LAOS 10-DAY PACKAGE, NORTH TO SOUTH
(After you have toured northern Thailand with us you might like to extend your peregrination to this serene ‘Land of a Million Elephants” that is Laos. Enjoy its verdant scenery of mountains and the mighty Mekong River flowing through the country. Meet its disarmingly gentle people, the Lao. Marvel as their history and culture unfold.)

Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in the Mekong region. After a short rest, we go with our guide for an orientation walk of the main street, Thanon Sisavangvong, and visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Phousi Hill for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as see a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. Down at the foot of Phousi Hill, we stroll in the street bazaar, where you can find lovely collections and handmade textiles of the lowland Laotians and ethnic peoples from the hills surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight at the Hotel Souvannaphoum (3-star) / Grand Luangprabang, Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves (B,L)

Buffet breakfast at the hotel with a splendid river view from the terrace. Morning sightseeing of Luang Prabang to include the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground in the grand style of Lao classical temple architecture.
Lunch of authentic Lao cuisine at Pakhuay Mixay restaurant.
We then board a boat to cruise up the Mekong River to the Pak Ou caves. The riverine views soothe the eyes and conjure up bygone days of simplicity and serenity as the countryside slips by. Visit the interesting and mysterious Pak Ou caves crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai, where they make the potent local rice wine. On the return, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand-made jute and sar papers. We drive back to the city following the scenic river as
it flows down the valley.
Overnight at the Hotel Souvannaphoum / Grand Luangprabang Hotel, Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang - Khouangsi Falls (B,L)
This morning you may want to rise early at about 6am to participate in the daily morning Buddhist ritual of giving food to a file of saffron-robed monks carrying their black alms bowls and walking slowly pass along the street in single file while devotees knelt by the roadside and reverently put things into the alms bowls to gain merit for themselves and others. Return to the hotel for our buffet breakfast on the terrace.This morning we visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse produce as dried buffalo skin, skinned live frogs, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Not to be missed is the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a unique collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit the pottery villages of Lao Loum at Ban Xom and Ban Thapene.
Lunch at L'Elephant Blanc restaurant of French cuisine.
Then we drive to the lovely Khouangsi waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the shady forest paths. A stop at Ban Phanom, a local village well known for its weaving to see the simple lifestyle and local handicrafts can be made before we return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon. From Wat Siphouthabath we can see a lovely sunset before returning to the hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel Souvannaphoum / Grand Luangprabang Hotel, Luang Prabang.

Day 4:  Luang Prabang - Vientiane (B,L)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Morning visit to the Central market as we drive to the airport to board our flight to Vientiane. At the airport, our local guide will meet us and
transfer us to our hotel to check-in.
We go on a half-day city tour seeing Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha statues. The following sight is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image. We also visit the imposing Patouxai Monument well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triomphe before continuing to the imposing sacred structure and symbol of Laos, That Luang Stupa.
Lunch of Lao cuisine at Kua Lao restaurant.
Overnight at Royal Dokmaideng (3-star) / Lao Plaza Hotel (4-star), Vientiane.


Day 5:  Vientiane - Xiengkhouang (B)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
A short morning flight to Xiengkhouang for an excursion to the mysterious "Plain of Jars" where hundreds of large stone jars are littered in a vast plain. In spite of severe devastation by American bombings between 1964 and 1973, many of these artefacts remain intact. Here is a unique and impressive archaeological site that scholars are still debating over. We will have time this afternoon to see the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby
villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Thai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colourful history.
Overnight at Phou Pha Daang Hotel, Phonsavanh.

Day 6: Xiengkhouang - Vientiane (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the central market, then free at leisure for
your own exploration of the town before we catch a flight back to Vientiane. After checking into hotel, if time permits, we continue our sightseeing tour of Vientiane visit the impressive Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge and the Buddha Park, a display of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created by a mystical monk on parkland located by the Mekong River. A view of the spectacular sunset over the Mekong River is a nice way to finish the day.
Overnight at Royal Dokmaideng / Lao Plaza Hotel, Vientiane.

Day 7: Vientiane - Pakse - Khong Island (B)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for the early flight to Pakse.
On arrival, we drive on the National Road 13 southwards to Champassak and visit the ruins of Wat Phou, which is well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between 9th -13th centuries. Here is also a chance to visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines. We continue our way to Khong Island by a local slow boat admiring the views as we sail along.
Overnight at Villa Muang Khong in Khong Island.

Day 8: Khong Island - Surrounding (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we enjoy a cruise venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islets jut out in the dry season, giving this area a lovely name "Si Phan Done". Along the way, we stop at the Liphi waterfalls and the fishermen village of Ban Khone. On the return, we take a short drive to the Lao-Cambodia border at Weukham and the sight of Khone Phapheng, which
is reputedy South-East Asia's largest waterfall.
Overnight at Villa Muang Khong in Khong Island.

Day 9:  Khong Island - Tatlo - Pakse (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Upon leaving Khong Island, we continue our journey towards Tatlo, through the Boloven plateau where tea and coffee plantations produce high quality tea-leaves and beans. The vegetation is lush and the red basaltic soil all along the way is incredible to behold.
En route, there are some opportunities to explore a part of the Boloven plateau and visit some hilltribe villages of the Katu, Alak and Nge ethnic minority peoples. Return to Pakse by late evening.
Overnight at Pakse Hotel, Pakse.

Day 10:  Pakse - Departure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. There is free time for your own exploration of Pakse town before either catching a flight to Siem Reap (Cambodia) to enjoy another tour with Mekong Treks, or be transferred overland to exit Laos at the Chongmek border checkpoint to Ubon
Rachathani (Thailand) airport.

 End of Program

INCLUDING:
- Air ticket LPQ - VTE - XKH - VTE - PKZ
- Accommodation in hotels as stated
- Transportation in private air-con vehicle with driver
- English or French speaking guide
- Entrance fees to indicated sights
- Meals as stated in the program
- Boat trips
 

NOT INCLUDING:
- International air tickets to and from Laos
- Visa stamping fee
- Departure airport tax
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not stated in the programme
- Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others not stated.