 |
Mystic Laos 5 Days
Vientiane • Luang Prabang • Pak Ou
  |
 |
| |
Daily Arrival
|
Land Only |
Single
Supplement |
| Price |
2010: |
APR - SEP |
$908 |
$330 |
| |
OCT - DEC |
$968 |
$350 |
| 2011: |
JAN - MAR |
$968 |
$350 |
•These prices are "Land Only" and do include domestic airfares
within Asia. Please call us for special international airfares
to/from the USA.
• Tour cost is per person double occupancy. |
|
|
|
| Day
1 |
Arrive Vientiane (L, D)
Today you will be met in the capital of Laos - Vientiane and transferred to your hotel. Vientiane still feels like a sleepy city with relaxed charm, treelined boulevards, interesting wats and colorful markets. After lunch, enjoy a city tour taking in Pha That Luang, a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps most important national monument in Laos; Ho Pha Keo, the formal royal temple, now a museum with beautiful examples of Buddhist sculpture; Wat Sisaket, and Patuxai, a monumental arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, but executed with Lao motifs. |
|
|
| Day
2 |
Vientiane (B, L, D)
This morning visit Patousay, one of the most photographed images of Vientiane , the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Continue on to the Talaat Sao - Vientiane's "morning market" which is a wonderful venue for encountering the charming and fun-loving Laotians. In the afternoon visit one of Laos's slightly stranger attractions - Xieng Khuan Buddha Park. Return to Vientiane and enjoy a cool drink on the banks of the Mekong as the sun sets.
|
|
| Day 3 |
Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B, L, D)
This morning board your flight to Luang Prabang. You will be met and transferred to a local restaurant for lunch. This afternoon visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That Makmo, stylistically more Srilankalese than Lao. Continue to Vat Aham, which is one of the city's major tutelary shrines, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Climb Phousi Hill for an outstanding view over the city. Enjoy the sunset at Vat Siphouthabath located along the Mekong River. |
|
| Day
4 |
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou - Luang Prabang (B, L, D)
Today's highlights start from visiting Vat Xieng Thong, considered the most beautiful temple in Laos. The main sanctuary represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. Then board a traditional wooden riverboat for a trip upstream the Mekong River to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou housing thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant nearby the confluence between the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. In the afternoon, return to Luang Prabang by boat and continue by car to visit Ban Xang Khong, a weaving village where traditional Sa paper is also produced. |
|
| Day
5 |
Luang Prabang (B, L)
Start the day early today with one of the most memorable sights of Luang Prabang. At dawn hundreds of saffron robed monks move silently through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food). Your guide will explain the background behind this ritual which is still very much a part of everyday life and you will have the chance to make "merit". After breakfast, visit the National Museum (former King's Palace - closed on Tuesdays) displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family. Continue to visit nearby Vat Mai, built in 1796, famous for the five - tiered roof of its wooden sim. Transfer to your next flight after lunch. |
|
| |
| Accommodations (or similar): |
| Vientiane: |
Lao Plaza / Doncan Palace (2 nights) |
| Luang Prabang: |
The Grand / Santi Resort (2 nights) |
OPTIONAL PLUS |
back to the top |
Pakse 3 days / 2 nights |
| Day
1 |
Arrive in Pakse (L, D)
Upon arrival at Pakse airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Take some time to freshen up at your hotel then depart to explore the countryside surrounding Pakse city. The Bolaven plateau is an extinct volcano with a high enough altitude to be notably cooler that the town below. Here visit a tea and a coffee plantation and taste the high quality tea and coffee grown by local farmers. We then visit Tad Fane waterfall, where thin ribbons of water plunge hundreds of feet into a deep ravine below. Continue to the wide, thundering Tad Lo waterfalls for lunch. This route also passes minority Hill Tribe villages - 'Kha' and other 'Lao Thung' tribes live in this area. Time permitting it may be possible to stop to visit one of these villages. Tonight enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
|
| Day
2 |
Pakse (B, L)
This morning visit the Pakse market then drive south from Pakse to visit Wat Phou, an impressive pre-Angkorian Khmer temple ruin. This site represents the easternmost border of the Khmer empire, although Khmer influence was felt deep into central Vietnam. Wat Phou temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002 and is situated on a hillside offering spectacular views of the surrounding plains. Continue to Kiet Ngong area which is renowned for its elephant camp, and its mahouts (handlers) who train these giant and majestic beasts that once played an integral part in the lives of the Laotian people. The original name for the Lao Region was Lane Xang - Land of a Million Elephants. Visit the nearby Kingfisher Eco Lodge where you will learn about the local conservation efforts and the environmentally sustainable eco-tourism initiatives that are being undertaken in this local area. You may feed the elephants and take a 1 hour ride as well. The rest of your day is free for your own exploration.
|
| Day
3 |
Depart Pakse (B)
Today is free until transferring to the airport for your onward flight.
|
|
|
| Daily Departures |
Price |
Single Supplement |
| 2010 |
APR - SEP |
$658 |
$200 |
| Tour cost is per person double occupancy. |
|
|
|
|
2009, All rights reserved
