TRAVEL TO INDOCHINA

5 DAYS LAOS CLASSIC TOUR

Private tour (LCP): Daily departure from Luang Prabang with English, German or French speaking guide

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 SAT : LUANG PRABANG – ARRIVAL (L)
Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang, is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia. Magical and charming, it has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage City.Lunch at local restaurant.Visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That Makmo, stylistically more Srilankalese than Lao. Then walk to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Continue to visit Vat Mai, built in 1796, famous for the five – tiered roof of its wooden sim built in the standard of Luang Prabang style. Climb Vat Phousi hill for an outstanding overview of the city. Sunset at Vat Prabaht Tai located along the Mekong River. Accommodation at the hotel.

DAY 2 SUN  : LUANG PRABANG        (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Vat Xieng Thong, considered as the most beautiful temple. The main sanctuary represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. In the compound stand several small chapels housing bronze Buddha images, which were displayed in Paris in 1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal Funeral Chapel. Inside are an impressive 12-meter high funeral chariot and various funeral urns of each Royal Family’s member. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts a semi-erotic episode from Ramayana. Then board a traditional boat for a trip upstream the Mekong River to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou housing thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha.  Picnic lunch at a bamboo cottage overlooking the confluence between the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers.  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. Accommodation at the hotel.

DAY 3 MON: LUANG PRABANG (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel.Drive to the Khuang Xi Waterfall, located 30 km (approximately 1 hour drive) South of Luang Prabang. The waterfalls tumble over multi-tiered limestone formations into cool, clear pools ideal for swimming and relaxation. Picnic lunch nearby the waterfalls.Close to the waterfall is the Khmu minority village of Ban Thapaene. Take a walk through the village before continuing to Ban Xom, a lowland Lao village, known for its cotton production. Accommodation at the hotel.

DAY 4 TUE: LUANG PRABANG – VIENTAINE (B,L) 
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family: photos, musical equipment and gifts received from foreign countries. Next, visit the Central Market where ethnic minorities come daily. Transfer to the airport for Lao Airlines flight to Vientiane. Meet upon arrival at Vientiane Wattay airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Vientiane’s major attractions are the serene Buddhist monasteries that dominate the center of town. The city has kept its timeless charm with tree-lined avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the sole survivor of an invasion in 1828. All other temples in the city have undergone extensive restoration. Vat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha images. Nearby is Ho Phra Keo, once the royal temple of Lao monarchy. Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo has been used as a museum since 1970 and contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in the country. Special displays include antique brass drums and palm leaf manuscripts. The main structure originally housed the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Keo. One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patousay, the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. Another famous Vientiane landmark is the That Luang Stupa. King Setthathirath built this great sacred stupa, considered as the national symbol, in 1566. Its central structure is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus. The original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Accommodation at the hotel.        

DAY 5 WED:VIENTIANE – DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. If time permits, visit the Morning Market. The Morning Market (Talaat Sao) is known for its superior silk weaving, metal work, and woodcarving. Then transfer to the airport for departure (airfare not included in tour price). 

HOTEL ADDRESSES:

Superior Category (LCT/LCP)
Muang Luang Hotel	Bounkhong Road, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856-71) 212 791 / Fax: (856-71) 212 790
Novotel Hotel	Unit 9 Samsenthai Road, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856-21) 213 570-1 / Fax: (856-21) 213 572

 

First Category (LCT/LCP)
Villa Santi Hotel	Sakkarine Road, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856-71) 252 157 / Fax: (856-71) 252 158
Lao Plaza Hotel	63 Samsenthai Road, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856-21) 218 800-1 / Fax: (856-21) 218 808-9

 

Deluxe Category (LCP)
La Residence Phou Vao	Phou Vao Road, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR Tel: (856-71) 212 530 / Fax: (856-71) 212 534
Settha Palace Hotel	6 Pang Kham Street, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel: (856-21) 217 581-2 / Fax: (856-21) 218 583

Our tour prices are inclusive of transfer and tour by air-conditioned car / minivan / coach with English, German or French speaking local guide, entrance fees, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch), accommodation in twin shared rooms with private bathroom, domestic air tickets and domestic airport taxes, service charges, room tax and baggage handling.

Not included are arrival and departure flights, Laotian visa fee upon arrival (US $30 per person + two photos), International airport tax upon departure (US $10 per person), all other meals not mentioned above, drinks, tips and other personal expenditures such as telephone, laundry, and personal travel insurance.

NOTE: Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road and/or river conditions, flight schedules and room availability.