nam Ou river.We make our way along this beautiful river and again experience the many river communities going about they’re daily routines.You’ll have many photo opportunities along the way with spectacular scenery everywhere around you.We get to see the magnificent spectacle of Pak Ou cave’s. In the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimetres to two metres in height. En route, typical Laotian villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore and bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps.We stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai (the jar-maker village) which was the traditional industry of the village in the past.These days the villagers source the jars from elsewhere and fill them with Lao Lao (rice whiskey) that they brew here.You can sample this fire water if you like! On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom.Here we can watch the local village women hand weaving in traditional style.Finally making our way to the World Heritage listed former capital of Luang Prabang where we stay tonight.
DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG (B)
The tranquility and charm of Luang Prabang with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. Today’s tour includes Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple that serves as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple one of the most beautiful temple’s in Laos, epitomizing all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture. We’ll see the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.Finally climbing up 328 steps to the summit of Phousi Hill which dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang to witness its sacred Gilded Stupa also providing the finest panoramic view in the entire city and surrounding area. Again spending the night in Luang Prabang.
DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG – KUANGSI WATERFALL (B)
After breakfast today we visit the National Museum at the former royal palace,which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture,dating from the days of early kings right through to the last sovereign.We also spend some time shopping or just looking at the not to be missed Central Market.We’ll then take a short drive to the majestic Kuangsi Waterfalls and tribal villages surrounding including the Hmong village at Ban Omh,Lao Loum village at Ban Ou and the Khmu village at Ban Tapen.This beautiful multi-tiered waterfall has two crystal clear natural pools, one halfway up and one at the bottom inviting us to swim. We have plenty of time to take a walk in the forested surroundings and make sure to see Phet, the orphaned tiger and the young bears living just by the entrance gate. Return to our hotel for overnight in Luang Prabang
DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG – XIENG KHOUANG (B)
After breakfast today we drive 262km to Xieng Khouang, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973.Virtually every town and village in the province was heavily bombed during this time. Its scenery is characterized by the highest mountains in the country “Mount Phou Bia”. The countryside is dominated by green hills and pine forests. Villages consist of colourful wooden houses. Cattle rising are one of the main agricultural industries and Hmong cowboys with brown and violet cowboy hats are a common sight. Along the way we stop off at the impressive Tham Pha Cave. This cave is situated about 52km east of Phonsavahn near the picturesque Nong Trang Lake and surrounded by huge limestone cliffs. In a large network of caverns is an interesting collection of Buddha images and statues that were hidden to protect them during Chinese Haw invasions. In the main entrance cavern stands a very large sitting Buddha. We will then visit “The Plain of Jars”. This impressive archeological sight, scattered in the landscape of the XiengKhouang plateau contains thousands of megalithic stone jars. The jars are commonly said to be 2000 years old. The exact date and use for these jars is still not known to this day. Afterwards traveling to our hotel in Phonsavahn for overnight stay.
DAY 8: XIENG KHOUANG (B)
Today we travel out of town to the town of Muang Kham, where along the way we visit the Hmong village of Ban Thachok.Arriving in Muang Kham we adventure out to see the caves of Marty (Tham Pia Cave), where people had taken refuge during the Indochina war. In 1968 a rocket fired from an American jet fighter caused the death of 374 civilians hiding out in the cave. While there is no memorial at the site, charring from the explosion can be seen on the exterior of the cave. Next we move on to see the nearby Hot Springs. On the way to Nong Net,19km east of Muang Kham.Developed into a resort with bungalows and bathing facilities it lies along a road passing through attractive scenery, small villages growing chilies and mountains and hills covered with rice fields. Then we return back to Phonsavahn and our hotel for tonight.
DAY 9: XIENG KHOUANG – VANG VIENG (B)
After breakfast today we make our way to the town of Muang Khoune.Located 30 km South East of Phonsavanh this town was once the Royal Capital City and the centre of the Phuan Kingdom. It was so heavily bombarded during the second Indochina war (and ravaged in the 19th century by Chinese and Vietnamese invaders) that it was almost completely abandoned in 1975; nowadays it is a thriving tourist destination. Here we’ll visit the Wat Phiawat.Situated at the far end of town, this 500 year old Wat is mostly a pile of bricks, except for the basement and several shrapnel pocketed Buddha statues and a large seated Buddha believed to be over 600 years old. The once picturesque Wat underwent a series of renovations in 1930 only to be bombed into oblivion by the Americans in the secret war. Walking up the hill, the remains of French colonial governor’s house, built in the 1930’s can be seen. Afterwhich we make our way to That Foun, the Buddhist Stupa also known as “That Chomsi” it measures about 30 metres and was built in 1576.The Lanna inspired structure stands tall over the town and can be entered by a cavity left by Chinese Haw marauders over a century ago. They looted the Stupa in order to seize valuable Buddha images enshrined within. The Stupa was erected to cover ashes of Lord Buddha that were bought from India during a time when Buddhism was proliferating in Laos. Finally in the afternoon we drive on past incredible mountain scenery to the beautiful town of Vang Vieng where we’ll stay tonight.
DAY 10: VANG VIENG – VIENTIANE (B)
After breakfast today we set off to see some of the amazing sights of Vang Vieng, a tourism orientated town surrounded by spectacular limestone karst terrain and the stunning Nam Xong River. Activities abound here including tubing, kayaking, rock climbing and hiking.Theres also numerous caves and caverns to explore. We’ll visit Tham Jang cave, the most famous of Vang Vieng’s caves it was used as a bunker in defense against the marauding Jiin Haw (Yunnanese Chinese) in the early 19th century. From the main cavern entrance you’ll get magnificent views over Vang Vieng and the river valley and at the base of the cave it’s possible to swim 80m into the cave or just cool off in its refreshing rock pool. We then drive to Vientiane, along the way stopping at the archeological site of Vang Xang.The ruins of this Mon temple are situated 66kms from Vientiane.Vang Xang was built in the 11th Century when Buddhist Mon and Hindu Khmer ruled South East Asia. Five Buddhists Statues remain. Allegedly they stood on an ancient elephant cemetery. We will then continue through the beautiful Nam Ngum Lake, this huge artificial lake was created by damming the Nam Ngum River and flooding around 250sq km of forest land. It was conceived primarily for the production of hydro-electric power and flood control. Continuing on we have a look at a salt distillation plant and the impressive market of Ban Dong Makkai, until finally reaching Vientiane and our hotel for the night. After checking in you’ll have plenty of time for yourself to look around.
DAY 11: VIENTIANE (B)
After breakfast we start our tour of the city visiting the major sights of the capital including Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple which was built in 1818 and houses thousands of Buddha statues and the Ho Prakeo museum, the former royal temple that was previously home to the famous Emerald Buddha, which is now residing in Bangkok. Then we’re off to That Luang, the golden Buddhist Stupa is the most famous landmark in Vientiane. It was constructed in 1566 by King Setthatirat and restored in 1935.It is generally regarded as the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol. Afterwards we’ll head to Patouxai “the victory gate”. Constructed in 1958 its architecture is inspired by the Arc de Triumph in Paris, from the top on a clear day you’ll get a great view of Vientiane City. Then in the afternoon we board our bus and go a little way out of town to Buddha Park, a blend of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created by a mystical monk on parkland located by the Mekong River. It’s then back to our hotel for another night’s stay in Vientiane.
DAY 12: VIENTIANE – DEPARTURE (B)
Today’s the end of our journey so after breakfast we’ll transfer to Wattay Airport or The Friendship Bridge for your departure.
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Notes for price Information |
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Price Includes:
-Accommodation Hotels 3*** and Guest house with daily breakfast.
-Meals: 1 lunch on day2
-Transfers and transportation by private A/C van, boat
-English speaking guide
-Sightseeing
Price Excludes:
-Visa fee
-All meals lunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary
-Travel insurance
-Beverage
-Tips for guide and driver
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