Trip Type: Private Starts: Luang Prabang Ends: Luang Prabang Departs: Any day of the year Difficulty: Easy – Mid

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• Highlights of Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Visit the Buddha Cave and take a sunset cruise on the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang
• Hike to local villages and Kuang Si Waterfalls

Itinerary

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Day 1 Vientiane arrival, Airport Pickup

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You will be warmly welcomed at Vientiane Airport. You will also be escorted to your hotel.

Day 2 Vientiane half day tour, train to Luang Prabang

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You will be picked up at your hotel in Vientiane at 9:00 am for morning departure and begins at the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues.

Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby is the Presidential Palace. Although you are not allowed to visit inside, it is a good glimpse in to the town’s colonial past as this building formerly served as the French governor’s palace. Visit COPE Visitor Centre, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexplored ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.

Next visit the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof for sweeping panoramic views of the city. Finally, visit That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire.

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Lunch in the center of Vientiane followed by free time in the city. At 2pm, head to the train station and take the train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, transfer to your hotel in Luang Prabang.

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Day 3 Luang Prabang City, Pak Ou Caves, Mekong River Cruise

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We will pick you up again at 8:30 and take you to  a small park on the peninsula tip. You will have a brief introduction to Luang Prabang, standing where the Nam Khan River meets the Mekong River. From there, walk to the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple. For centuries, the temple was considered the ceremonial gateway to the city and was the arrival and departure point for foreign dignitaries. We will walk up the stairs to the main gate and enter the temple like ancient dignitaries.

Next, we will go temple hopping in the neighborhood. At Wat Sene, where there is a school for novice monks, you may meet again with novice monks you met on the morning alms. Finally, we will visit the Royal Palace museum. It houses a lot of interesting historical items. Every item tells a story…so you will learn quite a lot from your guide about Lao history and about Laos’ royal.

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Transfer to Manifa Elephant Camp for lunch. You will be offered a delicious buffet lunch at the restaurant overlooking the Mekong river and meet elephants roaming free. In the afternoon we will visit Pak Ou Caves by boat. We will see 4000 Buddha icons in the caves overlooking the Mekong River. After a stop at a village where Laotian rice wine is made, enjoy a two-hour sunset cruise on the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang.

 

(Lunch)

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Day 4 Trek to Kuang Si Waterfall

Pick up time at 8:30 AM, we drive to southeast of Luang Prabang and arrive at our starting point a Hmong and Khmu village Ban Long Lao village. After seeing this village, we enter into jungle forests. Trekking across rice paddies, the orchards, farm land and forest, we will see the beauty scenery of Luang Prabang countryside on the way. As we continue to trekking, we reach the mountainous jungle and find natural springs which are source of Kuang Si Waterfall. Then we take a rest to enjoy lunch.

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After lunch, another half hour trek take us to the crystal clear Kuang Si Waterfall. We explore the three layered Kuang Si waterfall walk the trails of the nature reserve and swim in the refreshing turquoise water pools and also visit the Bear Rescue Center. On the way back to Luang Prabang, we stop at a Hmong village. Retuurn to your accommodation or city center between 5:30-6:00 PM.

Instead of the above-mentioned 4-hour trek starting from Ban Long Lao village, delay pick up time and take an easier 2-hour trek alternative starting from Ban Nong Heo is also possible if you request.

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Day 5 Luang Prabang  Departure

Enjoy free time in Luang Prabang until flight time. we will transfer you to Luang Prabang airport.

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