Day 1: Houeixai – Pakbeng (River) (L/D)
This morning you have an early morning departure for to the small town of Chiang Khong, the exit point from Thailand to Laos on the banks of the Mekong River.
After passing through Thai immigration you will cross the Mekong River to Houeixai where your Lao guide will be waiting for you at the immigration point. Completing Laos border formalities you board your traditional slow boat for the trip down the Mekong River. The scenery along this part of the Mekong is arguably at its most beautiful. As your journey downriver you will stop at the Hmong of Ban Houay Lampen where you have the opportunity to explore the village and observe their traditional lifestyle.
Arriving at Pakbeng late afternoon you will check in to your hotel and enjoy a few drinks watching the sun set over the mountains and the Mekong. Overnight in Pakbeng.
Day 2: Pakbeng – Oudomxay (Road) (B)
This morning we pay an early visit to the morning market in Pakbeng before driving towards Oudomxay, the most mountainous area in Laos. The many villages that dot the hillsides and the undulating terrain makes this an interesting journey.
Oudomxay Province is home to a mixture of 23 ethnic minority groups. We make a few rest stops along the way, giving you the opportunity to see the ethnic minority groups such as Hmong, Khmu, Black Thai and Lue. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly, welcoming you with waving hands and smiling faces. Overnight in Oudomxay
Day 3: Oudomxay – Muong La – Muong Ngoi (Road + River) (B/L/D)
After breakfast, our journey to Muong La will lead us through some scenic landscape. Here we have the fantastic chance to visit Pra Xack Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. This 400 years old legendary Buddha image is said to have many supernatural powers and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists.
After a pleasant stop in Muong La we continue our voyage towards Muong Khoua and board a traditional boat for a leisurely cruise on the Nam Ou River to Muong Ngoi. This remote little village, set along the east riverbank is accessible only by river and surrounded by breathtaking scenery will be our base for trekking for the next two days. Overnight in Muong Ngoi
Day 4: Muong Ngoi – Ban Kioukhan (village homestay) (B/L)
Today we discover the remote and extremely beautiful mountainous region of the north, ideal for anyone seeking an adventurous trekking expedition.
We head out of town and begin our trek uphill to the rural village of Ban Kioukhan. Along the way we trek through many different villages where we will be sure to attract attention from the friendly locals who don’t encounter many foreign visitors.
We arrive at Ban Kioukhan by late afternoon and have time to walk around this charming village giving us the opportunity to interact with the locals and understand a little more about their culture and daily lifestyle. This village is home to Khmu hill tribe people who live a traditional lifestyle. We enjoy a local dinner and will reside at a Ban Kioukhan villager’s house, the best way to experience authentic village life. Overnight Ban Kiou Khan Homestay.
[Homestay is very limited facilities and basic accommodation]
Day 5: Ban Kioukhan – Muong Ngoi (River) (B)
After breakfast we continue our trek using trails used by the locals going about their everyday activities. These trails are more challenging but the experience is unique and rewarding.
After a 4-5 hour trek we arrive at Ban Hadsaphaei situated by the Nam Ou River. Boarding our traditional boat you have a chance to rest your aching feet and enjoy the stunning scenery as we cruise downriver arriving in Muong Ngoi midafternoon.
The rest of your afternoon and evening is free to explore or enjoy a few Beer Lao along the riverfront. Overnight in Muong Ngoi
Day 6: Muong Ngoi – Luang Prabang (River + Road)
After breakfast this morning we take a short boat journey to Nong Khiaw were we transfer to road transport for the drive to the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.
Along the way we visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, these caves are an ancient pilgrimage site and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years.
Arriving in Laung Prabang midafternoon we check in to our hotel and your evening is free to explore or relax at your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)
Day 7: Luang Prabang – City Tour (B)
After breakfast back at your hotel we will head out to see the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. From here we visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang.
Your afternoon is free to treat yourself to a spa treatment or massage, explore the town by footor bicycle or just relax at the hotel.
Late afternoon we climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River.
Descenting the mountain your will find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Your evening is free to explore the market and sample some traditional Lao cuisine at one of the many restaurants the town has to offer. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 8: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng (Road) (B)
This morning we have an early departure following Route 13 to Vang Vieng. Climbing into the mountains we pass through spectacular scenery and numerous hill tribe villages. We will lunch at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters above sea level surrounded by the endless mountain peaks of this remote region. After lunch we continue on along Route 13 arriving in Vang Vieng midafternoon.
After check in and time to freshen up we board our boat for a relaxing trip on the Nam Song River, exploring the breathtaking mountain landscape and stopping to explore the famous Tham Jang Cave, used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders. Overnight in Vang Vieng
Day 9: Vang Vieng – Discover (B/L)
Depart from your hotel we drive 14kms north of Vang Vieng to explore a few of the many caves dotting the landscape.
Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) which lies on the opposite banks of the Nam Song. This cave is an important Buddhist temple and owes its name to a remarkable limestone formation. The nearby Tham Hoi (Snail cave) winds its way deep into the mountain. An hour of exploration through numerous corridors will take us to a crystal clear spring. Here swimming by candle-light is possible all the year round.
The most beautiful cave on this trip is Tham Loup (Deep cave). This cave is known for it’s many stalagmites and stalactites. Another cool pool of spring water lies at the mouth of Tham Nam (Water cave), also a good place for a swim. Tubing inside the cave is possible.
After a picnic lunch we trek to the Hmong village of Ban Phathao passing through rice paddy fields and vegetable gardens. From here we kayak back to Vang Vieng through idyllic scenes of rural life and the stunning backdrop of limestone karst-mountains. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Approximately: 25 minutes transfer/ 1½ hour trekking/ 2 hours caving / 2 hours kayaking
Day 10: Vang Vieng – Vientiane (Road) (B)
This morning we drive 4 hours to the national capital of Vientiane, a charming city with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences.
After check in and time to freshen up we head out on our afternoon city tour. You are seeing the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph, from there you visit COPE Center. The COPE was created in response to the need to provide UXO survivors with the care and support they required, namely by way of orthotic and prosthetic devices. This museum was set after in 1997 to help covering the victim during Indochina war.
Heading for the waterfront your evening is free to enjoy a few drinks watching the sunset over the Mekong River, explore the Night Market and take in some of the city’s nightlife. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 11: Vientiane – Departure (B)
After breakfast, we will visit the Morning Market and if time permits we will also visit the Laos’s handmade textile exhibition center. The tour ends after your transfer to airport or for departure.
Tour Inclusions:
- Selected accommodation with breakfast in twin share room. Hotels may not meet international star rating standards, especially in the remote areas where accommodation options are limited
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Private air-condition transportation
- Boat at the program
- Experience and friendly English-speaking local guide
- Sightseeing and permit fees during guided times
- Refreshment
- Service charge and VAT taxes
Tour Exclusions:
- Visa stamping fee at the Embassy
- Elephant Trekking
- Domestic flights quote separately
- Int’l air tickets to/from Laos
- Travel Insurance in all kinds
- Other foreign language guide
- Peak tourist season or special event rates
Trip Notes:
– Travelers are highly recommended to purchase Travel Insurance upon commitment of the booking in case of force majeure. Travel Insurance covers such costs as emergency and medical evacuation, hospital fees, property loss, etc. which could possibly happen during the trip.
– Rooms at hotels are available only from 1400 on arrival day till 1200 on departure date. A supplement will be added if early check-in or late check-out is desired.
– The itinerary may subject to change depending on weather conditions and the local situation.
– Reservations during peak times such as Christmas, New Year, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, National Holidays may be subject to supplementary charges.
– If any proposed service is not available at the time of booking, we will try to find alternative and similar option and minimize changes to the program.
– Domestic flights may subject to change or reschedule before departure date
– Vietnam Travel and Cruise is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time. Additional expenses incurred due to delays, accidents, natural disaster, political actions and unrest, must be covered by the clients. Vietnam Travel and Cruise will make every effort to recoup any losses from the service providers.
Booking condition:
Payment:
– A Deposit of AUD$300 per person is required upon confirmation of your booking. This deposit is non-refundable.
– The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. If you fail to pay by the due date we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain your deposit.
– If you make a booking less than 30 days prior to departure, full payment is due within 48 hours.
Cancellation: Any cancellations must be made in witting.
– Cancellation fees apply to all cancelled reservations. The fee is determined by the date written cancellation received by Vietnam Travel and Cruise.
– Cancellation more than 30 days – Loss of deposit