8 DAYS LAOS TRAVERSE
Trip code: DINA-INLA13 |
HOUEI XAY – LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE – PAKSE –
SURIN – KORAT
Private tour : Daily departure from Houei Xay with English or French
speaking guide
ITINERARY
DAY 1: HOUEI XAI – PAKBENG (L,D)
Meet upon arrival at Houei Xai immigration checkpoint and transfer to the
boat pier. Embark on a traditional wooden riverboat to cruise down the
Mekong River, “Mother of Waters”. The mighty river has maintained its
untamed character with rapids and pristine forests along each bank. Stops at
Yao, Thai Lu and Hmong minority villages.
Lunch on board.
Arrival in Pakbeng in the afternoon. This rustic town-village sits on a
steep hillside and offers spectacular views over the Mekong River. Dinner
and accommodation at hotel.
DAY 2: PAKBENG – LUANG PRABANG (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Continue the cruise towards Luang Prabang. En route, stop at Pak Ou and
visit the sacred caves which house over a thousand Buddha statues.
Lunch on board.
Arrival in Luang Prabang, transfer and check-in at the hotel. The crown
jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang, is perhaps the
best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. Magical and charming, it
has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture
with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. In 1995 UNESCO
voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage City. If time permits, visit Vat
Xieng Thong upon arrival. The sim of the temple represents the classic Luang
Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. In the
compound stand several small chapels housing bronze Buddha images, which
were displayed in Paris in 1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal funeral
chapel. Inside are an impressive 12-meter high funeral chariot and
various funeral urns of each royal family member. The gilt panel on the
exterior of the chapel depicts a semi-erotic episode from Ramayana. Dinner
and accommodation at the hotel.
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) displaying a collection of
personal artifacts of the Royal Family. Continue to visit Vat Mai, built in
1796, famous for the five – tiered roof of its wooden sim. Then stroll
through the lively Central Market where the ethnic minorities of the
surroundings come daily.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That Makmo, stylistically
more Srilankalese than Lao. Then walk to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one
of the city’s major tutelary shrines. Climb Phousi Hill for an outstanding
view of the city. Sunset at Vat Prabaht Tai located along the Mekong River.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport for flight to Vientiane. Meet upon arrival at
Vientiane Wattay airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Vientiane’s
major attractions are the serene Buddhist monasteries that dominate the
center of town. The city has kept its timeless charm with tree-lined
avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture.
Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane.
Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the sole survivor of an invasion in 1828. All
other temples in the city have undergone extensive restoration. Vat Sisaket
features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha images. Nearby is Ho Phra Keo,
once the royal temple of Lao monarchy. Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo has been
used as a museum since 1970 and contains some of the finest Buddhist
sculptures and artifacts in the country. Special displays include antique
brass drums and palm leaf manuscripts. The main structure originally housed
the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Keo. One of
the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patousay, the victory gate also
known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by
the Arc of Triumph in Paris. Another famous Vientiane landmark is the That
Luang Stupa. King Setthathirath built this great sacred stupa, considered as
the national symbol, in 1566. Its central structure is 45 meters tall and
echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus. The original stupa was said
to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
DAY 8: VIENTIANE – PAKSE(B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Pakse. Meet upon arrival
at Pakse airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Excursion to Tadlo,
located on the Northern edge of the Boloven Plateau. The Boloven Plateau,
formed by ancient volcanoes, has a number of tribal villages, some of them
still practicing Stone Age culture. Tadlo is touted as an eco - friendly
resort near the Xeset waterfall.
Lunch at the resort.
Visit Alack and Nge tribal villages. Drive back to Pakse via Paksong and
visit a tea and coffee plantation. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
DAY 8: PAKSE (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Board a long-tail riverboat for a cruise on the Mekong River towards the
former royal capital of Champassak and continue by car to the pre-Angkorian
Vat Phu Temple (6th-13th centuries). Vat Phu Temple lies on a hillside and
offers spectacular views on the surrounding plains and on the Mekong River.
UNESCO listed Vat Phu Temple as a World Heritage site in 2002. Hindu Khmer
probably chose the site because of the spring that flows from near the top
of the hill. Historians say that Phu Pasak was in fact sacred to the pre-Angkorian
Kingdom of Chenla (6th century) and may have been the site of human
sacrifices. The temple is divided in two parts. The lower part consists of
two ruined palace buildings at the edge of a pond, which was used for ritual
ablutions. The upper section, the temple sanctuary itself, once enclosed a
large Shiva phallus (linga). It was later converted into a Buddhist temple
but much of the original Hindu sculpture remains. The lintels feature
various forms of Vishnu and Shiva as well as Kala, the Hindu god of time and
death. The naga stairway is lined with plumeria (Dokchampa), the Lao
national flower.
Lunch at local restaurant,
Continue by car to Ban Khiet Ngong village and take an elephant ride to
reach the enigmatic Phu Asa Temple, which lies amidst the dense jungle.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
DAY 8: PAKSE – CHONG MEK – PREAH VIHEAR – SURIN(B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Pakse Museum, which displays artifacts from the different ethnic
groups of the Boloven Plateau. Then drive to Chong Mek immigration
checkpoint (border crossing to Thailand) and continue to Preah Vihear
Temple.
Lunch en route.
Visit the Angkorian temple of Preah Vihear (8-10th centuries). Although
physically standing on the Cambodian territory, the only practical access is
from Thailand. Its spectacular location, on top of a cliff in the Dangrek
Range, overlooks the Cambodian plains. Continue to Surin and check-in at the
hotel. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
DAY 8: SURIN – KORAT(B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive to Buriram province and visit the Khmer temple of Phanom Rung, which
was established at the same time as the Angkor Empire in Cambodia. The
temple stands on an extinct volcano and reflects the glorifying of the Hindu
god Shiva. The Phanom Rung complex holds an extraordinary collection of
Khmer art, especially exquisitely carved lintels. Continue to visit the
Angkorian site of Prasat Muang Tam. Prasat Muang Tam, which probably was the
palace of the Khmer governor, has been recently renovated to its former
glory with its gracious ponds bordered by nagas.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Proceed to Nakhon Rachasima (Korat) and transfer to airport for departure
(airfare not included in tour price).
HOTEL ADDRESSES:
|
Superior Category |
|
|
Villa Salika
(medium) |
Ban Khoko, Muang Pakbeng,
Oudomxai Province, Lao PDR
Tel: (856-81) 212 306 / Fax: (856-21) 217 151 or 216 294 |
|
Muang Luang Hotel |
Bounkhong Road, Luang Prabang,
Lao PDR
Tel: (856-71) 212 791 / Fax: (856-71) 212 790 |
|
Novotel Hotel |
Unit 9 Samsenthai Road,
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel: (856-21) 213 570-1 / Fax: (856-21) 213 572 |
|
Champa Residence Hotel
(superior) |
Champassak Road, Pakse, Lao PDR
Tel: (856-31) 212 120 / Fax: (856-31) 212 649 or 212 765 |
|
Thong Tharin Hotel (medium) |
60 Sirirat Road, Surin Province,
Thailand
Tel: (66-44) 514 2891 / Fax: (66-44) 511 580 |
|
First Category |
|
|
Villa Salika
(medium) |
Ban Khoko, Muang Pakbeng,
Oudomxai Province, Lao PDR
Tel: (856-81) 212 306 / Fax: (856-21) 217 151 or 216 294 |
|
Villa Santi Hotel |
Sakkarine Road, Luang Prabang,
Lao PDR
Tel: (856-71) 252 157 / Fax: (856-71) 252 158 |
|
Lao Plaza Hotel |
63 Samsenthai Road, Vientiane,
Lao PDR
Tel: (856-21) 218 800-1 / Fax: (856-21) 218 808-9 |
|
Champa Residence Hotel
(superior) |
Champassak Road, Pakse, Lao PDR
Tel: (856-31) 212 120 / Fax: (856-31) 212 649 or 212 765 |
|
Thong Tharin Hotel (medium) |
60 Sirirat Road, Surin Province,
Thailand
Tel: (66-44) 514 2891 / Fax: (66-44) 511 580 |
|
Deluxe Category |
|
|
Villa Salika
(medium) |
Ban Khoko, Muang Pakbeng,
Oudomxai Province, Lao PDR
Tel: (856-81) 212 306 / Fax: (856-21) 217 151 or 216 294 |
|
La Residence Phou Vao |
Phou Vao Road, Luang Prabang,
Lao PDR
Tel: (856-71) 212 530 / Fax: (856-71) 212 534 |
|
Settha Palace Hotel |
6 Pang Kham Street, Vientiane,
Lao PDR
Tel: (856-21) 217 581-2 / Fax: (856-21) 218 583 |
|
Champa Residence Hotel
(superior) |
Champassak Road, Pakse, Lao PDR
Tel: (856-31) 212 120 / Fax: (856-31) 212 649 or 212 765 |
|
Thong Tharin Hotel (medium) |
60 Sirirat Road, Surin Province,
Thailand |
|
|
Trip includes
Our tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours
with local English or French speaking guides. Entrance fees, boat
fees, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch,
D=Dinner), accommodation in twin shared rooms with private bathroom,
domestic ticket Luangprabang - Vientane- Pakse , room tax and
baggage handling.
Trip excludes:
International airfare; airport taxes, Visa, meals not indicated,
personal expenses Christmas and New Year's Eve Dinners.
|
|
|
|
