Tour route :
Luang Prabang - Pakou - Luang Prabang - Khouangsi water fall - Luang Prabang departure
Brief description :
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by the UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’. During our time here, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; 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 and the Mekong River...
Detailed itinerary:
Day1. Arrival - Luang Prabang
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by the UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’. During our time here, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; 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 and the Mekong River. 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
Day2. Luang Prabang - Pak ou - Luang Prabang (B/…/…)
Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village known for its hand weaving.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day3. Luang Prabang – Khouangsi water fall (B/…/…)
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. 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 crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. After returning to Luang Prabang by late afternoon, we continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for its silk weavings and for its Saa (jute) Papermaking. We return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day4. Luang Prabang – Departure (B/…/…)
After breakfast, 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 to the last sovereign. Also the Central Market is not to be missed. After visiting these sights in the morning, you have free time to explore the town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure
Draft itinerary :
Day1. Arrival - Luang Prabang
Day2. Luang Prabang - Pak ou - Luang Prabang (B/…/…)
Day3. Luang Prabang – Khouangsi water fall (B/…/…)
Day4. Luang Prabang – Departure (B/…/…)
Tours highlight :
+ Luang Prabang
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.
+ Khouang Si Waterfall
Situated 30 kilometres from Luang Prabang, Khouang Si Waterfall is a popular destination for nature lovers. The tour starts with an enjoyable boat ride along the scenic Mekong River, and a visit to a local nearby village. Then hop on a bicycle and cycle along a beautiful paved road to the waterfall, where lunch will be provided. On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will make a stop at Hmong hill-tribe village to experience their lifestyle.
The tour price is updating, Please fully fill in the below form for your inquiry !
Hotel Categories
Group size
Surcharge If require
2
3-6
7-11
12-15
16-19
20 up
Single
Meals
Manoluck Hotel
Villa Santi Hotel
Grand Luang Prabang Hotel
La Residence Phouvao Hotel
Inclusive of above prices:
Private transportation in private air-conditioned
Accommodation in twin shared
Private boat trip as stated in above sights
English speaking guide
Admission fee to indicated sights
Meals: daily breakfast at hotel
Government tax and service charge
Luggage handling
2 cold tower per day during the tour, 2 bottles of drinking water 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.
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Recently updated – Traveller’s comment
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
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