A tour combining the two magical cities takes you through the history of the land of a million elephants. Laos is still very much undiscovered and after decades of isolation, tourists are able to experience Southeast Asia’s best-kept secret. Highlights of this tour include exploring the unique temple architecture of Luang Prabang, the astonishing views over the city from the top of Mount Phousi and visiting the National buildings in Vientiane
Duration: 4 days
Date: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Start/End: Vientiane/Vientiane
Tour type: Landscape, Culture and Nature
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane – City Tour – Night entertainment
Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (Flight QV103 1710 – 1740)
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Departure
Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane – City Tour – Night entertainment (L, D)
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos.
After a short rest we embark on an orientation tour of the Lao Capital making our way around some of the city's most historic sites and seeing some of it's classic architecture including the old Presidential Palace, Vientiane's oldest temple Wat Sisaket, with it's thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.
Driving on we will take in That Dam Stupa and the surrounding French colonial villas, pass through the main shopping district and stop at Wat Ong Tue and Wat Hai Sok. Our ride will finish at a leisurely pace along the waterfront with views across the Mekong River to Thailand.
For those who is interesting shopping or entertainment, our guide will show you to the Morning Market Shopping Mall where you can find the handmade local textile, silk, cotton, jewelry, silver and gold or even international brand name items. Afterward, we take a walk along the Mekong river bank .You may enjoy shopping at the Night Market.
Optional: After dinner, you can also enjoy yourself night live entertainment, such as Lao style Lamvong, jazz, Karaoke, bars, disco both live band and music show. Overnight in Vientiane .
Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (Flight QV103 1710 – 1740) (B, L, D)
If time permits this morning we will visit Thongkhankham Fresh Market or Tarat Khouadin Market, where local traders gather for their agriculture products.
From here we continue to visit Laos's national icon, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. Not far from That Luang Stupa is the National Museum, formerly known as the Revolutionary Museum, which exhibits artifacts, photos and legends of Laos's fighters and leaders from ancient times to the revolutionary, Phathet Lao, period.
Late afternoon we board our short flight to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. On arrival we transfer you to the hotel.
Our evening is free to explore the night market and sample some local cuisine at one of the many restaurants in town . Overnight in Luang Prabang .
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave (B, L, D)
After breakfast we will head off on bicycles to see some of the highlights of Luang Prabang including the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.
Heading to the Mekong River we board our private boat for a pleasant and scenic cruise up on the upstream to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These caves are an ancient pilgrimage site and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years.
Returning to Luang Prabang we disembark our boat and have the option of taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving or returning to the hotel for free time to relax.
After a short rest we will climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River.
Descending the mountain you will be in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Your evening is free to treat yourself a spa treatment or massage, do some shopping or relax at your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang .
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Departure (B, L)
This morning you have the option and opportunity to rise early and participate in the daily morning ritual of 'Alms Giving', you will experience saffron-clad monks collecting offerings or 'Alms' from faithful local residents. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the daily procession.
After breakfast, we take a stroll through the Dalat Sao or morning market full of local foodstuffs from the farms and jungles surrounding Luang Prabang. From here it is a short walk to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang.
Returning to the hotel your time is free until you are transferred to the airport for your departing flight. Trip ends.
