Essential Laos

Day 1 : ARRIVAL - VIENTIANE
Meet on arrival and you are welcome to Vientiane, the city of the moon - an ancient city, situated on the bend on the left bank of the Mekong as the largest city and the capital of Laos. Transfer to hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane, to visit religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane.
Meals: None.
Transport: Private air-conditioned.
Accommodation: Hotel.

Day 2 : VIENTIANE - LUANG PRABANG
Breakfast at hotel, if time permits, we will visit the Morning Market, the biggest shopping center in Vientiane. we depart to Wattay airport for departure to Luang Prabang, the ancient first capital of Lane Xang kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and today the World Heritage City. Arrive in Luang Prabang and transfer to our hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty temples still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana - Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple which, more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture; Phousi Hill, the 328 steps leads to the summit of Phousi hill that dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang overlooking the finest panoramic view in the whole Luang Prabang.
Meals: B.
Transport: Private air conditioned, Airplane.
Accommodation: Hotel.

Day 3 : LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU CAVE
Following breakfast, we depart hotel to the boat landing, and take an excursion (a few hours) by boat, upstream on the Mekong to visit Pak Ou cave in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height.

En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Our first stop will be at Ban Muangkeo, a well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky, namely Laoh-Khao to be distilled. We are welcome to taste it and also take away. Lunch is served at a riverside restaurant.

We arrive back at Luang Prabang in late afternoon, and continue to drive outskirt of town to visit Ban Xangkhong, a well-known village for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes.
Meals: B, L.
Transport: Private air conditioned, boat.
Accommodation: Hotel.

Day 4 : LUANG PRABANG - KUANGSI WATERFALL
An morning breakfast, before we take a drive (30 km South) to visit Kuangsi Waterfall, which, though not very high, is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National park. We stop en-route, stop to visit a fresh produced market namely Talad Phosy, and also visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of a hill-tribe group “Hmong”, probably the best-known minority group in Laos. Just before arriving at Kuangsi waterfall, there is another village of Khmu minority group, namely Ban Tha Pane that we will visit.
Our picnic lunch is served at the shady park nearby Kuangsi waterfall. There is plenty of time for relaxing and a swim in cool water, before we head back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is spent by visiting various craft-shops, including silver smiths’ and also Hmong market in town, where some skilled embroidery-works of Hmong ladies can be seen.
Meals: B, L.
Transport: Private air conditioned.
Accommodation: Hotel.

Day 5 : LUANG PRABANG - DEPARTURE
After breakfast, we depart hotel to visit the National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, gifts received from foreign dignitaries…etc, if time permits, the rest of the day is spent free for own experience in this charming town, till transfer to Luang Prabang airport for departure to next destination.
Meals: B.
Transport: Private air conditioned.
Accommodation: None.

Cost in US$ per person in the party (valid 30 Sep'09)	ESSENTIAL LAOS TOUR
	Standard	First	Superior
2 pax	536	555	629
3 - 5 pax	461	481	554
6 -9 pax	450	469	542
10 - 14 pax	410	428	501
15 pax up	378	398	476
Single supplement	102	112	175
Full board supplement	90	90	105

INCLUDING:
• Accommodation in twin or double-sharing room.
• Transfers & tours with English speaking guide.
• Air ticket Vientiane - Luang Prabang.
• Private air-conditioned transport + boat.
• Entrance fees for sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary.
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner).
• Baggage handling and porterage.
• Refreshing tower and drinking on tour.
• Service charge & government tax.

EXCLUDING:
• Visa fee.
• Travel insurance against any personal injury of illness and damage of the property incurred during the course of this trip.
• International air tickets to / from Laos.
• Departure tax.
• Personal expenses such as: drinks, phone calls, laundry, tip...etc.

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