CUSTOMER CENTER

TRAVEL TOOL

Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival
Meet upon arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Hanoi is located on the right bank of the Red River. It's history goes back more than 1000 years and the city boasts numerous buildings of historical significance from centuries old pagodas and back alleys to opulent buildings from the French colonial era. You won't be bored in this fantastic city.
Overnight: in Hanoi Meals: None Transport: Car

Day 2: Hanoi
Today you have the opportunity to explore Hanoi on your own. Highly recommended is a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum. Please be aware that both are closed in October, November and December. The nearby Temple of Literature is worth a visit as well. Not to be missed is a waterpuppet performance. This old art form is unique to Vietnam. 
Overnight: in Hanoi Meals: Breakfast Transport: None

Day 3: Hanoi
Another day in Hanoi. There are some interesting daytrips you can make in and around Hanoi. Please check with our office.
Overnight: in Hanoi Meals: Breakfast Transport: Car

Day 4: Hanoi - Mai Chau
Final destination today will be the beautiful valley of Mai Chau. Mai Chau is 200 km. far from Hanoi and this will take approximately 5 hours for driving. You will leave the busy city and head for the mountains. You will stop at a Muong village for a brief walk. Continue to Mau Chau.
The Pu Luong limestone landscape is an area of outstanding beauty, cultural interest and high biodiversity stretching from Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong National Park. The valley of Mai Chau is dotted with White Thai villages.
Overnight: Mai Chau homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner Transport: Car

Day 5: Mai Chau
Today is a free day. You can either rent a bicycle and explore the beautiful valley of Mai Chau with its verdant rice fields on your own or trek past White Thai villages together with your guide.
Overnight: Mai Chau homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner Transport: None

Day 6: Mai Chau - Sam Neua
Early departure. You will head for the seldom used bordercrossing at Na Meo. The border is 150 km. far from Mai Chau and this will take approximately 4 hours for driving. You will drive through Thanh Hoa province, one of the least visited and unexplored provinces in Vietnam and enter Laos in Houaphan Province, one of the remotest in the country.
At this off the beaten track bordercrossing there is no visa upon arrival service so you need to have a valid visa for Laos.
Your Lao guide and driver will wait for you. Drive to Viengxai. Visit the cave of Kaysone Phomvihane, one of the Pathet Lao leaders who later became the first prime minister of Lao PDR. During the war the Pathet Lao leaders had their headquarters in these caves. Continue to Sam Neua, capital of Houaphan Province. Sam Neua is 84 km. far from the border and this will take approximately 2 hours for driving.
Overnight: in Sam Neua Meals: Breakfast | Lunch Transport: Car | Car

Day 7: Sam Neua - Plain of Jars
Early departure for the long but very scenic drive to Xiengkhouang on the Plain of Jars. The landscape is spectular and you will pass many villages. Plain of Jars is 250 km. far from Sam Neua and this will take approximately 6-7 hours for driving.
You will pass through Muang Kham, the capital of Xieng Khouang Province, located in a fertile valley.
The main attraction of Phonsawan, also known as Xieng Khouang, is the Plain of Jars.
In the 18th and at the beginning of the 19th century, Xieng Khouang was the center of a kingdom of the Hmong (Meo). In 1832, it was conquered by the Vietnamese, annexing the entire region.
The town of Xieng Khouang was totally destroyed during the Vietnam War. The most important place near the Plain of Jars is Phonsawan with a small airport serving the region. The town itself has an interesting market, and various modest restaurants along the dusty main road.
In the afternoon you will arrive at the Plain of Jars. Visit site no.1, the most accessible and well-known jars site where about 250 jars are scattered around.. The large jars are attributed to an ancient civilization that lived between 1500 and 2000 years ago. Some archeologists think that they are burial jars but no one knows for sure. The Plain of Jars was extensively bombed during the Indochina wars.
Overnight: in Plain of Jars Meals: Breakfast | Lunch Transport: Car

Day 8: Plain of Jars - Luang Prabang
After breakfast you will be picked up by your guide and driver. He will bring you to Luang Prabang. This drive will take approximately 7-9 hours through spectacular landscape for a total distance of 270 kms.
Late afternoon you will arrive in Luang Prabang.
The town Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the French colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. The town has been declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1995.
Overnight: in Luang Prabang Meals: Breakfast | Lunch Transport: Car

Day 9: Luang Prabang
Free day in Luang Prabang. You can explore Luang Prabang on own. There are plenty of interesting daytrips possible in and around Luang Prabang. Our local office can give you information about this.
From your hotel you can easily explore the town on foot which is what we recommend you to do today. Just breathe in the atmosphere, wander through the small alleys, visit the mystical temples (don't forget to dress properly and take off your shoes). Enjoy the wonderful Lao and French food. Go shopping for textiles (Luang Prabang has some of the best textiles of the country) or take a Bia Lao on one of the terraces along the Mekong River.
From Phousy Mountain you have a commanding view over the town. Luang Prabang has an attractive evening market in one of the side streets of Sakkarine Rd., the ideal place to find some great bargains to take home.
Overnight: in Luang Prabang Meals: Breakfast Transport: None

Day 10: Luang Prabang
After breakfast drive to the Ban Sankhong, a village where weaving and sa papermaking takes place. Continue to Ban Don. In this village you will see local blacksmiths at work. Proceed to the village Ban Xang Hai famous for the local production of Lao Lao, the local whisky. Cross the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves There are two caves in the steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong River and Ou River: Tham Ting, the lower cave and Tham Phum, which can be reached by a long stair case. They are full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and size. Enjoy a picnic lunch, catered by a restaurant from Luang Prabang, nearby the caves.
Afterwards board a boat for a leisurely cruise down the Mekong back to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival transfer back to your hotel with the rest of the afternoon free at leisure.
Overnight: in Luang Prabang Meals: Breakfast | Lunch Transport: Car | Boat | Car

Day 11: Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng
After breakfast you will drive to Vang Vieng, which will take approximately 6-7 hours. Vang Vieng is a popular destination about 230 kms from Luang Prabang. In the proximity of Vang Vieng there are caves, rapids and villages. Vang Vieng is really the outdoor centre of Laos.Rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight: in Vang Vieng Meals: Breakfast | Lunch Transport: Car

Day 12: Vang Vieng
Today is a free day. It is possible to go exploring caves, either on your own or on a pre-booked tour.
It is also possible to shoot the rapids by kayak or go cycling in the scenic environs of Vang Vieng.
Overnight: in Vang Vieng Meals: Breakfast Transport: None

Day 13: Vang Vieng - Vientiane
After breakfast drive to Vientiane, a drive of approximately 3 hours (156 kms).
In the afternoon you will make a citytour of Vientiane, the capital of Laos. You will visit That Luang, the national symbol the Lao People's Democratic Republic, as well has Wat Ho Pra Keo and Wat Sisaket. You will finish the day at the Morning Market, which is in fact open the whole day.Return to your hotel.
Overnight: in Vang Vieng Meals: Breakfast Transport: Car

Day 14: Vientiane - Bangkok
Transfer to the airport.
Fly Vientiane to Bangkok with Laos Airlines **issued by Green Trail Tours**
Look for your driver who will be holding a sign with your name on it. He will transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight: in Bangkok Meals: Breakfast Transport: Car | Air | Car

Day 15: Bangkok - Departure
Check out time is at 12.00 hours (noon).
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
End of services 
Overnight: No Accommodation Meals: Breakfast Transport: Car