Laos Adventure Journey

Day 1: Arrival Vientiane

Upon arrival at Wattay Airport, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we begin our orientation with a short walking-tour of the Lao capital, strolling around the city sights and observing the evening sunset along the Mekong Riverside. Overnight in Vientiane

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees

Day 2: Vientiane- City tours- Buddha Park

Today we begin to see the major sights of the capital, including Wat Sisaket, which contains more than 8000 Buddha statues, Wat Ho Prakeo the former home of the Emerald Buddha statue and That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos. We also see the Patuxay (Lao Arc de Triomphe), which was built in commemoration of those who died during past wars and today it is the city’s main landmark.

In the afternoon we transfer out to see Buddha Park, a scattered and enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures near the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images here. Observing the spectacular sunset view over the Mekong River is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane.

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Buddha Park. Vientiane. Laos

Day 3: Vientiane- Nam Ngum lake- Vang Vieng

After breakfast, we make our way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by damming the Nam Ngum River. We stop at Ban Keun, famous for its salt extraction plant and a village of local Lao rice wine distillation. On arrival at the lake, we embark on a long tail boat ride visiting fisherman villages. We’ll see some beautiful islets and take a short walk to discover more how locals live.

We’ll arrive in the afternoon to this small and tranquil town nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River.  After check into your hotel, we explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. Overnight in Vang Vieng

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 4: Vang Vieng- Tham Phoukham- Tad Kaengyui

After breakfast, we take a drive through paddy fields to the Tham Phoukham caves, the country’s beautiful and famous limestone caverns surrounded by forest. Along the way, you will meet local villagers and learn about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can swim and refresh yourself from the heat.

In the afternoon, you will pick up your motorbikes and drive to Kaeng Yui waterfall which located 6km far from the town.  We will spend the rest of the day at the fall. Overnight in Vang Vieng

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 5: Vang Vieng- Xiengkhoang

Today we leave this charming town and drive to Xieng Khouang, an area once devastated by American bombings. These back roads are a great way to have an authentic Laos experience. We’ll see very few other travelers, just mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in us as we are about them! We will make sure to stop to visit some minorities village at Kasi and learn about their daily life. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. Overnight in Xiengkhuang.

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 6: Xiengkhoang- Muongkhoune

After breakfast, depart for a trip to Mouang Khoune, former capital of the province, which was almost completely destroyed by American bombing during the Vietnam War. En route, visit the H’mong ethnic minority villages, Thai Dam (Black Thai) and Phuan. Orientation tour of Mouang Khoune and visit the remains of the temples of Wat Phia Wat and Wat Tha Foune. Lunch at local restaurant. Continuation of the visit two sites (which houses the largest jars) and 3 of the Plain of Jars, both located near Mouang Khoune before returning to Phonesavanh. Overnight in Xiengkhoang

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 7: Xiengkhoang- Viengthong

After breakfast, we begin the  journey drive through beautiful unspoiled natural and amazing rolling mountains to Vieng Thong district. Viengthong is a small town located in Houaphanh Province in northeastern Laos and is the location of the Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA. On the way, we make a stop to visit ThamPiew cave – a historical shrine where hundreds of local people hid during the bombings of the Indo-China War and some hill villages period to Viengthong and know more the locals daily life. Overnight in Viengthong

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 8: Viengthong- Nam Et national park

Morning (8am departure from Viengthong1): Travel to Son Koua Village, River travel to the Nam Nern Substation Tourists depart from Viengthong by public mini bus or private van. After a 1.5-­‐hour drive along a curvy road through gorgeous mountainous landscapes you arrive at Ban Son Koua, an ethnic Khmu Village. Village guides and boatmen will be awaiting you to greet you and take you on a short tour of the village where you will learn about the animist tradition of appeasing the village spirit. Guests then embark on a 1.5-­‐hour journey to the   park substation on the Nam Nern River by long-­‐tail boat, along the way learning about upland rice cultivation and having opportunities to spot monitor lizards (depending on the time of year) and bird life. Overnight in Ecolodge

Early Afternoon: Journey Upriver & Substation

After arriving at the park substation, visitors will be shown to their accommodation, bamboo huts close to the river, and will then be offered a lunch prepared by the village cooking group. After lunch, you will receive a briefing by park staff about the on-­‐the-­‐ground efforts in protecting tigers and their prey. At mid-­‐afternoon, the group takes the boat again to continue the journey upriver.

Late Afternoon: Salt Lick

After about 50 minutes the boats will stop, and. the group will hike into the forest to visit a salt lick. The local guide, a skilled hunter and tracker, explains how local people track deer and other wild ungulates. The guide points out evidence of wildlife, such as tracks or scat at the salt lick.

Dinner

The boats continue upriver to the dinner site, a sandy, flat bank, where the group takes a picnic around a campfire. After dinner, the guides tell Khmu folktales and stories about dragons, wildlife, and ghosts. The guides also educate tourists about the species of animals they may see during the spotlighting and explain the rules and expectations for spotlighting. The group may also look at photos of animals captured by the camera trap at the salt lick.

Evening: Spotlight

The group departs for the night spotlighting 2-­‐3 hours after dark, floating down the river with engines off. The guides (1 per boat) use their headlamp to spot wildlife. If they see something, they will give a clear sign. Then you can switch on your own flashlight to have a better look at the animal. Hence, tourists will have their flashlights switched off most of the time to avoid scaring animals. The guides and boat drivers communicate via hand signals to avoid talking that might disturb the animals. Animals that may be seen include Sambar deer, otters, barking deer, various species of civets, loris, porcupine and owls. (Seeing tigers is very rare because they usually don’t come close to the river.)

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch, dinner

Day 9: Nam Et national park- Nongkhiau

Medicinal Plant Walk, Breakfast & Float Downriver

Before breakfast, local guides take you on a walk around the jungle, teaching about the use of some medicinal plants and explaining the history of the site, which was once a major settlement during the Secret War. After breakfast, the boats float back through the core zone at a relaxing pace with engines off, while the guides point out wildlife along the way.

Return

Upon arrival in the village, you are invited to try earthen jar rice wine (lao hai). Before departing, the group will be asked to fill out a wildlife monitoring form that is used to monitor wildlife abundance and indicate the amount of bonuses put into the village development fund from the tour costs. (If you are so lucky to see a tiger, we ask that you pay an additional contribution to the village development fund of 1,800,000 Kip per sighting   per group.)

We then venture into the mountainous and remote area of Northern Laos to Nong khiau. The verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes this an unforgettable experience. We will be reached to Nongkhiau in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Nongkhiau.

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 10: Nongkhiau- Muong Ngoy- Ban Na

After breakfast, we continue 01 hour cruise up on Nam Ou river to Muong ngoy. Upon arrival in Muong Ngoy, we begin trekking 30 minutes to visit Tham Kaang, the former sheltering cave for local villagers during Indochina war (1960-1972). Which has never damages with beautiful surrounding. After visiting, we will walk to Ban Houay Boor (a village of Khmu and T’ai Deng village), where we will eat lunch at villager’s home. Then we continue trekking to Ban Na ( a village of T’ai Deng ethnic group). After working and living condition, we return to Muang Ngoi. Overnight in Muong Ngoy

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch, boat trip

Day 11: Muong Ngoy- Muangkhoua- Muang La

After breakfast, we board a traditional boat for a leisurely cruise on the Nam Ou River up to Muong Khua.  The pace is slow and relaxed, allowing for some serene moments, and viewing the daily life of people on the river. Arrival in Muong Khua, we take a short walk around villages of Khmu people and visit a local sacred temple within the village.

We will leave for Muang La after lucnh. Enroute, we visit to villages of Phounoi and Akha Pixor.  We will arrive at the remote village of Muang La in the late afternoon. After chec into your hotel, we start our walk around villages of Khmu people and visit a local sacred temple within the village. Overnight in Muang La

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch, boat trip

Day 12: Muang La- Villages trek

You set off in the morning in the direction of Pak Khai; this pleasant journey gives you wonderful views across the River Nam Pak, terraced rice fields and the small villages along the banks of the river. On your arrival, you start your trek along a mountain trail which follows a mountain stream meandering through the lush vegetation. You have the chance to meet the local farmers working in their rice fields and learn how they cultivate their lands, hunt for small game and fish in the mountain stream, before you enter into the tropical rainforest. After around 1½ hours, you leave the forest and arrive in the village of Ban Phavie; a beautiful Khamu village which sits on the top of a hill. After taking your lunch in the village, you continue on to some nearby waterfalls. You can relax in the cooling clear waters, lulled by the gentle breeze and tranquility of the falls (weather permitting). At around 14:30, you head back to Muang La and arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight in Muang La

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 13: Muang La- Oudomxay- Pakou- Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we make our way to Luang Prabang. On the way, we will visit the hill tribe villages of Hmong at Ban Jarong, Ban Songja, and Khmu.

We reach ban Pakou in the lunch time and we board a cruise down on the Mekong River, which gives a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. Along the way we stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. We will arrive Luang Prabang in the late afternoon for check into your hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’.Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch, boat trip

Day 14: Luang Prabang- City tours

An 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.

After breakfast, we visit The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture throughout the ages. We then walk through the quiet backstreets of Luang Prabang, being introduced to French colonial-era buildings of historical importance or architectural significance. Begin at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, at the site of one of the grandest French buildings still standing. Learn about the original purpose of this structure and its significance to Luang Prabang trade. From here, stroll to a collection of other well-preserved French buildings. See the French school, the house of the headmaster, the old police station, and the French hospital, the house of a wealthy Chinese merchant, and residences which once belonged to the erstwhile royal family. Find out firsthand why Luang Prabang is well-known for more than its gilded temples. We will make sure to visit the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong where you can see the impressive “tree of life” mosaic set in colored glass.  We’ll visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.  We also have a short visit to Wat Phonphao on top of a small hill which has beautiful architecture and great view of the city from the top.

We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 15: Luang Prabang- Farming- Kuangsy Waterfalls

Breakfast, we are heading toward the local farm of Luang Prabang, you will experience the local way of live how they live. The former will show you how to grow rice. You are requested to hand at some of activities or view over our daily work from a farm house balcony. There are choices for you to experience either practice your real buffalo control on the rice terrace or grow organic vegetable garden.

Afterwards, we head out to visit some ethnic minority villages and see how these colorful people live. We then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfalls where you can swim in the turquoise pools or walk along forest paths. Return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Phabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 16: Luang Prabang- Pakse- Bolavens

Today, we will take a morning flight to Pakse. on arrival in Pakse airport, you will be taken by road east into the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Our first stop is to visit Houey Ten, a Katu village specializing in knifemaking. We then stop tea plantation, followed by a stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall. We then make a stop at a coffee plantation, en route to Tha Teng Market, a colourful ethnic minority food market. Next we explore another interesting minority village, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village, that boasts a sacrificial alter. Overnight in Bolavens

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 17: Bolavens- Champasak- 4000 islands

After breakfast, we continue our tour of the Bolevan Plateau and visit head Pha Suam waterfall and to explore the ethnic minority villages of Lao Teung. We then travel to Champasak and visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao.  Afterwards, we continue our journey by road to the 4000 Islands area. Overnight in Donkhong island

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 18: 4000 islands- Surrounding

After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands by boat and explore Khone Island on bikes. Here we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We also visit the beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia.  Return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng – the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the ‘Niagara of the east’.  Overnight in Donkhong Island

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide, sight-seeing fees , lunch

Day 19: 4000 islands- Departure

After breakfast, free at leisure until transfer to the airport for your departure flight or drive to Dong Kalor border for passing to Cambodia.

Inclusives: Transportation, English speaking guide