Landlocked Laos has more beauty and a lot to offer. Small but enchanting cities, golden spired Buddhist temples, magnificent mountain sceneries, untouched hill-tribe villages, peaceful local lifestyles, and stunning Mekong River, a journey into Laos is a journey into an Asia long lost. Laos presents visitors with a beautiful travel experience, rich in atmosphere, natural beauty and Buddhist culture. Think of aromatic local markets and mouth-watering forays into local cuisine. The least populated of all Indochinese countries, many visitors to this unique land find it one of the most fascinating of all Asian destinations, and one which leaves them with memories of warm people. All together prove utterly charming for those who looking for a laid-back, memorable experience on a rural escape.
Trip Highlights:
This morning, explore the COPE Visitor's Centre, an inspiring organization which provides prosthetic limbs to victims of exploded ordinance and vehicle accidents. This center gives you both an informative and interactive experience into some of the issues still plaguing Laos from the Indochina war era. Then, we travel towards the Thai/ Lao Friendship Bridge to ‘Buddha Park.’ Located on the banks of the Mekong, this eclectic venue is full of larger-than-life concrete statues lifted from Buddhist and Hindu epics. The creator of these statues was rumoured to have been eccentric, so a visit here is interesting and makes for great photos. After the visit, you will be dropped off at the railway station.
On arrival, you will visit Tham Chang and Blue Lagoon. Then you will take a long tailed boat trip (2 people per boat). This is one of the best ways to enjoy the landscapes of Vang Vieng! Look at the rising mountains and the rice paddies that touch the villages near the river.
In the evening, you can enjoy walking to see the night market or nearby the river for some local food.
Optional: Wake up early for the HotAir Balloon or drive to the base of a mountain. The hike to the viewpoint, called Pha Nam Xay, takes around 1 hour. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the train station to Muang Xai, Oudomxay. Situated to the upper North, Oudomxay welcomes tourists by its untouched nature and the charming beauty of different hill tribes. The province is also one of the best places for cloud-hunting in Laos. Oudomxay is famous for trekking; waterfalls or cave visits; intrepid experiences like off-road cycling or off-road motorcycling; ecotourism to the tribal villages or natural reserve, etc.
No matter what you choose, each experience in Oudomxay will surely bring to you an enjoyable adventure in Northern Laos.
In the afternoon, you will depart from the Tour's information center before 2:00 pm. We will drive by resort car towards Nam Kat waterfall for about 5 km, then trek and walk over 13 sky bridges about 1km to Nam Kat Waterfall, enjoy and explore there before we abseil and come back to Tour's information center.(17)
The rest of the day, you can discover another life in the middle of a protected rainforest, on the banks of the Nam Kat River.
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up and travelled to Pak Nam Noy an exceptional place to experience the beauty of rural Laos. There are a number of gentle walks in the village, and longer hikes to surrounding hill tribe settlements, that can be matched to individual fitness levels.
Today, you will discover hill tribe villages. Meeting with three typical communities of northern Laos: Khamu, Hmong and Akha or Ikho. At an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, the views over the valley are superb.
Your visit will go from a Khamu village (Lao Theung) to a Hmong village (Lao Soung), an ethnic group originating from the high steppes of Tibet, with a way of life very in harmony with the fauna and flora.
Enjoy your Picnic lunch then return to the Lodge, you will stop en route at the Akha village.
Today your trip to Luang Prabang is by train, on arrival at Luang Prabang train station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Your exploration of Luang Prabang with a walking tour of the UNESCO Heritage-listed old town, visiting some of its most beautiful temples Wat Xieng Thong. Next, visit the National Museum, formerly Royal Palace, full of fine examples of Lao art and furniture and the former residence of the now deposed royal family. Then, visit The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC). It is an engaging, culturally rich learning centre located in the heart of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Since 2006, TAEC has inspired visitors by exploring, celebrating, and preserving the diverse ethnic cultures and peoples of Laos through professionally curated permanent and special exhibitions, events, and craft workshops. The Centre’s primary activities are two-fold, a museum, and fair-trade handicraft shops directly linked with artisan communities. To date, TAEC has welcomed over 200,000 visitors to its exhibitions, and entry is, as always, free for Lao citizens. TAEC’s work includes community research, advocacy for artisan IP rights, and heritage training.
Evening, you are transferred to a picturesque rural setting to participate in a special Lao welcome at a traditional Baci ceremony and home cooked dinner, to honor your arrival in Laos and to wish you safe travels in this magical country. Dinner included.
Rise early this morning and see brightly-robed Buddhist monks collecting alms, following an ancient ritual known as Takbat. Afterwards explore a morning market on foot, and see and sample some of the delectable Lao fruits and snacks that make up the local diet.
After breakfast, we head to Kuang Si falls, a journey of 50 minutes in the afternoon. Swim in the turquoise waters, or simply explore the beautiful surroundings. Enjoy free time before visiting a nearby sanctuary which cares for and rehabilitates bears rescued from animal traders, or from deforested habitat. Return to Luang Prabang, stopping as you like at the Buffalo Dairy farm and take photos of countryside and villages.
Today is free at leisure until your transfer to the airport or railway station.
