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Vacation Activities Highlight |
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This tour shows the rural life on the Mekong River, as we travel by boat from Houixai towards Luangprabang, the world heritage city. Visit tribal villages along the river before disambarking and spending two days in Luangprabang. Then we travel south through the beautiful land scape of Vangvieng to the Capital City Vientiane. We continue south touring through Bolikhamxay province to the magnificent caves of Khammouane Province in the Area of HinBoun; visit the ancient temples in Savannakhet and Pakse. Continue our drive to the Paradise area of 4,000 islands with its spectacular waterfalls of the Mekong, before riding elephants through the stunning of Bolovens plateau. Finally finshing our trip back to Pakse.
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Vacation Activities Information |
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DAY 1: HOUIXAI –PAK BENG (L, D)
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 Houei Lam Pen 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: PAK BENG – LUANG PRABANG (B, L)
Breakfast then an optional early morning stroll around Pak Beng’s colourful Market,here you can see all the local produce including dried buffalo skin,frogs on sticks,pigs face and buffalo hooves.You may like to purchase a few Lao sweets,such as coconut jelly,fried banana’s or sweet donuts before boarding our cruise onward to Luang Prabang.On the way we will visit Pak Ou Caves,crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues.We have lunch on board before we make a 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) before arriving at Luang Prabang and transferred to your hotel. Stay overnight.
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG (B)
After breakfast we’ll 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 early kings right through to the last sovereign and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong,as well as being the oldest temple in Luang Prabang its also one of the most beautiful.Its ordination hall was constructed in 1560 under the reign of King Setthathirath.The sweeping roofs of the ordination hall define the typical Luang Prabang architectural style. Then in the afternoon visit the impressive Stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Mai.We’ll take a look at the weaving village of Ban Phanom and see Posa Paper Handicrafts at the village of Ban Sang Khong. Before finishing our day with a climb to the top of Phousi hill for sweeping sunset views of the city and surrounding scenery. We will also see the sacred Guilded Stupa and a breathtaking view of the Mekong River. Overnight will at Luang Prabang.
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG – KUANGSI WATERFALL (B)
We then travel 32kms out of town to visit Kuangsi Waterfall 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 5: LUANG PRABANG – VANG VIENG (B)
After breakfast we’ll start on our 250km drive to Vang Vieng admiring the beautiful scenery including forests, mountains and minority villages along the way. Upon arrival in Vang Vieng we go to see the Tham Xang (Elephant) cave afterwhich we’ll proceed to our hotel and then set off to visit the cave of Tham Jang. Tham Jang cave,the most famous of Vang Vieng’s caves 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 its possible to swim 80m into the cave or just cool off in its refreshing rock pool. Tham Xang (The elephant cave) is a small cave containing a few Buddha images and a Buddha “footprint”.The elephant shaped stalactite gives the cave its name. After our visit you will have the afternoon free to enjoy the spectactular sunset by longboat,hiking or biking or just relaxing in one of the many bars lining the river at your own expense. Overnight stay Vang Vieng.
DAY 6: VANG VIENG – VIENTIANE (B)
After breakfast today we travel to the capital city of Vientiane.After arriving at our hotel we set off to visit the major sights of the capital,including the oldest temple- Wat Sisaket.The temple was built in 1818 and houses thousands of buddha statues and the museum Ho Prakeo,the former royal temple which previously was home to the famous Emerald Buddha which now resides in Bangkok.We than proceed to That Luang.The large golden Buddhist Stupa is the most famous land mark in Vientiane.It was constructed in 1566 by King Sattatirat and restored in 1935.It is generally regarded as the most important national monument in Laos and a national symbol.Afterwards we head off to the imposing Patouxai.Its commanding presence at the end of Lane Xang Avenue may make visitors think of the Arc de Triumph of Paris.This massive concrete structure was built as a war memorial in the late 1950s.From the top on a clear day you’ll get a commanding view of the city.Then back to our hotel for overnight stay in Vientiane
DAY 7: VIENTIANE – THA KHAEK (B)
After breakfast we will drive another 360km to Tha Khaek,the sleepy provincial capital of Khammouane Province which is situated across the Mekong river from the bustling Thai town of Nakhon Phanom.Along the way we travel through Boulikhamxay Province where we will stop off at Wat Prabath.This important pilgrimage site with its huge “Buddha footprint”is a significant place for all Buddhist’s in the country.They believe that when someone is passing they must stop and pay respect to the spirits for a good journey.Next we tour through Khammouane Province.The limestone forest in Khammouane has the highest concentration of caves in Laos and we make our way to Tham Pa (Buddha Cave) where in 2004 along with quite spectacular limestone formations more than 200 Buddha statues believed to be around 600 years old were discovered.To finish our day we proceed to That Sikhottabong Stupa,one of the most important religious sites in Laos.It comprises three separate Stupa’s believed to have been built originally during the 6th century.The structures are pumpkin shaped in accordance with the animist beliefs of that period.Finally we drive to Tha Khaek for overnight stay.
DAY 8: THA KHAEK – SAVANNAKHET – PAKSE (B)
Breakfast first, then we embark on a 410km journey through the province’s of Khammouane and Savannakhet until we reach Pakse.During our drive we visit “That Ing Hang”,thought to have been built during the reign of King Sumitatham about 2000 years ago.and rebuilt in 1548 by King Saysethathilath it is the second holiest temple in southern Laos after Wat Phu in Champasack.Its said that Buddha stopped to rest here on his travels while visiting the Kingdom of Sikhottabong and Wat Sayaphoum,the oldest and largest monastery in Savannakhet. It was thought to have been built in 1542 and is a center for local buddhist people with arts and architecture dating back to the original Savannakhet.We arrive to our hotel in Pakse by late afternoon where we will stay overnight.
DAY 9: PAKSE – DONE KHONG “Khong Island” (B)
After breakfast we drive to the beautiful Si Phan Don area (4000 islands) along the way we will stop at the Ancient Khmer temple of Wat Phou, located at the base of Mount Phu Kao.There was a temple on the site as early as the 5th Century,but the surviving structure’s date from the 11th to 13th Centuries.It was designated a World Heritage Site in 2001 and is now a centre for Theravada Buddhist worship.Next we’ll visit the Khmer temple of Oum Mong,thought to have been built late in the 9th Century during the reign of the Khmer King Yasovarmen1.Situated about 45kms from Pakse in a wonderfully shaded forest beside a small stream that flows into the Mekong River. From here we make our way to the picturesque Khong Island and our hotel for the night.
DAY 10: DONE KHONG (B)
After breakfast we’ll proceed by boat to explore this enchanting area.First its off to the Island of Don Khon and the village of Ban Khone.This well known fishing village is also famous for its cultivation of coconut,bamboo and kapak(cotton).At the western end of the village is a cluster of rapids called Tat Somphamit “Li Phi Falls” and rare Irrawaddy river dolphins can be spotted south of the village in early morning or late afternoon from December to May.Then its back to the boat for a look at Don Det Island where remnants of an early 20th century railway exist along with the remains of an old steamship port before heading back to the mainland and journey to Khon Phapheng Waterfall.Located next to the Laos – Cambodian border this waterfall is easily the widest in the world and known as the “Niagara Falls of Asia” and is the largest waterfall in South East Asia.We then go back to Done Khong for overnight stay.
DAY 11: DONE KHONG – PAKSE (B)
After breakfast we start our drive back to Pakse on the way we’ll stop off at the elephant village of Ban Kiat Ngong in the Xe Pian National Protected Area.It stretches along the Mekong River and is comprised of a variety of eco – systems such as wetlands and forests,inhabited by wild elephants,gibbons and many species of birds.Here we will ride elephants on a 90min trek through the forest to the Mountain of Phu Assa.After our trek we will continue driving up to the Boloven Plateau,a mountainous region home to dozens of hilltribes,waterfalls and coffee and tea plantations. The largest ethnic group on the plateau are Laven(Boloven means home of the Laven).Several other Mon-Khmer ethnic groups including Alak,Katu,Ta-Oy and Suay also live in the area.Katu and Alak villages are distinctive because they arrange their palm and thatch houses in a circle.Suay are said to be the best elephant handlers.The Alak,Katu and Laven are distinctive for the face tattoo’s of their women,a custom slowly dying out as more lao influence in the area increases.After our visit to the villages we’ll stop along the way to visit plantations of coffee and tea.Laos is famous for its coffee a majority of which is grown in this area.A visit will show you the process of planting,harvesting and roasting these delicious beans.After which we return for our overnight stay in the town of Pakse.
DAY 12: PAKSE – DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast you’ll have free leisure time until your transfer to Pakse airport or the Lao –Thai or Lao – Cambodia borders.
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Notes for price Information |
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Price Includes:
-Hotel accommodation with breafast at 3*** Hotels.
-Meals: 2lunches on day1 and day2.
-Transfers and transportation by private A/ C van, boat.
-English speaking tour guide.
-Sightseeing
Price Excludes:
-Visa fee
- All meals not specified in the itinerary
-Travel insurance
-Beverage
-Domestic airfare Vientiane - Luangprabang 92 US$ /person
-Tips for guide and driver.
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