Wonderful Laos 8 Days

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.

After a soft rest, we will first visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

The welcome dinner will be served at the local restaurant with the traditional dance and folk song, the best chance to experience the local culture.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Activities: Arrive in the capital city of Laos, transfer from airport to hotel and enjoy free time.

Vientian

After breakfast, we will transfer out to take the flight to Muang Xay, the capital city of Oudomxay province, which is the commercial hub of the Northern Laos. Oudomxay province is residence to a mixture of 23 ethnic minority groups.

Upon arrival, we will transfer to Muang La. Here we have the fantastic chance to visit Pra Xack Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. The 400 year old legendary statue is said to have many supernatural powers, and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists.

Arrive at Muang La Resort in the late afternoon. Check in, relax and enjoy the views. Facilities include a spa, sauna and steam room (it does get cold in the evenings here, especially November – March). The resort is built next to a natural hot spring and they fill a small pool every evening with water from the hot spring. Evenings are a real treat here, with 5 course set menus combining Asian and European influences, to be enjoyed by candle-light with the sounds of nature.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Muang La Resort

Muang La

This full day tour includes no ‘real trekking’, only walking through and between villages. Travelling by 4×4 is the only way to cover enough ground and climb the steep mountains in order to reach the most untouched and fascinating villages in the region. Speak to your guide to check if there are any special markets or festivals happening today, as the itinerary can sometimes be flexible.

Set off after breakfast to visit an entirely isolated Ikhos village. This ethnic group originates from Tibet and Yunnan and these villagers have seen very few foreigners. You may notice a different atmosphere here compared to other villages which are more used to seeing visitors. Your guide can teach you about the daily life of the villagers and how they still follow ancient customs passed down through the centuries.

Here you are more than 1,000m above sea level and the views are magnificent, making it great picnic spot.

After lunch, you leave the village walk for approximately 45 minutes to the Hmong village of Ban Tauser. The remote route to the village takes you to a viewpoint with a stunning 360° panorama. The Hmong originate in the high steppes of Tibet and you will learn about their way of life, including the great importance of their livestock.

Return to the resort at the end of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Muang La Resort

Activities: Visit hill tribe village in Muang La

Local people in Muong La

You are free to stroll around the town for your own experience. The charms of Muang La resort, and its surrounding area is worth for your you to spend 01 or more free day for your own exploration. There are plenty of activities offered by the resort to fulfill your time. Another way to spend your day is relaxing by the infinity pool of the resort.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Muang La Resort

Activities: Free to relax and enjoy the infinity pool

Muang La

In the morning, we will depart for Muang Khua, the small town along the way to Tay Trang Border with Vietnam. From there, we will board on a long-tail boat downstream the Nam Ou river to Nong Khiaw, the lovely boutique town along the lazy Nam Ou River. The scenery along the way is said to be the most beautiful part of the gently Nam Ou River. Along the way, we may make a short stop to enjoy the drink at one of the bars in Muang Ngoi overlooking the Nam Ou River. We arrive in Nong Khiaw just in time to catch the sunset before checking in your simple guesthouse.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw

Activities: Take the short transfer to Muang Khua before cruising downstream the lazy Nam Ou river to Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw

After breakfast, we will transfer back to Luang Prabang. After about 20 minute drive, we will take a right turn at Ban Bom onto the dirt road to Ban Na Yang (12km from the main road), which is the Thai Lue minority village. This is the very unique village with the traditional house and hand-weaving technique.

After that, we will transfer directly to Ban Pak Ou, where we will have lunch (your own account) at the riverside restaurant overlooking the Nam Ou River, and Mekong River.

The afternoon will follow with the visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. We then take the boat downstream the Mekong River to the heritage city of Luang Prabang. Along the way, we have chance to visit some more village at Ban Muangkeo, which is famous for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. We arrive in Luang Prabang just in time to catch the sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Activities: Take the transfer to Luang Prabang, visit Pak Ou caves along the way

Luang Prabang

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Indochina.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Activities: Free for your own exploration

Luang Prabang Night Market

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.

From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. This is the best way to experience the taste of local life

After breakfast, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, you will visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

Your city tour continues with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall.

If time permits, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people, and visiting the traditional house of Heuan Chan, the Chantal wooden house dating back to 100 years old.

We then transfer out to the airport to take the departure flight

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: N/A

Activities: Visit main attractions in the city before transferring out to the airport

Chang Noi Luang Prabang