CULTURE OF LAOS – 6 DAYS
Itinerary: Vientiane – Luang Prabang
CODE TOUR : XSEL 017 - CULTURE TOURS
Highlights:
- Explore ancient ruins dating as far back as the 8th century and learn about the ancient empires of the Khmer and Lane Xang
- Explore the largest lake in Laos and one of the largest man made lakes in Asia. Learn how hydropower is transforming Laos as well as the opportunities and the challenges this can create for communities
- takes you to the 2 main cities of Laos: Vientiane & Luang Prabang while offering you opportunities to flee the urban whirl for enlightening excursions such as an Eco-trek focused on orchid preservation and a trip to a community organic farm.
Overview
Laos is the mixture of ancient cities with plenty of historic sites that can bring you back centuries ago, and the wonderful nature with many temples, waterfalls, caves, rivers, or jungles. This tour will bring you the most famous ancient cities: Vientiane & Luang Prabang with full of historic sites together with the visit to the most beautiful waterfalls, caves and rivers while joining in responsible travel and community service in Laos. This is the perfect mixture to help you build the amazing images of Laos, the images that make your Laos trip valuable and memorable.
Tour summary:
DAY 1:VIENTIANE ARRIVAL - HALF DAY CITY TOUR (D)
Private driver & guide
Arrival in Vientiane airport, you will be welcomed by local tour guide of Laos Travel and transferred to hotel for check in
(Check-in time is 14.00 PM, early check-in is not included in itinerary and subject to availability).
Afterward, your tour begins at the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby is the Presidential Palace. Although guests are not allowed inside, it provides a good glimpse into the town’s colonial past as this building formerly served as the French governor’s palace. Then you will visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the Vietnam War, the lasting impact of exploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them. Continue to the Patuxay Mounument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof for sweeping panoramic views of the city. Next is That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th Century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire. Dinner is served at local restaurant. Overnight in Vientiane
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Vientiane
(Check-in time is 14.00 PM, early check-in is not included in itinerary and subject to availability).
Afterward, your tour begins at the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby is the Presidential Palace. Although guests are not allowed inside, it provides a good glimpse into the town’s colonial past as this building formerly served as the French governor’s palace. Then you will visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the Vietnam War, the lasting impact of exploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them. Continue to the Patuxay Mounument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof for sweeping panoramic views of the city. Next is That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th Century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire. Dinner is served at local restaurant. Overnight in Vientiane
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Vientiane
DAY 2: VIENTIANE CULTURE CRUISE (B, L)
Private driver & guide
Approximately 13km ~20minutes transfer
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
We leave Vientiane and drive to a Hmong village to visit the local market and meet some of the villagers. From here we travel to the archaeological site of Vang Xang which was built by the Khmer Empire between the 8th and 11th century. We then drive to Nam Ngum Reservoir in time for lunch. Our lunch will be served on a floating restaurant on the edge of the lake.
After lunch, we board a boat and set off to visit a small island that has a market selling handicrafts made by prisoners held on a nearby island for re-education. We will spend some time cruising around the lake and taking in the sights before heading back to our vehicle for the return journey.
On the way back to Vientiane we will visit a traditional salt abstraction site and another market where local people sell some interesting foods including a large selection of insects. If you are feeling brave you can try these exotic snacks! We then drive back to Vientiane to arrive in the late afternoon. Dinner is your own. Overnight in Vientiane.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Vientiane
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
We leave Vientiane and drive to a Hmong village to visit the local market and meet some of the villagers. From here we travel to the archaeological site of Vang Xang which was built by the Khmer Empire between the 8th and 11th century. We then drive to Nam Ngum Reservoir in time for lunch. Our lunch will be served on a floating restaurant on the edge of the lake.
After lunch, we board a boat and set off to visit a small island that has a market selling handicrafts made by prisoners held on a nearby island for re-education. We will spend some time cruising around the lake and taking in the sights before heading back to our vehicle for the return journey.
On the way back to Vientiane we will visit a traditional salt abstraction site and another market where local people sell some interesting foods including a large selection of insects. If you are feeling brave you can try these exotic snacks! We then drive back to Vientiane to arrive in the late afternoon. Dinner is your own. Overnight in Vientiane.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Vientiane
DAY 3: VIENTIANE- FLY TO LUANG PRABANG FREE AND EASY (B)
Private driver & guide
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel .
After breakfast, car and guide transfer you to airport. We will have flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.
Arrival in Luang Prabang, disembarkation operations and meeting with our guide for transfer to the hotel for check in
Free and easy on leisure in Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Luang Prabang
Arrival in Luang Prabang, disembarkation operations and meeting with our guide for transfer to the hotel for check in
Free and easy on leisure in Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG CITY TOUR BY ELECTRIC BIKE (B, L)
Private driver & guide
For early risers ( at 5am), there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos. Back to hotel for breakfast
Today you will take a short transfer by tuk-tuk to the electric-powered bike station. After a short briefing to explain the use of the bike, it will be time to start this discovery of “responsible Luang Prabang”… in a quiet way! These electric bikes are an emissions-free mode of transportation and allow the user to either pedal the bike by their own power or coast along using the bike’s battery-powered, rechargeable motor (which lasts for approximately 3km).
Start at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will be able to explore the history of Laos. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. Visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple in the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa, which is shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue past Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s, and on to Wat That where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are kept inside the large central stupa. Ride along the Nam Khan River to visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will leave the town behind and ride to the Phosy Market, where they can join the locals and support vendors by buying fresh products and fruit. The guide will be on hand to encourage guests to taste some of the exotic flavors of the local fruits, helping to identify new items not found in the grocery store back home. Continue the ride to Ock Pop Tock. This non-profit organization seeks to preserve traditional weaving techniques – a trade that was once an important source of income for many Lao families but is slowly fading out as modern technology has evolved. A short tour introduces the process of silk weaving from the initial stages of creating the dyes to the final process of loom weaving. Proceed to ride along the Mekong back into town for the final stop of the day. The Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center is dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Traditional costumes, tools and artifacts are on display alongside in-depth descriptions and written histories. It is a great opportunity to gain insight into the Lao people.
Return to the bike station to drop off the electric bikes and transfer back to the hotel by tuk-tuk. Rest of the day is free at your own space
Overnight Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Luang Prabang
Start at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will be able to explore the history of Laos. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. Visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple in the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa, which is shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue past Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s, and on to Wat That where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are kept inside the large central stupa. Ride along the Nam Khan River to visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will leave the town behind and ride to the Phosy Market, where they can join the locals and support vendors by buying fresh products and fruit. The guide will be on hand to encourage guests to taste some of the exotic flavors of the local fruits, helping to identify new items not found in the grocery store back home. Continue the ride to Ock Pop Tock. This non-profit organization seeks to preserve traditional weaving techniques – a trade that was once an important source of income for many Lao families but is slowly fading out as modern technology has evolved. A short tour introduces the process of silk weaving from the initial stages of creating the dyes to the final process of loom weaving. Proceed to ride along the Mekong back into town for the final stop of the day. The Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center is dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Traditional costumes, tools and artifacts are on display alongside in-depth descriptions and written histories. It is a great opportunity to gain insight into the Lao people.
Return to the bike station to drop off the electric bikes and transfer back to the hotel by tuk-tuk. Rest of the day is free at your own space
Overnight Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG - FARM TOUR ( B, L)
Private driver
Approximately 5km ~15minutes transfer
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
This morning, you will take a short transfer in to the countryside. 5km outside Luang Prabang, The Living Land is a community enterprise run by local people to support the children of poor farming families with their education and medical needs and is an entirely organic farm in a beautiful rural setting, flanked by rice paddies. The stilted wooden farm buildings house an interactive museum to give an insight in to many aspects of rural life in Laos.
Enjoy a guided walk through the organic vegetable farm and learn all manner of trades, from thatched-roof making and basketry to noodle production and extracting the juice from sugarcane. You will experience the life of a farmer and try their hand at various activities, including ploughing the rice fields with one of the resident buffalos. You should expect to get muddy and bring a change of clothes. There are showers and western toilets available.
Rice is the most important crop throughout Laos and you will learn about the 13 steps of rice production today. The 14th is eating and that comes at the end with a range of rice-based snacks!
Afterward, you will then be transferred approximately 30 minutes from Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfalls, passing beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills and small villages along the way. There are also viewpoints overlooking the Mekong River. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls. Relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.
The water tumbles down a large drop and cascades gently into several cool, clear pools where guests can enjoy a refreshing swim (please bring your swim suits). For the adventurous travelers, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views await at the top. You might also like to visit the bear sanctuary which is next to the falls, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. There are currently 23 Asiatic black bears living in the sanctuary, which has saved them from poaching. The main threat to these bears is poaching due to the use of their bile in Chinese medicine. You can read about the bears’ habits and observe their playful nature, whilst learning about the difficulties they are facing.
On the way back to Luang Prabang, a stop will be made at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park to visit the beautiful garden filled of hundreds of Lao butterflies.
Transfer back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Stop en route to visit a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Luang Prabang
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
This morning, you will take a short transfer in to the countryside. 5km outside Luang Prabang, The Living Land is a community enterprise run by local people to support the children of poor farming families with their education and medical needs and is an entirely organic farm in a beautiful rural setting, flanked by rice paddies. The stilted wooden farm buildings house an interactive museum to give an insight in to many aspects of rural life in Laos.
Enjoy a guided walk through the organic vegetable farm and learn all manner of trades, from thatched-roof making and basketry to noodle production and extracting the juice from sugarcane. You will experience the life of a farmer and try their hand at various activities, including ploughing the rice fields with one of the resident buffalos. You should expect to get muddy and bring a change of clothes. There are showers and western toilets available.
Rice is the most important crop throughout Laos and you will learn about the 13 steps of rice production today. The 14th is eating and that comes at the end with a range of rice-based snacks!
Afterward, you will then be transferred approximately 30 minutes from Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Waterfalls, passing beautiful landscapes of rice fields, hills and small villages along the way. There are also viewpoints overlooking the Mekong River. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls. Relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.
The water tumbles down a large drop and cascades gently into several cool, clear pools where guests can enjoy a refreshing swim (please bring your swim suits). For the adventurous travelers, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views await at the top. You might also like to visit the bear sanctuary which is next to the falls, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. There are currently 23 Asiatic black bears living in the sanctuary, which has saved them from poaching. The main threat to these bears is poaching due to the use of their bile in Chinese medicine. You can read about the bears’ habits and observe their playful nature, whilst learning about the difficulties they are facing.
On the way back to Luang Prabang, a stop will be made at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park to visit the beautiful garden filled of hundreds of Lao butterflies.
Transfer back to the hotel late in the afternoon. Stop en route to visit a small village which is home to one of the area’s many ethnic minorities. You will have an opportunity to learn about their traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE (B)
Private driver
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
Free & easy on leisure until the driver pick you up and transfer to Airport for you flight
Saying goodbye to Laos & Xuan Son Travel see you again.
Free & easy on leisure until the driver pick you up and transfer to Airport for you flight
Saying goodbye to Laos & Xuan Son Travel see you again.
Since this can be private or group tour, the price per person varies and depends on many aspects, such as your group size, the hotel ratings and your departure date. If you want to get a custom price quote for this tour, please fill out the online inquiry form and give you as much information as possible about your trip. Your online travel consultants will be at your service and help you make the most of your travel time and dollars!
NOTES
NOTES
1.The weather & our latest advice on the weather
Light clothes regardless of the season in the south and centre but for the visiting of temples and pagodas, make sure you have a top with sleeves (shoulders must be covered) and bottoms going at least up to the knee.
- Dec – April : 10°C to 25°C, Cool and mostly dry, Special From Jan to Feb : cold, From Mar to April dry and very hot,
- May – Nov: 25°C to 35°C, Rainy season
Note: from 5°C to 10°C less in the mountains; make sure you have warm clothes.
2.Visa
- To go to Laos you must have a valid passport valid at least 6 months after the date of return.
- The Citizens of the following countries are also exempt from Laos visas: Vietnam ( 30 days), Brunei (14 days), Cambodia (30 days), Indonesia (30 days), Japan (15 days ), Luxembourg (15 days), Malaysia (30 days), Mongolia (30 days), Myanmar (14 days), Philippines (30 days), Singapore (30 days), Korea (15 days), Switzerland (15 days), Thailand (30 days) and Russia (30 days).
- To get more info => please click here https://laoevisa.gov.la/index
3.International flight
Our offer does not include international flights between your country and Laos for two reasons:
- International flights from your country are more expensive if purchased in Vietnam or Laos. It is therefore more beneficial for you to buy them from a ticketing agency in your country.
- The payment and booking conditions for international flights are strict while it is difficult for us, a local agency, to apply the same conditions to you (full payment before travel). Since international financial transactions give rise to significant bank charges, you will be led to pay unnecessary surcharges.
4.Which language?
- The official and most widely spread language is Laos
- English is spoken in all touristic areas.
5.Cancellation Policy:
- More than 30 days before arrival: no cancellation charge will be done (Client’s non-refundable deposit will be forfeited)
- 14-29 days before arrival: 10% of the cost of the tour is forfeited
- 10-13 days before arrival: 40% of the cost of the tour is forfeited
- Within 10 days before arrival: 100 % of the cost of the tour is forfeited
6. What to Bring
- Sun Glasses, Sun Block, Wide Brim Hat, Insect Repellent, Swimming Suits
- Warm Clothes (from Jan & Feb in The mountain areas)
- Original Passport
ACCOMMODATION
LIST OF OUR HOTELS:
The hotels offered by Xuan Son Travel classified from 02 to 05 stars at international standard, comfortable with all the required services.
- Homestay/local homestay: we have developed fair tourism, through contacts with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with locals and sharing their daily lives. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well assured and with the best possible conditions
- Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are decent, clean, equipped with bathroom, satellite TV and air conditioning.
- Superior Category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious and the services and facilities are more numerous.
- Deluxe category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a wide choice of quality services have swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi
Luxury Category: 5 stars. Hotels with excellent comfort and a wide range of excellent services. Swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi…)
| CITIES /AREAS | HOME STAY | HOTEL-STANDARD | HOTELS-SUPERIOR | HOTEL-DELUXE | HOTELS- LUXURY |
| VIENTIANE | …. | Sengtawan Hotel or similar | Lao Orchid/ Chanthapanya Hotel/ Season Riverside /S 2 Modern Boutique Hotel or similar | Vieniane Plaza / Mercure/ Phasouk Vien Chantra hotel or similar | Don Chan Palace / Green Park Vientiane/Salana Boutique or similar |
| LUANG PRABANG | …. | Villa Oasis/ Phousi Guesthouse hotel or similar | Villa Pumalin/ Villa Chitdara /Villa Saykham/ Le Sen Boutique or similar | Villa Santi/ Maison Dalabua hotel/ Kiridar hotel or similar | Souvannaphoum/ Luang Prabang View/ Luang Say Residence hotel or simalr |
SERVICES & PRICE
SERVICES & PRICE
TRAVEL PRICE: CULTURE OF LAOS – 6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS
From…. To…usd /per
Excluding international flights
Inclusion
- Accommodations with daily breakfast.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Service of English speaking guides in every location.
- Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited.
- Boat trip as mentioned in program
- Government tax and service charge
- Drinking water
Exclusion
- International Airfares.
- Internal Flight Ticket (economy class, including fuel charge & airport taxes).
- Early check in/ late checkout.
- Single supplement surcharge
- Meals not indicated.
- Drinks & beverage.
- Visa fee. Cost about 30-40$ depend on Nationality
- Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
- Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills.
- Tips and gratuities.
Customize this tour
This tour is designed with balanced activities and pace. If you want to customize it, you may always change its itinerary and accommodations according to your needs.
Contact us
- +84 914374251
- xuansontravel@yahoo.com.vn
My name is Nicky, English & French speaking advisor at Xuan Son Travel. I have been the specialist in tailor-made trips to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for 18years. I love the charm of the small streets of Hanoi as well as the charm of the countryside, with magical landscapes, warm and smiling inhabitants in all regions of Vietnam. As a Travel Consultant, I put it at your disposal and will assure you that your wishes and desires are perfectly suited to your trip to Asia.