Exploration the Land of Million Elephants 17Days/16Nights

Day 1: Arrival - Luang Prabang

Arrive in Luang Prabang airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel by our provided transportation. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After a short rest, we are riding to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River, from there we experience the Street Night Market where you can found the traditional textile collection, gift away and souvenirs.

Day 2: Luang Prabang - Khouangsi Waterfalls (B)

This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. From there you will visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign and the morning Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Na Ouan, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Lao Loum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths, return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village, return to the city by late evening for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

Day 3: Luangprabang - Udomxay ( Overland ) (B)

An early morning departure towards Udomxay, The road journey passing numerous small villages en-route visit Khmu, Lantene. They are living with a nature forest. On arrival at Oudomxay transfer to hotel before a sightseeing tour of the town. Explore the stupa of Santhiphap that overlooks this bustling center of local trade and commerce. Overnight in Oudomxay.(B)

Day 4: Oudomxay - Luang Nam Tha - Muangsing (B)

After breakfast, continue to drive further north to explore local lifestyle which is home to various hill tribe groups including Akha, Laos, Dao. There is also a significant Chinese population and a lot of trade goes on between here and China. On the way we visit an Akha minority village. This ethnic group was originally in China but immigrated into Laos down centuries. They are very poor, but have an interesting culture and a colorful history (B).

Day 5: Muangsing - Xieng kok - Muang Sing (B)

The remote and extremely beautiful mountain region of Muong Sing is ideal for anyone seeking a true adventure and trekking expedition. After breakfast we have time strolling round this small town where many ethnic minorities are frequently seen on the main street while small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. Upon leaving the town we take a drive west, traveling by bumpy roads to Xieng Kok, a border town near the golden triangle. In late afternoon, we drive back to Muong Sing with stopover at the Lantern minority village. Overnight at Moung Sing. (B)

Day 6: Muong Sing - Oudomxay - Nong Khiow (B)

Early morning, we visit the bustling colorful Morning Market and the impressive ethnologic museum, dedicated to region’s ethnic minorities, are not to be missed. We visit these sights before we make our way journey to Oudomxay. The road journey down the hill, passing numerous small villages en-route visit Khmu, Lantene. They are living with a nature forest. We pass by again Oudomxay, Nam Bak district, which is completely destroyed during the Indochinese war. On arrival at Nong Khiow, a small village, located on the bank of Nam Ou river and surrounded by a chain of the mountains and transfer to local guest house. Overnight in Nong Khiow.(B)

Day 7: Nongkhoiw - Luang Prabang (Boat) (B)

Breakfast, we board a traditional boat down the Nam Ou River to Luang Prabang. This tranquil town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been claimed by UNESCO to be“ the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia”. Stop en route to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, where thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. Continue down river to Ban Sang Hay village to sample the local rice alcohol known as Laow Lao. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.(B)

Day 8. Luang Prabang - Xiengkhouang (Road) (B)

Breakfast, today, we are driving 306KM overland on up Hill Mountain with splendid natural scenery to Xiengkhouang, where was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. If time permits, we are seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun [if time permits] and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Phonsavanh. (B)

Day 9. Xiengkhouang - Muangkham District (B)

Breakfast, we visit Central Market of Phonsavanh, then drive to visit Muang Kham and some 50KM. En route visit tribal minorities villages of Hmong, Tai Dam and Khmu… and hot spring water and Tham Piew cave, where hundred people were killed by American bomb. Lunch in local restaurant. Return to the hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Phonsavanh (B)

Day 10 : XiengKhuang - Vang Vieng (B)

Today we travel by roads to Vang Vieng. The journey is strenuous as we drive along one of the most scenic but rough routes in the whole of Asia. We arrive in Vang Vieng, a small town which is located on a bend in the Nam Song River. This tranquil town is rapidly developed with the advent of tourist, but the beautiful scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops is unchanged for century. We embark on our boat for a well-paced trip on the Nam Song River, exploring the breathtaking mountain landscape. Over night in Vang Vieng (B)

Day 11: Vang Vieng - Trekking (B)

The limestone cliffs and valleys surrounding the resort complex of Vang Vieng are home to numerous caves and caverns. The most famous of these caves, Tham Jang, was used by local people around 200 years as a hideout from Chinese invaders. We visit this beautiful cave this morning before we take a walk to the Tai Deang and the Souay hill tribe villages. They are all friendly and welcoming. The remainder of the day is free for your own exploration of the town and relaxation. Over night in Vang Vieng. (B)

Day 12: Vang Vieng - Vientiane (B)

Heading out of town we drive back to Vientiane. On the way we make a stop to visit Nam Ngum dam(90KM), a huge beautiful, artificial lake was created by damming the Nam Ngum river and flooding around 250 sq Km of forest. The lake is dotted with picturesque small islands and a cruise is well worth arranging to explore the fishing villages in different island. Before returning to Vientiane on the road No 10, visit Ban Keun and Ban Bo, where a traditional salt extraction plant can be seen. We finish the day to watch the spectacular sunset over the Mekong River from one of riverside bars. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)

Day 13: Vientiane - City Tour (B)

Breakfast, AM: you are met to continue exploring Vientiane capital city, we start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
PM: continue to visit the rest of Vientiane by walk, visit Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng. Then we pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao, where the major goods display; including fresh food, household, textiles, gold, silver and ancient souvenir varied display.
Afterward we drive out to see the Buddha Park, a blend of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created by mystical monk on parkland located by the Mekong River and the impressive Friendship Bridge which links Laos and Thailand and return to the hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)

Day 14: Vientiane - Pakse - Khong (Flight) (B)

Breakfast, we take an early flight to Pakse. On arrival, we drive on the National Road No. 13th south to Champassak and visit the ruins of Wat Phu, which is well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between 9th –13th centuries. Here is also a chance to visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines, after a shortstop visit, we continue to Khong Island by traditional local slow boat. Overnight in Khong Island.(B)

Day 15: Khong Island - Surrounding (Boat) (B)

Today, we enjoy a cruise venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islets jut out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name” Siphandon”. We stop at the fisherman village of Ban Khone. where the many old French buildings are seen, from there we discover the area of 4000 islands and visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the end of Lao boundary to Cambodia call Liphi waterfall, known as the Samphamith. If we have luck, we may be seen the rare Mekong dolphin.. Overnight in Khone Island.(B)

Day 16: Ban Khone - Khone Phapeng - Phou Asa - Pakse (B)

After breakfast, take a boat for a 20 minutes cruise to Ban Na Phiangdi and we take a short drive to the Lao-Cambodia border at Weukham and to famous waterfalls of Khone Phapheng- the largest waterfall in South East Asia. In the afternoon drive back to Pakse and on the way stop at Phou Asa to visit the vestiges of this temple dating from the 18th century. Here we experience an elephant riding through the forest path till the old citadel, overlooking the valley of the Mekong and forest preserved of “Dong Huasao”. Continue to drive to Pakse before sunset and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Pakse.(B)

Breakfast, there is a free time for your own exploration of Pakse town before catching either flight to Siem Reap-Cambodia on every Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun (B)

• Private transportation in private air-conditioned
• Accommodation in twin shared
• Flight Vientiane- Pakse, included airport tax
• Private boat trip as stated in above sights
• English speaking guide
• Admission fee to indicated sights
• Meals: daily breakfast at hotel. Other meals are upon requested at 15 USD/ person/meal.
• Gov’t tax and service charge
• Luggage handling
• 2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour
• 2 cold tower per day during the tour

• Visa stamping fee
• Int’l air tickets to / from Laos
• Travel Insurance in all kinds
• Meals: lunch or dinner where not stated
• Single room (quoted separately)
• Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.