|
Mekong Magic
6days/5nights
Day1.
Arrival –Vientiane
On arrival in Vientiane Capital, you are met and
transferred to our centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we start to
visit the major sights of the capital including the oldest
Wat Sisaket with thousands of
miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of
Wat Prakeo previously housed the
famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of
That Luang Stupa, we stop to take
some pictures of the imposing Patuxai
Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Overnight in
Vientiane. (B)
Day2.
Vientiane - Luang Prabang
We board a short afternoon flight to Luang
Prabang, which is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia.
The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and
cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. On
arrival, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat
Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.
We then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount
for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful
sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)
Day3.
Luang Prabang - Khouangsi Waterfalls
This morning you may want to wake up early and
participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their
black Alms-giving bowls being
given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. The
National Museum at the former
Royal Palace, which displays a lovely
collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from
the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, and the
Central Market are not to be missed.
We visit these sights, today before we drive to Ban Hmong hill tribe at
Ban Nam Ouay, a lowland Lao at
Ban Ou, a village that boasts its
cotton production and Ban Thapene.
We then spend the remainder of the day at the beautiful
Khouangsi Waterfalls. The water
tumbling over multi tiered limestone formations into the cool and clear pool is
ideal for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape when the heat becomes unbearable.
Over in Luang Prabang. (B)
Day4.
Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Pakbeng
Heading out of the town, we take a cruise
upstream on the Mekong River which also gives us a beautiful view of the
tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of
Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands
of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we
stop at the village of Ban Xanghai,
where they make the local rice wine. We then continue our boat trip to the
riverside town of Pakbeng. Overnight in Pakbeng. (B)
Day5.
Pakbeng – HoueiSay
After breakfast, we visit the local market where
many hill tribe people converge from the outlying valleys and hillsides to sell
their goods and buy provision. Upon leaving Pakbeng, we re-embark on our boat
for the second leg of our journey toward HoueiSay, which is close to the famous
Golden Triangle. The cruise is long, but the unequalled, rive rain scenery will
make for an interesting day. Overnight in HoueiSay. (B)
Day6.
HoueiSay - Thailand
The surrounding areas of
HoueiSay are home to a wide variety
of ethnic minority groups. After an enjoyable visit to the Lu hill tribe people
at Ban Namkeung, we take a short
drive to the border gate for Chiang Khong, Thai land, End the tour at Lao-Thai
border. (B)
|
