Laos trip itinerary

Mr. Fanz RADSCHIENER Mr. David SIEGEL Mr. Charles THORNTON
27 Oct-15 Nov, 07 20 Days Laos tour

ITINERARY

27 Oct, 07
Day 01 Vientiane (-)
0845 Pick up Mr. Radschiener at Wattay airport by TG690, transfer to hotel for check in.
Afternoon excursion by car to the Buddha Park. Built by a monk in 1950, this is more a place of modern sculpture than a religious sight. Buddha statues give it a religious sense; nowadays it is actually a park where local people come to relax. Drive back to Vientiane and transfer to hotel.
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel

28 Oct, 07
Day 02 Vientiane (B)
Breakfast at hotel
0845 Pick up Mr. Siegel & Mr. Thornton at Wattay airport by TG690, transfer to hotel for check in.
Afternoon (3 pax) visit of Vientiane: Vat Sisaket, the oldest and most beautiful temple of Vientiane, Ho Prakeo, the royal temple turned museum. Proceed to That Luang Stupa, the most revered shrine in Laos and stop at Patouxay (the Arc of Triumph). Stop at Talat Sao (the big central market) if time permits. Take a short walk along the Mekong at sunset.
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel

29 Oct, 07
Day 03 Vientiane - Nam Ngum - Vang Vieng (B)
Breakfast at hotel
Drive along Route no. 13 north to Nam Ngum Lake (90kms). On the way stopover to visit Vang Xang, a small archaeological site of Mon origin located near a small river.
Embark on a traditional boat trip for 1 hour on the vast and beautiful Nam Ngum lake. Continue to Vang Vieng, transfer to hotel for checking in
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel

30 Oct, 07
Day 04 Vang Vieng tour with bike (B)
Breakfast at hotel
The day starts with the exploration of one of the most unusual caves in the area: Tham Poukham, the highly auspicious and venerated "Cave of the Golden Crab".
The mountain bike tour of approx. 32 km describes a loop behind the karst range of the Nam Song and Vang Vieng. After reaching the far side of the ridge, a steep hike leads to the main Tham Poukham Cave. Its hidden corridors are filled with an endless array of stalagmites and stalactites, besides underground lakes, deep wells and up to 80 m high chimneys.

Continuing westwards, the trail gets increasingly rough. You follow the narrow valley of the Houay San stream until the Pha Deng, namely "red cliff", comes into sight to your right. Depending on the season, the bikes have to be carried across short distances (muddy patches). The village of Phonxay is the first on the banks of the Nam Khouang. The road continues south as a dirt track in good condition running parallel to the Nam Khouang. At the crossroads in Ban Nathong Tai, the road to the Nam Song bridge is met again.
Back in Vang Vieng, a sunset drink by the river marks the end of a great cycling adventure
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel.

31 Oct, 07
Day 05 Vang Vieng - Phonsavan (Xieng Khouang) (B)
Breakfast at hotel
Leave Vang Vieng for Phonsavan, make a stop at Pathang (17 km north of Vang Vieng). From the village temple you will get an outstanding view over the mountains, stop at Kasi. Continue by a mountainous and winding road with breathtaking views
Continue the road on top of the crests, passing numerous Hmong villages. Eventually, the mountains give way to small hills. Arrive on the Plateau of Xieng Khouang, where bomb craters still scar the barren landscape, stop at Nong Tang lake where local villagers fish.
Arrive in Phonsavan and transfer to hotel for check in
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel.

01 Nov, 07
Day 06 Xieng Khouang/Plain of Jars (B)
Breakfast at hotel
Start your visit of the Plain of Jars with monolithic site no. 2 located on two hill tops. Continue to site no. 3 located amidst rice fields. Drive on to Muang Khoun, the ancient Tai Phouan Capital destroyed during the second Indochina war. The ruins of Vat Piavat and That Foun are the only remnants of a significant past.
Return to Phonsavan passing some large Hmong settlements. Arrive at Jar site no. 1 featuring the greatest number of jars and the largest monolith in size. Take the circuit walk also leading you past trenches and bomb craters from the Second Indochina War.
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel

02 Nov, 07
Day 07 Xieng Khouang - Luang Prabang (B)
Breakfast at hotel
Drive back from Phonsavan to Phoukhoun. You will pass many large Hmong villages built along the ridges. At Phoukhoun the road on the right leads to Luang Prabang passing many Kamu and Lao Loum villages.
On the way to Luang Prabang make stop to visit picturesque villages. Arrive Luang Prabang and transfer to hotel.
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel.

03 Nov, 07
Day 08 Luang Prabang (B)
0530 Watch Tagbat with Tuk Tuk, the monks' rounds, early in the morning.
Breakfast at hotel.
Full day visit of the old city. Start your visit with Vat Vixoun (today Buddhist art museum) and That Makmo, the stupa shaped like a watermelon. Proceed to Vat Mai with its five tiered roof and exquisitely carved veranda. Take a walk in the old city and visit Vat Sene, the perfect place to meditate.
Afternoon continue your visit with Vat Xieng Thong at the tip of the peninsula. The oldest and most beautiful temple of the UNESO World heritage town dates back from the 16th century. The roof sweep low to the ground and glass colored panels adorn the walls of the chapels. See the residential neighborhoods of the peninsular, before climbing up to Phousi hill for a view over the city, its surroundings and the Mekong River.
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel.

04 Nov, 07
Day 09 Luang Prabang - Palace Museum - Pak Ou - Luang Prabang (B)
Breakfast at hotel
08.30 Visit of the Royal Palace Museum housing the most important treasures of Laos' recent past.
Walk to the local pier on the Mekong behind the museum and embark on a traditional boat upstream to visit the sacred Buddha caves. On the way stop at Thin Hong, a picturesque village and get a glimpse of rural daily life. Visit Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, the revered cave temples housing hundreds of Buddha statues.
Return to Luang Prabang by boat. Drop in the old city for a walk or shop at the Night Market.
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel

05 Nov, 07
DAY 10 LUANG PRABANG - LAO SPIRIT RESORT (B/L/D)
Breakfast at hotel
Pick up from your hotel and leave Luang Prabang by bike about 8h30. The first stop is made at Vat Pra Phon Phao, a forest temple. Continue up to a weaving village, pass Henri Mouhot grave's (the explorer who "rediscover" Angkor Vat). Continue your bike adventure through paddies fields and forest; arrive at Elephant camp (15 km from Luang Prabang). Embark on small boat to Tad Sae waterfalls. Picnic lunch on spot. You can bath in the stream. Take a wake up stream to an unspoiled valley and along the river: cross small waterfalls and follow the small trail through dense forest. Take an elephant ride for 1 hour through forest and a long Nam Khan river.
Check in at the brand new eco resort "Lao Spirit". Enjoy the scenery from your room.
Dinner and accommodation at Lao Spirit resort.

06 Nov, 07
DAY 11 LAO SPIRIT RESORT - LUANG PRABANG (B/L/-)
Breakfast at resort
At around 8h00 elephants come to the river for a bath, a great opportunity for great pictures. Take your time and enjoy the great panorama. Before noon start your last nature experience. Embark on Nam Khan River and float down on a raft or take a chance to paddle in a kayak. The village life welcomes you back. After 3 - 4 hours (depend on you, your guide will ask you where & when you want stop) you will arrive in Luang Prabang or one of pick up places along the river. Transfer back to your hotel.
Dinner at leisure. Accommodation at hotel.

07 Nov, 07
Day 12 Luang Prabang - Kuangsi - Luang Prabang. (B)
Breakfast at the hotel
Take a walk on the colorful fresh market then excursion by Tuk Tuk to Kuangsi waterfall (30 kms). On the way, visit Hmong village at Ban Na Ouane and Khmou village at Ban Tha pen.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery, swimming or relaxing nearby the clear pools of the tiered limestone formations.
Back to Luang Prabang in afternoon and time at leisure in the city.
Meals at leisure. Accommodation at hotel.

08 Nov, 07
Day 13 Luang Prabang-Pakse-Pa Suam Waterfall Resort (B)
Breakfast at hotel
0830 Transfer to airport for checking in
1050 Departure to Pakse by QV513
1250 Arrive Pakse, drive to Pasuam Waterfall Resort for checking in
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel

09 Nov, 07
Day 14 Pa Suam Waterfall (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to Tadlo via Paksong. Stop at Tadfan waterfall. On the way, visit different minorities: the Alak village of Pong Neua with its beautiful spirit house, the Katou village of Kok Bhoung
Arrive Tadlo, visit Tad Hang and Tadlo
Afternoon stop near the Sayxet dam and visit the Nge village of Khiang Tad Soung, Paskeback to Pa Soam Waterfall Resort
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel.

10 Nov, 07
Day 15 Pa Suam Waterfall-Wat Phou Cruise (-)
Early transfer to Wat Phou Cruise meets point
09:30 Departure from Pakse for Champassak, heading south aboard a
Local longtail riverboat, zigzagging through mild rapids and sand banks.
Arrive at Champassak in time for a riverside lunch, followed by a guided tour of the mysterious pre-Angkorian 10th century temple of Vat Phou, the boat's namesake. As dusk falls board the Vat Phou for a relaxing cruise down-river, enjoying the tropical sunset on the deck.
Dinner is served on board, while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village.

11 Nov, 07
Day 16 Huei Thamo-Oum Moung Temple-Khong Island (B/L/D)
Breakfast on board as well as sail for the village of Huei Thamo, only a few minutes walk away from the spectacular hidden forest temple of Oum Moung.
Afterwards rejoin the boat for a cruise southwards and lunch on the deck, while we continue our leisurely sail further sotuh to the wild paradise of the "4,000 islands", visiting Khong Island and the village of Muang Khong, where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries.
Back on board for a sunset cruise and a quiet dinner, under the stars, serenaded by the songs of the buffalo toads.

12 Nov, 07
Day 17 Ban Veuthong/the " Niagara of the East/Xieng Di/Pakse- Tad fan (B/L/-)
07:00 Breakfast on the deck, while cruising to the small village of Ban Veuthong, where we board a local car-ferry to reach the mainland and the amazingly scenic splendour of the Khong Pha Peng waterfall, "the Niagara of the East", close to the Cambodian border.
On arrival at the small fishing village of Xieng di, we will board a small long-tail boat to Khong island, at the very south of this natural water dam, where if you are very lucky, you might glimpse a rare glimpse of the river dolphins !
p.m. Lunch amid the by-gone splendid of another age; colorful French colonial houses and an old customs post, alongside a stone quay.
Back to "civilization, for the two hours ride to Pakse.
Arriving in the afternoon, about 4 p.m. Transfer to the Pakse Hotel for check in.
Pick up at Wat Phou Cruise meet point then transfer to Tadfan Resort
Dinner at leisure
Accommodation at hotel
13 Nov, 07
Day 18 Tadfan Resort (B)
Breakfast at hotel
Take the motorbike to visit Tad Katamtok and surrounding then back to hotel
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel
14 Nov, 07
Day 19 Tadfan Resort - Pakse (B)
Breakfast at hotel
Time at leisure
Meals at leisure
Accommodation at hotel
15 Nov, 07
Day 20 Pakse- Siam Reap (B)
Breakfast at hotel
1130 Transfer to hotel for checking in and departure to Siam Reap by QV513 at 1320
End of our service

**Itinerary is subject to changes depending on the confirmed flights, road conditions and availability of rooms.

Deluxe class hotels
Vientiane : Settha Palace hotel (deluxe room) or similar
Vangvieng : Vansana Hotel (Standard room) or similar
Xiengkhoung : Phou Pha Deng (standard room) or similar
Luang Prabang : Villa Maidou Hotel (Standard room)
Pasuam Waterfall : Pasuam Waterfall Resort (Standard room) or similar
Wat Phou Cruise : Wat Phou Cruise (Standard room)
Tadfan : Tadfan Resort (Standard room)
Pakse : Pakse Hotel (Deluxe room)

Included:
• Accommodation with meals as specified in the program
• All transfers and tours with English speaking station guide
• All entrance fees for sightseeing and visits as mentioned in the program
• Traditional boat fare from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou only
• Domestic airport tax in Laos
• Services charges, room tax and baggage handling