LAOS VENTURING TOUR OF DIVERSITY – 14 DAYS

* BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrival – Adventure Tour in Huay Xai – Visiting Hill-tribes
Day 2: Huay Xai Adventure Tour to Luang Nam Tha
Day 3: Luang Nam Tha Adventure and Trekking Tour to Ban Nalan – Homestay at Khmu’s Family
Day 4: Ban Nalan Adventure and Trekking Tour to Ban Namlu – back to Luang Nam Tha
Day 5: Luang Nam Tha Adventure Tour to Xieng Kok – Muangsing
Day 6: Muangsing Adventure Trekking Tour to Oudomxai via Luang Nam Tha
Day 7: Oudomxai Adventure Tour to Luang Prabang via Nong Khiow
Day 8: Luang Prabang City Tour
Day 9: Luang Prabang Sightseeing Tour to Pak Ou Cave
Day 10: Luang Prabang – Flight to Vientiane – Sightseeing Tour to Xieng Khouang
Day 11: Xieng Khouang Sightseeing Tour at Plain of Jars
Day 12: Xieng Khouang Sightseeing Tour back to Vientiane
Day 13: Vientiane City Tour
Day 14: Vientiane – Departure

Day 1: Arrival – Huay Xai – Tour to visit Ethnic Minorities

On arrival at the Lao border checkpoint at Houeixai pier, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Today you are free at your leisure to explore this town, visiting the local market and villages nearby. The surrounding areas of HoueiSay are home to 34 ethnic minority groups, the second most ethnically diverse province in Laos.
Overnight in Huay Xai.

Day 2: Huay Xai Adventure and Trekking Tour to Luang Nam Tha (B)

Early morning we head out the town to Luang Namtha, this road has recently been improved and is now a very smooth and comfortable drive. We visit hill tribe villages along the road at Muang Phouka and other surrounding areas. Luang Namtha, which is located on the banks of the Namtha River, is a land of rugged mountains and beautiful tropical forests and shares its border with China and Myanmar. We arrive in Luang Namtha in the afternoon.
Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Day 3: Luang Nam Tha Adventure and Trekking Tour to Ban Nalan – Homestay Tours in Khmu house (B/L/D)

Heading out of the town, we take a short drive to Ban Chalernsuk, a Khmu minority village 20 kilometers away from Luang Namtha. We get well and truly off the beaten track as we trek into this beautiful mountain region, using the local tracks. Today’s trekking may be tough at times with some steep uphill and downhill climbs, but the experience is unique and rewarding. The friendly Khmu hill tribe resides in this area, they have a primitive and basic lifestyle.

We arrive at Ban Nalan by late afternoon; here we have a chance to understand a little more about the local culture and their daily lifestyle as we spend time with a Khmu family. We enjoy a local dinner and will stay as guests at the Khmu family house, the best way to experience authentic village life. The accommodation is simple dormitory style, no western facilities. (Homestay).

Day 4: Ban Nalan Adventure and Trekking Tour via Ban Namlu back to Luang Nam Tha  (B)

Today’s trekking leads us along the bank of the river to Ban Namkoy, passing the picturesque landscape of forests and rice fields. The forests here vary from a few isolated trees to overgrown bamboo. On arrival at Ban Namkoy, we embark on a three-hour walk uphill. This trek is a real challenge; however, some prior physical preparation will enable you to maximize your enjoyment from the walk. As we pass through several hamlets, we are sure to attract attention from the locals, as visitors do not frequently encounter this remote part of the country. At the small village of Ban Namlu, we meet up with our truck and drive back towards Luang Namtha Town. 
Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Day 5: Luang Nam Tha Adventure Tours to Xieng Kok – Muang Sing – Stopover at Lantern minority village (B)

Early this morning, we travel by road to Muang Sing, also home to various hill tribe communities. There is a significant Chinese population and a lot of trade goes on between here and China. We stop along the way at the Akha hill tribe village. This ethnic group originally lived in China but immigrated into Laos over a century ago. They are very poor but have a vibrant culture and an interesting history. We depart this village, heading westbound, traveling over bumpy roads to Xieng Kok, which is a border town near the golden triangle. In the late afternoon, we drive back to Muong Sing with a stopover at a Lantern minority village. 
Overnight at Muang Sing.

Day 6: Muang Sing Adventure Tour via Luang Namtha to Oudomxay – sightseeing tours at hilltribe’s villages (B)

Early morning, we visit the bustling colourful Morning Market and the impressive Ethnologic museum, dedicated to region’s ethnic minorities. This local market also attracts numerous ethnic minorities that converge from the surrounding mountainsides to barter and trade their goods. We then make our way back to Luang Namtha and then onto Oudomxay. On this rough and scenic journey, we see very few travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. 
Overnight in Oudomxay.

Day 7: Oudomxay Adventure Tour to Nong Khiow – Luang Prabang Sightseeing Tours (Road + River) (B)

We depart early for our drive to Nong Khiow, where we board a traditional boat down the Nam Ou River to Luang Prabang. This tranquil town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been claimed by UNESCO to be “the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia”. En route we visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves where thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. Continue down river to Ban Sang Hay village to sample the local rice wine known as Lao Lao. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel.

Luang Prabang is a tranquil town with gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop and has been claimed by UNESCO to be“the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Luang Prabang City Tours (B)

After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing starts with the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai, then climb up to the top of Phousi Hill for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa. A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending 329 steps to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa and to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 9: Luang Prabang Sightseeing Tours to Pak Ou Cave – Enjoy scenic landscape on boat along Mekong river (B)

Today, we explore Luang Prabang further by visiting the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, its exterior architecture is remarkable with decorated guilded stuccoes and doorways, a “tree of life” mosaic pattern set in coloured glass on the back wall and its three-tiered roofs sweeping low to the ground representing classical Laotian architecture.

In the afternoon we embark on a slow boat for a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, passing by lovely tranquil countryside towards the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, which are two caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. On the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xang Hai, famous for producing local rice wine. Before returning to Luang Prabang, drive to the hill tribe village of Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving products. 
Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

Day 10: Luang Prabang – Flight to Vientiane – Sightseeing Tours to Xiengkhouang (Flight) (B)

This morning we visit the National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. We then take a flight to Xiengkhouang via Vientiane. On arrival, we visit the “Plain of Jars”, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. The largest jar reaches a height of 3.25 metres; researchers still question the origin and significance of these jars.
Overnight in Phonsavanh.

Day 11: Xiengkhouang Sightseeing Tours at Plain of jars (B)  

After breakfast, we head out to the old capital of Muang Khoun province and its nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Thai Dam people. Our excursion continues to the 2nd and 3rd Plain of jars fields, where you can obtain more scenic views. Along the way, we visit more local villages and learn about the local culture and lifestyle. Return to Phonsavanh by late afternoon. 
Overnight in Phonsavanh. 

Day 12: Xiengkhouang Sightseeing Tours back to Vientiane (flight) (B)

Today we visit the local market of Phonsavanh and nearby villages of the Hmong. You are free at your leisure until your transfer to airport for your flight to Vientiane. On arrival at Wattay airport, you will be transferred to city centre. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. This wonderful city is best explored on foot and a guided walking tour provides you with a pleasant introduction to the main points of interest, taking in some of the city’s fine colonial architecture. We spend our evening by the Mekong River at sunset absorbing this splendid city at night. 
Overnight in Vientiane. 

Day 13: Vientiane City Tours  (B)

Today we start visiting some the major sights; including the oldest temple Wat Sisaket, an amazing structure featuring remarkable frescoes and Buddha images. We also visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. We also take a visit to the central market Talat Sao.

In the late afternoon we visit the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong, and then we drive to the outskirt of the city to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, near the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. Observing the spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset from one of the riverside bars is a perfect way to finish the day.

Overnight at hotel in Vientiane

Day 14:  Vientiane – Departure (B)

After breakfast, you are free until your transfer to the airport.

End of service!

Inclusive of above prices:
•    Transportation in private 
•    Accommodation in twin shared room
•    Domestic air ticket as stated only
•    Boat trip as stated in above sights
•    English speaking guide
•    Admission fee to indicated sights
•    Meals: daily breakfast at the hotel
•    Gov’t tax and service charge
•    Luggage handling and drinking water

Exclusive of above prices:  
•    Visa stamping fee on arrival
•    Int’l air tickets to/from Laos
•    Travel Insurance in all kinds
•    Lunch or dinner unless where stated 
•    Single room (quoted separately)
•    Other foreign language guides
•    Peak tourist season or special event rates
•    Child or adult in triple sharing room
•    Tip, drinks and other personal expenses  

Additional Remarks:
•    The itinerary is subject to change depending on the confirmed flights, road conditions, and room availability. 
•    Hotels listed in above might not be up to the standard of your expectation, especially in the remote area where the limitation of accommodation. 
•    Prices are subject to change in case of the VAT or other tax increases and USD currency fluctuation.