Explorient Travel

SPIRIT OF LAOS

Tours - Laos Tours

Description: This is a more complete "Down the Mekong" tour taking in the fantastic northern Mekong but also a full exploration of the south on board the luxurious "Vat Phou Cruise". A popular way of entering Laos is by crossing the Mekong in northern Thailand to catch a slow two-day boat downriver through inaccessible wilderness arriving in Luang Phabang at dusk. The boats are 15 metres long by three metres wide with one long wooden hull where all passengers backpacks and supplies are stored protected by a flat tin roof. The boats are powered by a recycled lorry engine mounted in the back of the boat. Two large openings on either side of the boat let fumes out fresh air in and people up onto the flat roof to languish in the smoky sun under a gentle sky and watch the world drift by.

• A pleasant journey through the beautiful and exotic rivers cape, while visiting ethnic villages in Laos
• Down the Mekong in Depth with Vat Phou Cruise and Luangsay Cruise
• The incredibly romantic Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos, is well worth taking the time to visit
• Visits to temples, famous spots in Laos including Pak Ou Caves and Kwangsi waterfalls
• Spare time for own exploration in Luang Prabang and Vientiane

ITINERARY:

Day 1. ARRIVAL – LUANG PRA BANG – HALF DAY CITY TOUR ( L, D)

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Time permitting; your half day city tour begins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We also have time to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2. LUANG PRABANG – BIG BROTHER MOUSE – BAN KHIA LUANG – PAK OU CAVES (B, L, D)

The day starts with a visit to the Big Brother Mouse shop to select some books for the village visit.  We then head north by car along route 13, before taking a unpaved road to Ban Khia Luang village. We then have ample time to visit the school, play with the kids and watch them enjoy their new books. We also take some time to explore the rest of the village,where you can see weaving and visit the local temple.  We stop for lunch at the village, which can either be a western picnic lunch, or traditional Lao food such as sticky rice, laap and fresh vegetables cooked by the villagers.

After lunch we say goodbye to the village and drive to Ban Khoklin, which takes us through some beautiful scenery of mountains and paddy fields. At Ban Khoklin we then board on a private boat down the Nam Ou river for 30 minutes to Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. And continue down the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang, arriving back there by late afternoon. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3. LUANG PRABANG– KHUANG SI WATERFALL AND BAN CHAN (B, L, D)

Today we cross the Mekong River by boat, to the picturesque village of Ban Chan, a pottery village.  We then visit the morning Phousi 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 local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu villages. This then takes us to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4. LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE – HALF DAY CITY TOUR (B, L, D) (Flight)

You will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Vientiane, upon arrival in the capital you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Your half day city tour enables us to see the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit Lao national icon, That Luang Stupa, and we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 5. VIENTIANE – PAKSE – TAD LO (B, L, D)

You will be transferred to the airport early this morning for your flight to Pakse. On arrival at Pakse, you will be met and taken by road west into the Bolevean Plateau.  The Bolevean Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. The area is famous for its many waterfalls, and the most beautiful of these falls, Tad Fan. We visit Tad Fan waterfall, spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route. In the afternoon we arrive in Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall and numerous ethnic minority groups. We visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu before overnighting in Tad Lo. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Tad Lo.

Day 6. TAD LO – WAT PHOU – 4000 ISLANDS (B, L, D)

After an early breakfast, we leave Tad Lo. On the way we make a short detour to visit Pha Suam waterfall and to explore the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung. We continue to travel by road via Pakse town crossing the Mekong by ferry to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. Following lunch we continue our journey by long tail boat to the 4000 Islands, where you have the rest of the day to relax. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in 4000 Islands area.

Day 7. 4000 ISLANDS AND SURROUNDING (B, L, D)

After an early morning breakfast, we head south by road and boat to Done Khone.  Here we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands by boat and visit the beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng- the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the 'Niagara of the east'. Lunch & dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in 4000 Islands area.

Day 8. 4000 ISLANDS– PAKSE- DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast; you will be transferred back to Pakse for catching a flight to Siem Reap-Cambodia or exiting Laos overland from the Chongmek International checkpoint to Ubon Ratchathani Thailand.

End of trip.

Pricing & Inclusion:

This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on your hotel choice, number of people in your group and time of travel.

This rate is quoted in USD per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy at 3-star hotel standard.

Supplements flight:

LUANG PRABANG - VIENTIANE : US$ 98 /pax included airport tax
VIENTIANE - PAKSE : US$ 152 /pax included airport tax

Inclusive of above prices:

• Transportation by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• English speaking guide
• Accommodation based on twin sharing room including breakfast
• Lunch and dinner in the local restaurants as per program
• Entrance fees and excursions according to program

Exclusive of above prices:

• Visa stamping fee on arrival
• Int’l air tickets to/from Laos
• Domestic air ticket
• Travel Insurance in all kinds
• Other foreign language guide
• Peak tourist season or special event rates
• Tip, drinks and other personal expenses
• Other services not mentioned in the program