Cambodia

Laos provinces:

Attapeu

Bokeo

Borikhamsay

Champassack

Huaphanh

Huayxai

Hochiminh Trail

Khammouane

Luang Namtha

Luang Prabang

Oudomsay

Phongsaly

Plain of Jars

Saravane

Savannakhet

Sayabouri

Saysomboune

Sekong

Vientiane Province

Vientiane Municipality

Xieng Khouang

Laos tours - Culture and History

ESSENTIAL LAOS

Notes:

• Border closing Thailand – Laos is normally opened 06:00am-04:00pm

• Tour in the southern Laos consider the long distance trip from place to place

• Southern Lao accommodation is facility and we provide you the best available in each area 

• Boat trip around Khong Island is provided by long tail boat, this is narrow boat

• Elephant riding is subject to available due to limit of elephant in this area of Phou Asa

• Your necessary meals are provided where the limitation of restaurant and it can be picnic lunch  

Day 01.   Arrival – Pakse – Don Khone (4000 Islands)

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred directly onto a traditional boat for a 2-hour cruise to Champassak. Disembark at this accient town, known as Champa Kingdom; continue by

Maps in detail

car to Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became recognized by UNESCO in 2002. Vat Phou is the site of ruins which were once part of a temple built some time before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It contains some of the most ancient Khmer architectures which date back to between the 7-11th centuries. In the afternoon you will drive to Don Khone, an area of 4000 islands which is the widest point of the Mekong River during the rainy season, although during the dry months the river recedes, leaving behind thousands of islands and islets. This area of the river is also famous for being the home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. En route, we stop to visit the ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo and continue driving to Don Khone Island at Ban Nakasung pier to board a long tailed motor boat to the peaceful Don Khone Island. Overnight on Don Khone Island.

Day 02.   Don Khone – Phou Asa – Pakse  (B/.../...)

After an early morning breakfast, we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands leisurely by boat and visit the most beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. If we have luck, we may catch a glimpse of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng - the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the 'Niagara of the east'. In the afternoon we drive to Pakse and on the way stop in Phou Asa to visit the vestiges of the temple dating back to the 18th century. [If time permits and elephants available] We may get a chance to experience elephant riding for 2hrs through forest paths. We reach Pakse before sunset; there you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Pakse.

Day 03.   Pakse – Saravanh –Boloven – Tadlo  (B/.../...)

After breakfast we make an excursion to Tadlo via the plateau of Boloven, where tea and coffee plantations produce the infamous Lao coffee. You wil have the chance to observe the traditional coffee and tea makers. En route we visit the ethnic villages of Ban Tateng to experience the traditional lifestyles of the Alack, Katu and Nge tribes. We continue to visit the charming village of Tadlo where you will be transferred to the Tadlo resort. You will enjoy swimming in the pool of the Tadlo waterfall which is situated close to the resort. Overnight in Tadlo.

Day 04.   Tadlo – Pakse – Vientiane (by flight)  (B/.../...)

In the early morning we drive to Pakse to board a flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. A city tour acquaints us with the major sights of the capital. We visit the sacred Wat Sisaket the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. We enjoy a sunset by the Mekong Riverside. Overnight in Vientiane

Day 05.   Vientiane - Luang Prabang  (B/.../...)

After breakfast you will have free time until your transfer to the airport for a short flight to Luang Prabang. Upon landing we check into our hotel and visit Wat Visoun, the site of the impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is more Sinhalese in style than Lao. Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this small city. We climb its 350 steps to enjoy impressive views of the surrounding area, for many miles in each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns! We then continue to visit Wat Mai. Built in 1796, this five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) emphasizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. We explore Street Night Market, where you will find a lovely collection of local handmade textiles of the hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 06.   Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves (B/.../...)

Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its sweeping low roofs, which represents the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local speciality of rice wine is produced. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 07.   Luang Prabang - Departure  (B/.../...)

After breakfast, we visit the National Museum (close Tuesday), which was once a king's palace. Displayed inside this museum is a collection of personal artifacts from the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. Transfer you to the airport.

QUOTATION(per person in US$)(Price valid from Nov 2009 – Apr 2010)

- This price of the 5* hotel category is not applied during peak season 01-30 Nov, 2009 & 23 Dec, 2009 to 29 Feb, 2010
- Supplement meal surcharge for Christmas & New Year eve: 4 star/4 star plus category: USD 45.00/pax; 5 star category: USD 160.00/pax

Saving option

INCLUDES

• Private transportation in private air-conditioned

• Accommodation in twin shared

• Domestic airticket with airport tax

• Private boat trip as stated in above sights

• English speaking guide (some escort & some station guide)

• Admission fee to indicated sights

• Meals: daily breakfast at hotel

• Gov’t tax and service charge

• Luggage handling

• 2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour

• 2 cold tower per day during the tour

Description of services in detail

EXCLUDES

• Visa stamping fee

• Int’l air tickets to / from Laos

• Travel Insurance in all kinds

• Meals:lunch or dinner where not stated

• Single room (quoted separately)

• Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others

HOTEL USED (or equivalent)

Booking with us

See also: other culture and history tours ;  Adventure tours ; Indochina tours