LAO - T
05: NORTH WEST JOURNEY 2, 6 days (L)
Huay Xai - Pakbeng - Luang Prabang -
Vientiane
Departure:
every Monday, Thursday and Friday
Day 1 Huay Xai - Pakbeng (Lunch and Dinner)
08.30 Arrival
in Huay Xai (border Laos / Thai) greeting and welcome by local guide of
Luangsay cruise. On board one of the Pak Ou boats from Huay Xai to Pakbeng.
PAK OU BOATS: the Pak Ou boats
are the perfect slow boat for leisurely river travel. With 18 and 34 meter
steel hulls, they have a capacity of 36 comfortable seats each, with an open
air view, a fully stocked bar and cooler and toilet facilities.
First thing in the morning, the Pak Ou boat leaves the pier for a leisurely
cruise
down the Mekong for Pakbeng. Several stops along the way offer the opportunity
to sample rural life first hand and marvel at just how little has changed over
the centuries. Arrival in Pakbeng is in the late afternoon.
Overnight in
Pakbeng
Departure:
every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday
Day 2 Pakbeng - Luang
Prabang (Breakfast
and Lunch)
After breakfast, on board one of the Pak Ou
boats from Pakbeng to Luang Prabang with stop at the Pak Ou Caves.
08.00 The boat leaves in the morning for the second leg of the cruise to Luang Prabang. Lunch on board and continue to Pak Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River to visit the Tham Ting Caves of a Thousand Buddha’s. Stop off at the village of Ban Xang Hai for a lesson in how rice whisky is made. Arrival in Luang Prabang is in the late afternoon. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and evening free at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day
3 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. In 1995
it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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
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.
Day
4 Luang Prabang
After breakfast at the hotel, excursion by car to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Afternoon, visit Ban Tha Baen Khamu village with a traditional hydro-rice mill, National Museum, Phu Si Temple and enjoy magnificent view over Phu Si Hill.
Overnight in Luang
Prabang
KUANG SI FALLS: located in a perfect setting
deep in the forests of Luang Prabang Province, away from human habitation this
wide, multi tiered waterfall tumbles over limestone formations into a series of
turquoise pools. It is a perfect place for rest and relaxation.
BAN THA BAEN: quaint, Khamu
village with a traditional hydro-rice mill. Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
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.
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.
Day
5 Luang Prabang –
Vientiane
After breakfast, transfer to the airport
for flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane Arrival Vientiane, greeting by our
local guide and transfer for 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
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 and now converted
into a museum 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
6 Vientiane
After breakfast at the hotel, free time at
leisure before transfer to the airport for departure
End
of Services **Note: Itinerary subject to
change due to flight schedules.