Tour Code | : | Price | : | ||
Trip Style | : | SINGHA | Duration | : | |
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Start Location | : | Laos | |||
End Location | : | Laos | |||
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Types of activities Our adventure travel holidays are rated not just in terms of the destinations we visit but also by the type of journey and activity we offer. To ensure you select your ideal adventure holiday please click on each of our activity logo on our trip to get more detail information. If you have any further questions send us an email office@spiritasiatravel.com or give us a call (+855) 12 315 315. Day Walking Activities: Spirit Asia Travel itineraries designed most of the day include some walking or hiking. We walks through city streets, villages, market, temples, and require the ability to climb stairs and ramps. Day walking/hike is part of our multi-day adventures activities, the ability to navigate narrow paths and moderately steep climbs is required during the trip. |
Day 1: Vientiane
There are many direct flies to Vientiane, Laos via Bangkok, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia and other Asian destinations. According to your arrival time, our guide will be pleased to give you some suggestions what to do on your first day or afternoon in Vientiane. In the evening followed by a welcome dinner for our first night in Laos. Overnight in Vientiane
Meals: Welcome dinner
Day 2: Vientiane – Buddha Park
We will drive to the Talat Sao or morning market, then, we will continue along Thanon Lane Xang (Lane Xang Street) to Patuxai, a large monument reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris with Lao-style ornamentation. A stairway leads to the top levels of the monument, where you can look out over the city. Afterwards, we will continue by the Thanon That Luang to reach Pha That Luang or Great Sacred Stupa. It is the most important national monument in Laos as it is a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. After lunch, we will transfer to visit Buddha Park. This collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculpture lies in a meadow by the side of the Mekong River 24km south of the town centre. The concrete sculptures are bizarre but compelling in their naive confidence. Then, we will transfer back to hotel for relaxing of the day. Overnight in Vientiane
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3: Vientiane – Fly to Xieng Khoang
Today we will take a short fly to Xieng Khoang. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for checking in. If time permits, we will transfer out to visit UXO centre and the Plain of Jars site 1. Overnight in Phongsavanh
Meals: Breakfast only
Day 4: Plain of the jars
This plain is named after hundreds of enormous granite jars scattered across the area, although it is now known that they were carved from solid boulders in an area west of Muang Si (about 400 km as the crow flies from Phonsavan), their purpose remains a mystery as well as how they were transported from this distant area.
The Plain of Jars is a large area extending around Phonsavan from the south-west to the north-east where these jars are scattered about 14 groupings of different sizes. We will have a full day to visit three of the five major sites (the three more accessible and free of UXO) with stops along the way at Ban Sieng Di near Site 3 and a Hmong village in the area of Muang Kham. Overnight in Phonsavan
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Luang Prabang
Today we will travel to the historic city of Luang Prabang. This is a very scenic trip – we will drive through many mountains and tea plantations. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for checking- in. This afternoon we will ascent the steps to the summit of Phu Si for the beautiful views of the town. Then we will walk to the Lao Red Cross where you will be able to enjoy a traditional steam bath, using more than 25 different locally-grown herbs, or a professional massage to release the fatigue of the day. On the way back to hotel, we will stop at the Hmong night market along the main street. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Royal Palace Museum
Our walk will start at the bustling Talat Dala, the city’s main market. The area surrounding this market is Luang Prabang’s commercial nerve centre, and you’ll find all sorts of intriguing as well as very mundane shops and vendors here. Then, we will go to Wat Wisunalat, one of the city’s oldest temples. At the eastern end of the temple compound is the bulbous That Makmo – the Watermelon stupa. Adjacent to the northern side of the temple is another older temple, Wat Aham which is known for its two large and venerable banyan trees. Afternoon, we will continue the exploration of the city with the visit of the Wat Xieng Thong, Royal Palace Museum, Wat Sene and Wat Mai. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: PAK OU
About 25km by boat from Luang Prabang along the Mekong River, at the mouth of the Nam Ou, are the famous Pak Ou caves. The lower cave – Tham Ting – is entered from the river by a series of steps and can easily be seen in daylight, however, the upper cave – Tham Phum – requires artificial light (be sure to bring a torch). These caves, dug into a limestone cliff facing the river, are crammed with Buddha images of all styles and sizes.
On the way to Pak Ou, you will see a lot of small villages. We will stop at Ban Xang Hai (Jar-Maker Village) a village famous for distilling Lao traditional rice alcohol. On the way back, we will be able to visit also a village making paper using traditional methods – Ban Phanom. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: Kuang Si Waterfall
After breakfast, we will drive to Tat Kuang Si, a beautiful spot 32km south of town, which has a wide, many-tiered waterfall tumbling over limestone formations into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The lower level of the falls has been turned into a well-maintained public park with shelters and picnic tables. We will stroll around this site and surrounding, swim in one of the pools and relax with a picnic lunch.
On the way back, we will stop at Ban Na Oune, a Hmong village, and at Ban Tat Paen, a scenic Khmu village with a cool stream, rustic dam and several miniature waterfalls. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast and Picnic lunch
Day 9: Procession of monks – Cooking class
Today we will get up early to see the morning procession of monks along Sisavangvong Road lined with the local people waiting to make their offerings of food. After breakfast, we transfer to join an interesting cooking lesson at Tamarind cooking school - one of the best cooking venues in Luang Prabang. You will visit the fresh morning market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Then gather at the school to cook and eat Laos’s specialties (seasonal menu). In the afternoon, we will transfer back to hotel and relax of the day or explore more Luang Prabang by your own way. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10: Elephant Village
Early in the morning, we will leave Luang Prabang and drive 15km on the banks of the Nam Khan River to the Elephant Village. This project brings the elephants a more comfortable retirement by providing professional medical care, nutritious food, caring staff, and a natural environment. You will be able to take a scenic ride on an elephant or learn about the training of younger elephants in the skills needed for tours, about how to take care for the elephants with some basic “mahout training” or even how traditional technology can transform elephant dug into biogas, fertilizer and hand-made paper. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng
In the morning, we will drive about 6-7 hours to Vang Vieng. This small town nestles along a scenic bend in the Nam Song River. The town itself is not without charm, but the main attraction is the karsts topography lining the west bank of the river. Upon arrival, check in hotel and transfer to do a boat trip along the Nam Song River. Overnight in Vang Vieng
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: Vang Vieng – Cycling day
In the morning we’ll begin cycling out of town, crossing over the Nam Song River on a bamboo bridge. We’ll make our way towards Poukham Cave, where we’ll trek up the mountain and check out the beauty of this very old and strange cave, seemingly hidden from the rest of the world. There will be time for a swim below the cave in the Blue Lagoon, one of Vang Vieng’s better known attractions. Afterwards we’ll be faced with some very rough dirt roads as we continue along the ‘Blue Lagoon loop’, enduring over 30km of tough cycling. There will be plenty of opportunities along the way to stop for a rest and take some photos as we pass through many local villages.
Finally, we’ll make our way back towards Vang Vieng, crossing back over the Nam Song and into the centre of town. Overnight in Vang Vieng
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 13: Vang Vieng - Vientiane
In the morning, we will drive to Vientiane. Arrive in the city centre in the early afternoon, check in hotel and relax. This afternoon we explore the oldest Wat Sisaket and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. Then continue to Wat Ong Teo and Wat Si Muang. Overnight in Vientiane
Meals: Breakfast and farewell dinner.
Day 14: Onwards home
The adventure end after breakfast, you will have free time to explore central town or relax at the hotel before flight out. There are international flights to Cambodia or Vietnam and many other Asian destinations. You also can drive to Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and pass the border to catch the overnight train in Nong Khai to go to Bangkok.
Meals: Breakfast
End of services…
Service includes:
Entrance fees during guiding
Accommodation on twin share basis inc taxes
An experienced English-speaking guide
All private transfer with air-conditioning vehicles
Boat trip
Meals as stated on the itinerary
Water and cool napkin during the trip
Elephant trekking
Biking
Cooking Class
Traditional steam bath
Service excluded:
Personal travel insurance (compulsory!)
Donation during visit to NGOs
Airfare, airport taxes & excess baggage charges
Visa & visa fees, passport & vaccination charges
Arrival and departure transfer
All optional tours & activities during free time
Expenditure of a personal nature, such as souvenir, laundry, postage, Phone calls…
All beverages during the included meals
Tips
Experience Indochina, the local way…
Our adventures are designed to be flexible with comfortable accommodation arranged depending on the itineraries and the areas visited. We use a combination of Guesthouse, Motel, Homestay, Camping, Boutique Hotel and 3, 4, 5 star hotels with swimming pool depending on your choice of journey. Each will be suitable to your choice and stay during your holiday. All accommodation is carefully chosen - hotels are clean, with unsuited bathroom, air-conditioning and television. The Guesthouse, homestay and camping will have shared bathroom facilities. All are clean and comfortable. We really care about your accommodation during your holiday and as we are local Khmer people ourselves, we understand the accommodation that we will choose for you and your family.
Choosing locally owned facilities helps the Indochina people in their lives - and will support our local families during your journey. These people are friendly welcoming and exceptionally hospitable. We are sure you will sleep soundly and eat very well.