VB308: SIEM RIEP – VIENTIANE – LUANG PRABANG REVEALED (7Days/ 6Nights)

DAY 01:  ARRIVE – SIEM REAP (L/D)

Warmly at Siem Reap International airport, you are met and transfer to your comfortable hotel.  We continue to visit the fabulous Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, Pre Rup, East Mebon, Krovan, Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei and Ta Keo. Lunch and Dinner at local restaurant.

DAY 02   :               SIEM REAP (B/L/D)

We drive to South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Temple, Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. We go to local restaurant for a lunch.The tour start with the visiting to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. After that, visit Bakheng Temple and enjoy a romantic sun set view form Bakheng hill.18:30    Enjoy watching Khmer Folk of charming Apsara dance show at local restaurant.

DAY 03                   SIEM REAP – Vientiane  (B/L/D)

Visit Banteay Srei temple nearly everyone’s favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carvings, visit Banteay Samre.We board on boat in Tonle Sap Lake. Here, enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals. Rolling at local market for shopping until transfer to Siem Reap International airport departure flight. On arrival at the Vientiane Capital, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. After a short rest, we start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Overnight in Vientiane. 

DAY 04                   Vientiane – Luang Prabang  (B/L/D)

AM:      After breakfast, we will pay a visit to the studio of Carol Cassidy, an American who has done much to advance the Lao weaving tradition and then visiting the rest of Vientiane by foot, including Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. We pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where various goods are displayed for sale; including fresh food, household goods, souvenirs, textiles, gold, silver and antiques. PM: The rest of the afternoon will be spent visiting 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. We then board a short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best – preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. UNESCO registered Luang Prabang as a World Cultural Heritage City in 1995. The tranquility and charm of this city, with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Asia. On arrival, we transfer you to your hotel. After a short rest, we will stroll around the Night Market, where you will find a lovely selection of local handmade textiles. We then hike to the top of Mount Phousi for an exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa and the exasperating, beautiful panorama views of the sun setting over this once royal ancient city and the Mekong River. You will stay overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

DAY 05   Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave  (B/L/D)

 After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple, Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low representing the classical architecture of Luang Prabang. We then embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local speciality of rice wine is produced. On our return, we stop at the local villages of Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan then continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belonged to the royal family near the Sackarine Caves. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B) 

Day 06. Luang Prabang – Khouagsi Waterfalls  (B/L/D)

 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. You will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will find dried buffalo skins, local teas and saltpeter among the many chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will have the opportunity to visit the local village of the Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village, Ban Thapene and Khmu Village. After visiting the villages, we then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfalls where you may wish cool off by splashing around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths. We continue to Ban Phanom, another well-known weaving village and return to Luang Prabang by the late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B) 

Day 07. Luang Prabang – Departure (B/L)

After breakfast you will experience the highlight of the tour to leave your mind with an impressionable image of this charming city. We visit The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating back from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. Silver Smith’s, the Fine Arts School and the Central Market are not to be missed and we visit these sights prior to bidding farewell to this ancient city and taking your next scheduled flight.