MEET THE LOCALS FROM LAOS 11D/10NT

Sabai dee! Welcome to Luang Prabang, Laos.You are greeted by your guide and driver at the International airport for your transfer to the hotel. You then climb the 328 steps leading to Phousi Hill. Mount Phousi cuts a distinctive figure in the centre of Luang Prabang skyline. The hill, with spectacular 360 degree views, is a popular as a place to watch the sun rise or set.

The Night Market here is a great place for wandering, offering a lovely variety of handmade textiles crafted by local and hill-tribe people, along with street food, knick-knacks and friendly banter.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

You head out to the local farm of Luang Prabang, and experience the local way of rice cultivation. After having an overview by visiting a small rice museum, you will learn how rice is farmed, using water buffalo for ploughing together with the traditional manual processes of ranking, transplanting, sowing, grinding, and poundingIn the afternoon, you visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, a peaceful temple featuring the much-photographed Watermelon Stupa; Wat Aham, the site of Luang Prabang’s most important spirit shrine; Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang’s largest and most splendid temple, is best known for its impressive Tree of Life mural depicting the Buddhist story.

Later, you can go for a stroll around this quaint town or even join some locals for a game of petanque; there is always someone ready to show you how to play! It is great fun and a good way to get to know the Lao people.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Note: An optional early wake-up call will allow you to join the locals lining up to give food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from morning prayers. After taking part in this solemn, everyday ritual, stroll through morning market. Breakfast at the hotel or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. The exploration of Luang Prabang would be not complete with a visit to the National Museum. Housed in the former Royal Palace, uninhabited since the royal family was deposed in 1975, the museum showcases many treasures of Laos’ royal past and allows visitors to glimpse the private and public quarters of Lao royalty. Also displayed here is the Prabang, the sacred Buddha image for which Luang Prabang was named.

Drive out through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills and villages. You will stop to visit an ethnic minority village to learn about their traditions and culture, largely unchanged for centuries. Continue to Khuang Si Waterfall, where water tumbles over tiered limestone formations into crystal clear pools ideal for escaping the heat. Between cooling off in the pools, you can explore the lush forest setting around the falls. At the famous Kuang Si Waterfall, a short walk brings you down to the abrupt waterfall where you will have time for a swim or simply relaxing by the water’s edge.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today you’ll be driven over the mountains toward Xieng Khouang, the province best-known for having been heavily bombed during the Indochina War, and famous for the Plain of Jars.

Along the 8 hours journey, you will stop at some villages to see the local people, including ethnic minorities such as the Hmong. Arrival in Phonsavanh, the capital of Xieng Khouang province and check into your hotel.
Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

In the morning, you will explore the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered across a plateau. You first explore Site 1, where a giant urn weighing thousands of kilos can be found, along with 250 other jars with oval or round openings, some even have a square opening. Then head to Site 2 which is situated on a hill. Take in the fresh air, enjoy a panoramic view, and shoot photos of villages dotting the valley while learning more about the enigmatic jars, and developing your own origin theory behind them.

Visit Muang Khoun, previously the capital of Xieng Khuang before its destruction during the war. The only surviving buildings are a temple (Wat) and a hospital. The ride passes through peaceful countryside with rolling hills, rice paddies and minority villages.
Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

Today you will travel by road to Vang Vieng. The journey takes you through stunning landscapes of steep terraced fields and hill villages, and you will stop at some villages to interact with the friendly Khmu and Hmong people. Vang Vieng is a small village nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River, where you will visit the famous Tham Jang Caves, once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders..

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Breakfast at hotel then leave for Vientiane. In the afternoon, you will visit COPE educational centre, a heartbreaking but compelling place that teaches us about Laos’ Hidden War. Afterward you continue on to Wat Sisaket, the city’s oldest temple. Dates back to 1818, Wat Sisaket is the most important heritage temple now standing in Laos. It houses thousand of Buddha images from many countries, long lost architectural styles, sculptures and paintings; Wat Prakeo, former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and originally built in 1565, is home to the Emerald Buddha image, Buddhist sculptures are displayed along the perimeter wall, including a 6th to 9th century Dvaravati-style stone Buddha and several standing and sitting Buddhas.

En route to Lao’s national icon, That Luang Stupa, stop at the Patuxay Monument, an irresistibly photogenic structure which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe. Dinner is arranged at a cozy French-colonial-style restaurant. Sample the Laos food and enjoy traditional cultural dances
Overnight in Vientiane.

After an early breakfast, you will transfer to Wattay airport for your flight to Pakse, the provincial capital of Champasack where the Mekong and Sedon rivers meet. Upon arrival in Pakse, you head out to Tad Fane, twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation and Bolaven Plateau, a place high above the Mekong known for its temperate climate, coffee plantations and mist-shrouded waterfalls. Continue your drive to Ban Kok Phoung Tai to meet the Katou, an indigenous Mon-Khmer ethnic group. This area is also home to the Alak, Nyear ethnic groups.

Reaching the charming village of Tadlo, you will enjoy swimming in the pool by Tadlo Waterfall, Return to Pakse at the close of the day. Overnight in Pakse.

In the morning, you will explore the ruins of Wat Phu. Built by the Khmer, Wat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 5th century, and a highlight of Southern Laos.

Explore Khong Island, part of the 4,000 Islands region. Here, the Mekong can reach up to 14km wide during the rainy season and it is dotted with thousands of islands of various sizes. You will take a small boat to Khong Island where you will have plenty of time to explore this quaint island and its villages by bicycle or foot. There are many places to explore and time to relax, swim or discover the small island on your own.

Overnight on Don Khong Island.

After breakfast, you head out to the breathtaking Khone Phapheng Waterfall. It is Southeast Asia’s biggest waterfall and is known as the Niagara of the East. Continue to Khone Island and its highlights. See the island’s colonial buildings, and visit Liphi Waterfalls. Also called “Devil’s Corridor”, it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the Lao border with Cambodia. Close your day at Khone Phasoi Waterfall and witness how dangerous of fishermen with their fishing traps on Mekong River with many rapids. Meet them and have interesting talks.

Overnight on Don Khone.

After breakfast, say good bye to 4,000 islands you transfer back to Pakse airport for your onward flight. We wish you have a pleasant flight.

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