Laos New Year Tour - SongKran water festival in Laos - 5 Hari

Post date: Nov 12, 2011 6:03:55 AM

DAY 01: MALAYSIA / VIENTIANE (Dinner).

Welcome to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos.

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel , Dinner with Traditional dance show , for a good night’s rest.

Overnight : Vientiane

DAY 02: VIENTIANE / LUANG PRABANG (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After Breakfast , Your scenic flight takes you to Luang Prabang which is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. Declared in 1995 as a unesco world heritage site, Luang Prabang is rich in cultural heritage and is known as the seat of Lao culture with monasteries, monuments, traditional costumes, surrounded by nature’s beauty....

Visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Climb to the top of Mount Phousi. Take in the sights of the sacred, guilded stupa and the beautiful view of the city including sunset over the Mekong River. Your shopping begins at the night market, where you can browse a lovely selection of souvenirs, handmade textiles by the local people etc.....

DAY 03: LUANG PRABANG/ PAK OU CAVES / KHUANG SI WATER FALL (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the rituals.

Today, enjoy a short guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temples of the magnificient Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground - a good representation of classical Laotian architecture. Embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, taking in the breathtaking scenery of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Pak Ou is a two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacqured Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devotees. Along the way, stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On the return journey, stop by the small village of Ban Phanom, known for hand weaving.

Your day continues to Khouangsi Waterfalls after lunch. The road to the falls winds through hills with spectacular natural views, including terraced rice fields, which make the trip a memorable one. At the very bottom of the falls there are several blue pools of water and small cascades (3-5 metres high); some of the falls are multi-tiered. Most of the pools are open for swimming (one is closed as being a sacred site) though the water is a bit cold because this area is shaded by big trees. This makes the falls a popular cool-off place among locals and tourists alike during the hot season. On the way to the falls, visit the local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, Laoloum and Ban Thapene.

Overnight : Luang Prabang

DAY 04: LUANG PRABANG / VIENTIANE (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After breakfast, visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace and houses. İt displays a collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. There will also be time for you to look around the Central Market.

Return to Vientiane by flight.

See the major sights of the capital including Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of minature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon - the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop by the imposing Patuxay Monument which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. End the day catching the sunset by the Mekong River.

Overnight : Vientiane