10 DAYS, UNVEIL LAOS TOUR

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY1.   ARRIVAL – VIENTIANE

On arrival in Vientiane Capital, you are met and transferred to hotel. On the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is the charming and fascinating capital of Laos. This small town conjures up exotic images, with the curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French influences. We explore the town this afternoon, with Wat Sisaket which is the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha images. The following sight is Haw Prakeo, the former royal temple of Laos monarchy, where previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Statue. We then visit the imposing Patuxai Monument which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph before continuing to the famous That Luang Stupa. overnight in Vientiane.

DAY2.   VIENTIANE - LUANG NAMTHA
The journey north begins as we board our flight to Luang Namtha, a land of rugged mountains, beautiful forest and rich river plain, sharing the border with China and Myanmar. Today, Lung Namtha is populated by over twenty ethnic groups making it the most ethnically diverse province in Laos. No activities are planned so you can stroll around the town or just relax at the riverside retreat until the briefing for our coming trekking days. Overnight in Luang Namtha. (B)

DAY3.   LUANG NAMTHA – BAN NALAN
Heading out of the town, we take a short drive to Ban Chalernsuk , a Khmu minority village at 20km away from Luang Namtha. We get well and truly off the beaten track as we trek into this beautiful mountain region, using the local tracks. The journey is quite strenuous with many steep uphill and down hill walking but the verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes for an unforgettable experience. We finish our walking day on arrival at Ban Nalan where we are the guest of a Khmu family. The accommodation is very simple and dormitory style, no western facilities. Overnight in Ban Nalan villager’s house (Home stay) (B, L, D)

DAY4.   BAN NALAN – BAN NAMLU – LUANG NAMTHA
The trekking leads us along the bank of the river to Ban Namkoy, passing the picturesque landscape of forest and rice fields. The forest here varies from small patches of old tree to never grown of bamboo. On arrival at Ban Namkoy we embark on a three hour walk uphill. This trek is a real challenge; however some physical preparation will enable you to maximize enjoyment from the walk. Along the way we pass through several hamlets, and are sure to attraction attention as this part of the country receives very few visitors. At the small village of Ban Namlu, we meet up with our truck and drive back towards Luang Namtha Town. Overnight in Luang Namtha. (B)

DAY5.   LUANG NAMTHA – XIENG KOK - MOUNG SING
An early morning departure towards Moung Sing, which is home to various hill tribe groups including Akha, Laos, Dao. There is also a significant Chinese population and a lot of trade goes on between here and China. On the way we visit an Akha minority village. This ethnic group was originally in China but immigrated into Laos down centuries. They are very poor, but have an interesting culture and a colorful history. Upon leaving this village, we drive west, traveling by bumpy roads to Xieng Kok, a border town near the golden triangle. In late afternoon, we drive back to Muong Sing with stopover at the Lantern minority village. Overnight at Moung Sing.  (B)

DAY6.   MUONG SING – OUDOMXAY
Early morning, we visit the bustling colorful Morning Market and the impressive ethnologic museum, dedicated to region’s ethnic minorities, are not to be missed. We visit these sights before we make our way journey to Oudomxay. The road journey down the hill, passing numerous small villages en-route visit Khmu, Lantene. They are living with a nature forest. On arrival at Oudomxay transfer to hotel before a sightseeing tour of the town.  Explore the stupa of Santhiphap that overlooks this bustling center of local trade and commerce. Overnight in Oudomxay.(B)

DAY7.   OUDOMXAY – NONG KHIOW - LUANG PRABANG (ROAD AND BOAT)
Early morning, we travel to Nong Khiow to board a traditional boat down the Nam Ou River to Luang Prabang. This tranquil town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been claimed by UNESCO to be“the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia”. Stop en route to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves where thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. Continue down river to Ban Sang Hay village to sample the local rice alcohol known as Lao Lao. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.(B)

DAY8.   LUANG PRABANG – CITY TOUR
Breakfast, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene, Wat Mai, we continue our city tour, seeing the magnificent Wat Xiengthongwhich nestles at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. The temple structures are decorated in various ways with gilded stuccoes and doorways. The main Sim has a marvelous 'tree of life' mosaic pattern on an outer wall. The National Museum 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 climb 329 steps to the top of Phousi Mount for a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore Street Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. The zigzag path crosses over various temples to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site, recognized by UNESCO in 2002 at the summit. Overnight at Luang Prabang. (B)

DAY9.   LUANG PRABANG – VANG VIENG – VIENTIANE (ROAD)
An early morning breakfast and departure to Vang Vieng. The journey is strenuous as we drive along one of the most scenic but rough routes in the whole of Asia.  We arrive in Vang Vieng, a small town that is located on a bend in the Nam Song River. This tranquil town is rapidly developed with the advent of tourist, but the beautiful scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops is unchanged for century. After exploring this dream-like city, we continue our way to Vientiane capital. Arrive in Vientiane by late evening.  Over night in Vientiane. (B)

DAY10.  VIENTIANE – DEPARTURE
Breakfast, free until transfer for airport.(B)