Trip Name: Best of Laos 6 days
Type of trip: Private
Trip Duration: 6 Days
Starting: Vientiane, Laos
Finishing: Luang Prabang, Laos
Trip Grading: Regular itinerary, moderate walking
Destinations: Vientiane - Morning market – Vang Vieng - Tham Jang caves - Mekong river cruise – Pak Ou Buddha caves
Flexibility: This sample itinerary can be amended aThis trip features a 6 days mini adventure in Laos, in which you are traveling by mini van and take a boat trip to visit Mekong river. ccordingly to meet your expectation.
Highlights: This trip features a 6 days mini adventure in Laos, in which you are traveling by mini van and take a boat trip to visit Mekong river.
Luang Prabang is a city located in north central Laos, on the Mekong River about 425 km north of Vientiane, and the capital of Louangphrabang Province. The current population of the city is about 103,000
The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The city is also notable as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Muang Sua was the old name of Luang Prabang following its conquest in 698 A.D. by a Tai prince, Khun Lo, who seized his opportunity when Nan-chao was engaged elsewhere. Khun Lo had been awarded the town by his father, Khun Borom, who is associated with the Lao legend of the creation of the world, which the Lao share with the Shan and other peoples of the region. Khun Lo established a dynasty whose fifteen rulers reigned over an independent Muang Sua for the better part of a century.
Vientiane is the capital city of Laos, situated in the Mekong Valley. It is also Laos's largest city. The estimated population of the city is 200,000 (2005) while the number of people living in the Vientiane metropolitan area (the entire Vientiane Prefecture and parts of Vientiane Province) is believed to be over 730,000.
Sri Sattanak, or Sisattanak is a former name of Vientiane. It is often confused with Sri Sattanakanahut, the Pali name of Lan Xang, the Kingdom of the Million Elephants. Sisattanak now is the name of one of the five districts of the city Vientiane.
Day 1: Vientiane Arrival
Welcome to Vientiane, upon arrive at Vientiane airport, Asia Top Travel tour expert personally welcome you and transfer to hotel for check in. Then enjoy a city tour to Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Visit Wat Simuang and Wat Prakeo, which was the original home of the famous Emerald Buddha, which today lives in Bangkok. There are many excellent restaurants in Vientiane, and you will easily find something to suit your taste. Visit the huge golden That Luang monument, where all Lao citizen respect as holy pagoda. Visit Vientiane’s own Victory Monument, which looks like the Arc de Triumph. This was built at the end of the Indochina wars with money rumored to be American, and earmarked for the airport’s new runway. Thus the departing Americans dubbed this monument the vertical runway! Have a look at the lovely arches inside the monument.
Meals: none
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane – Morning market – Vang Vieng (B)
Breakfast is served at the hotel. After breakfast, visit Morning Market, first market in Vientiane. Then drive to Vang Vieng, about 3 hours from the capital. Once a key military airfield during the Indochina wars, the town’s central feature is the long-abandoned runway along the eastern side of town. On the west side, a small river separates the town from the nearby caves & mountains, which can easily be visited from town. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant en route.
Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng
Meal: Breakfast
Day 3: Vang Vieng – Market – Tham Jang caves – Luang Prabang (B)
Breakfast is served at the hotel, this morning check out of your hotel, visit the local market and then the Tham Jang caves through which flows a crystal clear stream. Drive to Luang Prabang, drive passes through splendid scenery and past many panoramic lookout points on the winding mountaintop road. There are several stops en route to take in the scenery. Arrive in Luang Prabang, check into the hotel, and enjoy an exploring the former royal capital & crown jewel of the ancient Lane Xang Empire (pronounced ‘lan sang’) – the Land of a Million Elephants. Shopping at the night market.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4: Luang Prabang – World Heritage site in Luang Prabang (B)
Breakfast is served at the hotel. This morning, visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Continue to visit Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Visit Wat Xieng Thong further emphasizes the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. See also the impressive "tree of life" mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes from the Ramayana. Climb up Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns! Shopping Hmong market, where hundreds of Hmong vendors display their handmade handicraft.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5: Luang Prabang – Mekong river cruise – Pak Ou Buddha caves (B)
Breakfast is served at the hotel. After breakfast, visit the National Museum, once a king's palace. Displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. Begin a Mekong Riverboat trip with your guide on the mighty Mekong River to visit the famous & sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Ou Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. On return visit Por Sa Paper Handicraft & textile area at Ban Xang Khong.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Meal: Breakfast
Day 6: Luang Prabang Depart (B)
Breakfast is served at the hotel. After breakfast, relax until transferring to the airport for your departure flight
Meal: Breakfast
This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on the number of people in your group and time of travel.
Please send us enquiry for availabilities & the most up dated price.
Tour Included:
All land transport & transfers listed on the itinerary
All Accommodations
All meals as listed on the itinerary
All entrance fees
Services of an English Speaking guide throughout the tour
All services as listed in the itinerary, including the Mekong river boat trip
Drinking water/cold towels
Lao Government Tax
Tour Excluded:
Laos visa fee
Meals other than those mentioned in the program
International and Domestic airport departure tax or tickets
Personal drinks at meal times