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Vacation Activities Highlight |
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This tour takes trekking deeptly into the remote area in Provinces of Phongsali and Oudomxai. Phongsali and Oudomxai are also two provinces where living many tribe ethnic groups such as : Akha, Lolo, Tai Yang, Tai Dam, Tai Deng, Tai Lu , Khmu, Tai Phounoi. This area is mountainous. The trail passes through plantation of rice, sugar cane, dense jungles and overnight homestay in the village. We have time for the contact direct with people and get experience of their tradition and culture. The trekking is around 5 - 6 nhours per day. After a long journey of trekking, we will get relaxing on board cruise on Nam Ou river and then Mekong river to Luangprabang, the world heritage city.
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Vacation Activities Information |
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DAY 1: HOUIXAI - BAN NAM NGUEUN (L, D)
After your pickup from the Laos / Thai border town of Houxai we will venture to the starting point of our trekking. We'll travel 4 hours by car with numerous stops at some of the many villages along the way. Until finally ending up at the Tai Yang village of Ban Nam Nguen. The Tai Yang inhabit Northern Laos, Northern Vietnam and Southern Yunnan.They live in the Phongsali,Udomxai and Luang Nam Tha provinces and inhabit the lowlands or valleys between 400 to 800 meters high, near streams and irrigable paddy cultivation lands. They settled on ancient Lue territories abandoned during the pillaging at the end of the 11th century. The Yang practice a form or animism impregnated with Buddhism and have been established in Laos for more than 200 years. We'll stay overnight in this village and get to experience their culture and lifestyle.
DAY 2: BAN NAM NGUEN - BAN PIA MAY NOI (B, L, D)
After breakfast we leave the village with our local guide and porters, trekking 1.5 hours through jungles and rice fields and crossing many small rivers before arriving at the Kongsat village of Ban Nam Nyon.The Kongsat have lived in Laos more than 5 generations with a population of around 100.They claim to have originated in the Yunnan province of China and practice animism the same as the Khmu people. They are a Tai ethnic group. After our visit we continue trekking 2.5 hours up to the Akha village of Ban Pia May Nhay and then another 1.5 hours to Ban Pia May Noi. The Akha call them selves Akha while other ethnic groups call them Ikor .Originally from Yunnan and Tibet, they settled in the mountainous areas of Northern Laos during the last 200 years. The Akha practice animism and strongly believe in the spirit world. One such belief is that death is a transformation from the human world to another spiritual world of they're ancestors. The Akha villages are built in altitudes of 600 to 1000 meters and are usually on a hillside or cleared forest land with an average village supporting 40 to 50 houses. This village is situated on top of the highest mountain, where you can admire the 360 degree views of the surrounding areas. We stay overnight in this lovely little village and sample the friendly Akha hospitality.
DAY 3: BAN PIA MAY NOI - BOUN TAI (B, L, D)
After breakfast we continue our trek through the jungle for 3 hours to the Akha Village of Ban Tica, its then another 1.5 hours to Ban Papek another Akha Village. After this we head 2 hours to the Tai Lue village of Ban Long Nai Mai.The Tai Lue are linguistically linked to the Lowland Lao and other Tai-Lao speakers such as the Tai-Dam and Tai Dang.Originating in Southern China, the Tai Lue began settling present day Muang Sing (Xieng Kaeng) in the 15th century. They are known for their beautiful many stilted houses with long sloping roofs, potent alcoholic spirits made from rice and intricately woven cotton textiles.Tai Lue practice Theravada Buddhism and every village will typically have a Buddhist temple with monks. Most Tai-Lue males are ordained for at least a short time at some point in their lives. In the centre of the village is a sacred village pillar where rituals that predate the arrival of Buddhism are held. We'll then transfer by Tuk Tuk to the Tai Lue village of Ban Long Nai Kao where our bus awaits us to drive to the town of Boun Tai, roughly halfway between Udomxai and Phongsali,Boun Tai is a prospering Tai Lue town popular as a base for NGOs and as a rest stop for people traveling to and from Phongsali. We'll stay overnight in this friendly little town.
DAY 4: BOUN TAI - NONG KHIAW (B,L,D)
This morning we start our journey for a 6 hour drive to the river town of Nong Khiaw.Along the way we'll stop at the crossroads town of Pak Nam Noi before heading to Muang Xai, the provincial capital of Oudomxay and one of the busiest commercial centres in Northern Laos. We take a wander around the local market where you'll find all sorts of people, including hill tribe villagers dressed in their traditional costumes. Goods including exotic spices, coffee, pastries and products from neighboring China, Thailand and Vietnam. We'll also visit the Muang village of Ban Jong Cha before arriving at Nong Khiaw situated amongst breathtaking mountainous scenery in the picturesque Nam Ou River valley. 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.We'll stay overnight in Nong Khiaw.
DAY 5: NONGKHIAW - LUANG PRABANG (B,L,D)
Breakfast then we board a boat to cruise along the Nam Ou river. We make our way along this beautiful river and 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 visit the village of Ban Nong Kham and see local women doing traditional hand weaving and we cruise to see the magnificent spectacle of Pak Ou caves. 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 !.Finally making our way to the World Heritage listed former capital of Luang Prabang where we stay tonight.
DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG (B)
After breakfast today we take a half day walking tour of the city we will see 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. Also visiting 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 and the shrine of Wat Mai.You then have the rest of the afternoon free for your own activities. Again staying the night in Luang Prabang
DAY 7: DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast you'll be taken to the airport for your departure.
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Notes for price Information |
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Price Includes:
-Hotel accommodation at 3*** and homestay with daily breakfast,
-Meals fullboard: 5 lunches + 4 dinners.
-Transfers by private Van, boat.
-English speaking tour guide
-Sightseeing
-Porter on the day of trekking.
-Mineral water
Price Excludes:
-Visa fee
-All meals not specified in the itinerary
-Travel insurance
-Beverage
-Tips for guide and driver
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