Day 1: Ubon Ratchathani – Pakse – Wat Phu – Khong Island Upon arrival at Ubon Ratchathani Airport (Thailand), we meet and drive to Thai - Lao Border at Chongmek, continue by road to Pakse at Muang Khao pier, we then board the motor boat downstream the Mekong to Champassak, visit the ruins of Wat Phu, the pre-Angkorian temple. After lunch we drive to Khong Island, on the way stop to visit Ban Phone Saat village. Overnight in Khong Island. Day 2: Khong Island – Surroundings We enjoy a cruise into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islands just out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name "Si Phan Done". A long the way, we stop at the Liphi waterfalls and the fisherman village of Ban Done Khone. We take a short drive to the Lao – Cambodia border at Weukham and the sight of Khone Phapheng - South East Asia’s biggest water falls. We will probably see Mekong dolphin. Overnight in Khong Island. Day 3: Khong Island – Tadlo – Pakse Leaving Khong islands, we continue towards Tadlo, through Boloven plateau where tea and coffee plantation and other lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil are incredible all along the way. Visiting hill villages of the Katu, Alak and Nge ethnic people. Overnight in Pakse. Day 4: Pakse – Vientiane – Xiengkhouang Transfer to airport for the flight to to Xiengkhouang via Vientiane. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. Visiting the old capital of Muang Khoum. Day 5: Xiengkhouang – Muangkham District Visiting Central Market of Phonsavanh, then drive to visit Muang Kham and some 50KM. En route visit tribal minorities villages of Hmong, Tai Dam and Khmu… and hot spring water and Tham Piew cave, where hundred people were killed by American bomb. Overnight in Phonsavanh Day 6: Xieng khouang – Luang Prabang (By road) Driving on the road No. 7 to Luang Prabang (6 hours drive). Along the way, we enjoy splendid scenery and the mountains ranges. Arrive in Luang Prabang. After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. We will explore Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Day 7: Luang Prabang - Pakou - Luang Prabang We will enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, and visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the potent local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand made of Jute Sar paper. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Day 8: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi Waterfalls Visiting the morning 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 crafts, and today you will visit Hmong village at Ban Na Oun, Laoloum village at Ban Ou and Khmu village at Ban Thapene drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Continuing to Ban Phanom - a well known weaving village. Observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Day 9: Luang Prabang – Vientiane We will visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts and the Central Market. Mid afternoon fly to Vientiane and transfer to hotel, strolling around this small dream-like city. Overnight in Vientiane. Day 10: Vientiane - City Tour Exploring Vientiane capital city including the oldest Wat Sisaket with 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 and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng, Wat Haisok, Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin. Return to Mekong Riverside by late afternoon observing sunset by Mekong. Overnight in Vientiane. Day 11: Vientiane Departure Breakfast, free at leisure, until transfer to airport. End of the tour. |