OVERVIEWS:
Welcome to Phonsavan Town, the town is new capital town of XiengKhuang Province after lao country have changed the new regime in 1975. Plain of Jars is the most important prehistoric sites in South East Asia. It is located in XiengKhuang Province in Laos as nearest place is Phonsavan town. The story of the Jars still be unclear and questionnaire from between myth and archaeological. According Laotian legend said that there were giants who once settled in this area and created the stone jars to stored rice wine which was brought to commemorate the victory of the King Khouncheuang against enemy that they are believed to have been carved from solid rock around 2,000 years, and others idea said that the stone jars created to store the monsoon rain which could be provided for caravan travelers along their journey as water not readily available on easiest footpaths when it occurred seasonal. Whole together there are more 46 archaeological sites that settle on the hillside and plateau , there have been recent UNESCO sponsored projects to determine the history of the jars.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
Day01:VIENTIANE CAPITAL CITY- PHONSAVAN (Plain of Jars)
After your breakfast ,Relax or explore the charming town on your own until time to transfer out to Wattay Airport for your departure flight to VTE-XKH(Phonsavan town) by flight QV402 15:10-15:40 PM, Upon arrival Phonsavan town that you will get a good chance to visit Plain of Jars site I which is the largest site, You will have impressive hillside views surrounding the city. It is said that the heaviest jar weighs 6 tons. The purpose of these Jars, thought to have been carved from solid rock around 2,000 years ago, remain a mystery even today. There have been recent UNESCO sponsored projects to determine the history of the jars. Afterwards transfer to hotel for check in and refresh up.
This evening enjoy dinner at the hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Vansana Hotel( Fan & air-condition Cooled Air-C Note: this Hotel is Standard category, but is the best available in this area
Day02:PHONSAVAN (Plain of Jars)-FULL DAY TOUR
After your breakfast at 08:00AM, depart with your local guide to the local market where you can explore Morning market where the local people sell their local products with variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, meats & fishes. And then we head out by driving to countryside to visit Plain of Jars Sites II & III for exploring Mysterious of the jars, which will begin to spark your imagination as to the possible purpose of these intriguing artifacts and excellent surrounding views of the countryside. Also visit Ban Napia( Blacksmith Village ) where you will be exploring blacksmith man use bomb casings to make their Spoons, Folks, Job-sticks, Necklaces and variety of souvenirs. Afterwards drive to Muang Khun town, seeking for the former Xieng Khouang city destroyed by the American bombed during Indochina war in 1964-1973.
And visit the ruins of the old city including the Wats. Returned to Phonsavan by late afternoon . If time isn’t limited that we will get good chance to visit UXO project ( Unexplode Ordinance Project )to see video film how they clear the landmines by US bombed Laos during Indochina war. Afterwards return to hotel to relax and refresh up. This evening enjoy your dinner at a local restaurant in Phonsavan(Plain of jars).
This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Phonsavan Town
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Vansana Hotel( Fan & air-condition Cooled Air-C Note: this Hotel is Standard category, but is the best available in this area)
Day03: PHONSAVAN (Plain of Jars)-LUANGPRABANG
After your breakfast 08:00 AM, depart with your local guide guide for the overland drive to Luang Prabang ( The Journey is approximately 306 KM/ 8 and half hours drive by private mini van but it is depending on our activity along the road which is passing small villages along the Scenic of road and it passes vegetable garden and sticky rice field of farmer with picturesque minority and areas of spectacular plantation scenery).The first stop to visit Ban Khaewkhacham that we call them Highland people or Hmong who had migrated from southern part china-yuan and they had been living in north of Laos more than 200 years. You will seek for their life living of local people who reside in rural countryside. Enjoy your lunch at Local restaurant.
(Welcome to Luangprabang’s world heritage UNESCO Town, it’s surrounded by thickly forested mountains and situated at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang has a tranquil, old world charm rarely found in Asia today. This fascinating town was the capital of the Lane Xang (million elephants) Kingdom until the mid-sixteenth century. In colonial times it served as a provincial headquarters of the north. The legacy of the European presence here-well preserved French architecture and careful street planning-has blended delightfully with more than 30 gilded Buddhist temples to create a town rich in good atmosphere and history. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage City).
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang and transfer to your hotel for check in and refresh up.
This evening enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day4: LUANGPRABANG’S WORLD HERITAGE UNESCO TOWN-FULL DAY TOUR
After your breakfast at 08:30 AM, depart with your local guide for explore charming of Luang Prabang town and to visit some of the highlights of this atmospheric town, the first to visit Wat Xieng Thong often said to be Luang Prabang’s most beautiful temple in Laos. It is characterized by its several roofs sweeping low to the ground and the impressive “tree of life” mosaic, And its temple was home to placed the emerald buddha before the king seththathirath moved the capital city of Lan Xang from Xiengthong kingdom to Vientiane Capital city. Next visiting Luang Prabang’s National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace which displaying a lovely collection of personal artifacts from the former Laotian Royal Family including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. Next visiting Wat Mai – built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden sim epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Afterwards it is your prime time to climb up to Phousi Hill, located in the center of Luang Prabang, for panoramic views of the city and Surroundings(Note: Concerning who aren’t interesting to climb up Phousi Hill that you can enjoy your coffee, tea, drinks and enjoy your shopping around at the center of the town that you can seeking for beautiful French colonial and lao Franco architectures about 40 minutes to return to our appointment point).
Enjoy your lunch at Local Restaurant, After enjoy your lunch continue to visit Wat Visoun was originally built during the reign of King Visoun in 1513 to placed Prabang holy buddha statue, This temple is the symbols of Kingdom’s unity and It’s beautiful wood carved railing temple’s windows were remisnent as Wat Phou Hindu Khmer temple in Champasak southern of Laos. Inside the temple you will seek for admire ancient statues and steles. Besides on the ground of the temple there is sacred stupa where people called Phatthatmakmo because of its shape like watermelon stupa, Its interior was originally contained relics of buddha and filled of hundred of small buddha images fashioned in precious metals and crystals. And then continue on journey to visit Ban Xangkhong(Handicraft & Paper Village)where you will discover local weavers weave their natural cotton and silk textiles, and besides that you will see local people make Mulberry paper or Sa paper by using mulberry barks which it was descendent from four or five hundred years. There is an overwhelming selection of hand make handicrafts on display. Much of the items have been made by local people in this village ect: Writing book, Note books, Photo album, Picture flame, Fan, Shopping bag, Painting picture, Post card and variety of gifts. Afterwards transfer to hotel to relax and refresh up.
This evening, if not raining take a walk Luangprabang’s fabulous open air Night market with your local guide, where there is an overwhelming selection of handicrafts on display. Much of the items being sold has been produced by locals from the many small ethnic minority villages surrounding Luang Prabang town.
This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Luang Prabang town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel , Sofitel Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day05: LUANGPRABANG-MEKONG RIVER BOAT CRUISE TO PAK OU CAVE( BUDDHA CAVE )-COOKING CLASS
After your breakfast at 08:30 AM, depart with your local guide to transfer the pier to board on your private boat cruise on mighty Mekong river and journey will take for approximately 2 hours to visit the famous and sacred Pak Ou that we call Buddha Caves or Pak Ou caves have been home to many four thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many people still pay respect to this tradition. Along impressive boat cruise take a stop to visit Ban Xanghai(Whisky Village)where you will see local people distill Moonshine which it’s made of sticky rice that you will taste real spirit like Lao Lao whisky only 55 percent of alcohol. And the red color whisky is quite sweet like rice wine only 15 percent of alcohol with variety of Centerpiece, Snake, Scorpion, Gecko whiskies ect. Enjoy your lunch at Local Restaurant opposite the impressive and stunning view of landscape and after enjoy your lunch return to the boat to journey down to Luangprabang.
Upon arrival Luangprabang and transfer to hotel for refresh up.
This evening at 18:00 PM, transfer with your local guide to local restaurant for Cooking Class Experience and you will meet and greet by your Local Master Chief who will be pleased to introduce about cooking authentic Lao foods. You’ll be able to pick up your own ingredients for the dishes that you will prepare for your cooking, you’ll be taught how to cook a variety of local dishes, enough for a full meals. You’ll learn how to make Lao spicy dipping sauces, Mok Pa is steamed fish wrapped in banna leaves, Lemongrass stuffed with chicken and herbs, Laap, Desserts and more. You’ll make of these delicious creations under the careful guidance of your instructor and your own recipe book. Not only will you can get a taste of the food you made, but you’ll be able to bring home the recipe book and continue making delicious creations.
This evening enjoy your cooking class and dinner at a cooking place
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day06: LUANGPRABANG-LIVINGLAND FARM-KHUANGXI WATERFALL
After your breakfast at 8:00 AM, depart with your local guide to Living land farm ( Approximately 3 KM/ 15 minutes drive by private mini van).where you will meet & greet immediately by local farmer guide who came bouncing down the path, full of energy and unbridled enthusiasm. This really is a fantastic time for you to have experience to learn about lao agriculture of being famers to get opportunity to get local famer’s tools and water buffalo to plough the rice fields, prepare nursery, planting rice, harvest, milling rice, cooking rice. This afternoon they will serve you some tasting snacks, sugarcane juice drinks & Lao lao whisky(Recommendable to wear comfortable, shorts with light and breathable clothes and ready to get dirt muddy but you should escort your change cloths where you can change it ). Continue on your journey to visit Khuangxi Waterfall. The distant is about 25 Km which journey will it takes approximately 40 minutes passing through scenic lao countryside. The waterfalls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green tint due to the high mineral content and it is really pleasant place to swim. And then take your time to observe and visit “ Bear Rescue Centre ” where they conserve the black bears in the northern part of Laos. Enjoy Lao-Style picnic lunch near by the falls. Afterward return to hotel by late afternoon for relax.
This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Luang Prabang town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lao-Style picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day07:MONK’S ALMS GIVING-ELEPHANT SHORT TREKK-BACI CEREMONY
This morning at 05:30 AM there is the opportunity to start the day very early with one of the most memorable sights of Luang Prabang – the ‘Tak Bat’. At dawn hundreds of saffron robed monks move silently through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food).Your guide will explain the background behind this ritual which is still very much a part of everyday life and you will have the chance to make ‘merit’. It’s early but well worth the wake- up call!! Return to hotel for breakfast.
After your breakfast at 08:30 AM, depart with your local guide to Mandala Lao Elephant Conservation is sanctuary rescues pachyderms from logging camp and exploitative tourism. And you will meet your elephant local guide who will explain you about the story of the elephants before to seek for experience short trekking about 2,5 Kilometers, You will trek through the jungle and luscious rice fields alongside two adults elephants. Enjoy your lunch at Local Restaurant on the side of Namkhan river bank where you will impressive your spectacular view. After enjoy your lunch return to Luangprabang town or Hotel for relax and enjoy your swimming. Or your prime time to have optional for experience to spend for one and half hours or two hours to try Lao Traditional Massage at Local Spa in the Central of the city which you will be pleased to have variety for selecting body, foot with oil or no oil massage for treatment your body( Note: For this optional the guests will take care their own budget ).
This evening at 18:30 PM will transfer out with your local guide to meet senor people and Shaman to be honest to do Baci Ceremony for you as well as to celebrate a special event, whether a marriage, a homecoming, one of the annual festivals and welcome a baby birth, A mother is given a baci after she has recovered form a birth, the sick are given baci to facilitate a cure, officials are honored by baci, and novices, monks are wished luck with a baci before entering the temple. The Baci ceremony can take place any day of the week and all year long, preferably before noon or before sunset. The term more commonly used is su kwan, which means “calling of the soul”. And Farewell dinner will serve at Local Restaurant.
This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Luang Prabang town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day08:LUANGPRABANG-DEPARTURE
After your breakfast and relax or explore the charming town until time to transfer out to Luang Prabang Airport for your departure flight to LPQ-BKK by flight PG942 at 12:20AM ., LPQ-REP by flightVN931 at 14:45PM ., LPQ-HAN by flightQV313 at 17:10 PM., LPQ-HAN by flightQV315 at 08:30 AM.
(Please note that hotel check-out time is usually 12 noon, Please ask your local guide to get late check out from hotel but Normally check-in time for international flights is normally 2 hours prior to departure)
Meals: Breakfast
LAOS Tour Prices Included:
+Accommodation at your selected hotel with breakfast daily
+Meals as indicated in the itinerary (food only)
+Transfer and included sightseeing as specified on a private basis
+Private boat cruise along the mighty Mekong river
+Service of English speaking local guide for included sightseeing and transfers
+Entrance fees to all included sites visited
+Service charge, room tax and baggage handling
+NTA and Laos Government Tax
+Bottled water provided on transport during transfers.
NOT Included:
-Meals and other services than those mentioned in above inclusion
-Any optional sightseeing excursions or additional visits not outlined in itinerary
-Laotian visa fee (Laos visa on arrival presently US$ 30-35 for passport holders, plus 1 passport sized photo.
–Often an extra US$ 1 or so will be charged on weekends or holidays as an overtime fee).
-International arrival flight to/from Laos and airport departure tax
-Excess Baggage fees or charges levied by Airlines
-Drinks, tips and other personal expenditures (e.g. telephone, laundry, souvenirs and etc…)
-Personal Travel Insurance
-Tips/Gratuities to guides/drivers/boat man