CONIFER TRAVEL - Laos discovery programme

Round trip: Laos discovery programme            
Duration: 5 Days - 4 Nights
Itinerary:

Day 1: VIENTIANE ( B,G )
Arrive Vientiane. Meet guide at airport. Then transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. Wat Ho Prakeo, once the home of the revered Emerald Buddha. That Luang Stupa, reputed to hold a sacred relic of the Lord Buddha. Pratuxai Victory Gate from which views of the surrounding city can be had. Visit and shop at Talad Xao before travel to visit Wat Xieng Khuane
( Buddha Park ). Return to town in late afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2: VIENTIANE - NAM NGUM LAKE - VANG VIENG ( B,L,G )
Excursion to Nam Ngum dam with stopover at Vang Xang’s archeology site. Boat trip ( 1 hour ) on great lake. Continue road to Vang Vieng ( 2 hours ), visit Tham Jang caves then take a long tail motor boat trip on Nam Song river. Explore the night life of the town by your own. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 3: VANG VIENG - LUANG PRABANG - CITY TOUR ( B,L,G )
Morning, road to Luang Prabang on mountainous but scenic Route No 13 Nord with stopovers at minorities villages of Khamu and Hơ Mong at sala Phoukhoune, Kiu Kacham and Kiu Maknao. Arrival in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City of Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia with a huge amount of tranquility and charm. On arrival, we transfer you to your hotel. After a short rest, your guide will lead you up the steps to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient city and the Mekong River. In the evening you may wish to visit the Night Market, which is great for local textiles and local art. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: LUANG PRABANG - PAK OU CAVES - KUANGSY FALLS ( B,L,D,G )
After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to 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 village of Ban Xang Hai, where they make the local rice wine. Afternoon, travel to Kuang Sy falls ( 30 Km ). Back to town and free at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 5: LUANG PRABANG - DEPARTURE ( B,G )
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. Following breakfast, we visit The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture. Then transfer to airport for departure flight.
End of service.

CONIFER TRAVEL