Laos in-depth 13 Days

Uncover the ancient religious capital of Laos, and be surprised by its serenity and spirituality by tuk tuk:

• Experience unforgettable moments by attending the procession of barefoot monks, who silently collect alms, dressed in their saffron robes, as they walk the streets of the city to collect their food.
• Marvel at the Wat Xieng Thong, is the center of a small religious complex, considered the most beautiful Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang because of its elegant roof down to the bunk ground  and the temple of Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, it houses numerous gold statues of Buddha.
• Meander through the That Makmo, stone stupa and Vat Aham, a major shrines in the city dedicated to the ancestors of Laos.
• Explore the National Museum (former Royal Palace) which displays a collection of personal artifacts of the royal family and the temple of Wat Mai, Buddhist temple, the largest and most richly decorated temples of Luang Prabang was the residence of a Buddhist patriarch before 1975.
• Stroll into the market before Darat to climb Mount Phousi where you will discover a panoramic view of the ancient royal capital and the Mekong River at sunset.
• Attend an outstanding Baci ceremony and traditional dance show.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

Highlight experience: Panoramic view from the Mountain of Phousi

Departure to the beautiful waterfall Khuang Sy to discover stunning nature and meet ethnic people in their traditional house made of bamboo, wood and palm leaves:

• En route, visit minority villages such as H’mong village of Ban Thinkeo and Khmu village of Ban Thapaene.
  Visit the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong where traditional product also called Saa paper made from mulberry leaves.
• Swim in a natural pools nested in the lush tropical vegetation at Khuang Sy waterfall.
• See Ock Pop Tok Textile and meet the owner, he will explain his Cooperation in projects with small villages with regard to the rearing of silkworms, the silk production, weaving, dyes. Laos silk: SILK WILD 100% scale.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Highlight experience: Visit the ethnic minority village

Explore a lively riverside scenery, set on the banks of the Mekong River on board a traditional wooden boat.

• Visit two sacred caves of Pak Ou Cave of Tham Ting Cave Tham Phoum. Highly venerated caves in Laos and housing thousands of statues. The caves offer a magnificent view over the Mekong, which in this place mixes its waters with those dark, transparent Nam Ou river.
• Up Kamu Lodge, keep cruising for about 1 hour 30 through landscapes of great beauty. A wilderness where the rainforest invaded the shores.
• Embark on Kamu Lodge, an eco-lodge in the heart of the Laotian countryside, on an exceptional site, in total harmony with nature.
• Participate in activities (optional) such as planting rice, gold panning and fishing in the Mekong and visit the village inhabited by the ethnic “Kamu” to experience its origin and authenticity.

Overnight in Kamu Lodge.

Highlight experience: Participate in local life of Kamu Lodge

• Return to Luang Prabang by boat after a relaxing morning
• Stroll street in Luang Prabang at your free time
• Settle into a flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to your arranged accommodation.

Overnight at hotel in Vientiane

Highlight experience: Personal welcome dinner by Hanoi Voyages representative in Lao

Departure for the village of Ban Phanom: Small village weavers, charming and famous for its weaving methods which are based on typical motifs Laos ancestral knowledge and often unique to each family.

• Continue to reach the tomb of Henry Mouhot, this young explorer Franche-Comte in 1858 which set out alone to explore the banks of the Mekong. He rediscovered Angkor, it was the first to reveal to the world before dying exhausted to Luang Prabang in 1861 at age 33.
• Here on the banks of the Nam Khan River, you will be able to swim in the fresh water coming down from the mountains. Continue heading north to the village of Ban Nonsavat to access the Tiger Trail Elephant Camp & Adventure Camp, which aims to conserve Asian elephants.
• Get a cool off at the waterfalls of Tad Sae before returning to Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Highlight experience: Swim in Nam Khan River

• Departure for the town of Vang Vieng, appealing in its natural karst formations sugarloaf.
• A 170 kms from Vientiane, a beautiful road surrounded by rice fields and mountains.
• Stop in a village and visit a tea plantation.
• Approach Vang Vieng, boarding on the Nam Song River to reach the hotel.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

Highlight experience: Vang Vieng off-the-beaten-track discovery

• In the morning visit the local market and discovering the triangle rock caves of Tham Sang.
• Cave elephant called Tham Sang, the Tham Hoi, the Tham Loup, and Tham Nam.
  Stop at the historic site of Vang Xang.
• Transfer to Vientiane, with a scheduled stop on route to visit a village.
• Arrive in the capital in the late afternoon, relax at the hotel or stroll on Khua Din market spending time to settle at a sidewalk cafe to watch the banks of the Mekong golden brown.

Highlight experience: Grab a coffee beside the banks of Mekong River

Marvel at the main attractions of the capital city such as temples and monuments:

• Vat Sisaket is the only temple in Vientiane that has not been destroyed by the Siamese in the raid of incendiary 1828.
• Phrakeo Ho, the former royal chapel where was kept the Emerald Buddha, the palladium of the Kingdom of Lane Xang.
• Patouxay, the triumphal arch built in 1959 is a large golden stupa of That Luang, founded by King Setthathirath in 1566 and symbol of Lao sovereignty and Buddhist religion. It is supposed to contain a hair of Buddha.
• Temple Wat Si Muang, the most visited temple in Vientiane, is considered the seat of the guardian spirit of the city.
• Relax in the monastery of Wat Sokpaluang to assess in a quiet steam bath and massage. Amidst a large park, a hut on stilts as a steam room. A large outdoor heated pot a decoction of herbs and aromatic plants and, through a pipe system, steam is circulated in the steam room.
• Enjoy dinner with the folk dance show.

Overnight in Vientiane

Highlight experience: Steam bath and massage spa in Wat Sokpaluang

Get your trekking boots on and hike to the mountain area and swim in the jungle.

• Transfer to Bach Ma National park and stop on on the way at An Bang Village, known as the City of Ghosts. A graveyard where villages compete to build increasingly lavish and elaborate tombs for their ancestors. Admire the colorful and stunning architecture before getting back on the road.
• Visit Bach Ma’s Information Center to learn about the ecological system of the national park before driving up to the mountain and check inn at your hotel.
• Trek along the trails to Ngu Ho (Five Lakes), relax and swim in the jungle.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch in the jungle and trek through the forest to the stunning Rhododendron waterfalls.
• In the evening, join the campfire and discover the sounds of Mother Nature by night.

Highlight experience: Trek along a pristine waterfall trail

Watch the beautiful scenery in Central Vietnam counting sunrise and stunning nature at the Hai Van Pass.

• Get up early to walk to Back Ma Summit, located 1.450m above sea level to enjoy a spectacular sunrise and panorama view of the Tam Giang Lagoon and Lang Co Beach.
• Explore a tunnel constructed during the Vietnam War for hiding before attacking US helicopters at the peak of Bach Ma.
• Stop at the top of the Hai Van Pass to get a breathtaking view of a mix between the jungle and ocean. The perfect place for a highlight picture of your tour around Vietnam.

Highlight experience: Stunning sunset and panorama over lagoons and beaches.

Cruise on the Mekong river to local Champasak, the former capital of the Kingdom of Champasak to explore its rich cultural heritage includes ancient temple ruins, French colonial architecture and its stunning nature:

• Visit Vat Phou temple, the temple of the mountain and a former Khmer ruins sacred place of the 9th century, heritage site by UNESCO in 2001.
• Plunge into the wonderful peaceful landscape of the “4000 islands”.

Overnight in Khong island.

Highlight experience: Vat Phou temple discovery

Delve into the 4000 island, explore the lives of its inhabitants from hectic industry to peaceful contemplation and observe the French colonial style architecture.

• Discover the village of Bang Khong to see the Wat Keo Phouang protected by seven head of Naga.
• Stroll local market where palm sugar is traded enormously.
• Pursuit to Khone island, which preserves old colonial mansions of the French period.
• Feel the pray of the two waterfalls: Li Phi falls, “Phantom of the abyss” and Phapheng the spectacular waterfalls, the largest in Southeast Asia.
• Point out river dolphins if lucky enough.

Return to Pakse and enjoy your free time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Highlight experience: Li Phi falls and Phapheng falls exploration