Day 1. Chiangrai – HoueiSay – Pakbeng After passing through immigration, you cross the Mekong River to
HoueiSay in Laos where your Lao guide will be waiting for you at the
immigration point. After completing border formalities, you board a
ready traditional boat for the trip down the Mekong River. Serene,
timeless Laos is one of Asia’s most unvisited, unchanged countries. This
once-powerful kingdom known as Lane Xang (Million Elephants) was
founded in the 14th century with the help of the Khmers, and it went on
to become one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia until its demise
in the late 19th century. Bisected and bordered by the Mekong River,
omnipresent symbol of Indochina, Laos today is an amalgam of cultural
influences; Theravada Buddhism, animism, France, and the socialist
ideal. It is a peaceful place, and the legendary hospitality, resilience
and friendliness of the Lao people is much in evidence. Laos is Old
Asia preserved. As your journey downriver you will stop at some tribal
minority villages such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu. Upon arrival in
Pakbeng, we visit local market; experience daily lifestyle of colorful
hill tribe traders exchanges their goods. Overnight in Pakbeng. Breakfast, as you sail downriver as a second leg, you will pass areas of un-spoilt forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You visit a fishing village and a rice winemaking village and perhaps even taste some of the infamous beverage known as Lao Rice wine. You also visit the Pak-Ou caves, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. You arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset and transfer to your hotel. This charming city of UNESCO world heritage site, The Luang Prabang is a small, dream-like town on the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, in a beautiful mountain setting. From 1353 until 1545 it was the capital of Lane Xang before power was transferred to Vientiane. Despite the move Luang Prabang remained the seat of monarchical power and when the kingdom broke up in 1694, one of the deceased king’s grandsons established a rival kingdom to those in Vientiane and Champassak. Though weakened, the Luang Prabang royalty endured until 1975, when after the reign of 63 kings it was formally dissolved. You spend the day exploring the temples and sites in what is called one of the last Shangri-La’s of Southeast Asia. You will visit Wat Xiang Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country. Overnight in Luang Prabang Day 3. Luang Prabang – City Tours – Khouangsi Waterfall (B) This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the
daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black
Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including
the ubiquitous sticky rice. Day 4. Luang Prabang – Vientiane (B) Breakfast, We are strolling around and visit the Silver smith’s and the Central Market are not to be missed. We visit these sights, this morning before we catch a flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, we see the major temples including the oldest Wat Sisaket, a temple of 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, sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph, sunset by Mekong Riverside and late evening, Overnight in Vientiane. Day 5. Vientiane – Departure (B) After breakfast, we visit the Morning Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong (if time permits). The tour ends after your transfer to Wattay Airport or Friendship Bridge for departure.
Price includes: - Transportation in private air-conditioned Price excludes: - Visa stamping fee on arrival US$30.00/pax |
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