Laos

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Laos

Laos

Friday, 25 June 2010 05:56 |

Combine your Vietnam or Cambodia trip with an extension into Southeast Asia’s least-known holiday destination, the mountainous, laid-back country of Laos, and experience Indochina at its most natural…

luangprabang

Luang Prabang

Another UNESCO World Heritage site and arguably the most beautiful town in the whole of Southeast Asia, Luang Prabang is deservedly Laos’s most popular destination. Scenically situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and nestled amongst mountains, it combines some of the region’s best preserved French colonial architecture with a relaxed, friendly ambience that is typically Laotian.

At night, the town comes alive with a vibrant night market, a lively bar scene, and some of the world’s most romantic riverside dining.

The surrounding area is perfect for cycling, motorbiking, cruising along a particularly rocky and picturesque section of the Mekong, and exploring the local stilthouse villages.

Book several nights – you definitely won’t want to leave this beautiful spot in a hurry.

Vientiane

Vientiane

Laos’s sleepy capital is one of the region’s most underrated cities. Though bypassed by many tourists for the more obvious charms of Luang Prabang, it’s a charming city that takes a little bit longer to work its magic – but after a couple of days wandering its quiet streets, marvelling at the beauty and sheer number of old Buddhist temples, and eating/drinking in the city’s riverside bars and restaurants, you will have been seduced.

Enjoy the tranquility of Wat Sisaket, the city’s oldest and most beautiful temple, marvel at the stunning golden stupa of That Louang, and explore the city’s fascinating food market, before taking a trip out of town to mysterious Buddha Park. Round off your day with a cold Beer Lao and some tasty local cuisine while enjoying the sunset over the Mekong. Perfect!

phonsavane

Xieng Khouang

Dotted with historical sites, Xieng Khouang province is a great place to learn about Laos’s history, both ancient and modern. The mysterious Plain of Jars, with its thousands of iron-age jars scattered seemingly randomly across the landscape, will amaze you, while the hundreds of bomb craters and the devastated landscape are evidence of Laos’s turbulent recent history. As is Muang Khoun, the old provincial capital – once home to dozens of 16th century stupas but virtually obliterated during the Vietnam War. The ancient stupa of That Dam and the ancient Buddha of Wat Phia Wat give you a mere hint of the town’s former glory.

Stay overnight in the new provincial capital of Phonsavan and enjoy awaking to fresh mountain air and stunning views, before visiting the town’s extraordinary local market, where such delicacies as grilled gopher, grilled squirrel and ants’ eggs await courageous diners!

girls

The South

Easily accessible by road from Vietnam, the south of Laos gets fewer visitors than the centre & north and is thus a great place for some real off the beaten track exploring.

Enjoy wandering around the Hanoi-esque French colonial streets of the riverside city of Savannakhet; pick up the Laos section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at the pleasant village of Xepon; relax in the charming, little known town of Champasak (one of the region’s up & coming destinations); and visit the stunning pre-Angkorian temple complex of Wat Phou, another UNESCO World Heritage site and a far less commercialised temple experience than that of Angkor Wat.

And nature lovers will be in their element at Si Phan Don, Laos’s famous Four Thousand Islands, an amazing archipelago in the middle of the Mekong and home to charming villages, ancient temples, rare species (including freshwater dolphin) and Southeast Asia’s biggest and most spectacular waterfalls. Perfect country for biking and trekking.

Discover Laos

Day1. Arrival –Vientiane

On arrival in Vientiane Capital, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. We watch the sunset by the Mekong Riverside and spend the evening here absorbing the city at night. Overnight in Vientiane

Day2. Vientiane – Xiengkhouang (by flight)

After breakfast, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We board a short afternoon 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. We also have time, this afternoon seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hilltribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Phonsavanh (B)

Day3. Xiengkhouang – Luang Prabang (by road)

Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hilltribe people barter and exchange merchandises. We then head out this small town towards Luang Prabang, en route we stop off to see the Buddha images in Thampra, a site more than 200 years old, and various Hmong and hilltribe minority villages along the way. Really nice and friendly people welcome you to their villages. After a photo stop, we continue driving uphill, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape. After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, where the borders of Vientiane-Xiengkhouang-Luang Prabang meet as a T-Junction. The journey will take us over mountainous regions until we approach Luang Prabang.

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; we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles, made by the local people and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight at Luang Prabang (B)

Day4. Luang Prabang - Pak Ou cave

Today, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, we enjoy a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low representing the classical architecture of Luang Prabang. We then embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local specialty of rice wine is produced. On our way back to Luang Prabang we take a short drive to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day5. Luang Prabang – Khouangsi water fall

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

After breakfast we visit The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating back from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign.

Afterward; we visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermaking. We return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day6. Luang Prabang –Vientiane (Flight)

After breakfast, you will have some free time until transfer to the airport for flight back to Vientiane; transfer to your hotel, free and Overnight in Vientiane

Day7. Vientiane – Visit (B)

After breakfast, we visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop en route to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

In the afternoon we transfer out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. A spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day8. Vientiane - Departure

After breakfast, then it’s free time for your own explore till transfer to the airport. (B)

From US$899.00 per person including:

Private transportation in private air-conditioned

Accommodation in twin shared

Domestic air ticket with airport tax

Private boat trip as stated in above sights

English speaking guide

Admission fee to indicated sights

Meals: daily breakfast at hotel

Government tax and service charge

Luggage handling

2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour

2 cold towels per day during the tour

Not including:

Visa stamping fee

Int’l air tickets to / from Laos

Travel Insurance in all kinds

Meals: lunch or dinner where not stated

Single room (quoted separately)

Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others

ACCOMMODATION

FIRST CLASS HOTEL

VIENTIANE = Novotel Hotel (Standard Room) www.novotel.com

XIENGKHUANG = Auburge Phouphadeng (Standard Room)

LUANG PRABANG = Villa Santi Hotel (Deluxe Room) www.villasantihotel.com