Luang Prabang - Border crossing to Hanoi 12 days

Crossing a land border is, for many clients, a new experience. Therefore, we, Asia King Travel, have created a new itinerary called "Luang Prabang - Border crossing to Hanoi" that allows you to do an exciting trip in 12 days that is different from the normal journeys.

12 days 11 nights

Laos

Multi-Country Tours

Attractions

Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang - Sam Neua - Mai Chau - Ha Noi

Duration

12 days 11 nights

Code

LMUT3

Overview

Crossing by land border is, for many clients, a new experience and therefore we have created a new itinerary Luang Prabang - crossing border to Hanoi 12 days allow you to do the exciting trip, different to the one that the normal travellers often do.
Start in Luang Prabang before heading east to Xieng Khuang for visiting the "Plan of Jars", an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. After a 2 nights in Phonsavanh, center of Xieng Khouang, then take bumpy road trip to visit Tham Piu Cave and Hintang on the way to Sam Neua , a virtual city to 23,000 people during the secret war. Cross into Vietnam at Na Meo and journey into the stunning Mai Chau valley for some superb trekking and outdoor opportunities before continue your journey in culturally rich city of Hanoi. Vietnam's capital, ranks amongst the world's most attractive and interesting cities. It was first the capital of Vietnam in A.D. 1010. We have chance to explorer this beautiful capital city and departure for Halong Bay. And finally enjoy the overnight junk cruise to end your trip of 12 days.

Highlights :

- Visit Luang Prabang city the banks of the Mekong-river in northern part of Laos, Heritage.
- Visit the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang and Hintang in Houameuang , megalithic archaeological landscapes.
- Nice experience border crossing from Sam Neua (Laos) into Mai Chau (Vietnam) via many beautiful quite remote areas.
- Exploration of Mai Chau Valley, home to a verdant landscape, small villages, Thai-style thatched huts, meandering streams, and countless rice patties.
- Visit Hanoi, Vietnamâ€™s capital, ranks amongst the world's most attractive and interesting cities.
- Enjoy the leisurely junk cruise in stunning Halong Bay for 2 days/ 1 night

Itinerary

Expand All

Arrival at Luang Prabang airport, pick up and transfer to hotel in Luang Prabang. In the afternoon, visit Vat Visoun temple with its Singhalese-style stupa, That Makmo, and Vat Aham, one of the main city sanctuaries dedicated to the ancestors of the Laos Wat. Then, enjoy the sunset at Vat Siphouthabath Temple along the Mekong River. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, visit Vat Xieng Thong, regarded as the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang with low sweeping roofs. Then set sail on a traditional river boat for a 2-hour cruise up the Mekong River to Pak Ou, at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers and visit the sacred caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, home to hundreds of Buddha statues. On the way, visit Vat Longkhoune temple, famous for its 18th century frescoes. Then continue to Ban Xang Hai Village and discover the distillation of sticky rice wine. Return to Luang Prabang and proceed by road to Ban Xang Khong weaving village where traditional mulberry leaf paper is also produced. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

The exploration of Luang Prabang Town would be not complete without a visit to the national museum. This interesting mansion at the ground of the former Royal Palace, displays a lovely collection of treasures and artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Upon leaving Luang Prabang we set forth to the remote Xieng Khouang Province, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Laos. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The journey is very long , but we can make many stops at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. The drive will deliver us to Phonsavanh, center of Xieng Khouang by mid or late afternoon depending the roads and traffic conditions. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

Heading out of town we set forth to visit the "Plan of Jars", an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. These huge jars are supposedly over 2,000 years old, but most of archaeologists are still mystified about their purpose. We follow it with a trip to the province's old capital of Muang Khun and the nearby villages. They are home of the Hmong people who are very poor but possess an interesting local culture and a colourful history. Time free and overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Early breakfast at the hotel and departure for Sam neua around 258 km (approx 6 -7 hours) along some fairly rough roads, but the journey is broken up by stops at nearby villages, and to admire the breathtaking scenery. Visit Tham Piu Cave and villages on the way, whichâ€™s main income is from weaving. Traders employ villagers for production and in almost each house you will find family members working on looms. And also visit Hintang, an archaeological Landscape is a collection of prehistoric megalithic sites in northeastern Laos. Hidden troughout the regionâ€™s lush jungle vegetation and nearly inaccessible to the outside world are 1,546 upright standing stones, 153 large stone disks, and underground chambers dating back to the Bronze Age. No one is quite sure who built them or why, perhaps burial sites or markers of some sort. Overnight at local guest house in Samneua.

Morning transfer to the border point of Nam Xoi /Na Meo (visa beforehand). Upon crossing into Vietnam, you will be met by your new guide and continue by roads to the spectacular Mai Chau Valley. During your time in and around Mai Chau there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy some light trekking or cycling, visit several minority tribe villages, explore caves, visit local schools or simply relax in one of the most picturesque regions in Vietnam. The programme is very flexible and your guide will be happy to discuss alternative activities if required. In the evening, spend the night in house on stilt where you can also enjoy some traditional dances performed by the local ThÃ¡i tribe people. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Once again your programme remains flexible although you will be departing for Hanoi in the early afternoon and therefore staying within in the vicinity of Mai Chau is advised. For many a gentle stroll to the ThÃ¡i villages of Pom Coong and Lac will appeal. Afternoon, transfer to Hanoi, on the way visit Xom Mon, a Muong ethnic minority village in Hoa Binh. Arrival in Hanoi where the remainder of your day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning after having breakfast at the hotel, we start visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nationâ€™s founder Ho Chi Minh (closed on Monday, Friday & November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minhâ€™s house on stilt, the One Pillar Pagoda. We follow this with the Temple of Literature. After lunch we visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem and Ngoc Son pagoda. And we will take a short tour by cyclo tour in the Old Quarter. Tonight enjoy Water Puppet show. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Breakfast at hotel and then start a 3-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner on board. Overnight on Junk

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey. Time free and overnight in Hanoi.

Morning freee and there will be a transfer to airport for your flight home today. End of Asia King Travel services.

Request price

Trip notes

Tour includes:

Private English speaking guide.
All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfasts
All transfers & transportation by private car (or van, bus)
Meals as indicated at local restaurant with local foods (B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D = Dinner)
Traditional dance show in Mai Chau.
Water puppet show in Hanoi
Halong Bay Cruise 2 days / 1 night
Entrance fees and permits during guided time.
Service charge & government taxes