14 DAYS, LAOS ETHNIC MINORITY

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY1.   ARRIVAL – HOUEISAY

Upon arrival in Lao border checkpoint at HoueiSay pier, you are met and transfer to hotel. Visit local market and villages nearby.  Overnight in HoueiSay.

DAY2.   HOUEISAY – LUANG NAMTHA
Early morning heading out the town to Luang Namtha. The driving on rugged road, up and down mountain hill, but the scenery is great and wonderful; we visit hill tribe villages along the road at Muang Phouka and other surrounding area. Arrive in Luang Namtha in late evening. Overnight in Luang Namtha.(B)

DAY3.   LUANG NAMTHA – BAN NALAN
Breakfast, 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 – LUANG NAMTHA – OUDOMXAY
Very early morning. Visit the bustling Morning Market and the impressive Ethnologic Museum [by chance], dedicated to region’s ethnic minorities. This local market also attracts numerous ethnic minorities who converge from the surrounding mountainsides or valley to barter and trade their goods; you are not to be missed. We visit these sights before we make our way back to Luang Namtha and set off on our journey town ward Oudomxay. On this route, we see very few other travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is difficult at times; however the verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes for a memorable experience. Overnight in Oudomxay. (B)

DAY7.   OUDOMXAY – LUANG PRABANG
An early morning departure to Oudomxay. These back roads are a perfect way to explore the real Laos. We see very few other travelers, mostly rural travelers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is difficult at times; however the verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes for a memorable experience. Upon arrival in 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. Overnight in Luang Prabang.(B)

DAY8.   LUANG PRABANG – CITY TOUR
Breakfast, we begin our sightseeing starts with the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine ofWat Aham, Wat Mai, then climb up to the top of Phousi Hill for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa. Enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset.Overnight in Luang Prabang.(B)

DAY9.   LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVE (BOAT)
Further visits in Luang Prabang with the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. Afternoon embark on a slow boat for a cruise upstream the Mekong River, passing by the tranquil countryside towards the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. On the way, stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai, famous for their rice wine. Before returning to Luang Prabang, drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving products. Overnight in Luang Prabang.(B)

DAY10.  LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE – XIENGKHOUANG (FLIGHT)
Morning visit 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. Then flight to Xiengkhouang via Vientiane. Upon arrival, visit the “Plain of Jars”, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. Overnight in Phonsavanh.(B)

DAY11.  XIENGKHOUANG – PLAIN OF JARS 2ND – 3RD
Breakfast, We are heading out visit to the old capital of Muang Khoun province and nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Thai Dam people. Excursion continues to the Plain of jars field, 2ndand the field 3rd. Along the way, visit local villages. Return to Phonsavanh by late afternoon. Overnight in Phonsavanh.(B)

DAY12.  XIENGKHOUANG – VIENTIANE 
Visit the local market of Phonsavanh and nearby villages of the Hmong. Free at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane. On arrival at Wattay airport you will transfer to city center. After a short rest, we are setting a walking tour on the Mekong River by Sunset. Overnight in Vientiane. (B) 

DAY13.  VIENTIANE – CITY TOUR 
Vientiane guided city tour including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo house of the famous Emerald Buddha. On the way to the sacred That Luang Stupa, stop for pictures of the imposing Patuxai Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph and the central market Talat Sao. Late afternoon visit the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong, then drive to the outskirt of the city to visit theBuddha park, a mixture of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created by mystical monks on parkland located by the Mekong River.(B)

DAY14.  VIENTIANE – DEPARTURE 
Breakfast, you are free until transfer airport. (B)