5D/4N Laos Highlights

Day 1

ARRIVE LUANG PRABANG

Arrive Luang Prabang, the first ancient capital of Lane Xang kingdom and today a World Heritage City. Upon arrival, meet with your guide and visit this sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit National Museum (closed on Tuesday), the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue and gifts received from foreign dignitaries. Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple, which more than any other temple in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture; the private Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre (TAEC-closed on Monday) features ethnic clothing, household objects, religious artifacts, and tools. A good chance to enhance your understanding of the lifestyles and traditions of Laos’ ethnic diversity. (Optional and not included) end the day enjoy beautiful scenery under sunset with Mekong Silk boat (best time from November to March)
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 2

LUANG PRABANG (B,L)

Note: With the Morning Alms Giving, if you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately, shoulder, chest and legs should be covered.

Optional get up before dawn to participate in giving food to hundreds saffron robed monks passing by with the alms bowl. Your guide to prepare some foods for you to offer alms. Giving alms to monks is an early morning ritual dating back for generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning and then back to hotel for breakfast.
Then transfer to the pier and embark on 2-hour motorized boat on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves where hundreds of gilded and wooden Buddha statues are housed inside a towering limestone cliff. On the way make a stop at the local primary school to get a glimpse of the education system and infrastructure. Leave something back to the community is recommended or if you wish to offer something ‘practical’ such as books, school bags, clothes, these can be purchased locally. Return to Luang Prabang by drive through the rural outskirt. Lunch is at a local restaurant looking over the rivers T-junction.
Later this afternoon, set out to Phone Say village lying hidden along the Mekong River. Here almost women dwellers doing weaving textile while men doing fishing on the Mekong River. This hidden charm village cannot be reached by vehicle but just half an hour walking from the main road you would retire yourself into another part of the world. This happens to be a good chance to touch the real life by interacting with local people.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 3

LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE via QV (B,L)

Escape from the stress of modern life and step into the tranquility world of Kuangsi waterfall, 30km south of town. A stop en-route at the local market Talad Phosy to enjoy the local daily activities. The waterfall which though not very high is spectacular with its green surroundings as the national protected forest area. There is plenty of time for relaxing and a swim in the clear and cool water. It is also an ideal venue for the local families to rest at the weekend. Picnic lunch is served at the shady park nearby Kuangsi waterfall, before heading back to Luang Prabang for fresh-up and transfer to the airport for a late afternoon flight to Vientiane. On arrival, meet your guide and transfer to hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Vientiane

Day 4

VIENTIANE (B)

Embark on one hour drive southeast of the city to Buddha Park. It is a fanciful sculpture garden full of Buddhist and religious images dating back over 500 years. Of particular interest is a giant concrete pumpkin, its interior consists of three levels representing hell, earth and heaven. Heading back to town and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city’s major historic sites including religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple that survived from the Siamese war of 1828 with its cloister containing more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in and around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa, containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Lao Arc de Triomphe), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today the landmark of Vientiane.
Overnight in Vientiane

Day 5

DEPART VIENTIANE (B)

Transfer to airport for your onward departure.
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