ITINERARY
Day 1 – Luang Prabang ArrivalUpon arival to Luang Prabang international airport, the staff of
Laos Travel will welcome you and transfer you to hotel in town. The rest of the day we will visit the Royal Museum, once a king's palace. Displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries.
Meals: N/AAccommodation: Hotel in Luang PrabangDay 2- Luang PrabangSituated where the Nam Khan River meets the Mekong lies the fabled city of Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos is a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its lantern lit streets lined with a mix of faded colonial mansions and sparking mosaic temples; this city is known to enchant its visitors. After breakfst in the hotel we take Mekong Riverboat trip with your guide to visit the famous & sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Nam Ou Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. On return, visit Por Sa Paper Handicraft & textile area at Ban Xang Khong.
Get back to town for lunch and in the afternoon we visit magnificent Wat Xiengthong - representative of classic Laotian architecture, before seeing the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing in one of the city’s many quirky cafés or strolling along the beautiful riverbank.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in Luang PrabangDay 3 – Luang Prabang – Xieng Khouang (Plain of Jars) - PhonsavanToday we drive from Luang Prabang to Xieng Khuang, passing through Laos’ pristine countryside. This is long drive with spectacular view of Laos rain forest and the moutaine ranges. Along the way we will stop for photo opportunities and visit various hill tribe villages. On arival ,check-in at your hotel and relax.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in Xieng KhuangDay 4 – The Plain of JarsIn the 18th and at the beginning of the 19th century, Xieng Khouang was the center of a kingdom of the Hmong (Meo). In 1832, it was conquered by the Vietnamese, annexing the entire region. The town of Xieng Khouang was badly destroyed by US airforce during the Vietnam War. Even though it has been rebuilt in 1975, the name Xieng Khouang is now primarily used in reference to the province of the same name.
The highlight of our visit here is the "Plain of Jars." Scattered over the plain are hundreds of enormous limestone jars, each about 1 to 2.5 metres high, with a diameter of about 1 meter. There is still no explanation as how the clay jars found their way onto the plain, nor what purpose they served. Archaeologists have come up with the wildest theories, among them a claim declaring them brewery cauldrons. More likely, the jars are enormous urns. Then you will visit Muang Khoun before transfer back to hotel for relaxing.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in Xieng KhuangDay 5 – Phonsavan – Fly to VientianeEnjoy the breakfst in the hotel and be ready for the flight to Vientiane - Laos’ eccentric capital, visiting all the city’s key attractions. Start the tour with a stop at Vientiane’s oldest temple, Wat Si Saket, filled with over 2000 Buddha images. Next we visit Haw Pha Kaew - the royal temple that once housed the famous Emerald Buddha, before continuing on to Lao’s most significant national monument: Pha That Luang. We conclude our tour at Patuxai, known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in VientianeDay 6 – Vientiane - Fly to Hanoi (Vietnam)Today we fly from Vientiane to Hanoi. Then we check in the hotel, relax after a long journey.
Hanoi is a lovely city with lakes, fine boulevards and flourishing parks, as well as having a public centre that is an architectural museum piece. Hanoi is situated on the right bank of the Red River (Song Hong) which is spanned by two bridges, the old Long Bien Bridge and Chuong Duong bridge.
There is a modest tower (the Tortoise Tower) commemorating the event on an islet in the southern part of the lake. The lake contains large turtles; one captured in 1968 was reputed to have weighed 250 kg (552 pounds). The park that surrounds the lake is used by the residents of the city every morning for jogging and tai chi (Chinese shadow boxing) and is regarded by locals as one of the city's beauty spots.
Meals: Breakfast.Accommodation: Hotel in HanoiDay 7 – Hanoi: City TourIn this city of peace, we have a city tour around the Old Quarter, we have a full day of sightseeing, starting with the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, known to American prisoners of war as the Hanoi Hilton. This museum was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the American / Vietnam War.
We also see the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, a site of pilgrimage (the building has been closed to visitors of late; probably an outside viewing only). The building was constructed from materials gathered from all over Vietnam. Modeled closely on Lenin's Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh lies at rest in this Vietnamese version.
We will also admire the elegance of the One Pillar Pagoda, originally built in 1049. The temple is lotus-shaped and is situated in the middle of a water-lily pond.
We continue to the new Ethnology Museum, one of Vietnam's finest. Dedicated to the ethnic minorities of Vietnam, this museum provides educational displays and descriptions and provides a real insight to peoples found primarily in the high country.
Next is the Temple of Literature, the site of the first national university dating back to 1076 and one of Hanoi's best-preserved ancient sites. From here we walk to the Fine Arts Museum, housed within a large colonial building, where we will see contemporary Vietnamese art and handicrafts.
Tonight we will enjoy a water puppet show. This is a fantastic art form unique to Vietnam and derives from the Red River Delta area.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in HanoiDay 8 – Hanoi – Halong BayThis morning we depart for Halong Bay. The route today, via Haiphong, will be our first opportunity to see rural Vietnam. We will arrive at Halong Bay in the early afternoon. Halong Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, covers an area of 1500 square km. With more than a thousand limestone peaks soaring from its crystalline emerald water this area is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The islands are dotted with innumerable white sandy beaches and grottoes created by wind and waves. The name Halong means "where the dragon descends into the sea". Legend has it that the islands of Halong Bay were created by a great dragon who lived in the mountains.
On arrival at Halong Bay we will board cruise and enjoy a welcome drink. Our junk/s are large boats with private bath, air conditioning and fan, and plenty of deck space. An onboard chef prepares delicious, local seafood dishes
After lunch on board we will cruise among the islands, stopping at a couple that have interesting cave features (some involve stairs). We enjoy sunset and then dinner on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.Accommodation: Cruise in HalongDay 9 – Halong Bay – Fly to HueAwake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as we navigate back to Halong City. Have lunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Our driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our driver and guide will meet you and take you to your hotel.
Meals: BrunchAccommodation: Hotel in HueDay 10 – Hue -Visit the CitadelSpend an entire day touring the Vietnam’s former ancient capital. Start the day with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, home to the Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City, once the Emperor's private residence. The Imperial City was created in the 19th century and modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Imperial Enclosure houses many palaces and temples within its walls. In the afternoon, continue on your tour stopping at the Imperial Museum and vibrant Dong Ba riverside market.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in HueDay 11 - Hue – Danang - HoianSpend the morning on a private boat cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) and the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant before starting on your drive to Hoian. Pass over the 500m-high Hai Van pass and stop en route in Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum and handicraft villages at the foot of Marble Mountain. Arrive in the sleepy riverside town, Hoian, in the late afternoon, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the rest of the evening free at your leisure.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in HoianDay 12 - Hoian – Danang - Fly to SaigonHave breakfast at the hotel then drive to the airport to catch your flight to Vietnam’s modern metropolis: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. Have lunch at a downtown restaurant of your choosing then set out on a guided city tour. In the afternoon we will visit such sites as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office and Ben Thanh Market. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: Hotel in SaigonDay 13 – Saigon – Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can ThoToday we leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before driving to the riverside town, Cai Bai. Along the way, stop at a candy factory and orchard garden, where you have an opportunity to listen to traditional music. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the river by motorized boat to visit some fluvial islands and explore the countryside by bicycle. Our driver and guide will meet you at Vinh Long pier and take you to Can Tho city for the night.
Meals: Breakfast.Accommodation: Hotel in Can ThoDay 14 – Mekong Delta – Saigon.Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motor boat. Continue the boat ride to visit the Mekong Delta’s famous orchards and sample the fresh, exotic fruit. Then venture deeper into the country side, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people. Return to Can Tho for lunch then drive back to Saigon, arriving in the late afternoon
Meals: Breakfast.Accommodation: Hotel in SaigonDay 15 – Saigon DepartureHave breakfast at the hotel then enjoy a free morning before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home.
Meals: BreakfastAccommodation: N/A
Laos Travel - Operated by Laos Travel Co., Ltd
