Laos Travel 5 days

Houeisay/Pakbeng/Luang Prabang/Vientiane

Code: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide  

Day 1: Chiang Rai/Houeisay/Pakbeng (B)

This morning you have an early morning transfer from the airport to Chiang Khong, the exit point from Thailand. After passing through immigration, you cross the Mekong River to HoueiSay in Laos where your Lao guide will be waiting for you at the immigration point. After completing border formalities, you board a ready traditional boat for the trip down the Mekong River. Serene, timeless Laos is one of Asia's most unvisited, unchanged countries. This once-powerful kingdom known as Lane Xang (Million Elephants) was founded in the 14th century with the help of the Khmers, and it went on to become one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia until its demise in the late 19th century. Bisected and bordered by the Mekong River, omnipresent symbol of Indochina, Laos today is an amalgam of cultural influences; Theravada Buddhism, animism, France, and the socialist ideal. It is a peaceful place, and the legendary hospitality, resilience and friendliness of the Lao people is much in evidence. Laos is Old Asia preserved. As your journey downriver you will stop at some tribal minority villages such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu. Upon arrival in Pakbeng, you値l visit local market; experience daily lifestyle of colorful hill tribe traders exchanges their goods. You値l spend the night in Pakbeng.  

Day 2: Pakbeng/Pak Ou Cave/Luang Prabang (B)

Breakfast at your hotel, you will pass areas non-spoilt forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You visit a fishing village and a rice winemaking village and perhaps even taste some of the infamous beverage known as Lao Rice wine. You also visit the Pak-Ou caves, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. You arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset and transfer to your hotel. This charming city of UNESCO world heritage site, The Luang Prabang is a small, dream-like town on the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, in a beautiful mountain setting. From 1353 until 1545 it was the capital of Lane Xang before power was transferred to Vientiane. Despite the move Luang Prabang remained the seat of monarchical power and when the kingdom broke up in 1694, one of the deceased king's grandsons established a rival kingdom to those in Vientiane and Champassak. Though weakened, the Luang Prabang royalty endured until 1975, when after the reign of 63 kings it was formally dissolved. You spend the day exploring the temples and sites in what is called one of the last Shangri-La's of Southeast Asia. You will visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country. Your overnight stay will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang/Kuangsi Waterfall (B)

Break fast at the hotel and you start to visit, Wat Visoun, Wat Mai. Later, visit the former Royal Palace, now a National Museum where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as Buddha and spectacular artifacts including the Prabang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Far Ngum. At sunset climb the nearby temple-topped hill of Phousi where you'll catch a lovely view out over the town and the river.
You値l have an excursion out the town to experience local lifestyle of Luang Prabang Villages and most beautiful waterfall in Luang Prabang. On the way, visit Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and continue visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. Time permitting you may also wish to drive to the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Return to Luang Prabang city by late afternoon and visit Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. You値l spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Vientiane (B)

Breakfast at your hotel, you are then strolling around and visit the Silver smith's and the Central Market are not to be missed. We visit these sights, this morning before we catch a flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you see the major temples including the oldest Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous, sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph, sunset by Mekong Riverside and late evening. You値l spend the night in Vientiane.  

Day 5: Vientiane departure (B)

After breakfast, you値l visit the Morning Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong

(If time permits). The tour ends after your transfer to Wattay Airport or Friendship for your departure.

Prices per person in US$: 

Valid until December 31, 2007

Surcharge for peak season of hotels are not inclusive in the prices above.

Prices include:

• Breakfast and accommodation in twin or double room.

• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.

• One way domestic flight ticket: Luang Prabang - Vientiane, including domestic airport taxes.

• Boat cruise as in the programme

• English-speaking tour guide as indicated in the itinerary.

• Entry fees for all sightseeing as mentioned in the programme.

• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the local restaurants.

• Government Taxes.

Price do not include:

• Flight tickets and airport tax.

• Visas.

• Dinners except as specified.

• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

• Insurance.

Hotel list for First Class standard

• Pakbeng: Pakbeng Lodge

• Luang Prabang: Pansea Phou Vao Hotel (**** on the hill of Kites in the confluence of the Mekong River)

• Luang Prabang: Souvannaphoum

• Vientiane: Settha Palace Hotel (*****colonial building, restored to its former Cham)

• Vientiane: Donchan Palace (***** Deluxe) website:  www.donchanpalacelaopdr.com

Hotel list for Deluxe standard

• Pakbeng: Pakbeng Lodge

• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi  Hotel (**** the former residence of Lao Royal Princess)

• Auberge 3 Nagas

• Luang Prabang: Grand Luang Prabang Hotel (***** combines modern convenience with traditional Laos)

• Vientiane: Donchan Palace (***** Superior) website:  www.donchanpalacelaopdr.com

• Vientiane: Lao Plaza Hotel (**** city centre)

• Villa Santi Resort

Hotel list for Superior standard

• Pakbeng: Salika Guest House

• Luang Prabang: Phousy Hotel (*** city centre) or similar

• Parasol Blanc Hotel

• Sala Prabang

• Luang Prabang: Muang Luang Hotel (*** traditional architecture) or similar

• Vientiane:  Novotel Hotel (****) Website: www.novotel.com

Hotel list for Mid-range standard

• Pakbeng: Salika Guest House

• Luang Prabang: Haysoke Hotel (***) website: www.haysokehotel.com
• Luang Prabang: New Luang Prabang (*** local standard) or similar

• Vientiane: Lanexang Hotel (***) website: www.lanexangtravel.com

• Vientiane: Asean Pavilion (*** local standard)

Hotel list for Budget standard 

• Pakbeng: Salika Guest House
• Luang Prabang:
• Luang Prabang:
• Vientiane: