Laos Discovery 7 days

ITINERARY

Day 1: Vientiane – Arrival

Vientiane (The City Of The Moon) is the largest city in Laos and also its capital. The historic city sits on a bend in the Mekong River on its left bank. Your Laos holiday tour guide will meet you on your arrival and escort you to your hotel. Here you can relax before retiring for the night.

Day 2: Vientiane – City Tours

Breakfast will be served at the hotel then your Laos tour guide will collect you to begin the tour. We will take you to Wat Sisaket home of The Religious Museum. This temple predates the Siamese war of 1828. It is home to the famous cloister, the wall of which houses 6,840 ceramic and silver statues of the Buddha. Wat Ho Prakeo is the former home of the Emerald Buddha which is now housed in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Ho Prakeo now contains a collection of Buddha statues and antiquities. Next we will take in Pha That Luang. This is a huge golden stupa and is a symbol of the Laos Nation. It is the most important monument in the country. It was built to cover an original small stupa which is said to hold a section of the breastbone of the Buddha. Patouxy, Laos’ own victory monument was built between 1957 and 1968 and commemorates the war dead. It was built from concrete intended for the airport, hence its local nickname, The Vertical Runway. It has become one of the most famous landmarks of the city of Vientiane. Your Laos Tour then returns you to your hotel to relax and rest overnight.

Day 3: Vientiane – Vang Vieng

After breakfast your Laos tour driver will take you on the trip northwards. We head out towards the mountains and along the way stop at the bustling market of Thalat where various hill tribes gather to sell their goods and stock up on provisions. Next we stop off at Vang Xang, famous for its archeological site dating from the 11th Century. Finally we reach our destination at the small tranquil village of Vang Vieng. The advent of tourism has seen rapid growth in this village, but it manages to maintain its originality and is surrounded by stunning scenery. After you check into your hotel your Laos tour allows time for your first brief glimpse of this hill town. Tonight your Laos holiday stay over is in Vang Vieng.

Day 4: Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang

After breakfast, courtesy of your Laos tour package, we head out of town and visit the famous cave of Tham Jang. This was once used by locals as a hideout against the marauding Chinese invaders. We cross the river to Ban Huai Ngai, a very pleasant village where we can experience yet another different local lifestyle. Soon after leaving Vang Vieng, the roads begin to deteriorate. The stunning mountain scenery does though, make for an interesting journey. We wind our way through Kasi and Phoukhoune to Luang Prabang. This beautiful town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been claimed by UNESCO to be “the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia”. The roads are almost empty save for monks in orange robes scurrying in all directions carrying umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun. Your overnight stay is provided by your Laos tour package and is in Luang Prabang.

Day 5: Luang Prabang – City Tours

Your breakfast in Luang Prabang is again courtesy of your Laos tour package. You will then be collected by your Laos tour guide and together we will visit Wat Visoun; the site of the impressive Wat Makmo stupa. Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden sim (chapel) epitomises the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Next we visit Wat Xieng Thong, which further emphasises the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. Here you will be able to see the impressive “Tree Of Life” mosaic. You will next climb the 355 steps to the top of Mount Phousi. There plenty of rest stops on the way up. At the half way point you can see the Wat Tham Phousi shrine and at the very top you will visit the gilded stupa. This part of your Laos holiday affords spectacular views of the city. After you come down the hillside you will be taken to visit Hmong Market, where the tradition Hmong vendors display their handicraft. Returning to your hotel, your Laos tour provides rest and overnight accommodation in Luang Prabang.

Day 6: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave

We will have breakfast at the hotel. Afterward we will take a Laos cruise upstream on The Mekong River. This provides a different view of the wonderful surrounding countryside. From here we will visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Later we will visit at the village of Ban Xanghai. This interesting village is famous for the distillation of its local rice wine. On the return journey we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong village. Here local people hand weave and dye beautiful silk fabrics. After your Laos river cruise, your Laos tour again provides overnight accommodation in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: Luang Prabang – Departure

We wish you a safe journey and a fond farewell. Laos Tour Packages can arrange additional customized trips for you should you require it. To find out how to book your Laos Holiday tour, call us now.