8D7N MYSTERIOUS LAOS from Chan Brothers Travel

Highlights:

- 3 nights stay at Luang Prabang Hotel with daily breakfast.
- 1 night stay at Vang Vieng Hotel with Daily Breakfast
- 1 night stay at Vientiane Hotel with breakfast.
- 1 night stay at Xieng Khouang Hotel with breakfast
- Return Airport – Hotel – Airport private transfer (no guide service)
- Full Private Tours and Meals as per itinerary with English Speaking Guide

8D7N MYSTERIOUS LAOS

From $1368 SGD

ARRIVAL – VIENTIANE - LUANG PRABANG

Check-in at Changi International Airport for your Lao Airlines flight to Luang Prabang city via Vientiane - Laos. Luang Prabang is located in northern Laos at the heart of a mountainous region. The town is built on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. Mountain ranges (in particular the Phou Thao and Phou Nang Mountains) encircle the city in lush greenery. Many legends are associated with the creation of the city, including one that recounts that Buddha would have smiled when he rested there during his travels, prophesying that it would one day be the site of a rich and powerful city. Known as Muang Sua, then Xieng Thong, from the 14th to the 16th century the town became the capital of the powerful kingdom of Lane Xang (Kingdom of a Million Elephants), whose wealth and influence were related to its strategic location on the Silk Route. The ancient town of Luang Prabang situated in Northern Laos, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Upon arrival, be greeted by our local representative and transferred to local restaurant for your dinner before check in to your hotel. Overnight at Luang Prabang.

Meals: Dinner

Luang Prabang

Embark on a short guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture. Cruising upstream on the Mekong River, gives you a breath-taking view of the tranquil countryside before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. This is a two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Enroute, stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, for its local rice wine produce. A short drive to Ban Phanom, a village known for its hand weaving is also arranged. Have some time visiting Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek, small villages known for silk weavings and Saa Papermaking. After dinner, ascend to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. Overnight at Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Luang Prabang

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. First we visit the Phousi 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. Visit the former Royal Palace and Houses (Museum), which hosts a range of interesting artefacts. Proceed to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun followed by lunch. In the afternoon, visit the local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village for its traditional handicrafts. Cool off the day at the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall – the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals. The pools also have cascades of up to five metres high with deliciously cold water due to the shade given by the surrounding lush tropical jungle, if you don’t fancy a swim then you can relax in the shade and watch others having fun jumping in and out of the water. Overnight at Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang

After breakfast, bid goodbye to Luang Prabang and journey through the wonderful natural scenery to Xieng Khouang with opportunities for photos taking and stop by the local hill tribe villages along the way. Upon arrival, visit The Plain of Jars. The Plain Of Jars is probably South East Asia’s most enigmatic tourist attraction. Situated in the remote north east of Laos, the mountainous communist country which has only been open to tourists for just over a decade, are hundreds of huge stone jars scattered across several square miles. While most ancient Asian sites, such as the Angkor temples in Cambodia, have revealed many of their secrets, historians are still completely baffled as to where the jars came from, how old they are and what they signify. They are, in short, jars of a deeply spooky nature. Overnight stay at Xieng Khouang.
Note: Please be prepared for winding and long distance scenic drive (estimated 8hrs).

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Xieng Khouang - Vang Vieng

Following breakfast, you will have time to visit the interesting central phonsavan local market in Phonsavan. Next we visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over. A large area extending around the town of Phonsavan, where huge jars of unknown origin are scattered around the landscape. The stone jars appear in clusters, ranging from a single or a few to several hundred jars. The jars vary in height and diameter between 1 and 3 meters and are all hewn out of rock. These jars are undecorated with the exception of a single jar that has a human bas-relief carved on the exterior. Research of the Plain of Jars suggests that the stone jars are associated with prehistoric burial practices. Set off for Vang Vieng, Take in the splendid scenery of the surrounding countryside and the mountain ranges while driving to Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng is a riverside town, located in central Laos. The area’s main attraction is the dramatic surrounding karst hill landscape. The limestone cliffs and valleys surrounding the resort complex of VangVieng are home to numerous caves and caverns. The most famous of these caves is Tham Jangi which was used by the local people as a refuge from Chinese invaders 200 years ago. Catch the sunset on Namsong River.Overnight at Vang Vieng town.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Vang Vieng

After breakfast, we start our tour through paddy field areas heading to Tham Phoukham caves, where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, you have chance to explore the local cultures by greeting the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyle. After spending the day at the caves and its surrounding areas, we make our return to the VangVieng town, using local transportation or tractor. En route, we visit the ethnic minority villages of Hmong, Souay and Taidam villages meeting the warm and friendly hill tribe people and observing their traditional tribal costumes. Overnight at Vang Vieng town.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Vang Vieng - Vientiane

Return to Vientiane. Along the way, stop by Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by damming the Nam Ngum Lake. Before reaching Vientiane, make a stop at Ban Keun, known for its salt extraction plant and a village that distills the local Lao whisky. Upon arrival, embark on a City Tour and visit the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Overnight at Vientiane city.

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

VIENTIANE – DEPARTURE

After breakfast, transfer to Vientiane Airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Agency: Chan Brothers Travel

8D7N MYSTERIOUS LAOS

From $1368 SGD

Agency: Chan Brothers Travel

8D7N MYSTERIOUS LAOS

From $1368 SGD

Agency: Chan Brothers Travel