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LAOS SPLENDOUR
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Code: |
LAD 01 |
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Routes: |
Vientiane - Vang Vieng -
Luang Prabang - Magnificent Temple -
Mekong Cruise - Pak Ou Cave |
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Duration: |
6 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1 : ARRIVAL - VIENTIANE
Day 2 : VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG
Day 3 : VANG VIENG - LUANG PRABANG
Day 4 : LUANG PRABANG
Day 5 : LUANG PRABANG - PAKOU CAVE- LUANG
PRABANG
Day 6 : LUANG PRABANG -
DEPARTURE
 This
short programme is your perfect introduction to the
"Land of Million Elephants". Explore the laid back
waterside capital city and the picturesque landscape of
quiet water and limestone outcrops in Vang Vieng before
continuing to Luang Prabang. This enchanting town is a
perfectly preserved blend of rustic colonial
architecture and gilded monasteries.
Detail Itinerary
DAY 1:
ARRIVAL - VIENTIANE
Arrive Vientiane via Friendship
Bridge or Wattay airport, transfer to hotel for check
in. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit main
highlights of Vientiane : Wat Si Saket, Ho Phrakeo,
Patousay, and That Luang Stupa. Dinner and overnight at
hotel.
DAY 2: VIENTIANE - VANG
VIENG
The journey northwards begins
as depart the town and drive through the spectacular
countryside towards the mountain region. Along the way
we visit the busy and colorful market of Thalat where
various hill tribes come to trade their goods and buy
previsions. A next stop of our trip is Vang Sang, famous
for the archeological site dating back 11th
century. We reach our final destination, Vang Vieng,
which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. The
small and tranquil village of Vang Vieng is rapidly
developped with the advent of tourist, but the beautiful
scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone
outcrops unchanged for century. After checking into
hotel we take a wander to catch our first glimpse of
this hill town. O/N in Vang Vieng. (B)
DAY 3: VANG VIENG
- LUANG PRABANG
Heading out of town we explore
the famous cave of Tham Jang that was once used by local
people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. We also cross
the river to Ban Huai Ngai, a very pleasant village
where we can explore the different local lifestyle. Upon
leaving Vang Vieng, the roads begin to deteriorate;
however the stunning mountain scenery makes for an
interesting journey. We wind our way
through Phoukhoune and Kasito to Luang Prabang.
This town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading
colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has
been claimed by UNESCO to be "the best preserved
traditional city in South East Asia". There is
little traffic on Luang Prabang roads and monks in
orange robes scurry in all directions carrying umbrellas
to shade themselves from the Sun. O/N in Luang Prabang.
(B)
DAY 4: LUANG
PRABANG
The former Royal Palace has
been turned into a national museum. This interesting
structure displays a lovely collection of the artefacts
reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the
days of the early kings right through the last
sovereign. We also have enough time this day to explore
some other landmarks, including the impressive stupa of
Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, the city's oldest
temple of Wat Wisunalat and the Wat Mai with five tiered
roofs. A visit to Luang Prabang would be not complete
without climbing 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for
a beautiful sunset view of the Mekong River. The zigzag
path crosses over various temples to the sacred, gilded
stupa of Wat Phousi at the summit. O/N at Luang Prabang.
(B)
DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG -
PAKOU CAVE- LUANG PRABANG
Today we continue seeing Luang
Prabang with the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong which
nestles at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan
River. The temple structures are decorated in various
ways with gilded stuccoes and doorways while the main
sim has a marvellous 'tree life' mosaic pattern on an
outer wall. We then board a cruise upstream on the
Mekong River, stopping along the way at Ban Xang Hai
where villagers make the potent local rice wine. This
exciting boat trip will take us through the stunning
scenery to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, which are
crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues
of various shapes and sizes. After exploring these caves
we return to the town and transfer to Ban Phanom famous
for hand weaving. O/N in Luang Brabang. (B,L)
DAY 6: LUANG
PRABANG - DEPARTURE
This morning we
stroll around the charming streets of Luang Prabang and
catch up on some last minute shopping. The trip ends
after your transfer to the airport for departure. (B)
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HOTELS USED ON
THIS TRIP |
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CITY/ AREA
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Standard Class
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First Class
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Superior Class
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Vientiane
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Lanexang hotel |
Novotel hotel |
Lao
Plaza hotel |
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Luang Prabang
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Phousi hotel, Manoluck hotel
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Villa Santi hotel, Villa Santi Resort
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Phouvao Pansea hotel, Grand Luang Prabang hotel
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Vang Vieng |
Standard hotel |
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HOTEL NOTES
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The hotels in Xieng Khouang, Khong Island and
Pakse do not match tour classification since
some of them are simple but remember Lao is a
developing country.
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