Vientiane and Luang Prabang Hidden Charm

Pm: Depending on your arrival flight time, our guide and driver pick you up at the Vientiane Capital, and transfer you to centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences.

After a short rest, you start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the WatSisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of WatPrakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Free to have your own dinner. Overnight in Vientiane

Am: Have breakfast at hotel. Then you head out of the city and take the way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by damming the Nam Ngum River and stop along the way at Hmong market at KM52 and then visit VangXang before arrival at the lake, you embark on a long tail boat visiting fisherman villages in varied islets. Then you visit some beautiful islets and take a short walk to explore the lifestyle of the local fishermen. Have lunch on the way.

Pm: On return, [if time permits], perhaps you might experience gambling at legal Lao casino located in the valley where you can enjoy an ideal landscape for anyone seeking for an overview of lake when the heat becomes unbearable in city. You return to Vientiane and stopping over at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt extraction plant and arrive Vientiane by late evening. Free to have your own dinner. Overnight in Vientiane

Am: Have breakfast at hotel. This morning, you have free time to walk around for more exploration. Then our driver drops you off airport for taking flight to Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Have lunch at restaurant.

Pm: After lunch, you visit The National Museum (closed on Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which 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 and the impressive stupa of WatVisoun and the shrine of WatAham, Wat Mai. We then ascent up to the top 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. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Am: This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. Have breakfast at hotel. Then our guide picks up you at hotel to enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of WatSene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Then you 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, you stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. Have lunch at restaurant.

Pm: This afternoon, you continue your excursion toward Khouangsi Waterfall, en route, we visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. The Khouangsi Waterfall setting really illustrates paradise. You return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk hand weaving and for traditional Saa Paper making. You come back the city by late evening to observe the sunset at WatPhabath. Free to have your own dinner. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Am: Have breakfast at hotel. This morning, you have free time to relax and more walking around streets for more exploration. Depend on your flight time; the driver drops you off the airport for taking flight departure. End of tour.