GLIMPSE OF LAOS - 8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS

Sabaidee! Welcome to Luang Prabang, Laos. You are greeted by your guide and driver at the International airport for your transfer to the hotel.

Enjoy a welcome cocktail while taking a glimpse into the Laotian past through the silent movie Chang – A Drama of the Wilderness. Premiered in 1927, this masterpiece was one of the blockbusters of the year before mysteriously disappearing for 60 years. Re-edited mid-90s, the film is shown with new composition score based on Lao traditional music. 

Followed with a dinner at a gorgeous ambience garden restaurant, before visiting the Night Market which is a great place for wandering, This night market offers a lovely variety of handmade textiles crafted by local and hill-tribe people, along with street food, knick-knacks and friendly banter. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 

Breakfast at your hotel.

Start with the Morning Market, where you will see diverse and unusual offerings such as: dried buffalo skin, local tea, live chickens, vegetables and local hill-tribe weavings. Right in front of the morning market, Wat Mai – the largest and most richly decorated temple in town. The monastery served as a temple for the royal family and is the residence of the Pra Sangkharat, the highest Laotian Buddhist dignitary. Some steps away, we’ll pay a visit to The National Museum, housed in the former Royal Palace, showcases many treasures of Laos' royal past and features the Prabang, the sacred Buddha image for which Luang Prabang was named. End our morning at Wat Xieng Thong, the largest and most splendid temple of Luang Prabang royal city, best known for its impressive Tree of Life mural depicting the Buddhist story. 

Enjoy a healthy Lunch with “Introduction to Laos Cuisine” Menu at Tamarind Restaurant where is no doubt to be the excellent place to discover Laotian cuisine, with authentic recipes and staff that are always willing to show diners the proper way to eat everything.

Afternoon, you will go by boat to Pak Ou Caves, enjoy splendid natural scenery along the way and observing local fishermen and daily activities along the river. Pak Ou Caves, locally called Tam Ting, are filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. The caves are noted for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of wooden Buddhist figures take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain and reclining (nirvana). Lunch is served on boat while cruising back to town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
 

Optional: We have the possibility this morning to wake up very early to go witness the Tak Bat ceremony, when the monks process along the streets of the town to receive the daily alms from locals.

Travel south of town to the famous Kuangsi Waterfall; the turquoise color of the water with a backdrop of white limestone cliffs gives the waterfall a magical appearance. Depending on the season the water level varies and you can be swimming in the beautiful pools. While there, you also will have the opportunity to visit the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation center that rescues animals from the wildlife trade.
On the way back, visit the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre, run by an organization that offers local weavers the chance to earn a decent income with their weaving skills.

Rest of the day is at your own leisure. 
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 

We leave Luang Prabang for our scenic drive to Xieng Khouang with breathtaking views over the mountains and numerous possibilities for photos; and you may stop at some villages to interact with the friendly local people.

Upon arrival, we will visit the Mines Action Group, responsible for the removal and dismantling of landmines and other projectiles
Overnight in Phonsavan.
 

Breakfast at your hotel.

Visit Muang Khoun, previously the capital of Xieng Khuang before its destruction during the war. The only surviving buildings are a temple (Wat) and a hospital. The ride passes through peaceful countryside  with rolling hills, rice paddies and minority villages. Visit That Foun which was built in 1576 at the same time as the original That Luang Stupa in the capital Vientiane. The stupa was erected over ashes of Lord Buddha that were brought from India during a time when Buddhism was proliferating in Laos. That Foun was heavily damaged by aerial bombing in 1966 during the war.

Continue to explore the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered across a plateau. 
You first explore Site 1, where a giant urn weighing thousands of kilos can be found, along with 250 other jars with oval or round openings, some even have a square opening.

Then head to Site 2 which is situated on a hill. Take in the fresh air, enjoy a panoramic view, and shoot photos of villages dotting the valley while learning more about the enigmatic jars, and developing your own origin theory behind them. 

Overnight in Xieng Khouang.
 

Breakfast at hotel. 
Transfer to Airport for flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, meet another guide and head to your hotel in city center. Rest of the day is at your own leisure. Overnight in Vientiane.
 

Today, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. 

We then continue to visit the COPE centre – where you will learn about this remarkable educational centre, a heartbreaking but compelling place that teaches us about Laos’ Hidden War.

After that on the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. 
Lunch at local restaurant in the city center.

In the afternoon we transfer out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. A spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day.
 

Breakfast at your hotel.
Transfer to the Airport for flight to your next destination. Tour ends here.
 

Yes. A single supplement is available with a surcharge fee. If you're a solo traveller, please contact us for more information. 

Yes, all visitors to Vietnam must be covered by a minimum of travel medical insurance with a liability of US$10,000 or more for COVID-19 treatment. A more robust travel insurance policy for a trip to Vietnam is optional, but highly recommended due to the unpredictable nature of international travel.

Although the only travel insurance legally required to visit Vietnam is the medical coverage related to COVID-19, there are many other aspects of a trip overseas that can quickly become costly if things go awry. Travel insurance for Vietnam can be a great asset in unexpected situations, lessening the financial burden on a traveler in an emergency or otherwise difficult situation.

Vietnam trip insurance can include a variety of coverages designed to assist travelers in unforeseen situations. Travelers may choose between plans that offer specific coverage for their unique concerns, which may include airline delays or disruptions, sudden illness or injury while abroad, trip cancellation, and much more. These coverages do vary by plan, so be sure to review your policy carefully before purchasing.

Yes. Travel Health Insurance covering Covid-19 is mandatory. To enter Vietnam, you must show evidence of health or travel insurance that covers COVID-related medical care up to a minimum of US$10,000 for the duration of your visit. Failure to produce this may result in being refused entry to the country.

The price of Vietnam travel protection can vary depending on the age, health status, and number of travelers being covered, as well as the duration of the trip and type of coverage.
As risk involved with the trip increases, prices may also increase. For example, a trip to Vietnam that lasts one week may cost less than a two-week trip, even if the type of coverage is the same, due to the extended length of the trip. Additionally, a traveler with pre-existing health conditions can usually expect to pay higher rates than a traveler who does not have any diagnosed pre-existing conditions.