Laos Revealed 8 day tour

Destination: Vientiane/Luang Namtha/Ban Nam Yang/Oudomxay/Muang La/Nong Khiaw/Luang Prabang/Khuangsi Waterfall

Hightlights: This 8-day tour will bring you a special way to discover the land of ‘a million elephants’. For many, the lofty mountains and sheer riverine valleys of northern Laos truly sum up the dreamy and exotic nature of the entire country. Starting the tour by exploring Luang Namtha in detail before the journey south ward by road and river via Muang La and Nong Khiaw before arriving in Luang Prabang.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Arrival Vientiane (G)

On arrival in Vientiane, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.Time permitting, your half day city tour enables us to see the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit Lao national icon, That Luang Stupa, and we stop to take some pictures of the imposing PatuxayMonument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane/Luang Namtha (B, G)

The journey northwards begins as we transfer to the airport and board our flight toLuang Namtha, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to you accommodation. No activities are planned for the rest of the day so you can stroll around the town or just relax at the riverside retreat until the briefing about our upcoming trekking days. Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Day 3: Luang Namtha/Ban Nam Yang (B, L, G)

This morning we depart by songtaew for the ride to Ban Nam Ngaenwhere the local guide will help you across the only stream that you will cross that day. We walk for around three hours through forest and upland fields to the highest point of the trek, where there is an Akha resting place. Here you will have a picnic lunchof local food before you descend to the village of Nam Yang for a visit with the villagers. On the way back an Akha hunter will accompany you and display his bird calling skills. We continue down to the Ban Nam Ngaen where you can choose to visit That Poum Pouk if you still have time. Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Day 4: Luang Namtha/Oudomxay/Muang La (B, L, G)

The local marketalso attracts numerous ethnic minorities who converge from the surrounding mountainsides or valley to barter and trade their goods. We visit this congregation before setting off on our journey along the south to Muong La via Oudomxay. Here we have the chance to visit the intriguing Pra Xack Kham Templewith its sacred Buddha image. The 400 years old legendary statue is said to have many supernatural powers, and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists. We arrive in Muang La, famous for its natural hot springs by mid afternoon. Here you can relax by taking a traditional massage, or enjoy the hot springs. Overnight in Muang La

Day 5: Muang La/gentle trek to discover Laos ethnic minorities (B, L, D, G)

Your minibus leaves at 9.30am and takes you on a short ascent through lush green bamboo forests. Upon arrival at the top of the hill, you begin your forest walk towards the first minority village inhabited by the Hmong, who originate from the mountains of Tibet. You will learn about their everyday way of life, more specifically the important role of animals in the village and the way they are tended, as well as discovering the daily lengthy rituals undertaken by the women and girls to adorn themselves in traditional tribal dress and make up. Next, you visit an old military camp which is a harsh reminder of the immense suffering of the Lao people during the Vietnam war, even though it passed for the most part unnoticed by the Western world. After this snapshot of the Hmong culture and way of life.

Day 6: Muang La/Nong Khiaw/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

Today we drive to Nongkhiaw and continue our boatadventure down the Nam Ou, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. We will be able to stop off at a few villages and admire the breathtaking limestone karst scenery. Along the way we stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. We continue our trip down the river to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, which we shall reach by late afternoon. After a transfer to your hotel you have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: Luang Prabang half day city tour/Khuangsi Waterfall (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll visit the morning Phousi 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 villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Oua Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. This then takes us to the beautiful Khuangsi Waterfallwhere you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. Following lunch we then return to Luang Prabang. Your half day city tourbegins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthongwith its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We also have time to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visounand the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Luang Prabang Departure (B, G)

Depending on your flight, you may have time at leisure before you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departing flight.