Mighty Mekong River Boat Cruise
Thailand-HoueyXai-Pakbeng-Luangprabang
OVERVIEWS:
Welcome to Laos is a landlocked country in the heart of Southeast Asia, sharing borders with Thailand, Myanmar, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Rich in history and culture, Laos traces its origins to the Kingdom of Lan Xang, meaning the “Land of a Million Elephants.” The kingdom was founded by King Fa Ngum in 1353 and remained a unified kingdom until 1707. After the kingdom was divided into the three kingdoms of Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champasak, Laos came under Siamese influence from 1779 to 1893. In 1893, it became part of French Indochina as the French Protectorate of Laos. The country’s modern borders were established during the French colonial period. Following the revolution in 1975, the Kingdom of Laos became the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
Day01 : CHIANGRAI- CHIANGKHONG-HOUEXAI ( BORKEO PROVINCE )
After early breakfast at 6:30 AM, depart with your local guide and transfer by Mini van to Thai-Laos borders, Upon on arrival at HoueiXai in Laos where you will meet your local guide at the immigration point that he will be your assistant to help you about documents declaration.
After completing border formalities, Afterwards you will transfer to the pier to board on your private boat cruise on mighty Mekong river to Pakbeng (the journey is approximately 140 KM/8 hours but it is depending on our activity along the Mekong river which is passing plantations and small villages along the riverbank).
Explore the beauty of the Mekong’s tranquil waters, marvel at unspoiled vistas of tropical jungles, green mountains, and impressive rock formations. The first stop to visit Hmong Village that it is part of Highland or Hmong minority village 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 on impressive boat cruise.
Upon arrival in Pakbeng, transfer to hotel for check in and fresh up.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Pakbeng Lodge, Le Grand Pakbeng (Fan & air-condition Cooled hotels Note: this hotels is Standard category, but is the best available in this area).
Day2 : PAKBENG-LUANGPRABANG
After early breakfast at 8:00 AM, depart with your local guide and transfer by Mini van to the pier to board on your impressive private mighty Mekong River to Luang Prabang ( the journey is approximately 145 KM/8 hours but it is depending on our activity along the Mekong river which is passing small villages along the way). Explore the beauty of the Mekong’s tranquil waters, marvel at unspoiled vistas of tropical jungles, green mountains, and impressive rock formations. The first stop to visit Khmu or Mon-Khmer Village that we call upland people who had been living in Laos more thousand years. You will seek for their life living of local people who reside in rural countryside. Enjoy your lunch on impressive boat cruise and after enjoy your lunch carry on our visiting the famous and sacred Pak Ou(Buddha Caves). 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.
Upon arrival in Luangprabang, transfer to hotel for check in and fresh up.
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
Day3: LUANGPRABANG’S WORLD HERITAGE UNESCO TOWN-FULL DAY TOUR
After your breakfast at 08:30 AM, depart with your local guide to the temple for meeting the Senior monk where you will have good auspicious from Monk Blessing which it is customary ritual to receive personal blessing by the monk chanting and sprinkle holy water on over your head with typing a holy cotton thread(saisin) around the wrist for bring the good fortunes, good luck, good health, good business, prosperity and longevity.
Afterwards explore the charming of Luang Prabang town and to visit some of the highlights of this atmospheric town, the first to visit Luang Prabang’s National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace which it is 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 and after enjoy your lunch continue 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.
Continue 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(Sa paper) by using mulberry barks which it was descendent from more than 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 albums, Picture flames, Fan, shopping bags, Painting pictures, Post cards 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 local people 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, Kiridara Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day4: MONK’S ALMS GIVING-ELEPHANT SHORT TREKKING-COOKING CLASS
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 it 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, the sanctuary rescues pachyderms from logging camp and exploitative tourism, you will meet your elephant local guide who will explain you about the story of the elephants and feed them some foods, fruits before you will seek for experience short trekking about 2,5 Kilometers, you will walk 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 at the pool. Or your prime time to have optional for experience to spend for one and half hours or two hours to try Traditional Lao 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: your local guide will be pleased to escort and book the massage for you but concerning to the optional the guests will take care their own budgets).
This evening at 18:00 PM, transfer with your local guide to local restaurant for Cooking Class Experience, 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, Kiridara Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day5: LUANGPRABANG-LIVINGLAND FARM-KHUANGXI WATERFALL-BACI CEREMONY
After your breakfast at 8:00 AM, depart with your local guide to Living Land Farm 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, harvesting rice, milling rice, cooking rice. This afternoon they will serve you some tasting snacks, sugarcane juice drinks & Laolao whisky(Recommendable to wear comfortable, shorts with light and breathable clothes and ready to get dirt muddy but you should escort your changing cloths where you can change it).
Continue on your journey to visit Khuangxi Waterfall (the journey is approximately 25KM/ 30 minutes 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). The waterfalls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools, and waterfall here has a clear
blue-green tint due to the high mineral content and it is really pleasant place to swim. By 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. This evening at 18:30 PM, 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 khan, which means “calling of the soul”.
This evening enjoy farewell dinner at a Local restaurant in Luangprabang town.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Banlao Hotel, Satri House Hotel, Villa Maly Hotel, Villa Santi Hotel, Avani+ Hotel, Sofitel Hotel, Kiridara Hotel, Belmond La Residence Phouvao Hotel, Rosewood Hotel
Day6: LUANG PRABANG-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 flight VN931 at 14:45PM ., LPQ-HAN by flight QV313 at 17:10 PM., LPQ-HAN by flight QV315 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 from HoueyXai-Pakbeng-Luangprabang
+Elephant trekking
+Cooking class
+Baci ceremony
+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