Essential Vientiane & Luang Prabang

DAY 01: Vientiane - Arrival (no meal)
    Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel.
    Overnight: Vientiane 

DAY 02: Vientiane –city tour - Luang Prabang (B)
    Your city tour, begins with 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 day 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.  
    You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. 
    Flight: QV 103 17:10 – 17:40
    Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, meet your driver and guide and transfer to your hotel.
    Overnight: Luang Prabang 

DAY 03: Luang Prabang –City tour (B)
    You can discuss with your guide for an optional early morning start (5.30am) 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.
After breakfast we visit 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.  
    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.
    Overnight: Luang Prabang 

DAY 04: Luang Prabang – Half day Kuang Si waterfall (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 then 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 a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear.  We then return to Luang Prabang by midday.
    This afternoon is free at leisure. 
    Overnight: Luang Prabang

DAY 05: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)
    Depending on your departure flight, you may have free time at leisure, before being transferred to the airport for your flight.