LAOS DISCOVERY 7 DAYS, 6 NIGHTS

Tour Itinerary: LAOS DISCOVERY

Day 1: Join Luang Prabang

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Please look for the WORLD EXPEDITIONS welcome sign in the arrivals hall. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia. The tranquillity and charm of this city with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. This evening explore Luang Prabang night market, where you can find a fascinating selection of handmade textiles made by local villagers and from the hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang. This evening enjoy a welcome Baci ceremony & dinner at a local villager’s house.

Day 2: In Luang Prabang

An optional early start provides a fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (food & water) from the faithful residents. This tranquil Buddhist tradition experienced amongst the morning mist is well worth the early rise. Today we explore Luang Prabang by bicycle, a fun and eco-friendly way of exploring the town. We visit Wat Visun, Wat Aham, beautiful Wat Xieng Thong, and the Luang Prabang Ethnology centre. We than take a short journey by car and a 20 minute walk to the charming Phone Say village, famous for its beautiful textiles. We meet Ms Ting who has inherited her hand-weaving skills from her mother, and who now teaches young Laotian women this valuable skill. After a short visit to her workshop we enjoy a home-hosted lunch by the Mekong River. After lunch, we’re off to the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre, an organization that is offering the weavers in the area the chance to earn an income through their weaving skills. We also visit Ban Xang Khong village where we learn more about Saa paper. In the afternoon we’ll visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups and then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. Returning to the city we climb to the top of Mount Phousi for an exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there we explore the fascinating night market, with its wide selection of handmade textiles. After sunset there’s the option (available at additional cost) to enjoy a well deserved and relaxing traditional Lao massage and sauna.

Day 3: Boat trip to Pak Ou Caves, afternoon visit to Kuang Sii waterfalls

After breakfast we transfer to the boat pier where we embark in a traditional long tail boat along the Mekong River. Visit Ban Muangkeo before a short trek to reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, with their thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local specialty rice wine is produced. After lunch at a local restaurant visit the Bear Sanctuary and the famous Khouang Si waterfall with time for a relaxing swim. Once back in Luang Prabang city we visit a traditional silversmith workshop.

Day 4: Morning cooking class, fly to Vientiane

This morning we journey to Tamarind Cafe where our chef Joy Ngeuamboupha joins us for an introductory lesson in cooking real Lao cuisine. We take a tuk-tuk to Phou Sy market to buy our ingredients for the cooking class. Joy shares his knowledge on local ingredients while touring the market before travelling to our lakeside classroom where we learn to prepare local favorites such as khao niauw (sticky rice), oh paedek (soup with ground pork) and laarb kai (spicy Laotian chicken salad). Enjoy a lunch of our own creations before the journey to the airport for the flight to Vientiane.

Day 5: Morning market and city tour

An optional early start missing breakfast at the hotel provides an exciting opportunity to visit the local markets. We explore Thong Khankham market with its bright colours, exotic aromas and baskets piled high with local produce.Breakfast is at the market, the only problem being what to choose from this abundant array. Food stalls offer noodles, soups, and \'food to go\' wrapped in banana leaves. We then continue on to the flower market with its bunches of jasmine, orchids, and marigolds - the latter woven into garlands for temple offerings. Discover the Vientiane Orchid centre, a truly unique experience where passionate French orchid expert Bertrand Laville hosts one of the largest orchid collections in the world. In the afternoon, we tuk-tuk to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao’s national icon, That Luang Stupa, we will stop at the Patuxay Monument, known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. A great end to the day, we then head to the riverside for a relaxing sundowner drink overlooking the Mekong River.

Day 6: Visit COPE educational centre, afternoon at Wat Sokepaluang

After breakfast we explore COPE educational centre, a heartbreaking but compelling location that displays Laos’ Hidden War. Afterwards we continue on to the surreal and unique Buddha Park or Xiang Khouan as it’s known by the locals. A park filled with hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu statues that are definitely a world apart from your average temple visit. After lunch at the park, we travel to Wat Sokepaluang, a sacred temple known as a centre for Buddhist education. Here we meet our guide, a monk who will host an educational session on Lao culture and traditions. Here you will learn about the relationship between Buddhism and Lao history, society, meditation, and any other topic that may interest you. We can take a private yoga lesson in the shade of the temple\'s trees, learn about the temple\'s herbal gardens, try the traditional sauna and practice meditation.

Day 7: In Vientiane, trip concludes

After breakfast there’s free time for your own exploration of Vientiane city followed by an airport transfer for your return flight home.

Price Tariff

The price is in US$, per person, based on double/ twin share and valid until 31 Dec 2013
Price details: The sample quote is for 3* hotel standard. Contact us email : info@indochinacyclingtour.com

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