Travel Style
Culture - History
Destinations
Plain of jars, Vientiane, Khuangsi Waterfalls, Pak Ou Cave, Luang Prabang
Highlights Itinerary Accommodation Inclusions/Exclusions
An inimitable Laos travel itinerary of 8 days to gain insightful knowledge about Laos culture; and fall in love with this intriguingly laidback and peaceful Buddhist country. Chosen tourist destinations of Laos for your journey include Vientiane city with its iconic religious Buddhist temples and colonial influences; Xieng Khuang Province in the East renowned home of vast plains of mysterious jars which is Laos' Stonehenge; and the spiritual serenity Luang Prabang. Being the meeting point of two rivers, Luang Prabang is a tranquil town rich in culture. Besides visiting awe-inspiring temples and staggering natural attractions, you shall attend Baci rituals at a local house and have a chance to observe the Tak Bath Ceremony while traveling in Luang Prabang.
Sabaidee, Welcome to Vientiane, the capital and the largest city of Laos means “city of sandalwood”. This enchanting town features French architecture influences, and Buddhist serenity sites; and is unique from other South-East Asian countries. It's hard to find the bustle of living space, the traffic congestion in rush hours, the noisy horns, or other chaotic capital cities.
Upon your arrival in Vientiane - the starting point of your Laos culture tour in 8 days, you will meet up with your local tour guide and take a transfer from the airport to your hotel for resting. Have a free and easy time to get off your jetlag.
In the morning, embark on a pleasant trip to explore the hidden gems of Vientiane, a city close to the border with Thailand. Visit Wat Sisaket's five-tiered temple, the only intact temple in Vientiane after the Siamese’s attack in 1828. Wat Sisaket is the largest and the most beautiful temple in the city. Next, you will enter Haw Phra Keo temple, a fine sample showcasing the fine art of Laos and Khmer. Surrounded by the lush garden, this tranquil temple is home to the renowned Emerald Buddha and some wooden panels and colonnades. Then, visit the Pha That Luang a symbolic shrine of Laos that corresponds to the Buddhist religion and Laos sovereignty.
This afternoon, head to Buddha Park or Wat Xieng Khuan a 30-minute drive from Vientiane. This unique park, constructed in 1958 by the monk Luang Pu Bunleua Sililat, displays a collection of over 200 statues of Buddhist and Hinduism deities.
You will check out of the hotel and then get transferred to the airport for a morning flight from Vientiane to Xieng Khuang to delve into the home of the mysterious prehistoric stone on the Plain of Jars. In the afternoon, you will visit the mulberry farm in Xieng Khuang and learn 26 steps of making silk by the local people. This social enterprise training provides work for local people; and also encourages sustainable traditional weaving works and organic fertilizers to alternate the opium production, forest burning, and using harmful chemicals.
In the morning, traverse from Phonsavan the capital city of Xieng Khuang Province, with a stop at Muang Khoun and visit the ruins of the royal kingdom. Carry on to the Xieng Khuang Plateau for the famous Plain of Jars, reminiscent of Stonehenge in England. This place is still a mystery and theories and facts haven’t figured out the scatters of massive jars over such a vast plain. There is a belief that those are funerary urns. Come and have a closer investigation yourself on those stone jars in clusters or single appearing at the largest site 1 to learn about the history; then move on to the other sites 2 and 3.
Leave Plain of Jars in the morning, you will fly from Xieng Khuang to Luang Prabang UNESCO Heritage Town taking only 30 minutes by local airlines. Upon your arrival in Luang Prabang, you're welcomed by your local tour guide and travel to the hotel for check-in.
Resting till late afternoon, your tour guide will escort you to a local house and participate in the traditional Baci Ceremony, one of the important ceremonies in Laos or “Soul calling” which is indispensable to Laos people on many life occasions including weddings, health, birth, death, Laos New Year, etc. When attending the ritual, the participants’ wrists will be tied with a white string to preserve the luck.
Delve into the heart of Luang Prabang today with an exciting full day exploring Laos temples and Pak Ou Cave! Begin with charming Wat Mai a beautiful pagoda with exceptional 5-floor roof. Wat Mai or the "New Monastery" is a significant religious place in Laos. The statue of Pra Bang Buddha shall be moved from the National Museum to Wat Mai for the 3-day bathing ceremony. Wat Mai also presents a graceful gold gilded veranda porch and shining walls carved with lively images of Jataka Vesantara Buddha which showcase Laos fine arts. Afterward, you will stroll around 10 minutes from Wat Mai to reach the Royal Palace an intriguing place to observe the Laos Royal family's residences. In 1976 the Palace became the Laos National Museum displaying precious items of Royal members, relics, Buddha statues, and so on. This modest Royal Palace characterizes a blend of French colonial and Laotian architectures via its constructions, carvings, and ornaments. Next, you will see Wat Xieng Thong among the oldest and most beautiful pagodas in Luang Prabang with a history of over 450 years. Wat Xieng Thong was the place where celebrating Royal crowing ceremony and funerals. Among its impressive constructions, the glittering mosaic Tree of Life is stunning showing Laos art and handicrafts.
This afternoon, take a pleasant 2-hour boat cruise on the Mekong River toward Pak Ou Cave where roughly 4,000 big and small Buddha statues. Make a short stop by the whiskey village on the way and try some local wine as well as their handicrafts. Upon arriving, have a hike up to ancient the upper and lower caves on the limestone cliffs. Afterward, cruise downstream in a shorter time than the other way, and you shall return to the hotel for relaxation.
Early this morning, you will get to a pagoda and Luang Prabang town to observe Tak Bath or the Alms Giving Ceremony. Monks in Luang Prabang finish chanting; then leave the pagoda and walk on streets receiving alms from locals. Almsgiving is a Buddhist ritual of virtue that the devotee knee down and respectfully offers to the monks wishing to remiss their karmas. Afterward, have a stroll around the busy morning market in Luang Prabang town and observe the locals' lifestyles. Then return to your hotel for relaxation and have breakfast.
At good time, you shall drive roughly 40 minutes to the appealing Khuang Si Waterfalls, one of the most outstanding places in Laos tour packages. Khuang Si Waterfalls around 26km (16 miles) from Luang Prabang is a fantastic natural place of Laos with layers of crystal-clear cascades nestling in the jungle. Swimming in the waterfall is possible, and the changing rooms can be found on spot. Afterward, return to the hotel to rest. Tonight, you shall visit the Luang Prabang night market which is colorful with local handicrafts, Laos beautiful lanterns, Laos souvenirs, etc.
Have a free and easy time on your own to rest at the hotel for massages, chilling at a riverside cafe in Luang Prabang or make yourself lost in other Laos temples in Luang Prabang. At a good time, you will see your tour guide for the transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination.
Inclusion:
Accommodation with double/twin sharing with daily breakfast
Private air-conditioned transfers
English-speaking tour guide (other language on request)
Boat trips as mentioned in the program
Meals indicated in the program
Sightseeing and entrance fees
Bottles of drinking water every day
Exclusion:
Laos Visa and stamping fees
Domestic & International air ticket
Surcharge for the festive season
Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program
Tips, drinks, personal expenses, and others.
BOOK THIS TRIP
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