Mysteries and Marvels of Laos - 8 Days

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Luang Prabang – Arrival (B)
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Ancient town – Pak Ou Caves (B)
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khouang Si waterfall (B)
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Xieng Khoang (B)
Day 5: Xieng Khoang – Plain of Jars (B)
Day 6: Xieng Khoang – Fly to Vientiane (B)
Day 7: Vientiane – Buddha Park (B)
Day 8: Vientiane – Departure (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Luang Prabang – Arrival

Welcome to Luang Prabang! Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and then escort you to your hotel for check-in. Free at leisure at the rest of day on your own.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Ancient town –  Pak Ou Caves (B)

You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered).
After breakfast at hotel, we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign; the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we will make a stop at Ban Xang Hai village where rice wine is distilled. We will visit the caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum which house hundreds of Buddha statues. Lunch at local restaurant. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, continue to visit Ban Xang Khong, a village well known for silk hand-weaving and traditional Saa paper-making.
The rest of time is free at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khouang Si waterfall (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

We visit the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre, an organization that is offering the weavers in the area the chance to earn a decent income through their weaving skills, then drive our way to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority at Ban Na Ouane Village, H’Mong Village and also visit Buffalo Dairy Farm where you will have chance to join a scheduled tour of the farm, cuddle up to the beautiful Buffalos, give them a bath or feeding them, hands on milking demonstration and learn how to milk a buffalo, also trying some tasty ice-cream and cheese. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible.
Late afternoon, we will climb up 328 steps of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. We then will explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang (B)

This morning we say goodbye Luang Prabang and transfer to Xieng Khoang – the place famous with UNESCO site – Plain of Jars. The day will be a long driving with some stop along the way for relax. We visit a hidden Buddha Cave, that served as an army hospital during the war, that reminder this region played a major part during the Vietnam War. We also have an optional stop to visit an old Russian tank.
Arrive Xieng Khoang in the afternoon, transfer to visit MAG Center.
Transfer to hotel for checking in and overnight.

Note: due to traffic jams and the bad road, the driving may last about 8 hours

Day 5: Xieng Khouang – Plain of Jars (B)

This morning, transfer to visit Plain Of Jars site 1,2 and admire the beautiful scenery of mysterious plateau. Then we drive to Plain Of Jars site 3 and have short trekking to visit War Spoon Village – where people villagers produce spoons from aluminium UXO scraps. You will be introduced about how people make spoons, as a way to improve their livelihoods from the destruction left behind by UXOs. The villagers first collect UXO, make sure the scraps are harmless, melt them down in a kiln, and fashion it into spoons and other household items using wooden moulds.
If time permits, we will visit the Noodle Village where people make dry rice noodle by hand. Transfer back to hotel for overnight.

Day 6: Xieng Khouang – Fly to Vientiane (B)

After breakfast, we will visit ancient town of Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital, where you can explore the ruins of a number of ancient pagodas in the Lanna style That Fun sputa and Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha.
Then you will be escorted to airport for your flight to Vientiane. Meet tour guide and transfer to hotel for checking in. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 7: Vientiane – Buddha Park (B)

After breakfast at hotel, we transfer out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe.
Afternoon, we visit Wat Sisaket, the city's oldest temple. Dates back to 1818, Wat Sisaket is the most important heritage temple now standing in Laos. It houses thousands of Buddha images from many countries, long lost architectural styles, sculptures and paintings; Wat Prakeo, former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and originally built in 1565, is home to the Emerald Buddha image, Buddhist sculptures are displayed  along the perimeter wall, including a 6th to 9th century Dvaravati-style stone Buddha and several standing and sitting Buddhas. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph.
Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 8: Vientiane – Departure (B)

Free at leisure until transfer to Wattay airport for your departure flight.
End of services!