Upon arrival in Vientiane Capital, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for check-in. After freshening up, you start the city tour with visiting some the major sights: The oldest temple Wat Sisaket, an amazing structure featuring remarkable frescoes and Buddha images. You also visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Overnight in Vientiane.
Meal Included: Dinner
This morning you board a flight to Luang Nam Tha, a province sharing its border with China and Myanmar. No activities are planned for the rest of the day so you can stroll around the town or just relax at the riverside retreat until the briefing about your upcoming trekking days. Overnight in Luang Nam Tha.
Meal Included: Lunch
After breakfast, you take a short drive to Ban Chalernsuk, a Khmu minority village, 20 kilometers away from Luang Namtha. You truly get off the beaten track as you trek into this beautiful mountainous region on the local paths. Today’s trek is quite tough at times at some steep uphill and downhill climbs, but the experience is unique and rewarding. The friendly Khmu hill tribe resides in this area; they have a primitive and basic lifestyle. You arrive at Ban Nalan by late afternoon; here you will have a chance to understand a little more about the local culture and their daily lifestyle as you spend time with a Khmu family. Dinner and overnight at home stay. The accommodation is simple dormitory style, no western facilities.
Meal Included: Lunch
The trek today leads you along the bank of the river to Ban Namkoy, passing picturesque landscape of forests and rice fields. On arrival at Ban Namkoy you embark on a three-hour walk uphill. This trek is a real challenge; however some prior physical preparation will enable you to maximize your enjoyment from the walk. When you pass through several hamlets, you are sure to attract attention from the locals, as travelers do not frequently encounter this remote part of the country. At the small village of Ban Namlu, you meet up with your truck and drive back to Luang Nam Tha Town. Overnight in Luang Nam Tha.
Meal Included: Lunch
Early this morning, you travel by road to Muang Sing, home to various hill tribe communities. There is also a significant Chinese population and a lot of trade goes on between here and China. We could stop sometimes along the way for photos and at the Akha hill tribe village. After that, heading westbound, traveling over bumpy roads to Chinese border, strolling around and visiting hill tribe villages. In the late afternoon, you head for Muang Sing with a stopover at the Lantern minority village. Overnight at Muang Sing.
Meal Included: Lunch
Early morning, you visit the bustling colorful morning market and the impressive museum of ethnology, dedicated to region’s ethnic minorities and then continue on to Oudomxay. The splendid journey downhill passes numerous small villages en-route visit Khmu and Lantere. Upon arrival at Oudomxay, you will be transferred to the hotel before commencing your sightseeing tour of the town, which includes a visit to the stupa of Santhiphap that overlooks this bustling center of local trade and commerce. Overnight in Oudomxay.
Meal Included: Lunch
Depart early for a morning drive to Nong Khiaw, where you board a traditional boat down the Nam Ou River to Luang Prabang which has been claimed by UNESCO to be“The best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia”. En route you visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves where thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. Continue down the river to Ban Sang Hay village to sample the local rice wine known as Lao Lao. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meal Included: Lunch
After breakfast, you explore some of the major sights in this fabulous city, including the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham, the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and Wat Mai. We visit these sights as well as the magnificent Wat Xiengthong. A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending 329 steps to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa and to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. From there, you explore the Night Market if you wish. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meal Included: Lunch
After breakfast, leaving this charming city in the early morning, you head for Vang Vieng. The drive will be strenuous as you travel along one of the most scenic but also one of the roughest routes in Asia. In the afternoon you arrive in Vang Vieng, a small and tranquil town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. After exploring this peaceful and dream-like city, continue your journey to Vientiane capital. Arrive in Vientiane by late evening. Overnight in Vientiane.
Meal Included: Lunch
After breakfast, you are free until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight or continuing on with more “Travel Authentic Asia” destinations.
Meal Included: Breakfast
