8 DAYS LAOS ESSENTIAL

8 DAYS LAOS ESSENTIAL

Tour code: GTBLE8D

Route: Luang Prabang – Kuangsi Waterfall – Pak Ou Caves – Vientiane – Vang Vieng

Duration: 8 days

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 best preserved traditional city in South-East Asia before we head for a local restaurant to admire Laos cultural show while enjoying delicious local 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. Finish the tour at Wat Xieng Thong temple, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics. 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 – KUANGSI WATERFALL (B/L/D)

This morning, we rise early to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings from the devotees. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there, we visit the morning market where you will find diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea, hill-tribe weavings and other local poultry, vegetables, and produce. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will have the opportunity to visit the local villages of the Laos ethnic minority groups. We carry onto the spectacular Kuangsi waterfalls where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths.

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we take a boat upstream on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, filled with beautiful views of the tranquil countryside. We’ll visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, packed with thousands of gilded Buddha statues of various sizes. After lunch, return to pier and along the way, stop at a local village to see how local rice wine and whiskey is made. Enroute, we take a short drive to a local silk and cotton hand-weaving local village.

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE (B/L/D)

After breakfast we fly to Vientiane. Our city tour include visits to Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues; Wat Prakeo, the former royal temple that now serves as a national museum of religious objects; Wat Simuang, the site of the city pillar and home of the guardian spirit of Vientiane; the famous Pha That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos and a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Laos sovereignty and Patuxai, a large monument reminiscent of the Arc de Triumphe in Paris. You’re free to explore this capital city before we head for a local restaurant.

DAY 6: VIENTIANE – VANG VIENG (B/L/D)

After breakfast, enjoy a 3 hour drive on the national road No. 13 heading north through beautiful landscapes and mountain ranges. On the way, visit the fishing villages of Ban Mo, Hine Heub and other ethnic minority villages of the Lao Lum. Upon arriving in Vang Vieng, we’ll check-in and then continue to explore nearby Tham Xang (Elephant Cave), Tham Hoi (Snail Cave), and Tham Loup (Deep Cave), known for its many stalagmites and stalactites and crystal clear springs.

DAY 7: VANG VIENG – VIENTIANE (B/L/D)

This morning, we’ll drive an organic farm, famous of its sericulture or silk farming, as well as its mulberry tea, wine, and other produces. En-route to Pha Tang village, you’ll enjoy the beautiful karstic landscape around the small town. We’ll then board a long tail boat and explore Tham Chang (Cave Chang) one of the biggest and most beautiful caves in Vang Vieng. After lunch, we’ll drive back to Vientiane and your day is free to explore the capital city before we head for dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 8: VIENTIANE DEPARTURE (B)

Make the most of your day in Vientiane before we take you to the airport for your flight home.

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 program. [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 program, 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 program, 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 program.

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