Northern Highlands of Vietnam & Laos Tour

• Arrival in Hanoi
• Transfer
• Overnight in Hanoi. 

• Sightseeing in Hanoi
Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, HANOI still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shophouses invite exploration by cyclo, while its many beautiful public spaces - lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments - give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals. Begin your day visiting the TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best surving examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. Continue to the miniature ONE PILLAR PAGODA. Also dating from the 11th century, this monument was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. Today it stands near the vast HO CHI MINH MEMORIAL COMPLEX, a lovely park setting which is home to Ho Chi Minh final resting place, as well as a museum and other memorials. Begin at the HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM, where visitors can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. The Mausoleum is closed in the afternoons, on Mondays and Fridays, and closes annually in October and November for restoration. Continue through the park to HO CHI MINH STILT HOUSE, the simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1948 until his final days. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows. Finally, head to HOAN KIEM LAKE, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. Enroute, pass other colonial landmarks such as the magnificent OPERA HOUSE (may be seen from the outside only) and ST JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL. From the lake, walking to explore the OLD QUARTER. This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shophouses is also known as The 36 Streets, each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones. A handicraft-lover's paradise and a endlessly interesting place to explore local life. In the afternoon, visit one of Hanoi's famous museums, either the HISTORY MUSEUM or the MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY. Once the museum of the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, the HISTORY MUSEUM (BAO TANG LICH) is housed in an elegant building from the 1930s, and include exhibits spanning the entirety of Vietnam's history including prehistory, proto-Vietnamese civilisations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc-Eo culture and the Khmer Kingdoms. The MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings.
• Overnight in Hanoi 

• By vehicle from Hanoi to Mai Chau with visits to minority villages enroute
Travel into HOA BINH and MAI CHAU provices, the beginning of the northwest highlands, home to many different ethnic minorities. First stop is the Muong village of GIANG MO in Hoa Binh. This small village of traditional stilt houses is nestled among rice paddies, against picturesque hills. Continue into Mai Chau province along scenic rice paddies to LAC VILLAGE, inhabited mainly by White Thai.
• Sightseeing in Mai Chau, including dance performance
The closest authentic Montagnard village to Hanoi. Mai Chau is very rural and most of the people here are ethnic White Tai, distantly related to tribes in Thailand, Laos and China and enjoy a traditional dance performance.
• Overnight in Mai Chau (Lac Village) 

• By vehicle from Mai Chau to Na Meo (Laos/Vietnamese border)
• By vehicle from Nam Xoi (Lao/Vietnamese border) to Sam Neua with a visit to Vieng Xai
Travel past stunning karst formations and picturesque fields to VIENG XAI. During the war, the Pathet Lao made their headquarters in the many caves that riddle the area (over 102 in total). Exlore some of the most important caves, which were used for every purpose, from living quarters to artillery storage to hospitals. In the afternoon, explore the natural beauty of this area on foot, stopping at one of the H'mong villages.
• Overnight in Xam Neua. 

• By vehicle from Xam Neua to Nong Khiaw with sightseeing at Suan Hin
Visit SUAN HIN, the stone garden. also called Sao Hin Tang or standing pillar. In the same style as Stonehenge, Suan Hin contains standing stones up to 2 meters tall, together with stone discs. Since they are made of the same stones as the giant urns on the Plain of Jars, there is a possibility they might be connected; but like the Plain of Jars, their origin is a mystery.
• Overnight in Nong Khiaw 

• By boat from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang with sightseeing at the Pak Ou Caves.
From Nong Khiaw, cruise along the Nam Ou River to Luang Prabang, stopping en route at the steep limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, home to the PAK OU CAVES. These extraordinary caves are filled with Buddha images, of every style and material imaginable. Continue to BAN XANG HAI, a local village famous for the production of  the local rice wine whisky, before arriving in Luang Prabang.
• Transfer
• Overnight in 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. Start the day at 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 of Luang Prabang, stopping at some of the many temples that line its sides, including WAT SIBOUNHEUANG, WAT SI MOUNGKHOUN, WAT SOP and WAT SENE. 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.
• 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. 

• Excursion to Pak Ou Caves by vehicle
Travel down the Mekong River to the steep limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, home to the PAK OU CAVES. These extraordinary caves are filled with Buddha images, of every style and material imaginable. On the return journey, stop at BAN XANG HAI, a local village famous for the production of lao lao, the local rice wine whisky.
• Afternoon at leisure
• Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

• Transfer to the airport for departure flight to onward destination.