THE WILDS OF LAOS 9 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS

This tour takes you to Luang Prabang and the wilds beyond it. See the glorious Buddhist temples of the city, then journey outside to wilder areas. Go on jungle treks and a night safari with local trackers and guides. Swim in waterfalls and explore the caves of Viengxay, visiting a Khmu hill tribe village.

Enjoy a Lao tea tasting ceremony at the Stay Another Day exhibit. Later, ascend the stairs of Mt. Phousi and take in the spectacular view as the sun sets over the city. Take a guided tour of Luang Prabang, starting with the holiest temple in the city, Wat Visoun. Visit the National Museum (closed on Tuesdays), housed in the former Royal Palace. At the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre learn more about Lao culture and its great diversity of hill tribes. Early-risers can watch as residents offer food to long lines of orange robe clad monks in a magical morning ritual.

After breakfast head to the picturesque Kuangsi Waterfalls. The Bear Rescue Center here provides information on efforts to protect these endangered animals. Leave early for the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Son Koua. Next, journey in a long-tail boat, seeing wildlife and learning about rice cultivation. Build a campfire and have dinner around it. After dark, board your boat and see the nocturnal wildlife of the jungle. Next, take a three-hour drive to Xamneau and see artisans at work at the nearby weaving houses. Explore the caves of Viengxay. During the Vietnam War, as US forces dropped millions of bombs on Laos, the people here constructed a ‘hidden city’ inside the caves of its limestone peaks.

Highlights

Visit a hidden cave city where more than 20,000 people were able to survive during the Vietnam War.
Go to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Son Koua and learn more about these fascinating people
Board a boat for a jungle night safari with expert trackers and guides
Have dinner around a campfire in the wilds.

TRIP IN BRIEF:
Tour type: private tour - can be customized
Trip Duration: 09 days 08 nights

Tour route: Viengxay-Xamneua-Ban Son Koua-Nong Khiaw-Nong Khiaw–Luang Prabang
Tour Operates: Year Round/ Upon Request

Tour Itinerary: THE WILDS OF LAOS

Day 1: Viengxay arrival (...)

Upon arrival our guide will meet you at the border and take you by private car to Viengxay, about 3 hours away.
Overnight in Viengxay
Meals included on this day: None

Day 2: Viengxay (B)

The town of Viengxay has a fascinating recent history. During the Vietnam War, as US forces dropped millions of bombs on Laos in daily bombing raids, the people of this area constructed a ‘hidden city’ inside the caves of its limestone peaks where more than 20,000 people were able to survive. They built schools, hospitals and even a radio station all within the complex of caves. Take an audio tour around, which helps to explain this history in interviews with local residents.
Overnight in Viengxay
Meals included on this day: Breakfast

Day 3: Viengxay-Xamneua(B)

Take a three-hour drive to Xamneau (about 1 hour). Once checked-in at your hotel you’ll be given a tour of the town. See the Nam Sam River Promenade and the 16th century Buddhist statue at Wat Phoxaysanalam. Watch artisans at work at the nearby weaving houses, displaying quality cotton and silk textile goods.
Overnight in Xamneua
Meals included on this day: Breakfast

Day 4: Xamneua–Ban Son Koua (B/L/D)

Leave early for the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Son Koua. Upon arrival you’ll be met by guides and boatmen who will take you on a short tour of the village. Here you will learn about the animist belief of appeasing the village spirit. The next journey is in a long-tail boat up the Nam Nern River, where you will be able to see wildlife and learn about rice cultivation. At the park substation have lunch and hear a talk by the park staff about their efforts to protect the tigers of the area.

Set off for night safari in the mid-afternoon. First stop is a hike into the forest with a local hunter and tracker who will be your companion for the safari. Continue upriver to a flat, sandy bank upon which you’ll build a campfire and have dinner around it. Your guides will tell you about the local wildlife as well as Khmu folktales and stories of dragons and ghosts.

After dark, board your boats and explore the river at night. With engines off and using hand signals only, so as to stay as quiet as possible; your guides will carefully spotlight the nocturnal wildlife of the jungle. Animals that you may see include Otters, Barking Deer, Owls, Civets, Samar Deer, Porcupines and Slow Loris. On your way back to the camp take a look at the black light which the guides have set up near the substation. It attracts a huge range of night insects.

Overnight in Ban Son Koua
Meals included on this day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Ban Son Koua-Nong KhiawV(B/L/D)

Your guide will take you on a pre-breakfast jungle walk and teach you all about the medicinal plants of the area. They will also explain the history of the site, which was a settlement during the American bombing.

After lunch at a local restaurant we’ll drive to the quiet town of Nong Khiaw (4 hours), where your evening is free to relax.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw
Meals included on this day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Nong Khiaw–Luang Prabang (B)

Option: Mountain Hiking Half-Day Tour
Hike to the high points of the area. Our local guide will take you up steep trails into the ancient high altitude forests which surround the town. Take some time at the top to see the splendid panoramic views. On clear days you can see as far as 20km away to the northern mountains of Muang Ngoi.

After lunch drive to Luang Prabang (about 3 hours).

Later, ascend the stairs of Mt. Phousi and take in the spectacular view as the sun sets over the city. On the way back to the hotel, you can stop off at the hill tribe evening market to see the vast array of locally produced goods.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals included on this day: Breakfast

Day 7: Luang Prabang (B/L)

Take a guided tour of Luang Prabang, starting with the holiest temple in the city, Wat Visoun. This temple was rebuilt in 1887 and its courtyard contains the distinctive Watermelon stupa, named after its resemblance to the fruit. We continue past 16th century Wat Aham to Wat That, which holds the ashes of King Sisavong Vong in its central stupa. This afternoon visit the National Museum (closed on Tuesdays), housed in the former Royal Palace; where you can learn about the history of Laos and gain insight into many of the sights and buildings which you’ll visit. Next see Wat Mai, famed for its golden bas-relief and the dazzling golden façade of Wat Sensoukarahm.

At the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre you’ll learn more about Laos’s culture and its great diversity of hill tribes.

Option: Baci ceremony. These ceremonies are deeply rooted in the Laos culture and are used to celebrate a special occasion- whether a wedding, an annual festival, or as a welcome.

In the evening enjoy a Lao tea tasting ceremony at the Stay Another Day exhibit.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals included on this day: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Luang Prabang-Kuang Si Waterfall-Luang Prabang (B)

If you’re an early-riser you can go to watch as residents of the city offer food to long lines of orange robe clad monks who disembark from pagodas in this, their magical morning ritual (5.30am).

After breakfast head to the picturesque Kuangsi Waterfalls. These waterfalls create a series of pools and are perfect for taking a cooling swim in. Their limestone rock formations and the surrounding jungle provide a natural setting for walks and relaxation (please wear a sarong when bathing). The Bear Rescue Center here provides information on the efforts being made to protect these endangered animals. Return to Luang Prabang for lunch where the rest of the day is free at leisure.

Option: Board a traditional boat, the Nava Mekong, for an evening cruise down the glorious Mekong River as the sun sets over the valley. The boat will stop for lunch at the bank opposite Luang Prabang, where you’ll be served a delicious Lao dinner and see artists from the nearby villages perform traditional music and dance as you dine.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals included on this day: Breakfast

Day 9: Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast you are free to explore Luang Prabang before your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals included on this day: Breakfast

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

if you want to change the hotel category

Price Inclusions and Exclusions