VB206: HIGHLIGHT OF LAOS (06 Days / 05 Nights)

DAY 1 : Arrival – Vientiane

Arrive Vientiane at Wattay Airport or Friendship Bridge. Transfer to hotel. Vientiane’s major attractions are the serene Bouddhist monasteries that dominate the centre of town. The city has kept its timeless charm with treelined avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture. Visit the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Built in 1818, WAT SISAKET is the sole survivor of the invasion in 1828. All other temples in the city have under- gone extensive restoration. WAT SISAKET features remarkable frescoes and more than 10,000 Buddha images. Nearby is HAW PHRA KAEW ( built in 1565 ) once the royal temple of Lao monarchy. HAW PHRA KAEW has been used as a museum since 1970 and contains some of the finest Buddist sculptures and artifacts in the country. Special displays included antique brass drums and palm leat manuscripts. The main structure originally housed famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok’s Wat Phraw Kaew. Visit PATOUSAY, the victory gate also known as ANOUSAVARI (built in 1958) one of the most photographed of Vientiane Cappital. Go on to the famous Vientiane landmark THAT LUANG STUPA. Built in 1566 by King Sethathirath. This great sacred stupa, considered the national symbol, its central structure is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated  lotus. The original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Accommodation.

DAY 2 : Vientiane – Xieng Khouang (B)

Early morning breakfast. Transfer to domestic airport for flight to Xieng Khouang . Transfer to hotel in Phonesavanh, the capital city of Xieng Khouang province which was heavy bomded during Vietnam war. The local people use intact bomb casings as pillars for new structures and as fence posts. Visit the PLAIN OF JARS, a large area about 8 km from Phonesavanh town where huge jars of unknown origin are scattered about. The weight of jars everage about 600 kg to one ton, but the biggest one weights as much as 6 tons. The jars appear to have been fashioned from solid stone, but there is disagreement on this point. Some say they were used as sarcophagi but according to a local story, they were used to store fermented rice during the time of King Angkham. This king, supposedly a cruel fellow, ruled the area until Khung Jeuang came down from south China and deposed him. To celebrate the victory, Khung Jeuang ordered his people to construct huge jars to fermenting rice wins. French archaeologists and researchers, after a thorough examination, came to the conclusion that these famous jars are stone burial urns and the plain of jars is in fact an ancient cemetery where ashes were buried more than 2,000 years ago. Ashes, stone axes, bronze ornaments and ceramics – all offerings to the dead – were found by researchers at the site. There are still over one hundred jars remaining in the area. Return to Phonesavanh. Afternoon, visit Hmong and other minorities of Lao loum (Lowland) villages. Late afternoon, return to Phonesavanh.  ACCOMMODATION.

DAY 3 : Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang (B)

Breakfast. Visit a local market at Phonesavanh. Transfer to airport for departure to Luang Prabang, the crown jewel of Laos. It is a sleepy town which has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. Magical and charming, Luang Prabang is a destination that every traveler has to see once in their lifetime. In 1995, Luang Prabang was voted by UNESCO as a world heritage city. LUNCH, then visit WAT VISOUN, the site of the impressive THAT MAKMO stupa and WAT AHAM which was the city’s major tutelary shrine, dedicated to DEVETA LUANG (spirit) and PU GNEU YA GNEU(ancestors). On PHOUSI HILL, overlooking the heart of the city offering excellent views, are several temples. Taking the 350 steps to the top of the hill you will find WATPHOUSI and WAT MAI. The latter temple, built in 1796, has a five-tiered roof and wooden sim in the standard Luang Prabang style. Hang around for a splendid sunset at WAT SIPHOUTHABATH. ACCOMMODATION.

DAY 4 : Luang Prabang – Pak Ou (B,L)

Breakfast, in the morning. Visit WAT XIENGTHONG, the most beautiful temple in the city, with the rear wall of the Sim featuring an impressive ” tree of life ” mosaic set in the background and richly decorated wooden column that supports a ceilling vested with DHARMA wheels. In the compound stands several small chapels housing bronze Buddha images which were displayed in Paris in 1911. Near the compound’s east gate stands the royal funeral chapel. Inside is an impressive 12-meter high royal funeral chariot and various funeral urns of each royal family member. The gilt panel on the exterior depicts a semi-erotic episode from the Ramayana. Take a traditional boat trip upstream on the Mekong River to visit the famous PAK OU CAVES, housing thousands of Buddha statues. On the way, stop at Ban Xanghai where people produce Lao liquor(rice wine).

After, cross the Mekong River to have a PINIC LUNCH in a bamboo cottage, overlooking the beautiful scenery of the confluence of the Mekong and Ou Rivers.

In the afternoon, return to Luang Prabang and continue by car to Ban Phanom, a weaving village populated by LU minority people that originally came from ipsongpanna in southern China. Almost all of the villagers are skilled weavers. Finished items can be bought in the village. ACCOMODATION.

DAY 5 : Luang Prabang – Vientiane (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Visit NATIONAL MUSEUM, the former king’s palace, which displays a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, photos, musical equipment  and gifts that were received from foreign countries. Visit the central market and a silversmith. Transfer to the airport for departure  to Vientiane.

Arrive Vientiane, Visit the area surrounding Vientiane, XIANG KHOUAN, a religious sculpture park located by the Mekong River about 24 km south of Vientiane, captivates visitors with its unusual blend of Buddhist and Hindu imagery. Make a short stop to admire the impressive FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE over the Mekong River which links Laos and Thailand. ACCOMMODATION.

DAY 6 : Vientiane – Departure (B)

Breakfast, program tour will continue according to the departure time. If time permits, visit either weaving village or a handicraft center.

Transfer to airport or Friendship Bridge for departure.

 Tour Price includes

• Transfers and tours as program specified
• All hotel accommodation in Laos in twin sharing room
• Traditional boat fare
• Meals: Breakfast
• All entrance fees for sightseeing and visit
• Travel insurance
• Private English-speaking guide
• Service charges, room tax and baggage handling
• Bottled water, fresh towels. 

Tour Price excludes

• International airtickets to/from Laos
• Laos visa fee
• Departure tax
• Expenditure of a personal nature such as drink, souvenirs, laundry and etc…
• Other not mentioned in the inclusion