Classic Laos Tour

Day 1   Vientiane: Arrival and Dinner Dance Show

Catch your flight from Bangkok to Vientiane. (flight included)  You will arrive to Vientiane in the afternoon, and will be transferred to check in to your hotel. In the evening you will be picked up for a traditional dinner including a Lao music and dance performance.

Meals included: Dinner

Overnight at Green Park Boutique Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 2   Vientiane: City Tour with Buddha Park

After breakfast meet your guide at 8:30am who will take you to Thong Kham Kam Market.  Here you will witness how the locals do their early morning food shopping in this large market.  Perhaps you will feel courageous enough to try some of the local delicacies.  Afterwards, you will take a tour of the main temples and city sites including Haw Pha Kaeo, Wat Si Saket, Pha That Luang, Patuxai and Si Muang.

If you wish, enjoy lunch at Kong View along the Mekong River or at another local restaurant recommended by your guide.  Stop by the COPE Center and Gallery to learn about how they are helping the disadvantaged in Laos. You will then head out of the center of Vientiane for about an hour to Xieng Khuan Buddha Park. The riverside park is full of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures built by Luang Pu, a yogi-shaman that devoted his life to merging Hindu and Buddhist philosophy. Stroll around the park grounds and observe the crumbling concrete structures that were meant to help symbolize his aspiration to merge the two philosophies. The park should remain open until sunset. If it closes early then you will be able to stop at either Ta Dua Temple or Ta Na Lang Temple to catch the sunset along the river. Once back in town, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Green Park Boutique Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 3   Luang Prabang: Arrival and Traditional Baci Ceremony

You will be transferred to Vientiane Airport in time for your onward flight – Laos Airlines QV101 departing Vientiane at 11:30 & arriving in Luang Prabang at 12:15.  Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel after you have had the opportunity to relax and freshen up after your travels. Before dinner time, you will take part in a traditional Baci ceremony. The baci ceremony, referred to as, su kwan, which means “calling of the soul” will be performed by a local village elder, maw pawn. This blessing is meant to welcome you by giving you a blessing to bring harmony and balance to your body and soul. The Lao believe that this blessing will bring the believed 32 kwan, souls, that watch over you, back to your body so that you may be blessed and healthy. You guide and the locals will help to lead you through the steps of the ceremony. During the ceremony there will be blessings, chanting and Pook kwan. Pook Kwan is the tying of the white baci threads on each of your wrists from the elders. The white cotton is a symbol of peace, good fortune, honesty and comfort. They are traditionally worn for at least 3 days and should be untied rather than cut off. After the closing of the ceremony you will have the opportunity to ask your guide and hosts any questions about the ceremony that you may have.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight at Mekong Riverview Hotel – Superior River View Room

Day 4   Luang Prabang: Sunrise to Sunset

Wake up at sunrise to give the monks morning alms. You’ll be accompanied by your guide who can demonstrate the proper method of alms giving and explain this daily Buddhist ceremony. Return to your hotel for breakfast.  After you eat, your guide will take you on a tour of the city, which will include visits to The National Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visun, Wat Aham and Wat Sen. Have lunch at the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center located on the Mekong River surrounded by a garden and artisans on the outskirts of town. Enjoy the early afternoon relaxing or walking around before you continue your tour, visiting the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Museum and finishing with a hike up Mt. Phou Si in the late afternoon to see a sweeping view of Luang Prabang and watch the sunset.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Mekong Riverview Hotel – Superior River View Room

Day 5   Luang Prabang: Life Along the Mekong

Today you’ll escape the tourist hubs in town and see Luang Prabang through local eyes. First, you will drive up the Mekong to the village of Pak Ou. From here board a small boat and take a tour of the local fishing area, checking traps with fishermen along the way and collecting any fish you might find. You will then cross the Mekong to visit the small village of Ban Mueng Keo, known for its production of local whiskey. Here you will be able to watch a demonstration of the whiskey-making process by a local Lao Lao Whiskey producer and, if you’re up for it, sample the finished product for an early morning boost. Afterwards, you will go a bit up river to the quaint 120 year old village of Ban Kok that only received electricity 5 years ago and is only accessible by the river. Take a stroll with the chief of the village before joining him for a home-cooked Lao lunch in his humble house.

Please note: that a portion of your tour fees will go into a Ban Kok fund set up to help the village and its primary school and the students with needed materials and supplies.

From here you will travel downstream to visit the Pak Ou Caves, famous for the thousands of Buddha statues left inside by pilgrims. Board your long-tail boat for a scenic ride on the Mekong until you reach the small weaving village of Ban Phone Xay, where you’ll enjoy a weaving demonstration and have a chance to purchase handmade items directly from the source. Learn the story behind who really makes the beautiful textiles sold at the night market – at the end of the day you’ll be the only tourist in town who knows the real story behind the bottles of Lao Lao, the grilled Mekong fish, and the night market.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Mekong Riverview Hotel – Superior River View Room

Day 6   Luang Prabang: Shangri Lao Full Day Expedition

Relive the footsteps of the historic 19th century French explorer, Dr. P. Neis, with this original and authentic colonial style expedition. You will be picked up early morning from your hotel and transferred to the Shangri Lao Camp, located 15km outside of Luang Prabang. On arrival, you will get an introductory tour of the camp, the elephants and their hospital.

After you meet your elephant you will begin your 5km ride in a traditional Howdah seat with roof through the river, jungle and mountain tops. You will want to have your camera handy to take pictures of the majestic landscape that surrounds you. You will then stop for a secluded lunch of traditional Lao food and wine in the jungle Sala beside the cascading waters of the Huay Sae River. After lunch you will trek through the jungle for 5km passing waterfalls, limestone cliffs, bamboo bridges and turquoise pools while learning about this important ecosystem. Once you leave the valley you will finish with an uphill section of the trek through farmlands, fields and plantations. Once you reach the Nam Khan River you will board a luxury bamboo raft. Enjoy coffee or tea while you float down river for 5km taking in the traditional village life of farmers and fishermen. When you reach the camp you will then be transferred by minibus back to your hotel in Luang Prabang.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Mekong Riverview Hotel – Superior River View Room

Day 7   Luang Prabang: Departure

You will be transferred to the Luang Prabang airport in time for your flight to Bangkok. (flight included)

Meals included: Breakfast

Tour Rate Starting at: $2,265.00 per person based on two people traveling (double occupancy) with $1,380.00 single supplement

 

Price includes:

• Air tickets Bangkok – Vientiane – Luang Prabang – Bangkok
• Boat tickets as specified above
• Accommodation as specified above
• Air-conditioned car/van with driver
• Licensed English speaking guides
• Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
• Meals as specified in itinerary, including water

Price excludes:

• Personal expenses
• Visa fees
• Airport tax
• Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Tips