11 DAYS, LAOS MUONGLAND

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY1.   UBON RATCHATHANI – PAKSE – WAT PHU – KHONG ISLAND

Upon arrival at Ubon Ratchathani Airport, we meet and drive to Thai Lao Border at Chongmek, after finishing the entry formalities, continue by road to Pakse at Muangkhao pier, we then board the long trail motor boat downstream the Mekong to Champassak, visit the ruins of Wat Phu, the pre-Angkorian temple, which is well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between 9th –13th centuries. Here is also a chance to visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines. After lunch we drive to Khong Island, on the way stop to visit the villages of ban Phone Saat.  Overnight in Khong Island (B) 

DAY2.   KHONG ISLAND – SURROUNDING
Breakfast, today, we enjoy a cruise venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islets just out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name” Si Phan Done A long the way, we stop at the Liphi waterfalls and the fisherman village of Ban Done Khone. On return, we take a short drive to the Lao – Cambodia border at Weukham and the sight of Khone Phapheng, which boats South East Asia’s biggest water falls, if there is luck, we may be seen Mekong dolphin. Overnight in Khong Island (B) 

DAY3.   KHONG ISLAND – TADLO – PAKSE
Breakfast; upon leaving Khong 4000 islands, we continue our journey towards Tadlo, throughBoloven plateau where famous tea and coffee plantation and other lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil are incredible all along the way. En route, there are some opportunities to explore a part of Boloven plateau and visit some hill villages of the Katu, Alak and Nge ethnic minority people, return to Pakse by late evening. Overnight in Pakse (B)

DAY4.   PAKSE – VIENTIANE –XIENGKHOUANG
Breakfast, transfer to airport for the flight to Vientiane, upon arrival, transfer to downtown. If time, permits, we may explore few sites of highlight sightseeing places, before returning to airport and board a flight to Xiengkhouang, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. If time permits, we are seeing the old capital of Muang Khoum and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Phonsavanh. (B) 

DAY5.   XIENGKHOUANG – MUANGKHAM DISTRICT
Breakfast, we visit Central Market of Phonsavanh, then drive to visit Muang Kham and some 50KM. En route visit tribal minorities villages of Hmong, Tai Dam and Khmu… and hot spring water and Tham Piew cave,  the history shrine, where hundred of local people hiding in this cave were killed by bomb while Indochina War. We explore local market at Muangkham and visiting local villages before returning to Phonsavanh by late afternoon. Overnight in Phonsavanh (B)

DAY6.   XIENGKHOUANG – LUANG PRABANG (BY ROAD)
Breakfast; afterward drive on the road No. 7 to Luang Prabang (6 hours drive). Along the way, we enjoy splendid scenery and the mountains ranges. Some stops to visit tribal minority villages and take the photos in some views points. Arrive in Luang Prabang, which 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. After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount 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 Street Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

DAY7.   LUANG PRABANG - PAKOU - LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the potent local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand made of Jute Sar paper. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

DAY8.   LUANG PRABANG – KHOUANGSI WATERFALLS
Breakfast; this morning you may want to rise 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. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit Hmong village at Ban Na Oun, Laoloum village at Ban Ou and Khmu village at Ban Thapenedrive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths, return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village, return to the city by late evening for observing the sunset at WatSiphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

DAY9.   LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE
Breakfast, we 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, and the Central Market are not to be missed. After visiting these sights in the morning, you will have free time for your own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping area. Mid afternoon fly to Vientiane and transfer to hotel, [if time permits] we are setting an evening. Walking Tour, strolling around this small dream-like city. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)

DAY10.  VIENTIANE - CITY TOUR
Breakfast,  AM:  You are met to continue exploring Vientiane capital city, we start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.  
PM:      Continue to visit the rest of Vientiane by walk, visit Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng, Wat Haisok. Then we pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market ofTalad Sao and Talad Kouadin where the major goods display; including fresh food, household, textiles, gold, silver and ancient souvenir varied display and return to Mekong Riverside by late afternoon observing sunset by Mekong. Overnight in Vientiane.(B)

DAY11.  VIENTIANE – DEPARTURE
Breakfast, free at leisure, until transfer to airport. (B)