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Vietnam & Laos Adventure
Highlights of tour:
Discover countryside and daily life of Laos & Vietnam, contact with minority people, explore the mythic Ha Long bay.
Day 1: Vientiane (L,D)
Welcome to Vientiane airport by our local guide, then transfer to the hotel. A little break at hotel before beginning to visit the city: 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 temple, and we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own monument of Triumph. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 2: Vientiane – Vang Vieng (B,L,D)
Drive up to Vang Vieng. Upon arrival, walking in the central market then a boat trip on Namsong River gives you an amazing adventure. The cliffs and limestone of Vangvieng creates many caves, you will discover the most beautiful one: cave Tham Jang, founded in 19th century when the war against Chinese. End of the visit, installation in the hotel next to Nam Song river where you have a picturesque view on the river and the countryside. Overnight at hotel in Vang Vieng.
Day 3: Vang Vieng – Xieng Khouang (B,L,D)
Drive to Xieng Khouang. Stopover at Kasi and Ban Pha Tang village. You arrive in Phonsavanh, capital of the province early afternoon. Visit local market and some main archaeological sites of the plain of Jars which some have 2 or 3 tones of weight. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.
Day 4: Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang (B,L,D)
After breakfast, take the road no.7 to go to Luang Prabang. Many stopovers for your visit: sanctuary of Tham Pha (Buddha statue) and ancient French military post at Sala Phou Khoune. Continue on national road no. 13 passing through many valleys and mountainous region. Visit a minority ethnic village on road: M’Hong at Kiow Kacham. Arrive in Luang Prabang at the end of afternoon. Check in to hotel, free at own leisure.
Climb up to Phousi Mountain for a beautiful sunset, enjoying the exploration of the sacred, gilded Buddha as well as a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 5: Luang Prabang (B,L,D)
First we 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 Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, Khmu villages. This then takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang. This afternoon is free at leisure to relax. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 6: Luang Prang (B,L,D)
Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Today, we also visit the impressive temple of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. Following lunch, we visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. We then return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Note: the Royal Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw (B,L,D)
Cruise on Mekong River, stopover at Ban Xang Hai village then visit mystic cave Pak Ou where we find many nacre Buddha statues. Cruise on Nam Ou River by passing through forest and green scenery. Stop at some villages, meet local people and contact with them to discover their daily life. Upon arrival, check in to hotel. Overnight in Nong Khiaw.
Day 8: Nong Khiaw – Muong La (B,L,D)
We go by bus to Muong La by crossing through wonderful scenery. Visit this region and their neighbor villages. Overnight in Muong La.
Day 9: Muong La – Dien Bien (B,L,D)
Drive to the border Lao-Vietnam. Complete immigration and custom formalities to pass the border. Meet your local guide, transfer to the hotel. Visit Dien Bien Phu museum and then the head quarter of French commander of colonel De Castries where you can see some old French tanks and artillery pieces. Climb to A1 hill where bitter fighting took place.
Walking around Muong Thanh valley, surrounded by steep, heavily forested hills; meet and talk with local people (Thai & H’mong). Return to the hotel. Overnight in Dien Bien.
Day 10: Dien Bien – Son La (B,L,D)
Drive down to Son La by crossing a impressive surrounding scenery. Climbing over the Pha Din pass then stopover to visit the ethnic Market at Tuan chau. Lunch at Tuan chau. On arrival in Son La, visit the former french prison.
Overnight in Son La.
Day 11: Son La – Mai chau (B,L,D)
We drive to Mai Chau, home of the Thai, Muong, H’mong ethnic minority people. On arrival, walking through the beautiful valley through the rice fields, visit a local market. Enjoy spectaculars evening with traditional dance of Thai people. Dinner and overnight in a Thai stilt house (Mattresses and mosquito nets are provided).
Day 12: Mai Chau – Ha Noi (B,L,D)
Drive to the destination of Ha Noi. Stopover in Hoa Binh, one hour of boat trip on Song Da reservoir brings you to Than Nhan village of Dzao tribe, visit this village then cruise back to pier. Then we take the road towards Ha Noi. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 13: Hanoi-Ha Long (B,L,D)
After breakfast at hotel, you’ll be driven about 3hrs to famous and magnificent Ha Long Bay for a 2 days/1night. Here you’ll board a charming Junk where you’ll have lunch as you set sail for Titop Island. Spend the afternoon sailing through the 3,000 limestone pinnacles piercing the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most incredible natural wonders and was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You’ll anchor at Titop this evening before an on-deck candlelight dinner featuring gourmet cuisine. Overnight on a Junk
Note: The cabins on board are simples, comfortable, clean, air-conditioned, and outfitted with their own and hot shower.
Day 14: Ha Long-Ha Noi (B,L,D)
You will begin this morning with a sunrise breakfast before your exploration of Luon Cave (Tunnel cave) by sampan. Then continue to visit another part of Bay (Bai Tu Long Bay). Lunch is served up on board then we drive back to Ha Noi. Have a cyclo (pedicab) trip around with 36 streets of Ha Noi ancient town, giving you a chance to explore the different local way of life.
Enjoy the Water Puppet Show in the evening. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 15: Ha Noi (B,L)
All day city tour Hanoi to visit: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, President Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, West Lake, Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda. After lunch at local restaurant, visit a complex of the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple (Jade mountain Temple), But Tower (Pen – shaped tower), Dai Nghien (Ink Stand), the Red – painted wooden The Huc Bridge…
Transfer to the airport, take the flight for departure.
