DAY 1 :
HOUEI XAY - PAKBENG (-/L/D)
Meet upon arrival at
Houei Xay immigration checkpoint and transfer to the boat
pier.
Embark on a traditional wooden riverboat. Cruise down
the
Mekong River,
"Mother of Waters". The mighty river has maintained its
untamed character with rapids and pristine forests along
each bank. En route, visit the
Hmong
minority village of Ban Houeilampen,
which is home to 50 families. Hmong women are renowned
for their beautiful embroidered costumes and their
impressive silver jewelry.
Lunch on board.
Arrival in
Pakbeng
in the afternoon. This rustic town-village sits on a
steep hillside and offers spectacular views over the
Mekong River. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
DAY
2 :
PAKBENG - LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue the cruise towards Luang
Prabang. Lunch on board. En
route, stop at Pak Ou
and visit the sacred caves which house over a thousand
Buddha statues. Arrival in
Luang Prabang, transfer and
check-in at the hotel.
The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang
Prabang, is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city
in Southeast Asia. Magical and charming, it has
preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold
of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and
sense of timelessness. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang
Prabang as a World Heritage City. Dinner and
accommodation at the hotel.
DAY
3 :
LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Vat
Visoun, the site of an impressive
stupa, That Makmo, stylistically more Srilankalese than Lao.
Then walk to the nearby Vat Aham,
which is one of the city's major tutelary shrines. Climb Vat
Phousi hill for an outstanding view over the city. Continue
to visit Vat Mai,
built in 1796, famous for the five - tiered roof of its
wooden sim. Lunch at local restaurant.
Visit
Vat Xieng Thong, considered as the most beautiful
temple. The sim of the Vat represents the classic Luang
Prabang temple architecture with its roofs that sweep low to
the ground. In the compound stand several small chapels
housing bronze Buddha Images, which were displayed in Paris
in 1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal Funeral Chapel.
Inside are an impressive 12-meter high funeral chariot
and various funeral urns of each Royal Family's member. The
gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts a
semi-erotic episode from Ramayana. Sunset at
Vat Prabaht Tai
located along the Mekong River. Dinner and accommodation at
the hotel.
DAY
4 :
LUANG PRABANG (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure by road to the
Khuang Xi Waterfalls
(30 kms, approx. 1 hour drive). The waterfalls tumble over
multi - tiered limestone formations into cool, clear pools
ideal for swimming and relaxing. On the way to the
waterfalls, visit the Khmu
minority village of
Ban Thapaene for a glimpse into
their lifestyle. Picnic lunch
nearby the waterfalls.
Return to Luang Prabang. On the way, visit
Ban Xom,
a lowland Lao village known for its cotton production. Stop
at
Ban Xang Khong village
to see how traditional Sa paper is made. Dinner and
accommodation at the hotel.
DAY
5 :
LUANG PRABANG - DEPARTURE (B/L/-)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the
National Museum (former King's
Palace) displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the
Royal Family: photos, musical equipment and gifts received
from foreign countries. Then stroll through the lively
Central Market where the ethnic minorities of the
surroundings come daily. Lunch
at local restaurant. Transfer to
the airport for departure.
End of
Service |
