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
Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok – Chiangrai
Arrive in Chiangrai airport. You will be welcome and transferred to
your hotel. Remain of the Day is at leisure,. Overnight in Chiangrai.
Day 2: Chiangrai – HoueiSay – Pakbeng (B; L; D)
This morning you have an early morning transfer from the hotel to
Chiang Khong, the exit point from Thailand. After passing through
immigration, you cross the Mekong River to HoueiSay in Laos where your
guide will be waiting for you at the immigration point. After completing
border formalities, you board the LuangSay Cruise (join boat) ready for
the trip downriver. 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. Overnight in LuangSay Lodge.
Day 3: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang (B; L)

Breakfast, as you sail downriver, 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 wine. You also visit the Pak-Ou caves with their thousands
of Buddha statues. You arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset and
transfer to your hotel. This evening. You can take a stroll around this
enchanting little town. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 4: Luang Prabang – City Tours (B)
Breakfast, we are exploring 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,
Wat Visoun, Wat Khili and Wat Mai. Later, visit the former Royal Palace,
now a National Museum where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded
reception rooms, as well as Buddha and Atacular artifacts including the
Prabang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the
Khmers to King Fa Ngum. At sunset climb the nearby temple-topped hill of
Phousi where you’ll catch a lovely view out over the town and the
river. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 5: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi Waterfall (B)
Breakfast; this morning you may want to rise 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. From there you will visit the morning Phosi
Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin,
local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe
weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and toDay
you will visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay
and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. Time permitting
you may also wish to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where
you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths,
overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Vientiane (B)
After a leisurely breakfast, you begin the drive south to Vientiane,
on the way, drop off visiting minority villages along 13th north route,
via Vang Vieng where unspoiled natural resources remained and enjoying
the view of mountain and beautiful landscape. After a short stop, we are
heading out to Vientiane, a capital city of Laos, built by the French
on the site of Wieng Chan, the 16th century capital of Lane Xang. Wieng
Chan was already bristling by the time Europe was emerging from
obscurity, and toDay is a small bustling city that retains an air of
Its French colonial past. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 7: Vientiane – City Tours (B)
Breakfast, AM: this morning you begin your sightseeing with a visit
to the market. The market is a wildly colorful and olfactory delight –
amid baskets piled with rice, eggs, and tea, ducks, pigs and fish both
alive and dead, are food stalls selling noodles, soup, and ‘food to go’
wrapped in banana leaves, existing cheek by jowl with sellers of
jasmine, orchids, and marigolds – the latter being woven into garlands
for temple offerings. From there you begin a Walking Tour of the city’s
old Wats beginning with the venerable Wat Sisaket with its many wall
niches holding small Buddha, Wat Prakeo – a former royal temple, the
major Wats of Wat Mixai, Wat Ong Tu, Wat Haisok and Wat In Paeng, ending
with some French colonial houses. PM: you pay a visit to the studio of
Carol Cassidy, an American who has done much to advance the Lao weaving
tradition. Later this afternoon you visit That Luang Stupa, a national
symbol of Lao sovereignty and a Buddhist shrine, overnight in Vientiane.
Day 8: Vientiane – Departure (B)
Breakfast, you are free for your own discovery until transfer to departure.
GroupCost: US$ per pax |
1 pax |
2 pax |
3-6 pax |
7-11 pax |
12-15 pax |
16-19 pax |
20 pax up |
Singular |
Lunch |
Dinner |
Superior |
1,641 |
1,027 |
953 |
882 |
828 |
815 |
798 |
315 |
68 |
98 |
First Class |
1,777 |
1,101 |
1,028 |
956 |
892 |
892 |
892 |
377 |
98 |
123 |
Deluxe |
2,350 |
1.385 |
1.301 |
1,228 |
1,165 |
1,166 |
1,166 |
676 |
103 |
165 |
City |
Superior 3-star |
First Class 4-star |
Deluxe 5-Star |
ChiengRai |
Dusit Island |
Legend CEI |
Legend CEI |
PakBeng |
LuangSay Lodge |
LuangSay Lodge |
LuangSay Lodge |
Luang Prabang |
Parasol Blanc |
Villa Santi |
La Residence |
Vientiane |
Day Inn |
Lao Plaza |
Settha Palace |
Tour includes
- Transportation
- Accommodation in 2 star hotel with twin sharing
- Boat trip as stated in above sights
- English or French speaking guide
- Admission fee to indicated sights
- Domestic government tax and service charge
- Luggage handling
Tour excludes
- Visa stamping fee on arrival US$30.00/pax
- International airport departure tax US$10.00/pax
- Domestic airticket with airport tax
- International air tickets to/from Laos or Vietnam
- Travel Insurance in all kinds
- Meals: (lunch or dinner, quoted separately)
- Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others not stated.