Northwest Journey in Laos

Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang - Pakbeng - 7 Days

Please note:

The tour cannot operate in June, due to the boat schedule. From Oct- Apr, tour start dates are Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. In May and Jul - Sep, tour start dates are Mondays and Fridays.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Vientiane

• Arrival in Vientiane
• Sightseeing in Vientiane
The capital city of Laos, Vientiane still feels like a sleepy city with relaxed charm, tree-lined boulevards, interesting wats and colorful markets.
• Tour the different highlights of the city, including That Luang, a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps most important national monument in Laos; Ho Pha Keo, the formal royal temple, now a museum with beautiful examples of Buddhist sculpture; Wat Si Saket; Wat Si Muang, and Patuxai, a monumental arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, but executed with Lao motifs.
• End your day at the Talaat Sao, or the morning market (actually open all day), the best place to buy traditional Lao fabrics.
• Overnight in Vientiane

Day 2 - Vang Vieng

• By vehicle from Vientiane to Vang Vieng with a boat trip on Nam Ngum Lake Drive to the north through the scenic province of Vientiane. The climate is pleasant and the views are nice, with mountains and cliffs along the first part of the journey.
• Stop at salt field in Ban Keun.
• Continue for a boat ride on Nam Ngum Lake, a serene, man-made reservoir which also generates most of the electricity sold to Thailand.
• Visit Chang Cave: used as a bunker against marauding Chinese in the early 19th century. Tham means cave and Chang is steadfast.
• Overnight in Vang Vieng

Day 3 - Luang Prabang

• Visit Pha Thao Cave: Enjoy a short trek through rice paddies with a stop at a Hmong village in Ban Pha Thao and continue to visit the cave of Tham Pha Thao.
• Visit Xang Cave: also called Elephant Cave, it contains a few Buddha images and a Buddha footprint plus the elephant shaped stalactites which give the cave its name.
• By vehicle from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
Journey north passing through Ban Phatang and Muang Kasi. Enjoy visiting local villages on the way.
• Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 4 - Luang Prabang

•Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
Set between the Nam Khan and Nam Ou rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting town filled with historic temples and colonial style buildings. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Begin your tour with Wat Visoun (Wat Wisunalat). The oldest living temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun dates back to 1513 and contains a collection of antique wooden Buddhas.
• Visit the nearby Wat Aham before continuing to Wat Xieng Thong, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in the city. Its many ornate buildings feature exquisite mosaic and gold-stenciled murals.
• From there, stroll down the main street (Wat Street) of Luang Prabang.
• Time permitting, stop at some of the many temples that line its sides, including Wat Sibounheuang, Wat Si Moungkhoun, Wat Sop and Wat Sene.
• Visit Mount Phousi for sunset Climb the hillside stairs to the small temples atop Phou Si, the 100m high hill which sits in the middle of the town, offering beautiful views over the temples and river.
• Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 5 - Luang Prabang - Vientiane

• Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
In the morning, visit a Local Market to see the bustle and activity of the early morning.
• Continue to the National Museum (Royal Palace), a modest but graceful building which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. This turn-of-the century royal residence has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here and provides unique insights into the history of Laos. (Closed on Tuesdays).
• Afterwards, visit Wat Mai.
• Excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls
From Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfall, travel by vehicle to visit minorities village of Ban Muang Khai
• Continue by car to Kuang Si Waterfall, located in a perfect natural setting near Luang Prabang, this multi-tiered waterfall tumbles over limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools. Enjoy swimming in the clear water or just relaxing in the natural environment.
• Continue to Ban Tha Pene, a nearby Khmu village, before returning to Luang Prabang by vehicle.
• Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 6 - Pakbeng

• Transfer
On board the Luangsay Cruise from Luang Prabang to Pakbeng (Upstream), day 1 of 2 Embark on the Luangsay boat, a traditional style wooden boat with open decks and beautiful views.
• Cruise upstream towards Pakbeng stopping at Ban Baw to observe the making of traditional Lao rice wine and whisky.
• Continue to the famous Pak Ou caves, natural shrines which have been filled over the centuries with hundreds of Buddha images in every style and material.
• Lunch is served on board, followed by a visit to a fishing village before arriving in Pakbeng in the late afternoon.
• Overnight in Pakbeng

Day - 7 Pakbeng

• On board the Luangsay Cruise from Pakbeng to Huay Xai (Upstream), day 2 of 2
First thing in the morning the Pak Ou boat leaves the pier for a leisurely cruise up the Mekong towards Huay Xai (Lao-Thai border).
• Several stops along the way offer the opportunity to sample rural life first-hand and marvel at just how little has changed over the centuries.
• Arrival in Huay Xai is in the late afternoon

Prices

USD p.p 1 Pax 2 Pax 3-6 Pax SGL S/C Booking Var A 1,900 1,180 1,010 220 Var B 2,030 1,240 1,080 280 Var C 2,220 1,350 1,190 360 All prices are per person in USD, based on twin-sharing in double rooms in the default hotel for the listed category. * Meal plan: ABF. (ABF = American Breakfast, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). ** Reduction for 3rd pax in triple room Var. A:$28; Var. B:$85; Var. C:$80 *** Child reduction (sharing bed of parents): under 2 years FOC; under 12 years -30%. NOTE: The itinerary can slightly change according to the season, local conditions, climate, flight schedules and room availability. Hotel Var A Var B Var C Vientiane Lane Xang Hotel STD room Chanthapanya Hotel Standard Day Inn Hotel Standard Twin Don Chan Palace Hotel Superior Room Lao Plaza Hotel Superior Novotel Vientiane Hotel Superior Vang Vieng The Elephant Crossing Hotel Standard (No Extra Bed) Thavonsouk Bungalows Standard The Elephant Crossing Hotel Deluxe Vansana Vang Vieng Hotel Standard Luang Prabang Sanakeo Hotel Standard / 2nd Floor Haysoke Hotel Standard Le Parasol Blanc Hotel STD room Mouang Luang Hotel Standard Sala Luang Prabang Classic Room Santi Resort and Spa Deluxe The Grand Luang Prabang Hotel & Resort Deluxe Pakbeng Luangsay Cruise / Lodge Cruise STD Luangsay Cruise / Lodge Cruise STD Luangsay Cruise / Lodge Cruise STD For bookings of roundtrip or module packages, we will confirm one of the hotels mentioned above according to the selected category. Please note that compulsory gala dinners and peak season surcharges may apply during peak periods surrounding the public holidays of Christmas and New Year - these surcharges will be confirmed at the time of booking. Included in the price: Accommodation and meals as described (please note that some hotels provide only CBF). All transfers within the journey, including pick-up at airport. All entrance fees. English, French or German speaking guides (other languages available upon request). Not included in the price: Visa fees. Airport taxes. Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, souvenirs.

Classic Packages

Customizing Your Tour

The tour above is a typical tour. If it doesn't fit your requirements, do not hesitate to talk to us about your preferences. In most cases, we will be able to customize this tour or package to match your expectations. Please click here to tell us about your request...

More Tours in Asia:

Hotel Quick Finder

Country : Thailand Laos Myanmar Vietnam Cambodia
Location : Loading... All Destinations
Hotel : 2-3 Star 3-4 Star 4-5 Star All Hotels
Check In : 0102 0304 0506 0708 0910 1112 1314 1516 1718 1920 2122 2324 2526 2728 2930 31 JanuaryFebruary MarchApril MayJune JulyAugust SeptemberOctober NovemberDecember 2009 2010 for 0102 0304 0506 0708 0910 1112 1314 1516 1718 1920 2122 2324 2526 2728 2930 31 night(s)
Check Out : 0102 0304 0506 0708 0910 1112 1314 1516 1718 1920 2122 2324 2526 2728 2930 31 JanuaryFebruary MarchApril MayJune JulyAugust SeptemberOctober NovemberDecember 2008 2009
Rooms : 1 2 3 4 5 Adults : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Children : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9