VIENTIANE – VANG VIENG – XIENG KHUANG – LUANG PRABANG

On arrival, pick up by our local tour guide at Wattay airport and transfer to check in hotel. Standard check in time is 14h00, early check in upon availability. This afternoon, we start the city tour from Wat Sisaket, the city's oldest temple. Dates back to 1818, Wat Sisaket is the most important heritage temple now standing in Laos. It houses thousands of Buddha images from many countries, long lost architectural styles, sculptures and paintings. Continue to visit Wat Prakeo, former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and originally built in 1565, and home to the Emerald Buddha image. Buddhist sculptures are displayed along the perimeter wall, including a 6th to 9th century Dvaravati-style stone Buddha and several standing and sitting Buddhas. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. We then enjoy sunset by a boat trip on the Mekong River. Overnight in Vientiane.
 

After breakfast and check out hotel, visit the Buddha Park where hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures brought from India are displayed. From here, we depart to Vang Vieng, with stop on the way to visit KM52 Hmong market and Ban Tha Heu (dried fish) village. On arrival in Vang Vieng, we check in hotel and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
 

After breakfast and check out hotel, we visit local market before continuing to Tham Phoukham Cave, and enjoy swimming at the Blue Lagoon. This afternoon, we drive to Xieng Khuang with stop on the way at Phou Khoun Phieng Fa Restaurant to take photos of Green Mountain. On arrival, check in hotel and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.
 

After breakfast, we visit the Central Market and UXO MAG Exhibition Room. We then transfer out to visit the picturesque Jar Site 2, and the impressive Jar Site 3, consisting over around 150 jars located on top of a hill, offering great views over the surrounding countryside.  We then transfer to visit the ancient town of Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital, where we explore the ruins of a number of ancient pagodas in the Lanna style That Fun sputa and Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha.  On the return way to Phonsavan Town, we visit Jar Site 1, the largest site, containing over 300 jars. Back to our hotel by late afternoon. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.
 

After breakfast, at leisure until check out hotel, we transfer to the airport for flight to Luang Prabang. On arrival in Luang Prabang, we check in hotel and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we discover Luang Prabang from the National Museum at the former Royal Palace. The museum displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Take a walk from here crossing by many beautiful temples and traditional houses until we reach the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Laotian architecture.
This afternoon, we board a cruise trip to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Enjoy the panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as we cruise upstream the Mekong River. Along the way, we stop to visit Ban Xang Hai village where rice wine is distilled. On arrival, we visit two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. On the cruise trip back to Luang Prabang, we visit Ban Xang Khong, a village well known for silk hand-weaving and traditional Saa paper-making. 
We end the day by walking up Phousi Hill - the 328 steps lead to the summit and provides the finest panoramic sunset view. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start will give us 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. Continue to visit the Morning Market, where we will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.
We then return to the hotel for breakfast and a short rest before we visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue visit to The Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre - the first exhibition space and fair trade store dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of Laos’ traditional arts and lifestyles.
This afternoon, we transfer to visit Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, stop to visit Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay Village, Ban Ou village and Ban Thapene Village. On arrival at the waterfalls, take a leisure trek through the national park, passing by the Asian bear rescue center and many smaller waterfalls. Swimming in the cool and turquoise water is possible. Return to Luang Prabang and relax for the rest of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 

After breakfast, at leisure until check out hotel and transfer to the airport for the departure flight. Standard hotel check-out time is 12h00 (late check out upon availability). 
 

After breakfast, at leisure until check out hotel and transfer to the airport for the departure flight. Standard hotel check-out time is 12h00 (late check out upon availability).