CONIFER TRAVEL - Laos grand discovery programme

Round trip: Laos grand discovery programme
Duration: 20 Days - 19 Nights
Itinerary:

Day 1: WELCOME TO VIENTIANE, LAOS ( G )
Upon arrival at Wattay airport, pick up and transfer to hotel. Afternnon visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. Wat Ho Prakeo, once the home to the revered Emerald Buddha. That Luang Stupa, reputed to hold a sacred relic of the Lord Buddha. Patouxai Victory Gate from which views of the surrounding city can be had. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2: VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG ( B,G )
Breakfast. A scenic drive to Vang Vieng, 140 km, 3hrs, passing through a mix of suburban and rural areas to arrive in scenic limestone country. Sheer, green clad, unclimbed hills. After some tutoring, take a nice kayak trip down the Nam Song river back to your overnight accommodation in Vang Vieng.

Day 3: VANGVIENG - XIENG KHUANG ( B,L,G )
Drive 200 km via route 13 north to Phou Khuon and turn onto route 7 to Phonsavan, Xieng Khouang. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Day 4: XIENG KHUANG ( B,L,D,G )
Tour of the Plain Of Jars and surrounds. Examine 35 year old bomb craters, legacy of past warfare. Overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Day 5: XIENG KHUANG - LUANG PRABANG ( B,G )
250 km out to and up Route 13, passing through ethnic minority villages, with some houses overhanging steep roadside drop offs. Look for the children playing in the dust with their piglets and puppies. See examples of swidden agriculture hacked out of steep hillsides and the varying checkerboard patches of regrowth as you continue your scenic journey. Arrive in Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6: LUANG PRABANG ( B,L,D,G )
A trip to either Phou Si for a great view of the city and the two rivers, or, a visit to the old Royal Palace National Museum which was once home to the Monarchy of old Laos. Afternoon city tour of famed temples. Wat Xieng Tong with glorious relief carved wooden doors and shutters overlaid in gold leaf that glow in the sunlight. Wat Visoun. Wat Mai. Wat Prabath. Enjoy a Mekong sunset from the temple or from a riverside restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: LUANG PRABANG – OUDOMXAY ( B,G )
Road to Oudomxai province with stopovers at H'Mong and Khmu villages. Arrive Oudomxay before sunset and transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Oudomxay.

Day 8: OUDOMXAY- PHONGSALY ( B,G )
Visit local market of Oudomxay before continue the road to Phongsaly that will catch your attention by it's beautiful mountainous landscape . Excursion by pick-up car to Bountai. Stopover to visit Ban Phijeu-lko village and Ban Namli-Khmu village.
Picnic lunch on the top of Phapheung hill to admire the beautiful panoramic view. In the afternoon, visit lko-Pouli and Phounoy minority villages. Short stop to visit former French camp. Arrive Phongsaly in late afternoon, transfer to hotel.

Day 9: PHONGSALY- HATSA- MUANG NGOY ( B,G )
Breakfast, transfer to Ban Hatsa known as local pier of Phongsaly province. Then take a boat for 6 hours on Nam Ou river to Nongkhio , with exceptional primary forests landscapes . Through the trip daily activities of local people on both banks of Nam Ou river can be seen.
Arrive Nongkhio at late afternoon, transfer to guesthouse in Muang Ngoy.

Day 10: MUANG NGOY- LUANG PRABANG ( B,G )
Breakfast, excursion by boat on Nam Ou river to Luang Prabang for 4 hrs. On the way stopover to visit the famous cave of Pak Ou, located at the side of the steep cliff on the bank of the Mekong River housing hundreds of wooden Buddha statues which had been carved and enshrined since sixteen century. Continue toward Luang Prabang, stopover to visit rice wine distillation village. Arrive Luang Prabang at late afternoon, transfer to hotel.

Day 11: LUANG PRABANG- VIENTIANE ( B,G )
A.M Free at leisure till transfer to first daily first flight to Vietiane. Arrive Vientiane and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 12: VIENTIANE- NAHIN ( B,G )
Take the national Route No 13 South to Nahin village ( 5 hours drive ) with stopovers to visit Wat Phabaat Phonesanh and local H'Mong market at Thong name village. Arrive Nahin village at late afternoon. Transfer to guest house for accommodation in Nahin.

Day 13: NAHIN - KONG LOR CAVE
Excursion by local transportation to Konglor cave. Rest and swim in the beautiful blue lagoon at the mouth of the cave while our guides prepare you for a cave exploration upstream through the other side of this long cave. Do a 45 minute walk to Ban Natan where we will have a Lao style dinner and stay overnight in a village lodge.

Day 14: NAHIN - THAKHEK ( B,G )
Early morning take the road back to Nahin ( 160 km ). Then continue the road to Khammouane province's capital Thakhek. Stop for a while to see giant stone wall near the town. Transfer to hotel for accommodation.

Day 15: THAKHEK - PAKSE ( B,G )
Road to Pakse via Savannakhet. Visit en route Thaat Ing Hang sacred stupa of province. Savannakhet second large city sightseeing. Arrive Pakse in afternoon. Transfer to hotel in Pakse.

Day 16: PAKSE - BOLAVEN PLATEAU ( B,L,G )
Travel by road to Boloven Plateau area, a recently developed agricultural area growing coffee, tea, tropical fruits and vegetables.Ethnic minority villages. Visit Tad Phasouam, local Katou Museum and Tad fane. Continue the road to Paksong district then back for accommodation at Tad Fane Resort which located close to the falls.

Day 17: BOLAVEN PLATEAU - PAKSE - WAT PHOU - KHONG ISLAND ( B, G )
Drive to Pakse and boat to Khong island by visiting, en route, Wat Phou, 6th Century K'Hmer temple ruins, the Lao rival to Siem Riap. Arrive Khong Island in the famous 4,000 island area. Transfer to guest house for accommodation in Khong Island.

Day 18: KHONG ISLAND - KHONE ISLAND ( B,G )
Explore Khong island by cycling. Then take the local boat to Khone or coconut island. Afternoon, boat to see Pakha Irrawady fresh water dolphins. Overnight in Done Khone.

Day 19: KHONE ISLAND ( B,G )
Boat to drive south to S.E.Asia's biggest waterfall, up to 14km wide during the "Wet". Listen to Khon Pha Peng, "The Stones That Sing to The Monks". Late return to Pakse. By stopping at Ban Assa for elephant riding.

Day 20: PAKSE DEPARTURE ( B,G )
Transfer to airport of Pakse for flight home or next destination.
End of service.

CONIFER TRAVEL