Legacies of Laos Tour

Day 1   Luang Prabang: Arrival and Orientation Tour

Catch your flight – Laos Airlines QV634 departing Bangkok at 10:25 & arriving Luang Prabang at 12:05.  After your arrival in Luang Prabang, you’ll be picked up from the airport and driven to the main part of town for a quick orientation tour. Your guide will give you an introduction to the city, showing you the main roads, some restaurants and the night market area, before dropping you off at your hotel to check in.

Meals Included: None

Overnight at Mekong Riverview Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 2   Luang Prabang: Morning Alms to Monks and City Tour by Bicycle

Wake up at sunrise to give 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.

Today you will explore the city by bicycle. Following your guide, travel through town along the main roads and go off the beaten path through alleys and side-streets. Ride along both the Mekong and Nam Khan roads to take in the views and stop at temples and national landmarks along the way. Enjoy lunch at the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center, which is located on the Mekong River surrounded by a beautiful garden and a number of different artisans. After lunch, visit the temples on the outskirts of town and then end your afternoon by leaving your bikes behind and climbing Mt. Phou Si to see a sweeping view of the city.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Mekong Riverview Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 3  Luang Prabang to Phonesavanh

Depart Luang Prabang after breakfast for a seven hour drive along the winding mountain roads to Phonesavanh, home of the Plain of Jars.

Please note: The scenery on the drive is some of the best in the whole country but this long journey on the winding roads can be difficult at times. If you get car sick, we recommend bringing medication to prevent nausea to ease the journey.

On the way, you’ll stop to visit a Hmong hill tribe village and have lunch at a local restaurant. If there is time once you reach Phonesavanh, visit a local mulberry farm and weaving center before checking into your hotel for the evening.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Vansana Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 4  Xeing Khoung: Plain of Jars

After breakfast you’ll drive to see the second and third Plain of Jars sites. Cross over a bamboo bridge and walk through a local farm’s rice paddies to visit jars at Site 3.  Once you’ve had a look around, return to the van and carry on to see Site 2. Enjoy the shade under the tree while taking in panoramic views atop Site 2. You will then drive to the Muang Khoun district for lunch. After lunch you’ll explore Wat Phia, where bombs destroyed the entire temple but left a giant Buddha statue fully intact, as well as visiting the overgrown That Foun Stupa. In the afternoon you will return to town and stop to see the impressive first site of the Plain of Jars. Take your time walking around the biggest and most picturesque of the sites before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Vansana Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 5  Xieng Khoung: Phonesavanh to Sam Neua

After breakfast, pack up and hit the road for the Houapahn Province, known for its breathtaking mountainous peaks and fertile valley plains; rich in intricate and complex textiles; and it’s history of war and turmoil in the 1960’s. Laos attributes the province for being the “birthplace of Laos” as it was the main center for the Pathet Laos’ defense against the US during the “Secret War”.  Along the 4 ½ hour ride to the capital of Houapanh you will stop to visit a couple villages along the way.  First stop in the Hmong village of Ban Tha Jok/Na Kam Peng, which is known as the “bomb village” to see how the village has recycled cluster-bomb casings to decorate their yards and build their homes. Nearby to the village in the valley is a multilevel waterfall, if you wish to make the 2km journey ask for the village to give you directions.   Stop for a local noodle soup lunch in Nam Neun before heading onto the main road to Sam Neua.  You will then make stops at Ban Nasala, known for its Lao Khao rice whiskey, before heading to the weaving village of Ban Saleuy a, known for their distinctive method of weaving known as Mat-mee or Ikat. If you love textiles, this is a place to stock up on fabrics and gifts.  Continue on a short distance to Ban Phonxay for a stop at the Saleuy Waterfall before finishing your last leg of your trip to Sam Neua.  Check into your hotel and rest before heading to dinner at Banaonuangxam Restaurant.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Xayphasouk Hotel – Standard Room

Day 6 Houaphan: Vieng Xai Caves and Ban Tam Weaving

After an early breakfast drive 28km to the renowned Vieng Xai Caves for your 9am tour.  Once you arrive you will collect your tour headset, which provides exceptional background and history on the secret war and the caves, before meeting your local tour guide, Mr. Somkit. Along with your audio tour, Mr. Somkit will guide you through the network of seven of the more elaborate bomb-shelter caves which provided a base from some 23,000  Lao people. These caves provided homes, offices, hospitals, markets, a metal factory and more during the Indochina War.  Most of the caves have minor elements of original furnishings; complete with kitchens, bathrooms and emergency air locked rooms for possible chemical gas attacks. While listening to the fascinating 18 point tour and learning about the war you will have the opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the caves, cliffs and valleys of the surrounding area. It is truly one of the most captivating tours you can take while in Laos.  After your tour, head to Mr. Somkit’s house for tea where you have the opportunity to sit and talk with him about his life growing up in the area, and later becoming a personal bodyguard for Kayisone Phomvihane,  who was the leader of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the first Prime Minister of the new Lao PDR.  Have lunch in Veing Xai before heading back to Sam Neua. Once you reach town in the afternoon go to visit Mrs. Nalee’s in her textile shop. Here you will have the chance to learn about and view some of the most intricate textiles coming from all around the Houaphan Province and her role in exporting these crafts to neighboring cities and provinces. You will then join her to visit Ban Tham, a village a 13km to the north, where some of these textiles were created.  While exploring the village, you will have the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the top master weavers in the country.  Head back to Sam Neua in the late afternoon for a rest before you head out for dinner. This evening make sure to pack your overnight bag for the next day’s safari as you will head out early and will only be allowed limited luggage for the journey into the jungle.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Xayphasouk Hotel – Standard Room

Day 7  Houaphan: Night Safari Adventure

Leave Sam Neua at approximately 7:30am to drive to the 99km to Ban San Khoua, the starting point of your Night Safari two day adventure. Village guides and boatmen will greet you and take you on a short tour of the village where you will learn about daily life and the animist tradition of appeasing the village spirits. Then embark on a 1 ½ ­hour journey to the park substation on the Nam Nern River by long-­tail boat, along the way learning about upland rice cultivation and with possible opportunities to spot monitor lizards and bird life.

After arriving at the park substation, you will be shown to your very basic open air bamboo huts before enjoying a traditional local lunch.  Afterwards, you will receive a briefing by park staff about the on-­the-­ground efforts in protecting tigers and their prey.  At mid-­afternoon after you have taken rest, the boat will talk you to continue the journey upriver for a couple hours.

The boat will continue upriver until reaching the dinner site, a sandy, flat bank, where the group takes a picnic around a campfire. After dinner, the guides will educate about the species of animals they may see during the spotlighting and explain the rules and expectations for spotlighting.  The group departs for the night spotlighting 2 to ­3 hours after dark, floating down the river with engines and lights off. The guides will use their headlamp to spot wildlife, if they see something they will then signal you to turn on your light for a better look. The guides and boat drivers communicate via hand signals to avoid talking that might disturb the animals. Animals that may be seen include Sambar deer, otters, barking deer, various species of civets, loris, porcupine and owls. Once you reach back to the camp, the guides will build a camp fire where you can all commerce and talk about the evenings sighting before retiring for the evening.

Please note: There are no working showers (bathing in the river is allowed) and only one outhouse facility.  The huts described are bamboo tents with mosquito netting and a mattress bed.  While this adventure is a wonderful experience in the jungle, the accommodation is extremely basic and is very remote with no electricity.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Night Safari Adventure – Standard Hut

Day 8   Houaphan: Ban San Khoua to Nong Khiaw

Before breakfast, local guides take you on a walk around the jungle, teaching about the use of some medicinal plants and explaining the history of the site, which was once a major settlement during the Secret War. After breakfast, the boats float back through the core zone at a relaxing pace with engines off, while the guides point out wildlife along the way.  Upon arrival in the village, you will be asked to fill out a wildlife monitoring form that is used to monitor wildlife abundance and indicate the amount of bonuses put into the village development fund from the tour costs. Take a last group photo with your guides and boat drivers before you leave by private van for Nong Khiaw. On your way stop for lunch in Vieng Thong and a walk around the local hot springs before continuing on for 168km to Nong Khiaw. Once you reach the small town of Nong Khiaw, check into your riverside lodge for an evening of leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Nongkhiaw Riverside – Superior Room

Day 9   Nong Khiaw: Ban Sopjam and Ban Muang Ngoi Neua

After breakfast meet your guide and boat driver for your tour along the Pak Ou River.  While coasting to the small village of Donlom enjoy the view of the towering limestone cliffs, lush mountain tops and creeping early morning fog. Once you reach Donlom you will walk around the village until you reach the 100 year old forgotten village temple. Afterwards hop back in the boat and head to the weaving village of Sopjam.  Walk through the village’s main road (there is only one) and admire the craftsmanship in the textiles. The women weavers work throughout the day and into the late night weaving, by a dim light bulb powered by the one generator in the village.  (We recommend supporting these women by picking up a couple of textiles for souvenirs.) You will then head on to the village of Muang Ngoi for lunch on the riverside before heading out on your trek to Tham Kang and Tham Pha Kaeo caves.  Your walk will take you through the valley of limestone cliffs and endless rice fields. Before heading back to Muang Ngoi take a dip in the cool, crystal waters at the mouth of Tham Kang. Head back to your boat for a relaxing afternoon boat ride to Nong Khiaw. Get back to your hotel in time to enjoy the setting sun from your bungalow’s private balcony.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Nongkhiaw Riverside – Superior Room

Day 10  Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang

After breakfast check out of your hotel, and meet with your guide and driver for your transfer back to Luang Prabang.  Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast

Overnight at Mekong Riverview Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 11  Luang Prabang: Temples and Villages on the Mekong

Today you will explore the villages and livelihoods of the locals living off of the Mekong River. After breakfast you will meet your guide and be transferred to the boat pier on the Mekong. You will cross the river for Xieng Mien, in the district of Chomphet. Even though the Mekong River creates a short distance between Xieng Mien and Luang Prabang, you will quickly be able to see the differences between the two. You will take a stroll through the village lanes and visit three historic temples Wat Xieng Mene, Wat Chomphet and Wat Long Khoune. Afterwards you will join your boat and pick up your picnic lunch on the Luang Prabang side of the river before heading down to the pottery village of Ban Jan. Stroll around this village, which is centuries old and home to some interesting handicrafts. You might even want to further support the village and pick up one of the fun handmade trinkets sold by the locals. Afterwards, head down river and take in the lush hilltops and serene river while on the less traveled stretch of the Mekong. Once you reach the fishing village of Ban Chompjua you will transfer to one of the local families’ fishing boats to join as they check traps. The styles and traps will vary depending on the season and level of the Mekong. Learn how time consuming the art of fishing is from the locals as they demonstrate the making of one of their gigantic fishing nets. You will then return to your long tail boat for a picturesque coast while you enjoy your picnic lunch and head for Ban Xing, the Lion Village. Take a walk around this village, believed to date from the 16th century, and see the remnants of a previous time. This farming and fishing village holds some of the oldest traditional homes near Luang Prabang. You will then join your village hosts in their home for a Lao baci ceremony. Your guide will explain this traditional blessing ceremony as you receive well wishes from elders in the village. After the ceremony you will travel up river back to Luang Prabang while taking in the setting sun.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Mekong Riverview Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 12   Luang Prabang: Departure

You will be transferred to the Luang Prabang airport in time for your flight- Laos Airlines QV633 departing Luang Prabang at 07:40 & arriving in Bangkok at 09:20.

Meals included: Breakfast

Tour Rate Starting at: $3,150.00 per person based on two people traveling (double occupancy) with $1,810.00 single supplement

 Price includes:

• Air tickets Bangkok – 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