Laos Luxury Tour 8 days: Multi-country Experience

After passing through immigration, climb on board the boat for a journey into the jungles of Northern Laos.
 
Please arrive no later than 08:00 at the border crossing point. Upon reaching the Lao border of Houay Xay, be greeted by a representative from the Luang Say Cruises and escorted to a shared cruise boat. The cruise takes three days to reach Luang Prabang, with overnight stops made in Pakbeng and at the Kamu Lodge. 
 
Huay Xai is an important border crossing point with neighboring Chiang Khong, Thailand and was thus chosen as the ideal departing port for the cruise. After one-hour journeying along the river, the boat stops at a traditional village. This is a chance to observe rural life along the Mekong and witness the daily life of ethnic minorities and their talented craftsmanship. Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a selection of starters and main course from Laos’ main culinary delights as well as a choice of fish and meat dishes.
 
The river cruise arrives at Luang Say Lodge near Pakbeng before sunset, giving plenty of time to refresh, enjoy the scenery of the river and admire the surrounding nature. A Laotian dinner is served on the open air terrace overlooking the Mekong River.
 
Accommodation: Luang Say Lodge
 
Meals: Lunch/Dinner
 

Mornings are special times at Luang Say Lodge with stunning sights of the peaceful neighboring mountains, often shrouded in mist, while a full breakfast is served on the expansive teak terrace. The cruise departs for another day of nature discovery along the legendary river with one stop planned along the way to the Kamu Lodge, where you will spend the night. A few hours into the day after enjoying the sights of granite cliffs and sparkling sandy shores, the river boat makes a stop to visit the hill tribe village of Baw, where you can watch the traditional process of making Lao whiskey. Lunch is served on board in a buffet style with a selection of starters and main course from Laos’ cuisine. A different choice of fish and meat dishes than on the first day is prepared for a greater culinary experience.
The boat arrives at Kamu Lodge, where you will be able to check in and have lunch at the opened air restaurant. In the afternoon, you can participate in a variety of activities; visiting Kamu village, archery contest, rice planting and harvesting, traditional fishing and gold panning (January to June). A set menu is served for dinner and you stay an overnight at Kamu Lodge.
 
Accommodation: Kamu Lodge
 
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
 

A continental breakfast is served at the restaurant from 7H00. Kamu boat leaves at 8h00. Opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou village, the cruise stops to visit the Tam Thing cave. Translated as Rock Cave, it is famous for housing over 2,500 Buddha statues of all sizes and for being a place of pilgrimage for locals. Following a day along the wide Mekong River, with beautiful sceneries of mountains, wild nature, local life and delicious food, the cruise arrives at Luang Prabang, the former imperial capital of Laos. After disembarking, you will have lunch at a local restaurant. You arrive in Luang Prabang for your overnight
 
Accommodation: at the hotel in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
 

An 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, we will take a short visit to the morning local market near the
Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else
that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you
to get a real flavor of the local culture.
 
Back to hotel for your breakfast, and start for your half day city tour of Luang Prabang. We start the half day trip with first stop at Luang Prabang’s famous Vat Xieng Thong which is one of the most important of Lao monasteries and reserves a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art where you’ll be suprised by the temple complex’s struture and gold decoration.
 
Then we make our stop at Vat Mai which brings us a chance to enjoy the impressive architecture of this Laotian city’s unique architecture. After experiencing the Luang Prabang’s rich religious heritage, continue your trip to climb to the top of Mount Phousi which is considered the city’s geographical center and a great lookout place. Have a closer look at  the golden stupa sitting at the peak as you soak up the sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
 
The last destination of our tour today would be Luang Prabang’s National Museum, once the country’s royal palace and home to King Sisavangvong in the early 20th century. Explore the museum’s a range of personal artifacts from the Lao royal family as well as the Phra Bang Buddha image and throne from the country’s Lan Xang Kingdom.


In the afternoon reach one of the most breathtaking Kuang Si Falls located30 kilometers of Southern Luang Prabang
The Kuang Si Waterfall includes a tiered many of turquoise pools put amongst the dense Laotian jungle where we will have plenty of time to refreshing swim in the pools and hike around the falls.
 
Accommodation: at the hotel in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast
 

After breakfast, we make our way over the mountains to Xieng Khuang, the province which is best-known for having been heavily bombed during Indochina War. But of course it is also famous for the historic Plain of Jars. The journey takes about 8 hours and we can make some stops at villages to observe the rural life of local people, including ethnic minorities such as the Hmong people. Our first stop is at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view before continuing down to Ban Phoudam, where we can see the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony. After that we visit the H’Mong market at the junction of Phoukhoun. From there, we will drive further to visit Tham Pra, which served as the hospital for the army during Indochina Wars. Arrival in Phonsavanh, the capital of Xiengkhouang province and check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in town!
 
Accommodation: at the hotel in Xieng Khuang
Meals: Breakfast
 
 

In the morning you will journey through Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars.
The Plain of Jars is a huge archaeological complex littered with mysterious 2000 years old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters. Their true origin remains a mystery. It seems that they were carved into boulders. Several researches lead by the French archaeologist Madeleine Colani in the 30’s suggested that they could be old graves, but to this day they remain an enigma.
Your trip will enable you to visit the 3 sites and also discover some local villages where you can observe local village life. Site 1, close to the town is settled at Thong Hai Hin and is the biggest site. Site 2 is at Hai Hin on Phou Salator, “Phou” in Lao means “Mountain”. End your tour at site 3 in Hai Hin Lat Khai. Site 3 is the most impressive with over 150 jars. Close to this site, you will visit Ban Xiengdi where there is a small monastery with Buddha images. On the way back, you will pass areas that were important battlefields during the American secret war. You can still see bomb craters from that time today.
Attention: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.
In the afternoon, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun. Muang Khoun one place in the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.
Then return to Xieng Khuang and overnight.
 
Accommodation: at the hotel in Xieng Khuang
Meals: Breakfast
 

In the morning take a flight to Vientiane (Departure from Xieng Khouang at 10:30 by QV402 (Lao Airlines), arrival in Vientiane at 11:00. Operated every day except Monday and Wednesday). In the afternoon, we will first visit the oldest Wat Sisaket which is not the only temple that was destroyed during the invasion of the Siamese army and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo.
 
We then discover a national symbol of Laos -  That Luang Stupa or the Great Stupa which is coverd with gold.
The last sights would be Patuxay Monument which is famous for Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. In the evening, we will have chance to experience the Lao Culture by enjoying the traditional dance & folk song when dinner is served. You are free at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane
 
Accommodation: at the hotel in Vientiane 
Meals: Breakfast
 

In the morning, be driven to Buddha Park. The drive takes around 45 minutes, along a road which serves as an important link between the Lao capital and Thailand. On the way, we make a brief stop and take photos of the Friendship Bridge, built by the Australian government in 1994, which connect Laos and Thailand. On arrival, we go around the Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) with more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures built in 1958 by a Laos’s shaman. The concrete sculptures are unique and intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park.  Transfer back to the airport for your departure flight. End of our service
 
Accommodation: NA  
Meals: Breakfast