Full Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

Day 1.  Chiangrai – HoueiSay – Pakbeng

Day 2.  Pakbeng – Pak Ou Cave – Luang Prabang

Day 3.  Luang Prabang – City Tours– Khouangsi Waterfall

Day 4.  Luang Prabang – Vientiane

Day 5.  Vientiane – Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1. Chiang Rai – Houay Xay – Pakbeng

This morning you will have an early morning transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong, the exit point from Thailand on the banks of the Mekong River. After passing through immigration, you will cross the river to Houay Xay in Laos where your guide will be waiting for you at the immigration point.

Mekong River – Houay Xay

Chiang Rai

After completing immigration formalities, you board a traditional slow boat for the trip down the Mekong River. The scenery along this part of the Mekong is argueably at its most beautiful.  As your journey downriver you will stop at some Hmong, Yao and Khmu ethnic minority villages and have the opportunity to observe their traditional lifestyle.

Upon arrival in Pakbeng, we visit local market where you can hear the banter colorful hill tribe traders exchanges their goods.

Overnight in Pakbeng (B)

Day 2. Pakbeng – Pak Ou Cave – Luang Prabang

This morning we continue downstream pass areas of un-spoilt forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You will visit a fishing village and a rice winemaking village and perhaps even taste some of the infamous beverage known locally as Lao Lao.

Pakbeng

Pak Ou Caves

We will pull over for a visit to Pak-Ou Caves, an ancient pilgrimage site and containing thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years.

Arriving in Luang Prabang around sunset we will transfer to your hotel. Your evening is free to explore the town or relax at your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 3. Luang Prabang – City Tours– Kuang Sii Waterfall

This morning you have the option and opportunity to rise early and participate in the daily morning ritual of ‘Alms Giving’, you will experience saffron-clad monks collecting offerings or ‘Alms’ from faithful local residents. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the daily procession.

Kuang Sii Waterfall

Luang Prabang Night Market

After breakfast we will head out to see the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. 

From here we drive to Kuang Sii Waterfall stopping along the way to visit the morning Phousi Market, this where all locals of Luang Prabang come to do their daily shopping. You will see a variety of local foodstuffs and products including dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit, everything needed for daily life in Laos.

On arrival at the Kuang Sii Falls you will have the opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim in the topaz pools below the falls, walk along the forest trails and visit the Bear Sanctuary.

Returning to town late afternoon we climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River. 

Decenting the mountain your will find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. 

Your evening is free to explore the night market and sample some local cuisine at one of the many restaurants the town has to offer.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 4. Luang Prabang – Vientiane (Flight)

This morning we visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. You can enjoy a coffee at the centre’s café if you chose before we transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane.

Arts and Ethnology Centre

Patuxay Monument

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Following check in and time to freshen up we will head out to see the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with it’s thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.

We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. 

Heading for the waterfront your evening is free to enjoy a few drinks watching the sunset over the Mekong River, explore the Night Market and take in some of the city’s nightlife.

Overnight in Vientiane (B)

Day 5. Vientiane – Departure

Vientiane shopping

Friendship Bridge – Vientiane

You are free this morning until transfer to the airport for your departure flight

Included in above prices:

• Private, Airconditioned Transport
• Boat trips as stated in the itinerary
• English speaking guide
• Admission fees to sites stated in the itinerary
• Meals: daily breakfast at hotel
• Gov’t taxs and service charges
• Luggage handling
• Drinking water

Exclusive of above prices:

• Accommodation on a twin shared basis (quote separately)
• Visas and Immigration fees on arrival
• Domestic airticket
• Int’l air tickets to/from Laos
• Travel and/or Medical Insurance
• Lunch or dinner unless stated in the itinerary
• Single room accommodation (quoted separately)
• Child or adult in triple share accommodation
• Foreign language guides other than English
• Peak Season or Special Events Surcharges
• Tip, drinks and other personal expenses

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