LAO - T 01: EXOTIC LAOS, 3 days (L)
Luang Prabang
Day
1 Luang Prabang
Arrival in Luang Prabang, meet on arrival
at the airport, transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon: free at
leisure.
Evening: visit Mount Phu Si on the top of the
hill overlooking the Mekong River for sunset.
Overnight in Luang
Prabang
MOUNT PHU SI: the temples on
the upper slopes of the 100m-high. Phu Si was constructed recently, but it is
likely that previously there were other temples on this important hill. From
the top there is an excellent view of the town.
Day
2 Luang Prabang
After breakfast at the hotel, sightseeing
in Luang Prabang - the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom - is famous
for its historic temples and beautiful setting surrounded by mountains.
Afternoon:
visit Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Wisunalat, Wat Mai,
Wat That Lang, Wat Saen, National Museum (Royal Palace) and free time to walk around the city in the evening
Overnight in Luang
Prabang
LUANG PRABANG is perhaps the
best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia. It is as sleepy town, which
has preserved its long –standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao cultures
with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. Magical and
charming of Luang Prabang is the estimation that travelers have to see once in
their lifetime. In 1995, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
WAT XIENG THONG: built in 1560 and
situated on the banks of the Mekong River, it is the most beautiful monastery
in Luang Prabang and shows the typical Lao art style with old religious
artifacts and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art.
WAT WISUNALAT (Vat Visoun):
built in 1513 during the reign of Chao Wisunalat, it is the oldest operating
temple in Luang Prabang with a collection of gilded wooden Buddhas from the
15th and 16th centuries.
WAT MAI: constructed in 1821 during the
reign of King Manthatourath, it was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the
Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy).
WAT THAT LUANG: the ashes of King
Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa, which was erected in
1910. The inside of the huge sim dating back to 1820 contains a few Luang
Prabang Buddhas and other artifacts.
WAT SAEN: Thai style wat built in 1718 and
restored in 1957. The abbot Ajan Khamjan who was ordained here in 1940 is one
of the most revered monks in Luang Prabang and perhaps in all of Laos.
NATIONAL MUSEUM (the
former king palace) located on the banks of the Mekong River with may exhibits
reflecting religious beliefs and life in historical Lang Prabang when it was
the capital city of present day Laos. A the temple built in the grounds houses
the “Pha Bang” statue, made of gilded bronze and standing 83m high. The statue
depicts the calming of family quarrels.
Day
3 Luang Prabang
After breakfast at the hotel, half-day
excursion by boat from Luang Prabang to the Pak Ou Caves.
Afternoon: sightseeing in Luang Prabang,
visit Ban Xang Hai before transfer to the airport for departure
PAK OU BOATS: The Pak Ou boats
are the perfect slow boat for leisurely river travel with an open-air view. A
stop at Pak Ou village at the month of the Nam Ou River to visit the Tham Ting
Cave of a Thousand Buddha’s
PAK OU CAVES: these are two
caves (Tham Thing – lower cave and Tham Phum) located in the steep rock cliff
at the confluence of the Mekong River and Ou River. They are full of Buddha
images of varying styles, ages and sizes.
BAN XANG HAI: located near the
Pak Ou Caves, this village was once a 'Jar-Maker Village' and nowadays the
communities fill the jars (which come from elsewhere) with láo-láo, the local
rice whisky.
End
of Services **Note: Itinerary subject
to change due to flight schedules.