Day 1: Luang Prabang – Arrival – Night Market

Welcome to Luang Prabang! Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and then escort you to your hotel for check-in. Free at leisure at the rest of day on your own.

Late afternoon, we will climb up 328 steps of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. We then will explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Ancient town –  Pak Ou Caves (B, L)

You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered).

We then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

After breakfast at hotel, we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign; the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we will make a stop at Ban Xang Hai village where rice wine is distilled. We will visit the caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum which house hundreds of Buddha statues. Lunch at local restaurant. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, continue to visit Ban Xang Khong, a village well known for silk hand-weaving and traditional Saa paper-making.

The rest of time is free at leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi waterfall (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel.

We visit the Phousi Market, then drive our way to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority groups-Ban Na Ouane Village, Ban Ou village and Ban Thapene Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible. Lunch at local restaurant.

We will be back to Luang Prabang and free at leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel. We then heading out of Luang Prabang to Xieng Khouang, driving 6-7 hours through the wonderful natural scenery. En route, there will be plenty of opportunities for photos. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Xieng Khouang

Day 5: Xieng Khouang – Plain of Jars (B, L)

This morning, get a feel for the local lifestyle in the Central Market. Then visit the UXO MAG Exhibition Room. We then transfer out to the picturesque Jar Site 2, and the impressive Jar Site 3, consisting over around 150 jars located on top of a hill, offering great views over the surrounding countryside.  And then driving out to the ancient town of Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital, where you can explore the ruins of a number of ancient pagodas in the Lanna style That Fun sputa and Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha.  We then return to Phonsavanh Town on the way we visit Jar Site 1, the largest site, containing over 300 jars, before returning to your hotel by late afternoon.

Overnight in Xieng Khouang

Day 6: Xieng Khouang – Fly to Vientiane – City (B)

After breakfast, you will be escorted to airport for your flight to Vientiane.

Your half day afternoon city tour, begin with the oldest 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 thousands 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. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

Watching spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 7: Vientiane – Buddha Park (B, L)

Breakfast at hotel.

We will visit the Morning Market, where one can find an array of antiquities, handmade textiles and gifts. We then visit the National Museum (close Tuesday), former Revolutionary Museum, which boasts a collection of antique items and the history of Laos’s fighters and leaders who were displaced from the ancient times through to the new revolution period. Afterthat, we take a short drive out of the city to visit the Buddha Park where hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures brought from India are displayed.

The afternoon is free to relax.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 8: Vientiane – Departure (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

Free at leisure until transfer to Wattay airport for your departure flight.

End of services./.