Laos Experience

This trip will give you a chance to experience the picturesque countryside in laid-back Laos where peaceful temples, lush mountains and fabric-filled markets await. Welcome to Laos.

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Duration: 11 days/10 nights

Tour Code: MLSD03

Tour Valid: Until April, 2014

Highlights: Ubon Ratchathani - Pakse - Wat Phou - Khong Island - Si Phan Done - Tadlo - Boluven Plateau - Pakse - Vientiane - Xieng Khouang - Plain of Jars - Muang Khoum - Luang Prabbang - Pak Ou Cave - Khoang Si Waterfall- Ban Xang Khong Village - Vientiane

• Day 1 - Ubon Ratchathani - Pakse - Wat Phou - Khong Island

  Place Transport: Car->Boat
  Meals: Lunch - Dinner

  Take a flight from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani. On arrival, meet and drive to Chongmek, cross border to Laos and continue to Pakse. Transfer directly to Champassak. Continue then by car to Wat Phou - another World Heritage Site in Laos recognized by UNESCO in 2002, this ruin temple was built before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap which is one of the most ancient Khmer temple architecture dating from the 8-11th century. In the afternoon, drive to Khong Island and stop en route to visit the ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo . Arrive at Ban Hatsai Khoune before sunset and board a traditional long tail boat to reach Khong Island . Stay overnight in Khong Island.

  Day 2 - Khong Island - Si Phan Done - Liphi Waterfall - Ban Done Khone Village - Mekong Dolphin

  Place Transport: Car->Boat
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  After breakfast, we enjoy a cruise venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islets just out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name” Si Phan Done. A long the way, we stop at the Liphi waterfalls and the fisherman village of Ban Done Khone. On return, we take a short drive to the Lao – Cambodia border at Weukham and the sight of Khone Phapheng which boats the South East Asia’s biggest water falls. If there is luck, we may be seen Mekong dolphin. Stay overnight in Khong Island. 

  Day 3 - Khong Island - Tadlo - Boluven Plateau - Minority Villages - Pakse

  Place Transport: Car->Boat
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  Have breakfast. Upon leaving Khong 4000 islands, we continue our journey towards Tadlo through Boloven plateau where famous tea and coffee plantation and other lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil are incredible all along the way. En route, there are some opportunities to explore a part of Boloven plateau and visit some hill villages of the Katu, Alak and Nge ethnic minority people, return to Pakse in the late evening. Stay overnight in Pakse.

  Day 4 - Pakse - Fly to Vientiane - Xieng Khouang - Plain of Jars - Muang Khoum

  Place Transport: Airplane->Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  After breakfast, transfer to airport for the flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, transfer to downtown. If time permits, we may explore few sites of highlight sightseeing places before returning to airport and board a flight to Xiengkhouang which 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 Khoum and the nearby villages- home to the Hmong hill tribe people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Stay overnight in Phonsavanh. 

  Day 5 - Xieng Khouang - Central Market - Muang Kham - Tham Piew Cave

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  After breakfast, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh and 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, the history shrine, where hundred of local people hiding in this cave were killed by bomb while Indochina War. We explore local market at Muangkham and visit local villages before returning to Phonsavanh in the late afternoon. Stay overnight in Phonsavanh

  Day 6 - Xieng Khouang - Luang Prabang - City Tour

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  After breakfast, afterward drive on the road No. 7 to Luang Prabang (6 hours drive). Along the way, we enjoy splendid scenery and the mountains ranges. Then visit tribal minority villages and take photos in some views points. Arrive in Luang Prabang- 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 visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; 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 explore Street Night Market where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

  Day 7 - Luang Prabbang - Pak Ou Cave - Ban Xang Khong Village

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai where they make the potent local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek which are well known for their hand made of Jute Sar paper. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang

  Day 8 - Luang Prabang - Khoang Si Waterfall

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  This morning, you may want to rise 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 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 Hmong village at Ban Na Oun, Laoloum village at Ban Ou and Khmu village at Ban Thapene and drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom- a well known weaving village. Return to the city in the late evening for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang

  Day 9 - Luang Prabang - National Museum - Fly to Vientiane

  Place Transport: Car->Airplane
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  After breakfast, we 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 Central Market are not to be missed. After visiting these sights in the morning, you will have free time for your own exploration of the town or strolling around the shopping area. Mid afternoon fly to Vientiane and transfer to hotel . Enjoy sun set at Mekong river side . Stay overnight in Vientiane

  Day 10 - Vientiane - City Tour

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  After breakfast, we 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. Then, we pass by the major shopping area and continue going to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where the major goods display including fresh food, household, textiles, gold, silver and ancient souvenir varied display. Return to Mekong Riverside in the late afternoon to observe the  sunset near by Mekong river. Stay overnight in Vientiane

  Day 11 - Vientiane Depature

  Place Transport: Car->Airplane
  Meals: Breakfast

  Have breakfast, free at leisure until transfer to airport for your flight.

  The Tour Inclusion:

  - 10 Nights Accommodation with breakfast.

  - Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.

  - Domestic flight tickets, including domestic airport taxes.

  - Boat cruises as specified in the program.

  - The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.

  - Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the program.

  - Meals (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.

  The Tour Exclusion:

  - International flight tickets and airport tax. Visas.

  - Dinners, except as specified above.

  - Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

  - Surcharge for peak season (if any) & other not mentioned in the above detail program

  Additional Information

  Importance note

  - The itinerary is just a sample of our tours; we'll be pleased to design similar programs with dates and itinerary customized to your personal preferences in Tailor Made Tours section. Rates may vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.

  What to bring?

  - Sun Block, Wide brim hat, Camera + Film, Comfortable shoes, Rain gear, Warm clothes, original Passport...

  How to start?

  - MinMax Travel is a fully escorted tour and best-available all year round; the only thing you need to prepare in advance is the international air-ticket from/to your country.

   - If you don’t have enough time to complete visa before your departure, we will help you to obtain Laos Visa on arrival easily (getting visa at the airport, on your arrival).