Vietnam Alive

If you have 4 days pre or post trip to Vietnam, we would recommend you this option to visit a charming old capital of Laos, known as a Former Kingdom of Million Elephants in the past, Luang Prabang, old colonial of French buildings remained, local houses are all respected to their ancestors’ tradition and  Luang Prabang is the World Heritage that still kept under management by UNESCO.

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Experiencing the beauty and serenity of Luang Prabang, spiritual centre of Laos 

• Witnessing an ancient Buddhist offering to hundred of orange-robed monks as the sun rises

• Cruising on the Mekong River in a local slow boat

 

Day 1 - Arrival to Luang Prabang

On arrival to Luang Prabang - the former royal capital is today an UNESCO World Heritage City, home to colonial era buildings, tranquil tree-lined avenues and genteel people. This afternoon is at leisure to explore this striking city, situated on a peninsula formed by the confluence of two rivers.

 

Day 2 - Luang Prabang/ Alms Offerring/ Mount Phousi 

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession

 

Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Today, we also visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek.  We then return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River.  The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.  Overnight in Luang Prabang

 

Day 3 - Luang Prabang/ Pak Ou Cave/ Khuang Si Waterfalls 

After breakfast, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious 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 stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we disembark the boat to visit traditional villages, and continue taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving. This afternoon, we’ll visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, Khmu villages.  This then takes us to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang for visit hand weaving village and discovering how Sa paper is made at Ban Xangkhong 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

 

Day 4 - Luang Prabang/ Exit 

Free till transfer to the airport for departure onward flight. 

 

*This is sample itinerary with no selected accommodation suggested unless otherwise stated. International airfares are not included unless otherwise specified within the detailed proposal – please contact our team to tailor this itinerary to your personal specifications.