HIGHLIGHTS OF LAOS

We board a short afternoon flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East 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 checking into your hotel, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse through a lovely selection of handmade textiles.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its low sweeping roofs. We then board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We’ll make sure to stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. We will also stop at a few villages during the day, including Ban Xanghai where local rice wine is produced. In the afternoon we’ll visit the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun. Once back in Luang Prabang we’ll take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving and, if time, Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek - small villages well known for silk weavings and Saa (jute) Papermaking. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Later in the morning we go to Phosi Market, which has an eclectic selection of foodstuffs and souvenirs. Afterwards, we head out to visit some ethnic minority villages and see how these colorful people live. We then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfalls where you can swim in the turquoise pools or walk along forest paths. We continue to Ban Phanom, another well-known weaving village, and return to Luang Prabang by the late afternoon to observe the sunset at Wat Phabath. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

The National Museum (closed Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture. We also visit the morning market before catching our flight back to Vientiane. After checking into your hotel, we transfer out to Buddha Park, a scattered and enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures near the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images here dating back over 500 years. Observing the spectacular sunset view over the Mekong River is a perfect way to finish the day. 

Overnight in Vientiane

After breakfast, we will visit the city’s Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong [if time permits]. The tour ends after your transfer to airport for departure. (B)