ANCIENT AND MODERN LAOS

Welcome to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos!

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. 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. the rest of the day is at leisure and overnight in Luang Prabang.

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the Monk’s collecting alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the historical old town where the tour begins at the fresh market. Accompanied by the guide, walk through rows of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to local specialties. Next, visit the former Royal Palace. Today housing the National Museum, this site is filled with art, artifacts, and jewels offering some insight into the history and rich culture of the country. After this, continue the tour of Luang Prabang by visiting some of the city’s most important temples. Start at Wat Visoun, home to the famous ‘watermelon’ stupa, before visiting Wat Aham, housing an altar dedicated to the 2 guardian spirits. This afternoon head to Ock Pop Tok to discover more about textiles in Laos- including their history, production, and cultural significance. At sunset, climb the nearby temple-topped hill of Mount Phousi where you will catch a spectacular view out over the town and the river. From there, explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Suggested by Train LPQ-VV: C97 @10:31 -11:34 (Second Class)

After breakfast, you may have time at leisure before pick you up from your hotel and drive to the Luang Prabang Train Station. enjoy the approximately one-hour journey to Vang Vieng on Laos’ new high-speed train, upon on arrive at the Vang Vieng Station, our diver will be waiting to provide Tuk Tuk Transfer to the hotel for check- in. afterwards, Enjoy your lunch at local restaurant. After Lunch, your Vang Vieng trip starts with an awe-inspiring visit to Tham Xang, a cave naturally carved in the shape of an elephant where a sleeping Buddha is resting. Then, out in the sun, you’ll enjoy the mesmerizing landscape of rural Laos by walking along karstic cliffs and through villages and rice fields. You’ll stop at a large village of Hmong minority, the opportunity to learn about the local rich ethnicities before heading back to Vang Vieng and continue to visit Tham Jang, one of the most impressive caves of Vang Vieng accessible by a staircase of 138 steps! The sight is worth the climb as the view inside the cave is spectacular. Then, the journey carries on with a short pirogue ride on the beautiful jade-colored Nam Song River. It’s possible for those who would like to take a swim in one of the crystal-clear water lagoons to enjoy the warm weather of Laos and overnight in Vang Vieng.

Suggested by Train LPQ-VV: C97 @11:35 -12:38 (Second Class)

After breakfast, take a local long tail boat (2 people per boat) to cruise for approximately 30 minutes upstream on the Nam Song River, enjoying the beautiful scenery as you go, then ride back to the starting point and transfer back to your hotel, you may have time at leisure before our guide and car come to pick up at your hotel and private transfer to the Vang Vieng Train station, enjoy the approximately one-hour journey to Vientiane on Laos’ new high-speed train. upon on arrival at the Vientiane Train Station, our driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. Afterwards, enjoy your lunch at local restaurant. After Lunch, 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. 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. We watch the sunset by Mekong Riverside and spend the evening here absorbing the city’s nightlife. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, starts the morning with a 45-minute drive out to Buddha Park. En route, stop and take photos of the Friendship Bridge which was built by the Australian government in 1994 and links Laos and Thailand. Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by a Lao shaman. After visiting Buddha Park, start the drive back to Vientiane. En route, stop at the Lao Disabled Women Development Center. This center aims to bring knowledge and skills to disabled women so that they can become confident, self-sufficient members of the community. A visit to the center provides the opportunity to talk to these women and to observe their skills at creating handicrafts such as handmade paper then returned to the city and the remain of your day is free at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast at the hotel, depending on your flight, you may have time at leisure till our guide and car come to pick up at your hotel then provide a private transfer to the Wattay International Airport for your departure flight. End of our services!