Highlights of Laos - 8 days/7 nights

Luang Prabang – Xieng Khuang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane

See the highlights of Laos including the amazing Plain of Jars, a mysterious collection of stone jars said to be about 2500 years old scattered across the vast plains surround Phonsavan. The area is also home to the Hmong people, and Xieng Khuang is the best province to visit the villages of this interesting tribe. See the beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, the peaceful town of Vang Vieng and the capital city of Vientiane in this nine day tour.

• Itinerary
• Rates
• Hotels
• Book this Tour

 
Privately-Guided! Whether you are a single person, a couple, or a group, you'll have your own guide and driver for all airport pickups, drop-offs, and daily excursions. 
 
Choose your own dates! This is not a fixed-departure-date tour. Just let us know the dates that work best for you and we will arrange everything.
 
Customizable! Need more time? Less time? Want to see or do something that isn't included? Just let us know, and we will arrange it for you and let you know the change in costs.
 
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Trip Highlights

• UNESCO World Heritage town Luang Prabang
• The Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang
• Limestone Karsts of Vang Vieng
• City tour of capital city Vientiane

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrive Luang Prabang
Upon arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be the best preserved city in South East Asia. Take the rest of the day to relax for explore on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2:  Luang Prabang
In the morning take a guided tour of the city. Begin with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, and continue on to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong for a taste of classic Laotian architecture. Board a boat and cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which offers panoramic views of the tranquil countryside. Stop in the village of Ban Muangkeo and enjoy a short trek to reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves that are filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Also stop at the village of Ban Xanghai where local rice wine is produced and visit Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek, and Ban Nong Xai—small villages well known for silk weavings and Saa (jute) Papermaking. Once back in Luang Prabang city, visit a traditional silversmith workshop. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (Breakfast)

Note: during rainy season the itinerary is subject to change due to the weather conditions, an alternative program is available.

Day 3:  Luang Prabang
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning ritual of saffron-clad monks collecting Alms from the faithful residents. This procession is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the tradition.  After breakfast visit the local Phosi Market where your guide will show you the diverse offerings on display. Also stop at Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving center. Here you will be given a guided tour of the silk weaving process. Next drive to Ban Thinkeo, a Hmong village, and take a short trek with the villagers. Learn how the Hmong use local plants, visit a garden, and take a cooking class in a traditional home.  Lunch will be your collective efforts! Enjoy a demonstration of Hmong Khene and local games. In the afternoon, drive to Kuang Si and relax at this magnificent multi-tiered waterfall. Return by road to Luang Prabang at the end of the day. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (Breakfast)

Day 4:  Luang Prabang to Xieng Khuang
Today make the day’s drive through wonderful natural scenery to Xieng Khuang. The journey will give you plenty of opportunities for photos and visiting hill tribe villages. Upon arrival, transfer out to visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. Overnight in Xieng Khuang. (Breakfast)

Day 5:  Xieng Khuang
In the morning visit the Central Market in Phonsavan, the MAG exhibition, and Site 2 of the Plain of Jars before taking a short scenic trek to Site 3 via Tai Dam and Lao Leum village. Following lunch enjoy a half day morning tour of the old capital of Muang Khoun and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. Overnight in Xieng Khuang. (Breakfast)

Day 6:  Xieng Khuang to Vang Vieng
After breakfast, visit Mulberries Silk Farm, a Lao Sericulture company specializing in fair trade silk production. Get back on the road again for your journey to Vang Vieng. Arrive in this tranquil town nestled on a bend in the Nam Song River in the afternoon. Take the rest of the day to relax amongst the stunning scenery where quiet water and limestone outcrops remain unspoiled despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. On arrival check into your hotel. Overnight in Vang Vieng. (Breakfast)

Day 7:  Vang Vieng to Vientiane
This morning take a short walk to visit the impressive Tham Jang caves as well as enjoy a boat ride on the Nam Song River to admire the impressive limestone karst scenery. In the afternoon drive south to the Lao capital of Vientiane. En route stop off at the salt mines of Ban Kheun for a fascinating tour to see how the salt is produced. Arrive in Vientiane by late afternoon where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane. (Breakfast)

Day 8:  Vientiane
After breakfast take a half day city tour to explore the Vientiane capital with visits to the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image.  Enroute 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. The final visit of the day is an optional trip to the excellent COPE exhibition center, to learn about the unexploded ordnance in Laos. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Vientiane. (Breakfast)

Day 9:  Departure
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (Breakfast)

Rates

Per Person Rates (based on double-occupancy):
Prices good through April 30, 2011. Discounts available for groups of 3 or more!

Please note that peak season supplements may apply at La Residence Phou Vao from Nov 1-30 and Dec 23-Feb 28.
 
4-Star Hotels: $ 1515
5-Star Hotels: $ 2150
 
Single Person Rates
4-Star Hotels: $ 2865
5-Star Hotels: $ 4135
 
Single Room Supplement (for groups of 2 or more)
4-star Hotels: $ 495
5-star Hotels: $ 1135
 
Rates Include

• All airport transfers
• All private tours and excursions as outlined in the itinerary
• All surface transportation as per the itinerary by private, air-conditioned car
• Hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast basis inclusive of all taxes and service charges
• All entrance fees
• Services of a private, local English-speaking guide for all visits and excursions

 
Rates Do Not Include

• International airfare
• Visa fees
• Airport departure taxes
• Tips
• Expenses of a personal nature

Hotels

Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. If a hotel listed below is not available, an alternative hotel of similar quality will be substituted.

To Book This Tour

1. Download, print, and fill out the Reservation Form for each person.
2. Fax the form to 206-529-4803, or mail it with your non-refundable $500 per person deposit to:
   
   Red Lantern Journeys
   1000 N. Northlake Way
   Suite H Seattle, WA 98103
   
   
3. Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure. If your reservation is made less than 75 days prior to departure, full payment will be due upon confirmation of hotels and flights.

 
Payments must be made by personal check, bank wire transfer, or credit card. Upon receipt of your deposit, we will initiate the reservations and send you a statement showing your payment. Approximately 4 weeks prior to your departure, we will send you a final confirmation package containing your itinerary and detailed information on the logistics of your trip.
 
Forms to Download (pdf file)
Reservation Form with Complete Terms and Conditions