Mekong Serenity in Northern Laos - 4 Days

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Houeixay – Pakbeng (L,D)

Day 2: Pakbeng – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang (B,L)

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Ancient town – Khouangsi waterfall (B)

Day 4: Luang Prabang – City tour – Departure (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Houeixay – Pakbeng (L,D) SHARED SHOMPOO CRUISE

At 08:00am, the guests will meet our English Speaking team with a welcome sign at the Chiang Khong immigration office. He will help the guests to exit Thailand and get the siutle bus to Lao border (included). Our guide will assist customers to apply for the visi. After getting the VISA, guests will take a sharing transfer (minivan) to the slow boat pier to embark on ihe boat. During the morning, Quick lecture about Do's and Don'ts in Laos and fun facts will be presented by our guide. Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board. Before reaching Pakbeng, we will stop to visit a traditional Kamu village (Ban Keng Lae), a tiny cozy place which host about 70 families. Travelers will learn about rural lifestyle in a very remote area. The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before the night. Lunch on boat.

Dinner at hotel.

Overnight in Pakbeng

Note: We recommend to the travelers to be at Chiang Khong - Thai immigration border at before 07:45am to make sure to meet our team on time (border opens from 8:00am). lf the travelers are already in Houeixay, we will arrange pick up at their hotel between 09am and 09:30am. The boat will leave Houeixay at latest at 10am.

• From October to April: Departure every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
• From May to September: Departure every Monday and Friday.

Day 2: Pakbeng – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang (B, L) SHARED SHOMPOO CRUISE

The boat will leave Pakbeng at 8:00am. Enjoy the beautiful nature and jungle during your journey. ln the morning, our guide and cooker will make a short demonstration on how to make local handicrafts and will also prepare some lao desserts and local drinks that travelers will eat later in the afternoon. A Lao Traditional Lunch set is served on board. First stop will be at Ban Muang village, small village famous for its lao lao whiskey making. Right after the visit, the boat will stop for the second visit at the Pak Ou Caves Tham Ting) and its over 2000 Buddha statues. It is one of the most important pilgrimage place f6r Lao people. After the visit, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and the travelers. The boat will arrive in Luang Prabang before 4:30pm.

This evening is free time to 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 3: Luang Prabang – Ancient town – Khouangsi waterfall (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).

We then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

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 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. 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.

Return to the city and free at leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 4: Luang Prabang – City tour – Departure (B)

This morning, we will climb up 328 steps of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River. Next, we will visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. We then drive to visit Ban Xang Khong where we learn more about making Saa paper, before transferring to the airport for departure.