ST
OL 11 : EXPLORER
LAOS
( 8 days/ 7nights ) Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Xieng Khuang
- Luang Prabang - Pakse
Laos
in brief the people's democratic Republic of Lao is located
in the center of in the center of Indochina, sharing borders
with China to north west, Thailand to west, Cambodia to the
south, and Vietnam to the east.
Laos has a population of a bout 5,5 millions inhabitants and
make up of 48 different ethnic groups with an are of 236,800
square kilometres. Around 70 % of its terrain is mountainous
reaching a maximum elevation of 2,820 m in Xieng Khouang province.
The landscapes of northern Laos and regions adjacent to Vietnam
in particular are dominated by hills. The Mekong river is
the main geographical feature in the west and in fact, from
a natural border with Thailand and some areas. The Mekong
flows through nearly 1,900 km of Laos. In the south the Mekong
reaches a breadth of 14 km, creating an area with thousands
of land. The capital Vientiane and all other major cities
and towns are located of the bank of the Mekong river, while
virtually every village depends on the vital bon between the
land and water. The first kingdom of laos is Lane Xang kingdom
(the Land of Million Elephants.)
DAY
1. VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG
Up on arrival at Wattaya international airport, meet your guide and
transfer to hotel for checking in. In the afternoon, Vientiane city
tour. Visit that Luang (The great stupa), Patuxai (Victory gate -
Arc de Triomphe de Vientiane), Wat Sisaket, Ho Pharkeo (National Museum),
Wat Simuong, Wat Ongteu... Shop at Talad Xao (morning market). Then
travel by car to Vang Vieng (150km - 2 hrs). Visit Tham Jang caves,
walk along Nam Xong river bank, sunset beyond mountains. Enjoy nightlife
in town. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
DAY 2. VANG VIENG - XIENGKHUANG
Breakfasr at hotel. Visit local market. Travel by car to Xieng Khuang
(240km - 6 hrs). Many stop-overs to visit, en route, tribal villages.
Arrive in Xieng Khuang in the afternoon. Visit site 1&2 of the
plain of the jars. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.
DAY 3. XIENGKHUANG - LUANG PRABANG
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit local market and special wood carving
shop. Travel by car to Luang Prabang (240km - 6hrs). Many stop-overs
to visit, en route, tribal villages. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the
afternoon. Luang Prabang city tour including: Wat Visoun, That Makmo,
Wat Sene. Climb up Phousi hill to see sunset on Mekong river. O/N
in Luang Prabang.
DAY 4. LUANG PRABANG
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to local boat Pier for boat cruise
along the Mekong river to visit Pak Ou caves. Along the way, visit
Ban Sang Hai where they make traditional sticky rice liquor. Back
to LBP at noon. In the afternoon, excursion by car to Kuang Sy falls,
visit villages en route. Return to town, visit Ban Phanom village,
hill tribe H'mong village on the way back town. Sunset at Wat Siphaphoutthabat.
O/N in LBP.
DAY 5. LUANG PRABANG - VIENTIANE
( flight )
Breakfast at hotel. Visit local market, Wat Xieng Thong - the most
impressive temple in LPB and the National museum of LPB (former Royal
Palace). Free at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane.
Meet your guide and transfer to hotel. O/N in Vientiane.
DAY 6. VIENTIANE - PAKSE ( flight )
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for early flight to Paske.
Meet your guide at Paske airport. Transfer to hotel for check in.
Travel by car to visit Wat Phou Champasack - pre Angkorian temple
ruins. Then continue the road to Bolaven Highland to visit coffee,
cardamom, tea, fruits and vegetables plantation, visit Tad Fane falls...
Bacjk to Paske for overnight.
DAY 7. PAKSE (
Elephant riding )
Breakfast at hotel. Excursion by car to Khone Phapheng waterfalls
- the biggest in its kind in SE Asia. Elephant riding at Ban Asa village.
Back to Paske in late evening. Overnight in Paske.
DAY 8. PAKSE DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure until transfet to airport for
departure flight.
Services Included:
- All Transfers by private car or bus as mentioned in tour program.
- English/French speaking local guide.
- All entrance fees for sightseeing and visit for whole trip.
- Accommodation at hotels specified with full board.
- Elephant Riding
- AirTicket + Airport tax : LuangPrabang - Vientiane,
Vientiane - Pakse
- Guide's fee and expenses for whole trip.
Not included:
- International air tickets to Vientiane
- Laotian visa fee of USD 20.00 net per person ( stamped in Bangkok)
- Laotiane visa upon arrival at USD 30- net per person
- Expenditure of a personal nature, such as ; personal insurance,
drinks, souvenirs and laundry, etc
- Departure airport tax in Vientiane = USD10.00 net per person
