LAO - T 04: NORTH WEST JOURNEY 1, 5 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)
On board one of the Pak Ou boats from Huay Xai to Pakbeng. 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 in the late afternoon
Overnight in
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.
Departure:
every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Day 2 Pakbeng
- Luang Prabang (Breakfast and Lunch)
After breakfast, (optional to walk to see
local market, where people from the surrounding villages of minorities exchange
goods)
08.00 The
boat leaves in the morning for the second leg of the cruise from Pakbeng to
Luang Prabang with stop at the Pak Ou Caves. Lunch on board and on to Pak Ou
village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River to visit the Tham Ting Caves of a
Thousand Buddha’s and short stop off at the village of Ban Xang Hai to observe
the traditional process to obtain local rice alcohol and learn how rice whisky
is made. Arrival in Luang Prabang late afternoon, transfer to hotel before
visit Mount Phu Si 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 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.
Afternoon,
visit Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Wisunalat, Wat Mai,
Wat That Lang, Wat Saen, National Museum (Royal Palace), Ban Phanom 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 Buddha’s 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 Buddha’s 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.
BAN PHANOM: Thai Lü village
east of Luang Prabang, well known for hand weaving cotton and silk.
Day
4 Luang
Prabang - Vientiane
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Luang
Prabang airport for flight from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. Arrive Wattay
Airport and transfer to the hotel, sightseeing in Vientiane - the capital city
and seat of government sits in a bend of the Mekong River amidst fertile
alluvial plains visit Pha That Luang, Patuxai, Ho Pha Keo, Wat Si Saket, Wat Si
Muang and Talaat Sao (Morning Market).
Overnight in
Vientiane
VIENTIANE: (pronounced 'Wieng
Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city with interesting wats and lively
markets.
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, functioning as a dual symbol of
the Buddhist religion and the Lao nation.
PATUXAI (Victory Gate): a large monument
in the style of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, this 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. Wat Si Saket is the oldest
original temple in Vientiane, the only to survive from foreign invasion in
1828. Small niches carved in its interior walls contain more than 2,000 silver
and ceramic Buddha images.
WT 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, jewellery, and
electronic goods.
Day
5 Vientiane
After breakfast at the hotel, visit local
market before transfer to the airport for departure.
End
of Services **Note: Itinerary subject
to change due to flight schedules.