Laos Treasure & Halong Bay

                                 Laos Treasure & Halong Bay

 13days/12nights

Day1.   Ubon Ratchathani – Pakse – Wat Phu – Khong Island

Upon arrival TG 020  0630    0735  E0/734 at Ubon Ratchathani Airport, we meet and drive to Thai Lao Border at Chongmek, after finishing the entry formalities, continue by road to Pakse at Muangkhao pier, we then board the long trail motor boat downstream the Mekong to Champassak, visit the ruins of Wat Phu, the pre-Angkorian temple, which is well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between 9th –13th centuries. Here is also a chance to visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines. After lunch we drive to Khong Island, on the way stop to visit the villages of ban Phone Saat.  Overnight in Khong Island (B)

Day2. Pakse - Boloven Plateau – Done Khone.  (B)

After breakfast excursion drive to Done Khone via the plateau of Boloven where tea and coffee plantations growing and most famous Lao coffee. You have chance to observe the traditional coffee and tea maker. En route visit the minority villages of Ban Tateng and experience the daily lifestyle of ethnic minority people of Alack, Katu, Nge that remain not so much change their lifestyle, we continue to Done Khone Island by long tail local boat.  Overnight Champa residence  in Don Khone Island. (B)

Day3. Done Khone Surrounding. (B)

Early morning breakfast, we explore the local villages of Ban Khone, where the old French colonial buildings and its retrace the old colonial past with seeing the first Lao railway with its locomotive. We continue discover the area of 4000 islands by our leisurely boat to visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls of marking the end of Lao boundary to Cambodia call Liphi waterfall, known as the Samphamith. If we have luck, we may be seen the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. Return to Ban Nakasang and drive to famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng. The largest waterfall in South East Asia, known as Niagara of the east. Overnight in Don Khone Island.

Day4. Done Khone – Pakse - Vientiane (B)

Breakfast. Afterward we drive back to Pakse for flight to Vientiane.

Meet on arrival and you are welcome to Vientiane. Transfer to hotel for check-in.In the afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane, to visit religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane;

That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died  during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane. Overnight at Novotel Hotel

Day5.   Vientiane – Dansavanh(B)

Breakfast, we are heading out of the city. We make our way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by damming the Nam Ngum River, with stopover at Ban Keun, which is famous for the salt extraction. On arrival, we embark on a long tail boat to Dansavanh Resort where only legal Lao casino available and enjoy an ideal landscape for anyone seeking an overview of lake when the heat becomes unbearable in city. A long the way, we visit some beautiful islets and take a short walk to explore the lifestyle of fish man people, return to Vientiane by late evening. Overnight at Novotel Hotel.

Day6. Vientiane –Xiengkhouang Plane of Jar (B)

Breakfast, transfer to airport for the 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. Overnight at Phouphadeng hotel in Phonsavanh. (B)

Day7.   Xiengkhouang – Luang Prabang (B)

Breakfast; Breakfast, we visit Central Market of Phonsavanh, 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, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Luang Prabang. Arrive in Luang Prabang, which is perhaps 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 late afternoon. Overnight at Villa Santi  in Luang Prabang.

Day8.   Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast, we 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 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 weaving villages along the river. 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, well known for its hand made of Jute Sar paper. Overnight at Villa Santi  in Luang Prabang.

Day9. Luang Prabang - Hanoi(B)

Breakfast, morning walk to the near by

market and traditional villages. Enjoy the traquality of Laos  ancient town.

Transfer to airport for the flight QV 313, 13:40/14:40 to Hanoi. Arrival transfer to our hotel in town. Evening water puppet show. Overnight at QuocHoa hotel

Day 10. Hanoi - Halong bay Cruises(B,L,D)

Pick up from the hotel at 8.30am and head out  through the Red River     Delta to Ha Long City.  Arrive in Halong City we transfer to to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.

12h30: Board our cruise, check-in registration

13h00: Have lunch with welcome wine.

14h00: A fantastic cruise in Ha Long bay

15h00. Optional  visit to Thien Cung cave , Dau Go cave, round over Tuan Chau island,  or Sungsot cave

Swim at lovely beaches.

18h00: Junk cruise ankor by the lagoon

19h00: Enjoy 4 course diner and overnight on Junk

Day 11: Halong Bay Cruise - Hanoi(B,L,D)

Rising to the sound of ocean coming to life for another lovely day. We breakfast over sunset:

§         07h30 : Junk boat once again sets sail through breathtaking secluded Halong bay

§         08h00: Enjoy breakfast while cruising

§         9h00 : Visit Bai tu long Bay , Teapot island , Chopstiks island , Bai tho mountain.

§         11h00 : Return to Halong city and have lunch on board.

§         12h00 : Back to Halong wharf and disembark

Transfer back to Hanoi. Arrival Hanoi by 5pm. Overnight at QuocHoa hotel in Hanoi

Day 12: Hanoi City tour(B)

Arrival Hanoi early in the morning. Transfer to the hotel for breakfast

City tour to visit the city highlight including Ho Chi Minh Complex which includes the  Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Museum. (Optional attend the  cooking class in Hanoi)  Continue onto Vietnams first University, The Temple Of Literature, built in 1070. Visit  the Museum of Ethnology

Enjoy one hour  cyclo tour through the Old Quarter.  Overnight at QuocHoa hotel.

Day 13: Departure(B)

At leisure.

Transfer to airport for the deprture flight