|
Day |
Suggested itin |
Accommodation / Meals inc |
|
1 |
Visit many interesting wats and lively markets, such as Pha
That Luang - the most important national monument in Laos, Patuxia
- a large monument in the style of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris,
Ho Pha Keo - the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy converted
into a museum containing Buddhist sculptures found in Laos, Wat Si
Muang - the temple which contains the city pillar and acts as the
home of Vientiane's guardian spirits, Wat Si Saket - the early
Bangkok style tempole containing more than 2,000 silver and
ceramic Buddha images, and Talaat Sao - the Morning Market
(actually open all day) selling a wide range of fabrics, jewellery
and electronic goods. |
Hotel -Vientiane |
|
2 |
Drive to the south through the scenic province of Vientiane.
The climate is pleasant and the views are nice, with mountains
and cliffs along the first part of the journey.
Visit Nam Ngum Lake, the beautiful scenery around the Nam Ngum
River. This is a man-made reservoir for a hydroelectric power dam
that generates most of the electricity sold to Thailand.
Continue to Ban Keun Zoo, a pleasant local zoo with animals from
the region. |
(Breakfast)
Hotel - Luang Prabang |
|
3 |
After breakfast, trek in the surroundings of Vang Vieng from
Tham Xang (the Elephant cave) a nice path leads through the rice
fields and along an irrigation channel to a Hmong village. And
transfer to Xieng Khuang. |
(Breakfast)
Hotel - Phonsavanh |
|
4 |
Visit Plain of Jars, large area extending around Phonsavanh
from the south-west to the north-east where huge jars (up to
1000kg each) of unknown origin are scattered about in at least a
dozen groupings.
It is one of the most intriguing sights in Laos. Continue to
Muang Khoun, the ancient capital which was a stronghold for the
Xieng Khouang royal family.
It was destroyed during the Indochina War. The town was rebuilt
after 1975 with rows of wooden Lao houses and a market area. It
has an impressive location as it is surrounded by mountains. |
(Breakfast)
Hotel - Phonsavanh |
|
5 |
Visit lively open-air local market. Travel along routes 7
and 13 through beautiful mountain scenery to Luang Prabang. |
(Breakfast)
Hotel - Luang Prabang |
|
6 |
A city tour begins at the former Royal Palace, now the
National Museum and Vat Xieng Thong Temple. In the afternoon
continue to Vat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs
and Vat Visun, entirely rebuilt after being destroyed in 1887 by
the invading Black Flags from southern China.
In the courtyard of Vat Visun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped
like the fruit it takes its name from.
In the late afternoon climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount
Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding
countryside. |
(Breakfast)
Hotel - Luang Prabang |
|
7 |
Excursion by boat from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Caves, two
caves (Tham Thing lower cave and Tham Phum) located in the
steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong River and Ou
River. They are full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and
sizes.
Continue to Ban Xang Hai, the village was once a 'Jar-Maker
Village' and nowadays the community fill the jars (which come from
elsewhere) with lao-lao, the local rice whisky. |
Hotel - Luang Prabang
(Breakfast) |
|
8 |
Transfer to airport |
(Breakfast) |