Daily details Day 1: Arrive Vientiane Day 2: Vientiane : Vientiane Phou Khao Khouay and Tad Xay Day 4: Vientiane Vang Vieng Day 5: Vang Vieng Day 6: Vang Vieng Luang Prabang Trip Information Active Laos Showcasing the very best Laotian life that surrounds the country s two main cities Vientiane and Lunag Prabang. On this journey of discovery you will come face to face with traditional life and Laotian culture and well as getting a little active along the way to. This tour has been put together for the more adventurous as it really gives you the opportunity to dive in to the Laos way of life. Starting in Laos s capital, you will enjoy a city tour taking in all of the best sights as well as exploring the cities surroundings such as a day trip to Tad Xay Waterfall and a trek in the beautiful forest where you will see stunning wild orchids. From here you journey to Vang Vieng where you are greeted by picturesque limestone mountains. Here we go on a mountain bike adventure to explore the local countryside and the Tham Phoukham Cave. Continuing our journey we arrive in Lunag Prabang a picture perfect city with so much to unearth, such as the nearby caves of Pak Ou and the fabulous days elephant trekking which is incredibly good fun. The highlight for most is the time spent the traditional Laos way at up river from town. Here you have the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in to the culture by panning for gold, fishing or planning rice as well as sampling some wonderful food and hospitality. On your journey with us we constantly stop along the way at traditional local villages that specialise in producing different products. So you get a real insight of how the countries heart beats. This tour is a must for anyone really wanting to scratch below the surface and dive in to a Laos adventure. Day 7: Luang Prabang Day 8: Luang Prabang Day 9: Luang Prabang Day 10: Luang Prabang Day 11: Depart Luang Prabang Tour includes Airport pick up and drop off Overnights as mentioned Excursions as mentioned Transportation in private A/C vehicle English speaking guide Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner - excludes drinks) All taxes Tour excludes All International flights & Visa fees, currently varying from $30 to $42 per person International airport tax (Included in Airline Ticket) Meals, unless mentioned differently Beverages and personal expenses Other excursions and entrance fees Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness) Page 1
Prices & Hotels Standard Hotels Location Hotels Price from 1,299 Beau Rivage Thavonsouk My Dream Resort Superior Hotels Location Hotels Price from 1,399 Mandala, Davara Villa Namsong Le Bel Air Resort, The Apsara, Le Sen Luxury Hotels Location Hotels Price from 1,599 Green Park, Settha Palace, Ansara Riverside Boutique Satri House, Hotel De La Paix Indulgent Hotels Location Hotels Price from 2,199 Ansara Riverside Boutique Amantaka, Laa Residence Phou Vao All prices are correct at the time of publishing however Prices and Accommodation are subject to availability and can only be confirmed at the time of booking. Please note: During high season periods (such as Christmas and New Year) hotels often levy a surcharge and these are not included in the above prices. Your consultant will be happy to advise you of these. Page 2
Complete trip details Day 1 Arrive Vientiane (Meals B/_/_) You will be met at the airport in Vientiane by a See Laos Differently representative who will transfer you to your hotel before running through your trip details with you. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Day 2 Full Day city Tour: Vientiane (Meals B/_/_) An optional early start enables us to visit the fascinating local market of Thongkhankham which is where the locals shop and a wide variety of weird and wonderful foods are on offer. We continue to explore the city by visiting the oldest Wat in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which now serves as a museum of arts and antiques. We then travel up Lanexang Avenue you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxai Monument, which resembles its Parisian inspiration, the Arc de Triomphe. The climb to the top offers great views over Vientiane. We continue onwards down Rue Singha 23 to Laos National icon, and most important religious building the golden stupa of That Luang. The final visit of the morning will be the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day to day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War area. In the afternoon we visit the quirky yet impressive Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the banks of the Mekong River. By no means historic Buddha Park was built in the 1950 s by a self styled holy man the park features some very photogenic and unusual sculptures, including a huge reclining Buddha, and a giant pumpkin. Upon returning to Vientiane we have the optional of stopping at the Lao Disabled Women s Centre, which provides valuable training and schooling for disabled women in Laos. The women here are friendly, and it s interesting to have a chat with them to find out about their lives. A spectacular view of the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Vientiane Phou Khao Khouay and Tad Xay: Vientiane (Meals: B/L/_) Day 2 Early this morning we leave the hotel and drive to Ban Hatkhai via a stop at Prabaht Phonsan a stupa dating back to the 15th Century and home to the Buddhas footprint. We also pause at Ban Huay Leuk and visit the school there, before continuing to Ban Hatkai, arriving there mid morning. At Ban Hatkhai you meet your local guide, and we take a local songthaew, or small truck to Tad Xay Waterfall. A short 20 minute walk along a path will take you to Tad Xay for a local style picnic lunch and time to admire the multi tiered waterfall, as well as a swim in the refreshing pools. We then begin our 2 hour trek through the forest, where we can see beautiful wild orchids. We arrive at the Nam Mang River, and here we board a small local boat to take us back to Ban Hatkhai village where you can see the locals weaving sticky rice baskets. We then return back to Vientiane, stopping at the interesting Lak Saojet Market, which hosts a range of interesting foods on offer to try, including ant eggs and insects for the very brave! You will then be transferred back to you hotel by early evening. The trekking is moderately challenging, so this is only suitable for those of a reasonable fitness Day 4 Vientiane Vang Vieng (Meals: B/L/_) This morning we travel by the picturesque back roads to Vang Vieng. En route we stop at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt mine. Here you can learn about the daily working life of the local people. We then continue to Nam Ngum, a picturesque lake popular with the locals as a day trip from Vientiane. Following lunch overlooking the lake, we continue north, stopping at Tha Heua, a small village that specializes in dried fish, which you will see hanging in front of the houses. We then reach Vang Vieng by mid afternoon, where we have time to visit Tham Jang cave that offers stunning views of over the Nam Song River and surrounding karst scenery. The rest of the day you are free to enjoy at your leisure. Day 4 Page 3
T: +44 (0)208 1505 150 Complete trip details continued Day 5 Vang Vieng (Meals: B/_/_) We leave our hotel by bicycle this morning and cycle to Tham Phoukham Cave crossing over a small Bamboo bridge, that provides a great photo stop. We pass through 3 local villages before arriving at Tham Phoukham caves where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. There is also an opportunity to swim here, before we return back to town in time for lunch. Day 6 Vang Vieng Luang Prabang (Meals: B/_/_) We leave Vang Vieng this morning, making a short photo stop at Phatang Mountain view point to admire the beautiful scenery. We also have the option of pausing at Koe Kuang, which boasts a local forest market, offering edible snakes, rats and assorted reptiles! We then travel to Ban Hin Ngon, a picturesque Hmong village, before arriving at Phou Khoun for lunchtime. In the afternoon we stop to explore Ban Kiu Kam Pone, a Khmu village, and we have an opportunity to stretch our legs at the picturesque riverside village of Ban Nam Ming. We then arrive in Luang Prabang by late afternoon. Day 7 Day 5 Full Day City Tour: Luang Praban (Meals: B/_/_) You can discuss with your guide for an optional early morning start at 5.30am if you wish to witness and partake in the daily morning ritual of Tak Bat or giving alms to the monks. This is a unique ritual still followed by the locals in Luang Prabang. We can also visit the local fresh market to see how the locals shop, before returning to your hotel for breakfast. Alternatively your city tour starts with a visit to the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history. We then begin our temple tour taking in some the cities most beautiful structures, including the country s most historic and enchanting temple Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style, as well as the unique Wat Mai, with its five tiered roof and Wat Visoun, known as The Water Melon Stupa due to its shape. Day 6 In the afternoon we visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a great insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. We then visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Our final stop of the day is a climb Mt Phousi, which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. Day 8 Laos Elephant Experience: Luang Prabang (Meals: B/L/_) Today you can enjoy a unique elephant riding experience amidst beautiful surrounds and a secret waterfall. Your day starts at 8am were you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Elephant camp which is about 15km outside town. On arrival, you will get an introductory tour of the camp where your guide will teach you about elephants. You can talk with our veterinarian in the hospital, feed the elephants and relax by the riverside. Your expedition begins with an elephant ride through diverse landscape. It is impressing how safe and secure the gentle giants make their way along the smallest jungle paths. After crossing the river, the trail takes you through a teak forest and jungle over the hills to reach the beautiful Tad Sae Waterfall. Along the way you can stop to see the amazing scenery of the Nam Khan River Valley. There is time to rest at the Tad Sae Waterfall and enjoy this beautiful place with its fantastic limestone formations and turquoise blue pools in the forest. Coming from the mountains, the Huay Sae stream ends here falling over several cascades into the Nam Khan River. Refresh and swim in the natural pools. Down at the Nam Khan River, a luxury bamboo raft is waiting to take you back. Enjoy the taste of typical Lao food for lunch on board, relax and watch the traditional village life of farmers and fishermen along the river. Slowly floating down the river, the relaxing 1 hour journey will bring you back to the camp. At about 2pm we then depart the camp and return back to Luang Prabang. Day 7 Day 8 Page 4
Day 9 Luang Prabang : Luang Prabang (Meals B/_/_) After breakfast we transfer to the boat pier and board a traditional Long River boat at Wat Xieng Thong pier, also known as the King s Pier. We then take a leisurely cruise upstream while enjoying the refreshments served on the boat. Marvel at the thousands and thousands of gold Buddha statues placed in sacred Pak Ou caves by devotees. Most people failed to marvel at Pak Ou towering limestone cliff. Continuing upriver we reach around noon. On arrival we check you into your supersize safari-tents with attached modern bathroom amenities and facilities before joining a home cooked Laotian s meal communal style in an airy Sala just in the paddy fields. After lunch, you can choose to either relax on the veranda or partake in traditional Kamu lifestyles and activities: Rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields Gold panning in the Mekong. Anything you find is yours! Day 9 Trekking through the forest to cave. Traditional fishing techniques. You can sample your catch for dinner! Local village visit Archery contest Dinner is a feast by Kamu tribe standards. We want you to see the world from the Kamu s eyes. Experience their celebration of lives which urbanites have often forgotten. Day 10 Luang Prabang (Meals B/_/_) After breakfast we return to Luang Prabang by downstream by boat. We reach the King s Pier at around lunch time leaving your kingdom behind as you step onto the pier. You then have one final afternoon to explore the city or simply relax by the riverside. Day 11 Depart Luang Prabang (Meals B/_/_) Depending on your departure flight, you may have some free time in the morning, before we transfer you to the airport for your departing flight home. Day 10 Page 5