Day 1: Arrive Luang Prabang Dec. Upon arrival at the airport PG941 29Dec ETA 1150, 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 Laos. After lunch we visit Ban Phanom, a traditional weaving village where you can try your hand at the weavings. Here we will be able to appreciate the skill and design of the craftspeople in making these intricate cloths and hangings. Around 4 or 4:30 pm, back in the township, the monks in Wat Ho Siang begin to beat the drum and clang the cymbals high in the drum tower. The acoustics are incredible! For those who have an appreciation of foreign instruments it is certainly not to be missed. Phousi Hill, topped with a white stupa, offers an excellent view of the city and the winding Mekong River. Again – be prepared for some lengthy step climbing. At dusk we will have the option of venturing out tothe Wat Siphoutthabath to enjoy the sunset. Overnight at hotel in Luangprabang. Day 2: Luang Prabang visit to Pak Ou caves (B) Luang Prabang is the well-preserved ancient capital of the Lao
Kingdom – the jewel in the crown of South East Asia for many who travel
here. Today it is a delightful, tranquil village easily explored on
foot. Wedged between the Mekong and Khan rivers, it has been nominated
as a World Heritage site andis famous for its many Wats (temples) – 32
of the 66 that were built before French colonisation still stand. All of
them are well kept and in use, with numerous monks in residence. The
most beautiful Wat is Zieng Thong overlooking the Mekong. After
breakfast we board our small boat and head to the holy caves of Pak Ou.
This cave system is crammed with images made in the likeness of Buddha.
It’s a good idea to bring along a head torch as the more adventurous of
our party have the opportunity to head to the deep upper cave known as
Tham Phum. On the way home we stop to visit the traditional home made
rice wine village of Ban Xang Hai. On return, we also have time visiting
Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek, villages of Jute Sar paper hand making,
known for its hand made paper quality. This afternoon is at leisure to
enjoy this charming town. Day 3: Luangprabang (B) Today we head to the unspoilt wildnerss of Kuang Xi National Park, around 30 minutes drive from Luang Prabang. A real highlight of this park is the scenic and popular waterfalls. It is a good idea towear shorts today, in case you get wet, and pack your swimming costume as we relax in the Park andhave the opportunity to swim in the clear water found here. We will enjoy a picnic lunch in the gardens by the falls and its clear blue pools before visiting a nearby Elephant camp and experiencing the junglefirst hand by hitching a ride on Elephant back! This is a great thrill, travelling through the jungle with our mighty new friends. Overnight at hotel in Luangprabang Day 4: Luangprabang - Phonsavane (B) Today, we are driving 306KM overland on up Hill Mountain with splendid natural scenery to Xiengkhouang, where was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. If time permits, we are seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun [if time permits] and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Phonsavanh. Day 5: Phonsavan – Vientiane(B) Breakfast, visit Central Market, and Visit some ethnic minorities’ villages Day 6: Vientiane (B) Breakfast, AM: you are met to continue exploring Vientiane capital city, we start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. PM: continue to visit the rest of Vientiane by walk, visit Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. Then we pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where the major goods display; including fresh food, household, textiles, gold, silver and ancient souvenir varied display and return to Mekong Riverside and late evening. By late afternoon observing sunset by Mekong. Overnight in Vientiane. Day 7: Flight to Hanoi - Transfer to airport for the flight to Hanoi. Arrival transfer to
our hotel in town. City tour to visit the city highlight including Ho
Chi Minh Complex which includes the Vietnams first University, The
Temple Of Literature, built in 1070. Visit the Museum of Ethnology
Enjoy one hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter. Evening water puppet
for 2 persons. This morning pick up from your hotel in Hanoi at 8.30 am we will
depart Hanoi at 0830 from your hotel in Hanoi for a four-hour drive
through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Arrival in Halong City
we transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through
the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay, giving us the
chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. Day 9: Halong bay – Hanoi Rising to the sound of ocean coming to life for another lovely day. We breakfast over sunset: Day 10: Hanoi – Hue Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam (1802 -1945 under Nguyen Dynasty). Hue is known as ‘the city of peace and poetry. Arrival Hue transfer to our hotel. Visit Hue citadel, and the famous Thien Mu Pagoda from here we take a boat trip on Perfume river to visit Tuduc royal tomb. Visit the famous Dong Ba market. Overnight at hotel in Hue. Day 11: Hue – Hoian Transfer to Hoi An via Danang. Visit the Cham Museum containing the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world . Transfer to Hoian, a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. We visit Hoian old houses and temples, bridges and markets . Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Overnight in Hoi An. Day 12: Hoian – Myson Breakfast in the hotel Day 13: Danang – Saigon – Cuchi Tunnels Fly Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City VN 315, 0810/0940 Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to your hotel. Drive to visit Cu Chi Tunnel – an amazing complex system of underground tunnel constructed during the Vietnam war by the Vietcong; return to HCM city. Overnight at hotel in HCM city. Day 14: Saigon – Mekong – Delta Leave Ho Chi Minh City after breakfast for Vinh Long. Arrive in Cai Be floating market, we will take a boat trip to explore the floating market, one of the most attractions in the Mekong Delta. Continue cruising to Vinh Long the capital of Vinh Long Province. What makes a trip to Vinh Long worthwhile is not the town itself but the beautiful small islands in the river. The islands are totally given to agriculture, especially the growing of tropical fruits, which are shipped to markets in Ho Chi Minh City. Visit Binh Hoa Phuoc Island where one of the fascinating things to be seen are the “monkey bridges”. These are makeshift footbridges built of uneven logs about 30 to 80 cm wide and from 2m to 10m above the canals. For lunch sample the local delicacy, the “Elephant’s Ear Fish” on Binh Hoa Phuoc Island. Return to Saigon .At leisure. Overnight at hotel in Saigon. Day 15: Departure At leisure. Transfer to airport for the departure flight.
Trip includes - All accommodation on double/twin basis with daily breakfast Trip excludes - International airfares & airport taxes |
Cross Border > Travel to Vietnam and Laos >
