Laos Impression

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VIENTIANE

Meals: Not available

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Welcome to Vientiane, Laos!
Upon arrival at Wattay International Airport, you will be welcomed and greeted by your private tour guide and driver who escort you to the hotel. After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 2: VIENTIANE SIGHTSEEING

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

After breakfast, the day tour allows you to explore Vientiane capital with the major sights that include Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues; the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane. En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. In the afternoon, transfer out to see the Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside. Back to the hotel to end the day.

DAY 3: VIENTIANE - XIENG KHOUANG

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Xieng Khouang

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This morning, just take your time to have breakfast and be at leisure for the rest of the morning. Check-out by noontime. Lunch today is on your own account. In the afternoon, get picked up to the airport for a short flight to Xiengkhouang, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. You will also have time to see the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history.

DAY 4: XIENG KHOUANG - LUANG PRABANG

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

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After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and set out to visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh and watch different hill-tribe people barter and exchange merchandise before the long journey towards Luang Prabang.  En route, there will be a few stops to see the Buddha images in Thampra, a site of more than 200 years old, and various Hmong and hill tribe minority villages. After the photo stops, continue driving uphill, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, forest, and landscape. The journey will take you over mountainous regions until approaching Luang Prabang, one of the most beautiful religious towns in Asia. Check-in your hotel and stay for the night.

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG SIGHTSEEING

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

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Today, you will enjoy a short guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Thence embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives you a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. On the way, stop at Ban Xanghai village, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, take a short drive to another village - Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving. Arrive back at the hotel and relax for the rest.

DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG - KHOUANG SI WATERFALL

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

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An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual.

After breakfast, set out again to visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture. Followed by a stroll around the Central Market. After that, get back on the vehicle and drive to Khouangsi Waterfall, en route, we visit the local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, Laoloum and Ban Thapene. In order to see the falls, you take a walk along the small paths and able to hear the sound getting louder and louder. Take a dip in the pools if you wish. Return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk hand weaving and for traditional Saa Papermaking.

DAY 6: DEPARTURE FROM LUANG PRABANG

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Not available

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After breakfast, free and easy at leisure until time to transfer to the airport for your outbound flight to the next Custom Asia Travel's destination.
End tour in Laos!