Hidden Laos Trails (15 Days) (Code: LSHT)

Hidden Laos Trails (15 Days) (Code: LSHT) Tour details After years of war and isolation this fascinating country finally opened up to worldwide tourism and attracts in contrast to its neighbours still with offensive charm and unspoiled nature. This tour leads you away from the beaten track and let you explore the traditional and original land. The Lao wilderness is drawing adventure-seekers and those who are interested in culture and history. Laos s diversity leaves every one indifferent. Tour Type: 15 Days Tour Date: Daily Itinerary DAY 1: VIENTIANE MEALS INCLUDED: -/-/- On arrival in Vientiane you will be picked up at the airport and brought to your hotel. Please remember that hotel check-in times are after midday unless the hotel has some rooms already available. If you do arrive earlier you can leave your luggage at the reception and we would encourage you to get out and explore Vientiane - but please take a hotel business card so that you will be able to find your way back. Before leaving the hotel, please look in the reception area for a notice advising your tour leader s name, mobile phone number and other helpful local information. There are no activities planned until your 6 pm tour briefing. It is important you attend the tour briefing and afterwards, for those interested, your leader will be happy to escort you to a local restaurant to sample the delights of Laotian cuisine and toast the start of what will be an unforgettable journey. Overnight in VIENTIANE. DAY 2: VIENTIANE MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- An optional early start enables you 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 (temple) 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 option of stopping at the Lao Disabled Women s Centre, which provides valuable training and schooling for disabled women in Laos. The women here are very 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. Overnight in VIENTIANE. Hotel

DAY 3: HIN BOUN MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- We will pick you up this morning from your hotel and drive south along route 13 to the central Lao province of Khammoune. En route we stop at Prabaht Ponsan, a stupa dating back to the 15th Century. It is also home to the Buddha footprint, left when, as legend has it, he was crossing the Mekong. Following lunch we make a stop at the interesting Ban Ton Na Mae Hmong Market, then continue onwards into Khammoune province and into the mountainous area, where a stop at a view point near Khoun Kham offers a breathtaking view over the karst scenery, or limestone forest. We arrive at your accommodation by midafternoon where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in HIN BOUN. DAY 4: HIN BOUN MEALS INCLUDED: B/L/- After breakfast at your lodge, we board a private boat and cruise up the Hin Boun River. We pass through several riverside villages and take in the stunning limestone karst scenery before reaching the entrance of Kong Lor Cave. Here we board a smaller local boat to venture into the famous Kong Lor Cave. We navigate through the cave, which is over 7 km long and includes a spectacular cavern over 100 m high, as well as a breathtaking stalagmite gallery which you can explore on foot. On the other side of the cave, we take a short walk past some tobacco drying huts to Ban Pon Ngam, a remote village. In the afternoon we return through the cave by boat, and drive back to your accommodation, arriving there by mid-afternoon, where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in HIN BOUN. DAY 5: HIN BOUN - PHONSAVAN MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- We depart early this morning (7 am) for the long drive along the back roads of Laos. Our first stop is Ban Thabuk, the bomb boat village which technically are actually fuel tanks from the Vietnam War used as boats. We continue through rolling countryside scenery, stopping to admire the Nam Mouan River before arriving at Ban Thasi for lunch. In the afternoon we begin our climb up into the mountains and stop at a number of minority villages, including Tai Lu weaving village, and a Hmong village. Late afternoon, we arrive at the ancient town of Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital, where you can explore the ruins of a number of ancient pagodas in the Lanna style and Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha. We will arrive in Phonsavan by early evening. Overnight in PHONSAVAN. Accommodation is included in this package. DAY 6: PHONSAVAN MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- This morning after breakfast at the hotel we visit the interesting Central Market, as well as the Mines Action Group (or MAG) office to learn about the important work they do in clearing land mines and unexploded ordnance in the area. We then drive out to the picturesque Jar Site 2, and begin a 1 hour trek along the ridge to Jar Site 3, consisting of over around 150 jars located on top of a hill, offering great views. In the afternoon we visit Jar Site 1, the largest site, containing over 300 jars, before returning to your hotel by late afternoon. Overnight in PHONSAVAN. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 7: SAM NEUA MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- We begin our long drive today starting early this morning along some fairly rough roads, but the journey is broken up with stops at Hmong and Khmu villages, as well as time to admire the breathtaking scenery with a series of photo stops. In the afternoon we visit Hintang. Here we can see the mysterious menhirs (standing stones). No one is quite sure who built them or why, perhaps they were burial sites or markers of some sort. We do also stop at Ban Sa Levy, a Tai Phong weaving village. We arrive in our destination Sam Neua in the early evening when we check in to our hotel for the night. Overnight in SAM NEUA. DAY 8: SAM NEUA VIENG XAI MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- We begin the day with an optional short walk around Sam Neua town, including a visit to a weaving house showroom, this area is highly regarded for its weaving products, particularly the traditional Lao skirt or Sin. We also take a walk along the river to visit the local wet market. We then set off on the short 45 minutes drive to Vieng Xai Caves, stopping at the village of Ban Na Taen en route. Vieng Xai Caves is the place where the Pathet Lao leaders lived during the Secret War. We start our fascinating audio tour that includes a visit to the Kaysone Phomvihane (the leader of the Lao communist movement) Cave, and the Prince Soupanouvong (the Red Prince ) Cave. We finish with the Artillery Cave that offers stunning views, over the surrounding countryside. In the afternoon, we take an easy walk to some of the little visited caves and an opportunity to take in the beautiful limestone karst scenery. We return to Sam Neua by late afternoon. Overnight in SAM NEUA. DAY 9: SA M NEUA NAM ET N.P. MEALS INCLUDED: B/L/D After an early morning breakfast, we leave Sam Neua (at 7 am) for the 3 hour drive to the village of Ban Son Koua. Here we board a long tail boat and cruise for 1 ½ hours on the Nam Nern River to the park headquarters where you will enjoy a lunch prepared by the villagers, and learn about conservation and management from the park staff. At midafternoon we depart for the night safari, stopping along the way at a salt lick, where your local guide, a skilled hunter and tracker, identifies and explains animal tracks with you. After sunset, we relax around a campfire and enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner. A couple of hours after dawn we float down the river quietly while your local guide looks for wildlife by torchlight. Approximately 2 hours later we arrive back at the park headquarters. Your accommodation for the night is in traditional Lao style huts in the forest. Overnight in NAM ET N.P. DAY 10: NAM ET N.P. NONG KHIAW MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- We rise early to explore the jungle before breakfast with local guides who will teach you about medicinal plants and explain the history of the area. After breakfast we take the boat back to Ban Son Koua, making a stop at a prime spot for bird watching. We continue by road to Vieng Thong, then on to Nong Khiaw, arriving there around sunset. Overnight in NONG KHIAW. Accommodation is included in this package.

DAY 11: NONG KHIAW MEALS INCLUDED: B/L/- After breakfast at your hotel, we board a local boat for a short cruise up the Nam Ou River for about 1 hour to Muang Ngoi. Here your local village guide will meet you and we begin an easy day trek, taking in a Khmu minority village, some beautiful paddy field scenery and a Thai Daeng ethnic village. We return back to Muang Ngoi, where you can bathe in the river to cool down at the end of the day, as the locals do. We then return to Nong Khiaw by boat arriving there by early evening. Overnight in NONG KHIAW. Accommodation is included in this package. DAY 12: NONG KHIAW LUANG PRABANG MEALS INCLUDED: B/L/- This morning we cruise by private boat down the Nam Ou River, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. Along the way we stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. We continue our trip down the river to Luang Prabang. We will bring you to your hotel by private vehicle in the early evening. Overnight in LUANG PRABANG. Accommodation is included in this package. DAY 13: LUANG PRABANG MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- You can discuss with your guide for an optional early morning start (5.30 am) 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. Your half day city tour starts with a visit to the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history. Our next stop is Wat Visoun, known as The Water Melon Stupa due to its shape. Next we visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style. We also visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a great insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. Overnight in LUANG PRABANG. DAY 14: LUANG PRABANG MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- After breakfast, we visit Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving process will be explained. We then drive out of the town where you have the option of stopping to visit Khmu, Hmong and Lao Loum villages, representing the main ethnic groups of Laos. This takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre that does support the protection and rehabilitation of the rare Asiatic Black Bears. We drive back to Luang Prabang around lunchtime. The remainder of the day is free for you at leisure. Overnight in LUANG PRABANG.

DAY 15: LUANG PRABANG MEALS INCLUDED: B/-/- Today is the last day of your tour. After breakfast at the hotel we will bring you back to the international airport in Luang Prabang to catch your flight home. We wish you a comfortable journey home and we are sure you will take some wonderful memories of Laos with you. When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (Day 15) is not included. * Hotel check-out times are midday. Late check-out is not included Inclusions: Transportation in private vehicle English speaking guide Accommodation in twin/double room Daily breakfast Admission fee to indicated sights Meals as per program Government tax and service charge Luggage handling and drinking water Price/Person from $2,678 USD Exclusions: International Visa stamping fee on arrival International flights to and from Laos Travel & Health Insurance Other foreign language guides Gratitude for driver and guide Personal expenses are such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.. Any other meals not mentioned above