8 Days Laos Classic Tour with XiengKhouang
Tour Overview
Laos is at its days of showing its best out to the world. Let take an on-time opportunity to experience Laos with a very fine itinerary travelling through Luang...
Code of Tour: TAD0000028778
Length of Travel: 8 Day
Destinations of Tour: Luang Prabang → Xieng Khouang → Vientiane
Departure City: Luang Prabang
Price of Tour: Request
Type of Tour: Private
Features of Tour: Culture tours History tours
Laos is at its days of showing its best out to the world. Let take an on-time opportunity to experience Laos with a very fine itinerary travelling through Luang Prabang, Xieng Khuang and Vientiane, dropping by so many attractions of those cities along the way. Golden temples and dazzling pagodas, fresh natural sights and the rural lifestyle from the locals will absolutly blow you away during this fabulous trip.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR
Explore the most important cities of Laos including Luang Prabang, Xieng Khuang and Vientiane
Step in the most holy lands of the country and understand about its cultural value
Fall in love with the breathtaking beauty of Kuang Si Waterfall waterfalls with cool turquoise water for swimming and a natural foot spa by the small fish
Visit the trip to Plain of Jars – witness the reminder of harrowing war
Relax in the stunning Kuang Si waterfall when swimming in the fantastic green water
Wander along Luang Prabang streets and explore the colorful temples, colonical buildings and beautiful lanes
DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG
Transfer:
Activities: Welcome to Luang Prabang, transfer to hotel to check in, enjoy a welcome dinner
Welcome to Luang Prabang – one of the most pleasant cities in South East Asia – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in northern Laos, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, this sacred city boasts golden-roofed wats, saffron robed monks and remnants of French colonial architecture.
When arriving at Luang Prabang airport , you will be welcomed by our tour guide and driver. After transfering to the hotel, doing check-in and relaxing, you will be taken to a local restaurant for a tasty dinner. You can spend your free evening on joining the lively Night Market or relax at the hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: 3 Choices
DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG
Transfer:
Activities: Join the Luang prabang city tour
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Stop and visit fresh local markets and back to hotel for breakfast.
This morning, depart to visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Continue to visit Wat Aham. Then, visit to the most photographed temple, Wat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.
This afternoon, continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Experiences:
14
Royal Palace in Luang Prabang
Located on the banks of the Mekong River and facing the sacred Mount Phousi, the Royal Palace was built in 1904 to serve as the residence of King Sisavang Vong and his family during the French colonial era. After the revolution in 1975, the palace turned into a national museum and opened to the public in 1995. On the palace grounds, there are some buildings such as an exhibition hall, Haw Pra Bang that houses the standing Buddha statue called Prabang – the palladium of Laos, Royal Barge Shelter, Staff Headquarters and the Royal Ballet Theater. Besides enjoying the royal religious objects, the last king’s collection of cars, ancient statues, and paintings dating for centuries, you can also marvel at the stunning architecture of the palace that is a blend of traditional Lao style and French Beaux-Arts. The Royal Palace Museum is really well worth a visit to learn about Lao history and culture as well as the royal lifestyle.
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9
Pay a visit to Wat Xieng Thong – the highest symbol of Buddhism in Laos
Wat Xieng Thong, literally translated the ‘monastery of the golden city’, is one of the oldest and most important temples of Luang Prabang as well as one of the highest symbols of Buddhism in Laos. This Buddhist temple was built in 1559-1560 by King Setthathirath in the northern tip of the peninsula where the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River join. After a number of restorations, Wat Xieng Thong now consists of more than twenty structures on the grounds including a sim, a royal funerary carriage house, pavilions, shrines, residences, and gardens. As the temple still keeps its original form, a visit around will show tourists the characteristics of 16th-century Lao art and craft with the 2-tiered roof, colorful mosaics and carvings depicting Lao legends and the tree of life on the rear temple walls. Wat Xieng Thong is also an important venue where significant annual festivities in Luang Prabang are held.
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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3 Choices
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG
Transfer:
Activities: Visit Pak Ou caves by boat & relax at Kuang Si Waterfall
This morning transfer to the pier where you board a traditional long trail boat, for a relaxing cruise upstream on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural lifestyles.You will reach Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. Cruise back Luang Prabang. Stop and visit Ban Xangkhong, a weaving village, where you can jump into wooden looms with local expert for practical and experience.
This afternoon, driving through green rice paddies and farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Si waterfall, enjoy your short walking on trails of falls to visit the bear rescued centre. Enjoy spectacular views and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Return to Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Experiences:
12
Visit the bear rescued center in Luang Prabang
Located 30km southwest of Luang Prabang, Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre is only a short walk past the entrance gate to Tat Kuang Si Waterfall. Run by Free the Bears with the help from the Laos Department of Forestry since 2003, this excellent center is home to many wild Moon bears rescued from poachers and illegal wildlife trade where they have an open enclosure to live and play freely with lots of trees and swings. Due to the growing population of rescued bears, there are other bear houses built in the hills near Nahm Dong. When visiting the center, you can observe these lovely animals playing and enjoying their food from a viewing platform and along the wooden paths. The visit will be the best chance for visitors to learn about these adorable bears and other wildlife we need to protect. If you want to support the center, you can buy a T-shirt or make a donation.
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8
Enjoyable Mekong River boat excursion to Pak Ou Cave
When in Luang Prabang, it is recommended to take a boat tour through Mekong river and visit Pak Ou caves. The excursion will bring you pleasant time to see the local life along the way where the mountain, blue sky and spectacular scenery are in harmony to take the picture. The climb to the caves will guide you to superb exploration to see hundreds of Buddha sculptures in a dark cave, which is not only an insight into top attraction in Luang Prabang, but the historical stories of the sacred relics protection from bombings during the Secret War as well.
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12
Spectacular and stunning Kuang Si WaterFalls
No words can describe the stunning of Kuang Si Waterfalls and the emerald water: you must witness in person, the experience will surely exceeds your expectations!Located outside the city of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Waterfalls are absolutely breathtaking and definitely worth the visit. You can climb up to the falls and take a dip, or walk through the beautiful area and got in the water a bit more downstream, swim or simply put my feet in for a relaxation.Truly, a joyous feast for eyes and ears, for mind and soul !
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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3 Choices
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG
Transfer:
Activities: Join the cooking class and learn how to make some Laos dishes
In the morning, we take an exciting visit to the local market, walk around and learn more about the local produce and ingredients used for cooking class before returning to the kitchen. You will be guided to cook a few traditional dishes by our enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors then popped back to your benches to do it yourselves. Lunch start when all your dishes are done and you’ll learn more on Laos culinary tradition and eating habits with recipe book given at the end of the class. You will love every minute of the cooking class.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Experiences:
9
Half day cooking class in Luang Prabang
One of the best ways to learn about Lao cuisine and the traditional dishes from Luang Prabang is from a local expert. Experience a half day or an afternoon to learn some local dishes that you can later returned to your country, to the delight of your friend’s curious palate. Luang Prabang is definitely the gastronomic capital of Laos. Historically, the town has always been rich in the arts, especially table arts. The best cooks were hired by the King. This created a legacy that has endured. All visitors that stop at Luang Prabang must savour the typical local dishes, which they will find nowhere else in Laos. Take a cooking class to explore the authentic local flavors!
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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: 3 Choices
DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG, XIENG KHOUANG
Transfer:
Activities: Drive from Luang Prabang to Xieng Khuang
Today we depart early for a drive through spectacular scenery to Xieng Khouang Province, the home of the Plain of Jars – a fascinating place which has been cleared of ordinance and contains hundreds of jars. The jars have been dated from around the 5th or 6th century which are believed to be funeral jars and most are large enough to hold an adult corpse. There are many stunning photo opportunities along the way and a couple of stops to explore hill tribe villages. After check in at your hotel in Phonsavan there will be time to go for a wonder through town, visit the MAG Centre or chill out over a drink at the hotel.
Overnight in Xieng Khouang.
Experiences:
12
Plain of Jars in Xieng Khoang
Located in the Xiangkhoang Plateau, the famous UNESCO-listed site – Plain of Jars was made up of thousands of stone jars scattered over hundreds of hilly square kilometers. These tubular-shaped megalithic jars are mostly arranged in clusters with more than 90 sites, each with one to 400 stone jars. The Plain of Jars is believed dating back to the Iron Age, however its origin and purpose are still unknown. Tourists usually visit popular spots at Site 1, 2 and 3 as they are considered safe from unexploded ordnance of the wars in Laos, but make sure you follow the designated routes to be safe. When visiting this place, you will also hear the Laotian legends about the origin of the jars as well as enjoy the peaceful farmlands and villages’ views from the hilltops.
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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 1 Choices
DAY 6: XIENG KHOUANG, VIENTIANE
Transfer:
Activities: Visit Plain of Jars, Fly to Vientiane
This morning we head out to explore the Plain of Jars. We will be visiting Sites 1, 2 & 3 – an impressive archaeological site including hundreds of large stone jars.
Spend time walking around on the marked paths which is truly a peaceful area on a hillside and getting impressed by the bulk of the jars scattered in groups around the hillside. The hill is littered with bomb craters from the Vietnam – American War. If you make it to this part of the world, the excursion is worth your effort and visit.
After the tour, you will be transfered to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. On arrival in Vientiane, meet your guide and driver at the airport. Be transferred to your hotel in the town. Do check-in and free at your leisure.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3 Choices
DAY 7: VIENTIANE
Transfer:
Activities: Take a city tour in Vientiane
This morning we head out to see the major highlight.You are seeing the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph, from there you visit COPE Center. The COPE was created in response to the need to provide UXO survivors with the care and support they required, namely by way of orthotic and prosthetic devices. This museum was set after in 1997 to help covering the victim during Indochina war.
After lunch and time to relax we drive south from Vientiane city to see the Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures set in parkland on the banks of the Mekong close to the Friendship Bridge. Here we find over 200 religious images dating back some 500 years faithfully recreated by a mysterious Biddhist monk.
Your evening is free to sample some local cuisine at one of the many restaurants the town has to offer.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Experiences:
7
Stop at highlighted attractions in Vientiane: Wat Sisaket, That Luang monument, Victory Monument
Contrary to popular belief of a modern and busy city, Vientiane is, in fact, the laidback capital of Laos with unique and hidden charms. To unveil the true lure of Vientiane, let’s join our city tour that takes you to some of the best sights in town. Start with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the city built in the Siamese style of Buddhist architecture, you will see a huge exhibition of over 2,000 Buddha images well displayed on a cloister wall. Next, it’s on to That Luang monument, a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa which is generally regarded as the national symbol of Laos. This is also the scene of the Boun That Luang, Laos’ most important Buddhist festival. Finally, make your way to Patuxai, the Victory Monument dedicated to those who gave their lives for independence from France. Built to resemble Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, Patuxai offers a stunning view of the town and the Mekong River. Touring around different highlights of Vientiane to gain a better understanding of this charming capital will surely an unforgettable experience that makes your day in Laos.
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Enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures at Buddha Park in Vientiane
Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan or Spirit City, is an open-air sculpture garden housing a large number of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. The park was built in 1958 by Bounleua Sulilat, a priest-shaman and sculpture artist on the bank of the Mekong River, around 25km southeast of Vientiane. There are more than 200 sculptures made from reinforced concrete displayed in the park that vary in sizes and shapes. Some are statues of Buddha and Hindu gods, the others are sculptures of demons, deities, and mythological creatures. The most striking spot is a giant pumpkin with three floors representing Hell, Earth, and Heaven. You can enter inside the pumpkin through a demon head’s mouth serving as the entrance, climb staircases and you will reach a vantage point that offers the entire park view. Another notable attraction is an enormous 40-meter-long reclining Buddha.
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6
Former royal temple of Haw Phrakeo
Haw Phrakeo is a former royal temple in Vientiane where the royal family uses as a personal place of worship. The temple is also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha as it was first built in 1565 by King Setthathirath to house the Emerald Buddha figurine. After several destructions and rebuilds, Haw Phrakeo now serves as a museum where you can see many precious artifacts and some of the finest examples of Laos religious art such as a 2,000-year-old stone jar from the Plain of Jars, displays of Buddha statues, and a wooden copy of Phra Bang. You will also have the great opportunity to marvel at the temple’s carved wooden features, Khmer stone sculptures, and ancient stone tablets. Outside, Haw Phrakeo temple is surrounded by a well-kept landscaped garden, a wonderful place to rest and take in the peaceful sights.
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12
COPE Visitor Center in Vientiane
COPE (Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise) is a non-profit organization in Laos created in 1996. For years, COPE follows the mission to help people with mobility-related disabilities by proving more than one thousand walking aids, artificial limbs, and wheelchairs in Laos each year. Coming to COPE Visitor Center in Vientiane, you will find it as a small amazing museum with many informative multimedia exhibits about prosthetics, the stories about victims of bombs and unexploded ordnance (UXO) as well as the work of COPE to help Lao people with mobility-related disabilities move on. Several short documentaries about UXO and COPE are shown in the Cave Cinema, and there are a café and gift shop beside the center where you can enjoy a drink or buy a souvenir, and all the proceeds will help support the work of COPE.
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Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3 Choices
DAY 8: VIENTIANE
Transfer:
Activities: Transfer to the airport for your flight back home
it is your time to enjoy your last wonderful moments in Vientiane.
03 hours prior to your flight time, our driver will come and pick you up for airport transfer for your flight back home. Thank you so much for travelling with us!
Ends of services.
Meals: Breakfast
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Inclusions
Meals
7 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights)
Transport
Car, Flight
Flight
1. Fly from Xieng Khouang to Luang Prabang (30 minutes)
Included Services
Daily western-style breakfast
Domestic flight
Private transport in air-conditioned vehicles
Local English-speaking guides
Water on coach
Entrance fees, performances, boat trips & excursions
Exclusions
International flights to/from Laos
Travel insurance
Visa stamp fees
Early check-in & late check-out surcharge
Personal expenses
Meals not mentioned
Drinks not mentioned
Tips & gratuities for guides and drivers
