Tour route :
Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang – Lao Spirit adventure - Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave - Luang Prabang – Pakse - Khone Island - Don Khone Island – Surrounding – Khone Phapheng Resort
Brief description :
On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred directly onto a traditional boat for a 2-hour cruise to Champasak. Disembark at this ancient town, known as Champa Kingdom; continue by car to Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became recognized by UNESCO in 2002...
Detailed itinerary
Day1. Arrival – Pakse – Don Khone (4000 Islands)
On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred directly onto a traditional boat for a 2-hour cruise to Champasak. Disembark at this ancient town, known as Champa Kingdom; continue by car to Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became recognized by UNESCO in 2002. Vat Phou is the site of ruins which were once part of a temple built some time before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It contains some of the most ancient Khmer architectures which date back to between the 7-11th centuries. In the afternoon you will drive to Don Khone, an area of 4000 islands which is the widest point of the Mekong River during the rainy season, although during the dry months the river recedes, leaving behind thousands of islands and islets. This area of the river is also famous for being the home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. En route, we stop to visit the ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo and continue driving to Don Khone Island at Ban Nakasang pier to board a long tailed motor boat to the peaceful Don Khone Island.
Overnight on Don Khone Island
Day2. Don Khone – Phou Asa – Pakse (B/…/…)
After an early morning breakfast, 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 continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands leisurely by boat and visit the most beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. If we have luck, we may catch a glimpse of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. We 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'. In the afternoon we drive to Pakse and on the way stop in Phou Asa to visit the vestiges of the temple dating back to the 18th century. [If time permits and elephants available] We may get a chance to experience elephant riding for 2hrs through forest paths. We reach Pakse before sunset; there you will be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Pakse
Day3. Pakse – Saravanh –Boloven – Tadlo (B/…/…)
After breakfast we make an excursion to Tadlo via the plateau of Boloven, where tea and coffee plantations produce the infamous Lao coffee. You will have the chance to observe the traditional coffee and tea makers. En route we visit the ethnic villages of Ban Tateng to experience the traditional lifestyles of the Alack, Katu and Nge tribes. We continue to visit the charming village of Tadlo where you will be transferred to the Tadlo resort. You will enjoy swimming in the pool of the Tadlo waterfall which is situated close to the resort.
In the early morning we drive to Pakse to board a flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. A city tour acquaints us with the major sights of the capital. We visit the sacred Wat Sisaket the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo which 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. We enjoy a sunset by the Mekong Riverside.
Overnight in Vientiane
Day5. Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B/…/…)
After breakfast you will have free time until your transfer to the airport for a short flight to Luang Prabang. Upon landing we check into our hotel and visit Wat Visoun, the site of the impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is more Sinhalese in style than Lao. Phousi hill stands right in the center of this small city. We climb its 350 steps to enjoy impressive views of the surrounding area, for many miles in each direction. Wat Phousi sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns! We then continue to visit Wat Mai. Built in 1796, this five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) emphasizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. We explore Street Night Market, where you will find a lovely collection of local handmade textiles of the hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day6. Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves (B/…/…)
Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its sweeping low roofs, which represents the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local specialty of rice wine is produced. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day7. Luang Prabang – Departure (B/…/…)
After breakfast, we visit the National Museum (close Tuesday), which was once a king's palace. Displayed inside this museum is a collection of personal artifacts from the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. Transfer you to the airport.
Colour is the first of Luang Prabang’s virtues to greet travellers. Pearly frangipanis with their heady perfume, banks of overgrown trees peppered with scarlet flowers, the burnt sienna robes of hundreds of monks and their novices, and resplendent gold and claret wats. The scent of fresh coffee, river activity, produce markets and spicy food soon follows. And then the broader aesthetics begin to unfold. Encircled by mountains, and set 700m above sea level at the confluence of the Nam Khan (Khan River) and the Mekong River, Luang Prabang is now Laos’ foremost tourist showpiece. The brew of gleaming temple roofs, crumbling French provincial architecture and multiethnic inhabitants captivates even the most jaded travellers, and the quiet benevolence of the city’s residents lulls them into a somnambulant bliss.
+ Pak Ou cave
Pak Ou Cave is located about 25 km from Luang Prabang. It can be reached by boat from Luang Prabang. Alternatively you can go by a soonthaew, that will bring you to the opposite bank of the river, where boats will be waiting to take you to the other site.
There are two levels. One cave entrance is clearly visible from the river. The higher level can be reached after climbing some stairs. Bring a flashlight with you, if possible. Both caves have lots of small and bigger Buddha images, mostly donated by local people.
+ Vientiane
This delightfully friendly capital, studded with crumbling French mansions, bougainvillea-blooming streets and steaming noodle stalls, is somewhere between a big town and a diminutive city; the kind of place you might find a Graham Greene protagonist. Its conveniently compact travellers’ enclave is based around Nam Phu, the Mekong riverside and Setthariat and Samsenthai streets. Full of things to see, from Buddha Park to the Morning market and an impossibly rich selection of international cuisine – most pointedly French – you’ll find yourself slowly won over by the easy charms of this evolving backwater. The city may reveal its beauty less readily than Luang Prabang, but spend a few days visiting its unusual sights, sampling its excellent food and enjoying a Beer Lao at sunset by the river, and you’ll soon feel at home here.
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Hotel Categories
Group size
Surcharge If require
2
3-6
7-11
12-15
16-19
20 up
Single
Meals
Standard
First class
Superior
Inclusive of above prices:
Private transportation in private air-conditioned
Accommodation in twin shared
Domestic air ticket with airport tax
Private boat trip as stated in above sights
English speaking guide (some escort & some station guide)
Admission fee to indicated sights
Meals: daily breakfast at hotel
Government tax and service charge
Luggage handling
2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour
2 cold tower per day during the tour
Exclusive of above prices:
Visa stamping fee
Domestic air ticket with airport tax
Int’l air tickets to / from Laos
Travel Insurance in all kinds
Meals: lunch or dinner where not stated
Single room (quoted separately)
Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others
What to bring: Passport, change of clothes, sun-glasses & hat, sun-block, insect repel, flashlights, good shoes, cable locks.
Hotel list:
STANDARD HOTEL
LUANG PRABANG = Manoluck Hotel (Standard Room) www.manoluckhotel.com
LAO SIPIRIT AREA = Lao Spirit Resort (Standard Room) www.lao-spirit.com
KHONE ISLAND = Sala Donkhone (Standard Room)
KHONEPHAPHENG = Khonephapheng Resort (Standard Room) www.khonephaphengresort.com
FIRST CLASS HOTEL
LUANG PRABANG = Villa Santi Hotel (Deluxe Room) www.villasantihotel.com
LAO SIPIRIT AREA = Lao Spirit Resort (Standard Room) www.lao-spirit.com
KHONE ISLAND = Sala Phae Floating (Standard Room)
KHONEPHAPHENG = Khonephapheng Resort (Standard Room) www.khonephaphengresort.com
SUPERIOR HOTEL
LUANG PRABANG = Grand Luang Prabang Hotel (Deluxe Room) www.grandluangprabang.com
LAO SIPIRIT AREA = Lao Spirit Resort (Standard Room) www.lao-spirit.com
KHONE ISLAND = Sala Phae Floating (Standard Room)
KHONEPHAPHENG = Khonephapheng Resort (Standard Room) www.khonephaphengresort.com
DELUXE HOTEL
LUANG PRABANG = La Residence Phouvao Hotel (Garden View Room) www.residencephouvao.com
LAO SIPIRIT AREA = Lao Spirit Resort (Standard Room) www.lao-spirit.com
KHONE ISLAND = Sala Phae Floating (Standard Room)
KHONEPHAPHENG = Khonephapheng Resort (Standard Room) www.khonephaphengresort.com
Laos Travel Tips
Laos Today & History
Laos Tourism Interview
Laos Travel maps
Traveller’s comments - Impress Travel
Good Morning Tony, so very nice to hear from you again.
I received lots of emails from Kate during their holiday in Vietnam and can assure you that they had a truly wonderful trip and enjoyed it as much as we did.
They were very grateful that we had recommended Impress Travel to them.
They have not yet returned to Tasmania as they are spending some time in South Australia with their daughter, but we have spoken to them with regard to catching up with them shortly after their return.
We definitely hope to return to Vietnam in the future and would like to bring some more friends when we do.
I think I mentioned previously that our youngest son is getting married next February, so next year we will need to assist financially with that, but hopefully in 2012.
I couldn’t convince my son and his fiancée to come to Vietnam for their honeymoon, they have settled on Langkawi, but I am sure they will get to your country one day.
They love to travel very much.
We have received nice emails from Thoi and Cindy (our guides in Hoi An and Hanoi) which is really good.
From our trip, there is not a thing you need to improve, I will mention to Kate and Peter that you would appreciate their feedback as well on their tour.
It is the first day of spring here today and hopefully the weather will begin to warm up. We took our grandchildren up the mountains to the snow last weekend which was beautiful, but I long for some warmer days.
Thankyou for your email again, I appreciate you keeping in touch, be assured we will continue to recommend your travel agency to any other friends wishing to tour Vietnam.
Thanks for your email. Sorry I have been slow getting back to you, but since returning home we have been busy (as you can imagine). Both Peter and I are back at work now, but we feel very refreshed and revitalised from our fantastic holiday. We loved everything we saw. The highlights for me were the Mekong Delta, Hoi An and Sapa.
If we had the good fortune to return to Vietnam we would like to do a homestay either in the Mekong Delta or Sapa. We absolutely loved those areas and could easily have spent more time there. We also liked Nha Trang and would liked to have stayed there for another day too.
It was just wonderful to have a guide and driver meet us at the airport and drive us around to the various attractions.
I have enclosed a photo of you and Peter taken in Hanoi.
Thank you once again Tony. We very much appreciate what you have done for us while we were in Vietnam.
Kind regards,
Kate and Peter
Email: katesbarber@hotmail.com
Nationality : Australia
We loved everything we saw !
Both Peter and I are back at work now, but we feel very refreshed and revitalized from our fantastic holiday. We loved everything we saw. The highlights for me were the Mekong Delta, Hoi An and Sapa.
If we had the good fortune to return to Vietnam we would like to do a homestay either in the Mekong Delta or Sapa. We absolutely loved those areas and could easily have spent more time there. We also liked Nha Trang and would liked to have stayed there for another day too.
It was just wonderful to have a guide and driver meet us at the airport and drive us around to the various attractions.
Thank you once Impress Travel. We very much appreciate what Impress Travel has done for us while we were in Vietnam.
It was great. Everything was very well organized !
Dear Ms Tieu Binh Yen Now we are back again in Austria and we remind traveling through Vietnam. It was great. Everything was very well organized. All the guides and the drivers were punctual, very helpful and they showed us interesting and wonderful sites. We enjoyed the delicious Vietnam food in good restaurants. Cooking was funny too. We are very happy and impressed of this trip. We can recommend your office to all our friends. Thank you for all. With best regards Family Spennlingwimmer
Hello Ms Yen,
I would like to thank you very much for organizing our tour. We had an amazing time. The boat was wonderful, the tour guide spoke well and was very entertaining and the food was excellent.
Kind Regards
Jessica
Hello Yen,
Thank you again for all the arrangements that you made for our recent trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
We had a wonderful time and all the hotels you suggested were excellent as well as the trips to Halong bay ,
Sapa, Cu Chi and Cai Be were great.
The guides and transportation were also excellent.
Your assistance and effort was certainly appreciated.
Kindest regards,
Dan and Luci Morrow
I wish to thank you for your help in organising our stay in Hanoi and our cruise aboard the Victory Star at the beginning of March this year. Your service was excellent and the cruise was really memorable. Once again, thank you. Best wishes, John Lindon.
Dear Mr. Tony Nam,
we would like to THANK YOU very much for your help and organisation of our holiday in Vietnam. We had a FANTASTIC time in your country.
Highlights for us were Halong bay , Cuchi Tunnel and Mekong Delta. The Tour guides and drivers you supplied were fantastic, please pass on our thanks to them also.
Deb had a great birthday in Nha Trang, when we arrived back to our room that night and there was a Birthday cake waiting for us. Much appreciated if you had anything to do with this.
Once again THANK YOU. Your service and follow up is excellent.
We hope you are well and look forward to meeting with you again.
Cheers.
Regards,
Peter and Debra Nickolai.
P.S. I also passed your details onto a lady we met on our way home in Darwin. She is travelling to Vietnam soon and would like some help and information.
Vietnam head office in Hanoi: No.9, Lane 8, Lieu Giai street; In Ho Chi Minh city: Suite C, 5th floor, Hudson building, 179 Nguyen Cu Trinh, Dist 1, HCMC Cambodia office: Vithi Charles De Gualle (Road to Angkor Wat), Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia. Laos office: 97/06, Xiengkhong Road, Ban Visoun, Luang Prabang, Lao P.D.R Thailand office: Sukhumvit 101, Soi Punnawithi 3, Bangjak, Prakanong, Bangkok 10260, Thailand Myanmar office: Shin Saw Pu Road, Sanchaung Township, Yangon. Myanmar Canada office: Odlin Crescent. Richmond, BC V6X 3Z7 Canada
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Day1. Arrival – Pakse – Don Khone (4000 Islands)
