LAO - T 03: LAOS CLASSIC, 5 days  (L)                                                                 

Vientiane - Luang Prabang - Vientiane    

 

Day 1     Vientiane

 

Arrival in Vientiane, meeting on arrival at Vientiane airport, direct transfer to the hotel. After refreshment, sightseeing in Vientiane - the capital city and seat of government sits in a bend of the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains. Vientiane (pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city with interesting Wats and lively markets. Visit Pha That Luang the Great Sacred Reliquary, Patuxai, Ho Pha Keo, Wat Si Saket, Wat Si Muang and free time for shopping at Talaat Sao. 

Overnight in Vientiane

 

 

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PHA THAT LUANG (Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa): built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, it is the most important national monument in Laos, a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty.

 

PATUXAI: a large monument in the style of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang has a stairway that leads to the top levels of the monument, providing a good view of the city.

 

HO PHA KEO: the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy built in 1565 by King Setthathirat. It has been used as a museum since 1970 and the main structure, which originally housed Prakeo, the Emerald Buddha, and now containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures found in Laos.

 

WAT SI SAKET: constructed in 1818 by King Anouvong in the early Bangkok style, small niches are carved into its interior walls, containing more than 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddha images.

 

WAT SI MUANG: this temple is one of the most popularly used temple grounds in the city, as it contains the city pillar and acts as the home of Vientiane's guardian spirits.

 

TALAAT SAO: the Morning Market - actually open all day – sells a wide range of fabrics, jewelry and electronic goods. 

 

Day 2     Vientiane - Luang Prabang

 

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for morning flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang. After arrival in Luang Prabang, greeting by our local guide and continue sightseeing in Luang Prabang. Visit famous Temple, Wat Xieng Thong - the most beautiful monastery in Luang Prabang, Wat Wisunalat, Wat Mai, Wat That Luang and Wat Sean.

Overnight in Luang Prabang   

 

LUANG PRABANG, the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom, is famous for its historic temples and beautiful setting surrounded by mountains. 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 Ajannn Khamjan who was ordained here in 1940 is one of the most revered monks in Luang Prabang and perhaps in all of Laos. 

 

Day 3                  Luang Prabang

 

After breakfast at the hotel, excursion by boat from Luang Prabang to the Pak Ou Caves. Visit Ban Xang Hai - the village that make local rice whisky and Ban Thing Hong before transfer back to Luang Prabang 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

 

PAK OU CAVES: this 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 community fills the jars (which come from elsewhere) with láo-láo, the local rice whisky.

 

BAN THING HONG: this is a 3-km hike leads to Thing Hong cave. Opposite Ban Xang Hai and close to Pak Ou, a recently excavated cave 

 

Day 4     Luang Prabang – Vientiane

 

After breakfast at the hotel, continue sightseeing in Luang Prabang: visit National Museum, Phu Si Temple, Ban Phanom - the village which is well known for hand weaving cotton and silk and Mouhot’ s Tomb before transfer to the airport for departure flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. 

Arrival Vientiane, transfer to the hotel

Overnight in Vientiane

 

NATIONAL MUSEUM: located on the banks of the Mekong River, it was constructed as Royal Palace between 1904 and 1909 and today houses the Royal throne of the Lan Xang Kingdom and many other pieces of regalia and religious treasures.

 

MOUNT PHU SI: the temples on the upper slopes of the 100m-high. Phu Si were 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.

 

BAN PHANOM: Thai Lü village east of Luang Prabang, well known for hand weaving cotton and silk.

 

MOUHOT’S TOMB: located near Ban Phanom is the tomb of the French explorer Henri Mouhot – known as the man who discovered Angkor Wat. Mouhot perished of malaria in Luang Prabang on 10 November 1861. 

 

Day 5     Vientiane

 

After breakfast at the hotel, free time at leisure until time to transfer to the airport for departure. 

 

 

End of Services    **Note: Itinerary subject to change due to flight schedules. 

 

 

 

 

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