THE BEST OF LAOS

ITINERARY IN BRIEF:

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane (D)

Day 2: Vientiane-Xiengkhouang (B)

Day 3: Xieng Khouang – Sam Nua (B)

Day 4: Vieng Xai Caves (B)

Day 5: Sam Nua- Nong Khiaw (B, L)

Day 6: Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang (B, L)

Day 7: Luang Prabang- Khouangsi Waterfalls (B)

Day 8: Luang Prabang (B)

Day 9: Luang Prabang- Tadlo (B

Day 10: Tadlo - Wat Phu – Don Khong (B)

Day 11: Don Khong – Khone Island (B)

Day 12: Done Khong Island- Kratie, Cambodia Departure (B)

Detailed itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN VIENTIANE (D)

You will be met and transferred to hotel upon arrival in Vientiane. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. Time allowing we’ll visit some the major sights; including the oldest temple Wat Sisaket, an amazing structure featuring remarkable frescoes and Buddha images. We also visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En-route to Lao's national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. This evening, we will head out to a local restaurant for our first taste of Laos cuisine.

DAY 2: VIENTIANE-XIENGKHOUANG (B)

Morning exploring some of Laos best weaving markets then we’ll board an afternoon flight to Xiengkhouang. 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. Continue to the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Phonsavanh.

DAY 3: XIENG KHOUANG – SAM NUA (B)

A long drive today along some fairly rough roads, marked by stops at nearby villages and some breathtaking scenery. In Hintang we visit the mysterious standing stones of Menhirs. No one is quite sure who built them or why, perhaps burial sites or markers of some sort. We’ll stay overnight in the scenic hidden valley of Sam Nua on the banks of the Nam Sam River early evening.

DAY 4: VIENG XAI CAVES (B)

This morning we explore a number of local villages then continue onto Vieng Xai with its verdant hills and striking limestone cliffs riddles with caves. Many of these caves were used to shelter communist Pathet Laos officers during the "Secret Indochina War" from 1964-1973. A dozen out of 102 caves in the district were converted into meeting, dining and recreation room and even a small hospital. These fascinating caves have only been open to the public in recent years and reveals a lot about Laos little know history. Overnight in Sam Nua

DAY 5: SAM NUA- NONG KHIAW (B, L)

Today we start early for the long drive to Nong Khiaw. We shall have an opportunity to visit some interesting villages along the way before reaching the picturesque town of Nong Khiaw on the banks of the Nam Ou River.

DAY 6: NONG KHIAW – LUANG PRABANG (B, L)

Today we journey by boat cruising down the Nam Ou River, enjoying the lush green forests and breathtaking limestone karst scenery. A stop along the way to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Continuing by boat we arrive in the afternoon to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. After refreshment we’ll climb the temple-topped hill of Mount Phousi and  catch a lovely view over the town and the Mekong River. We also explore the colorful Night Market to top off a day’s touring. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG- CITY TOUR (B)

An early start provides a fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms from the faithful residents. We then immerse ourselves in the bustle of Phousi market which sells exotic produces like dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Following breakfast back at hotel we’ll visit the former Royal Palace, now a National Museum, to see ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as artifacts including the Prabang, a large holy image given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum. Next we’ll tour the city's outstanding temples, including the old-aged Wat Sene, the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its remarkable roofs sweeping low to the ground, Wat Visoun, Wat Mai, and Wat Aham. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG - KHOUANGSI WATERFALLS (B)

This morning we travel out of town to Khouangsi Waterfall where we can take a dip in its inviting limestone pools. On the way, we visit Phousi Market to see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Explore the villages of Ban Ouay, Ban Ou and Ban Thapene, Ban Xangkhong before returning to the city for overnight.

DAY 9: LUANG PRABANG- TADLO (B

This morning we fly to Pakse- the capital of the southern province of Champasak and continue overland to Tadlo in the Boloven Plateau. The plateau is known for its fine temperature, lush forests, crisscrossing rivers, and a series of spectacular surging waterfalls. We’ll pass many lush plantations, hills, forests and villages, stopping over at some villages of the Kato, admiring the twin waterfalls of Tad Fan plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. Overnight in Tadlo.

DAY 10: TADLO - WAT PHU – DON KHONG (B)

We further explore the lush vegetation of Tadlo before driving back to Pakse and turn to the former royal capital of Champasak, our base for exploring the ruins of Wat Phu- one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. Perched on Mount Phu Kao and dated back to the 9th century, the remains of the Khmer Wat Phu is one of the most important pre-angkorian sites, thus recognized by UNESCO a World Heritage in 2001. Continue by road and cross the bridge to Don Khong Island, the largest island in the South Mekong river region, the land of the 4000 islands. Overnight in Don Khong Island- Pon Arena Hotel

DAY 11: DON KHONG – KHONE ISLAND (B)

We embark on a long tail boat and venture into the widest reach of the Mekong River and explore the local peaceful villages of Ban Khone with its relics from the French colonial era including the remnants of the first Lao railway with its locomotive. Next we continue to Liphi waterfall, also called the "Corridor of the Devil". Liphi is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Laos marking the end of the Lao border to Cambodia, where the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin lives. Overnight in Done Khone Island- Sala Ban Khone

DAY 12: DONE KHONG ISLAND- KRATIE, CAMBODIA (B)

We travel by boat to Ban Nakasung and then by car to the Lao – Cambodia border, visiting the breathtaking Khone Phapheng, the Niagara of the East. Bid farewell to Laos cross Veukham/Dong Kalor border gate. End tour

 (B: Breakfast ;)