LIFE OF THE FAR SOUTH & DISCOVERY THE CAPITAL OF LAOS – 7 DAYS
Itinerary: Pakse – Bolaven – Vientiane
CODE TOUR : XSEL 33 - CULTURE TOURS
Highlights:
- Discover incredible waterfalls, including the twin waterfalls of Tad Fane
- Visit coffee plantations and discover for yourself the excellence of Lao coffee
- Explore rural villages and learn about the cultures of the different ethnic groups of southern Laos
- Visit the highlights of Vientiane and discover the rich history and culture of this ancient city through its temples and landmarks
- Learn about Lao’s rich historical culture of weaving and textiles as well as the centuries old traditions of natural dyes, all of which are still practiced today
Overview
Join us for an exciting three days as we explore what life is like in the far south of Laos. Visit villages of ethnic minorities, local markets, coffee plantations and waterfalls. Along the way, learn about the culture and daily lives of the people we encounter. We will also discover some of the history of the area with a short visit to the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The tour guide will take you to the main attractions in Vientiane, the capital and the largest city in Laos. Visit all the main attractions of the city, travelling in an airconditioned van with our expert guide
Tour summary:
DAY 1: PAKSE ARRIVAL
Private driver
(Check-in time is 14.00 PM, early check-in is not included in itinerary and subject to availability)..
Free & easy by your own. Overnight at Pakse
Meals: None
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Pakse
DAY 2: LIFE IN THE BOLAVEN PLATEAU (B, L)
Private driver & guide
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
We leave from Pakse and drive up to the Bolaven Plateau, making our way to Tad Phaseuam Waterfall. We then we continue to Tad Lo Waterfall where we will start a short hike. We make our way to some villages of different ethnic minorities. We will stop in one of these villages for lunch of local Lao food. After spending some time learning about village life we make our way to our next destination, driving past banana and coffee plantations. We will stop at a local market, a great place to learn about local culinary culture. We then make our way to a local hotel where we will spend the night. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Bolaven Plateau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Bolaven Plateau
DAY 3: ATTAPEU AND THE HO CHI MINH TRAIL (B, L)
Private driver & guide
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel .
Today we drive to see two different waterfalls, Tad Fat and Tad Huekun, before heading to Attapeu. Here we can explore the ancient town before driving through the beautiful countryside where we will visit the villages of many different ethnic minorities. Some elderly members of these groups wear elaborate traditional clothing. We stop for lunch again in the town of Attapeu where we will have a meal of traditional Lao food.
In the late afternoon we drive a short distance to a district that borders Vietnam. We will learn about the history of the Secret War in Laos as we drive along a section of the Ho-Chi-Minh Trail. We make a stop at the ancient temple of King Xaysettha, one Lao’s most famous and respected kings. Here we can learn some of Lao’s ancient history from the time of Lane Xang. We then make our way back to Attapeu before heading to our guesthouse to rest for the night. Overnight at Attapeu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at Guesthouse
DAY 4: SOUTHERN HERITAGE AND TASTE (B, L)
Private driver & guide
Enjoy breakfast at Guesthouse .
After breakfast, we will continue on our way and we will spend some time exploring the ruined town before we make a short visit to the resettlement village. Here we can meet some of the villagers whose lives were uprooted after the dam collapse and were forced to leave their traditional homes. From here we will visit two waterfalls, Xe Pha and Xe Pong lai Waterfall. We will then make our way to Paksong, stopping in a coffee plantation to try some fresh coffee. We then explore the town’s lively market, a meeting point for many of the communities that live on the Bolaven plateau. From here we then make our way back to Paske, where you will be returned to your hotel. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at Pakse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Pakse
DAY 5: PAKSE - FLY TO VIENTIANE FREE & EASY (B)
Private driver
Free & easy until the driver pick you up at hotel and transfer to Airport for flight to Vientiane
Upon arrival Vientiane, you will be transferred to hotel for check in.
Free & easy on leisure in Vientiane. Meals on your own. Overnight at Vientiane
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Vientiane
DAY 6: VIENTIANE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS (B, L)
Private driver & guide
We start out tour by heading to the religious museums of Wat Sisaket and Ho Prakeo. Wat Sisaket is the oldest temple to have survived the Siamese War of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues. Ho Prakeo was the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue, or Pra Keo, from the early Lane Xang Kingdom until the 18th century. Today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and artifacts found in Vientiane.
We then drive to , the single most important monument in Laos. This Stupa was built to cover the original, smaller stupa containing a piece of the breast bone of Buddha. That Luang is the largest stupa in Laos and serves as the main symbolic stupa for all of Laos. It’s also our national symbol, a gathering place for our national Buddhism ceremony, and recognised throughout the world.
We then head to Patouxay, sometimes called the Arch de Triumph of Vientiane. This landmark is not as old as the other landmarks we visit but provides an interesting insight into Lao’s more recent and turbulent history. Despite its more modern history this is still an important landmark for the people of Laos and serves an important role in many national celebrations
We then make our way to our lunch, which is served in a local restaurant. Here we can experience the most pervasive element of Lao culture, its food.
In the afternoon, we make our way to Carol Cassidy, a workshop and gallery showcasing Lao textiles and natural dye making process from start to finish. We then drive out of town to the eccentric Buddha Park, built by a Lao man after studying in India, in order to teach following generations of Lao about religions around the world. Here we will discover many Buddhist and Hindu statues in traditional and modern styles. One of them is the largest Reclining Buddha in Laos.
We return to Vientiane with a new appreciation for Lao culture in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Vientiane
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Vientiane
DAY 7: VIENTIANE DEPARTURE (B)
Private driver
After your breakfast in the hotel, depending on flight schedules, you will be transferred to Vientiane Airport by your driver for your departure 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
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 flights
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
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 |
| PAKSE | …. | Pakse hotel or similar | Le Jardin Hotel / Mekong Paradise hotel or similar | Athena hotel / Champasak grand hotel / Nakhone Champa hotel or similar | …. |
| BOLAVEN PLATEAU | …. | Ted Fane Resort or similar | Sinouk Coffee Resort/ Tadlo lodge hotel or similar | The riviera hotel / Sabaidee Valley or similar | …. |
| ATTAPEU | Guesthouse | …. | …. | …. | …. |
SERVICES & PRICE
TRAVEL PRICE: LIFE OF THE FAR SOUTH & DISCOVERY THE CAPITAL OF LAOS
– 7 DAYS 6 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.