Itinerary
Day 1 Depart London Heathrow Airport.
Day 2 Nestled in the mountains, long isolated from
the outside world, we’ll discover World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang’s
fabulous temples, French colonial architecture and taste Lao delicacies
(and the famous Lao beer!) in riverside cafes. Morning is at leisure to
allow you to wander the quiet, picturesque lanes or check out the
hill-tribe handicraft market and an afternoon walking tour of the town
including the National Museum & former king’s palace, Wat Xiengthong
and the Fine Arts School to see how traditional Lao arts and
handicrafts are being preserved with perhaps a sunset visit to Phu Si
Hill.
Day 3 Day trip through the surrounding hills to
visit the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls and to discover the
fascinating, traditional village life of some of the local peoples.
Day 4 Early departure for a drive along scenic
mountain roads to Phonsavan Town in Xieng Khouang province – location of
the famous and mysterious ‘Plain of Jars’. Stops on the way include
Khmu and Hmong villages as well as a reminder that this region played a
major part during the Vietnam War as we visit a hidden cave temple that
served as an army hospital during the combat. Late afternoon arrival in
Phonsavan and atmospheric dusk visit to one of the famous jar sites.
Day 5 Morning visit to the Mines Action Group
or MAG office to learn about the work they do in clearing land mines
and unexploded ordnance in the area. We then transfer out to the
picturesque Jar Site 2, and begin our 1 hour trek along the ridge to the
impressive Jar Site 3, consisting over around 150 jars located on top
of a hill, offering great views over the surrounding countryside. Lunch
in Phonsavan before a flight to the Lao capital of Vientiane and time
perhaps to stretch our legs with a stroll along the Mekong waterfront
for sundowners in a riverbank cafe?
Day 6 Day tour of some of the city’s fascinating
sites; Si Saket Temple with its thousand Buddha images, the bustling
morning market and Vientiane’s most famous monument – the That Luang
Stupa as well as the unusual ‘Buddha Park’. Less cheerful, but we feel
important and highly informative stops, will also be made at the
excellent COPE
exhibition centre, highlighting a major problem many of the local people
face daily in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of the heavy
bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era.
Day 7 Leave Vientiane for a leisurely drive south
east to Khammouane, one of Laos’s most picturesque, yet least visited
Provinces. Visits along the way will include a 15th century stupa, a
hill-tribe market and plenty of photo opportunities! Afternoon arrival
at our night’s accommodation in Hin Boun, a remote & charming
riverside lodge set amongst dramatic limestone scenery. Time to relax or
explore the area.
Day 8 Departure by boat for an exploration of the
incredible Konglor Cave – a 7 km long cavern, up to 100 m high, with
spectacular stalactite formations and an underground river running from
end to end. On traversing the cave we’ll have an opportunity for a hike
through the hidden valley on the far side before completing our day with
a transfer to the nearby town of Thakaek – an old Mekong river port
from the French era – in time for sundowners on the waterfront.
Day 9 A fascinating day trip through the area’s
awesome limestone landscapes including a forest hike where local guides
will show you traditional forest food and medicines collected by the
local inhabitants; a walk around the serene Nong Thao Lake to discover
local fishing techniques, stop-offs in rarely visited villages and a
visit to a secret 300 year old cave temple, only discovered in 2004.
Late afternoon drive to Savannakhet - another important colonial period
town – for our night’s accommodation.
Day 10 Continue south along the Mekong to another
old river port, Pakse. Lunchtime arrival and the afternoon at leisure to
explore the local markets, try out a Lao style spa, or just relax in
the hotel’s roof garden and take in the sunset?
Day 11 Day tour of some of the
sites of the Boloven Plateau, home to numerous ethnic minorities and the
centre of Lao’s coffee growing industry including visits to one of the
area’s coffee plantations and a chance to bathe in the Tad Yeuang Falls.
Day 12 Boat trip down the Mekong River south to the
small town of Champassak. Afternoon trip to the UNESCO World Heritage
Site of Wat Phu – a pre-Angkor, Khmer temple dramatically situated on a
mountain side overlooking the valley of the Mekong.
Day 13 Morning transfer to Kietngong village for an
elephant trek to some hilltop ruins and on to the delightful Kingfisher
Eco Lodge on the edge of the Sepian national Biodiversity Area for our
night’s accommodation. Afternoon hike to discover the area, bird
watching in the nearby wetlands or simply resting up on the balcony
admiring the superb view.
Day 14 Continue south to the Four Thousand Islands -
a stretch of the Mekong River of truly outstanding natural beauty
straddling the Lao/Cambodian border.
Day 15 Explore some of the islands by boat, kayak
and on foot. Visit SE Asia’s largest waterfalls – the stunning; Khon
Phapaeng Falls – and with luck catch a glimpse of some of the rare
freshwater dolphins which still inhabit this stretch of the river.
Day 16 Continuing down the Mekong we’ll follow the
picturesque jungle-lined river into Cambodia and the remote town of
Stung Treng. From here we’ll continue overland, south to the old French
port of Kratie for our night’s accommodation. Afternoon to wander the
bustling river front area.
Day 17 The final leg of our journey will take us
overland via Kompong Cham and a visit to the Angkor era temple of Wat
Nokor to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh.
Day 18 Departure for home, via Bangkok and evening arrival.
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