7 DAYS HILL TRIBES EXPERIENCE

7 DAYS HILL TRIBES EXPERIENCE

Tour code: GTBHTE7D

Route: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves – Kuangsi Waterfall – Xieng Khouang – Vientiane

Start from Luang Prabang and end at Vientiane

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL (D)

We’ll pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. You’re free to explore this well preserved traditional city before we head for a local restaurant to admire Lao cultural show while enjoying delicious Laos cuisine.

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)

Start your city tour at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will explore the history of Laos. Continue on foot to Wat Mai temple, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm temple, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. Next we visit Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham. Climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the night market, where you can find a wide collection of handmade textile by local and hill tribe people in the surrounding towns before heading for dinner.

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES – KUANGSI WATERFALL (B/L/D)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual. You can also visit the morning Phosi Market where you can see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

After breakfast, visit the city’s oldest temple of the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which provides a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as we visit the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, on the way we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village well known for its hand weaving.

After lunch we continue towards Kuangsi Waterfall. En route, visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, Laoloum and Ban Thapene. Take a dip in the inviting pools or walk along the forest trails surrounding Kuangsi waterfall. Continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk handweaving and traditional Saa Paper making. Return to the city to watch the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG – XIENG KHOUANG (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we drive through beautiful mountain scenery to Xieng Khouang, a province of Laos famous for its ‘Plain of Jars’. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop off and visit the numerous villages along the way. On arrival we check in to the hotel, after a short rest we continue to visit plain of jars site 1 which is the biggest site in Phonsavan. The evening is free at your leisure to explore discover this mysterious city.

DAY 5: XIENG KHOUANG – VIENTIANE (B/L/D) BY QV420 12:20 – 12:50

Visit the local Market before heading out to visit the Plain of Jars sites 2 and 3, impressive archaeological sites encompassing hundreds of large stone jars scattered throughout the plateau. We then board our short flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, we check in to hotel to refresh before we set out to visit the local market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong.

DAY 6: VIENTIANE (B/LD)

Check out the major sights of Vientiane capital, including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Afternoon, visit Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. A spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day.

DAY 7: VIENTIANE DEPARTURE (B)

Your time is free for any last-minute sightseeing or shopping before we take you to the airport.

INCLUSIONS:

Our tour prices are inclusive of accommodation in shared Twin/ Double/ Triple room with air-condition (AC) and private bathroom, meals as stated in the programme [B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner], transfers and tours with local English speaking guides in private air-conditioned vehicles, all entrance fees as mentioned in the programme, mineral water of 2 bottles on bus per day and cold towels available on the vehicles which will be presented by MLT

EXCLUSIONS:

Not included are visa and visa arrangement, international flight, domestic flight, optional tours, personal travel insurance, personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities etc., meals and services other than mentioned in the programme, drinks with meals, compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges which will be advised at the time of booking, early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the programme.

TIPPING:

Tour guides & Drivers US$ 5/ person/per day/ group up to 4 pax

US$ 4/ person/per day/ group up to 9 pax

US$ 3/ person/per day/ group from 10 pax

CHILD POLICY & NOTES:

Infant below 2 years old sharing same room with parents is free of charge.

Child below 12 yrs old sharing same room with 1 ADL is charged for 90%.

Child below 12 yrs old with extra bed and sharing same room with parents is charged for 65%.

Child below 12 yrs old No extra bed & sharing same room with parents is charged for 55%

Group tour of full paying 15pax, one (01) tour leader is given complimentary on twin sharing basis include breakfast (domestic air ticket is not applicable)

CAR USE POLICY:

2 pax - 3 pax: car 7 seats

From 4 – 8 pax: car 16 seats

From 9 – 12 pax: car 24 – 29 seats

From 13 – 25 pax: car 35 seats

From 26 – 45 pax: car 45 seats

NOTES:

Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather conditions, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability, local or religious festivals, unforeseen circumstances, the sequence of itinerary may need to be changed or alternative sites substituted at short notice.

Standard Hotel Check in time: 2:00pm – 3:00 pm (local time)

Standard Hotel Check out time: 11:00am-12pm (local time)

All bank charges to be born by remitter

All hotel rooms are based on the lowest category of room or Run of House, upgrade is subject to supplement