New Page 1Laos Tours - Jewel of The Mekong & Plain of Jars
FRANKO’S Tours of LAOS
Jewel of The Mekong & Plain of Jars
Vientiane - Luang Prabang - Plain of Jars
[7 Days / 6 Nights]
ITINERARY
DAY 1. Arrive at Wattay Airport in Vientiane; process visas, then meet guide before transfer to Hotel. After some refreshments, set off on a City Tour of Vientiane and take in the sights of Wat Sisaket with it’s thousands of mini buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo (fmr home of famous Emerald Buddha Image). Lunch in town before continuing tour to visit That Luang stupa and a look at Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triumphe” …known as the Patuxai. Relaxation before dinner at a local restaurant. B/L/D
DAY 2.
Breakfast then check-out before flight to Luang Prabang, perhaps the best preserved traditional city in SE Asia. A day of touring and enjoying the tranquillity and charm of this town with it’s beautiful natural scenery and cultural sights. Tour includes visits to the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Mai and Wat Xieng Thong with it’s roof sweeping low to the ground. Before dinner, take a walk to the top of Phousi Hill and take in the views of the city and the mighty Mekong River – the Mother River. B/L/D
DAY 3.
Start the day with a fantastic 20km cruise up the Mekong River to visit the Tham Ting Shrine caves. Later cross to Pak Ou village where ornate opium pipes, old coin tokens and local handicrafts are yours for the bargaining! Lunch by the riverside, then an afternoon visit to Ban Phanoum to meet the locals and observe the skills of local weavers is followed by some time off to do what you wish - Luang Prabang is a nice place to lose yourself. Hopefully there’s a surprise in store for dinner! B/L/D
DAY 4.
This is a lazy day* …a drive to visit a local (ethnic) H’Mong village enroute to the beautiful Kuangsi waterfalls where you can marvel at the spectacular jungle falls and enjoy some swimming in the natural pools. After lunch you can try out an elephant ride then a paddle along a stretch of the Nam Khan River ...if you’re up for it ...if not, then perhaps try out the cafe scene downtown before thinking of dinner.
( *Except for the early rise to witness and/or participate in the daily ritual of providing food for the hundreds of monks who pass by in single file …not to be missed …and while you’re up, take a stroll through the morning markets in town ...definitely not to be missed ...intriguing! ) B/L/D
DAY 5.
Breakfast before a wonderful 6 hour drive through fabulous mountain and village scenery to the the Plain of Jars region in Xiang Kuoang province. The most wonderful day visiting tradional highlander and H’Mong villages as our private transport winds it’s way east (good roads) across spectacular steep terrain then plains country to a land of mysteries dating from the Iron Age! The Plain of Jars is a must-see destination on any tour of Asia ...it will astound you! There is no certainty to it’s history ...perhaps it will be clear to you? Dinner near our hotel in the friendly and "interesting" township of Phonsavan concludes a day of many highlights. B/L/D
DAY 6.
A morning tour of Phonsavan market is an eye opener - so too is a short visit to Mouang Khoune (former capital before it’s destruction through bombing in the late 1960s). An early lunch then a visit to the Mine Advisory Group to see evidence of how the local region became the "most heavily bombed zone in the history of warfare" - and learn how the efforts of mine and UXO clearing projects has now allowed tourist entry to the famous Plain of Jars sites. A mid afternoon flight returns us to Vientiane for our final night in Laos. B/L/D
DAY 7. Breakfast then some free time before transfer to Wattay Airport in Vientiane for your return or onward flights.
TOUR ENDS
Tour Inclusions:
-Accommodation based on Twin sharing room
-Full Land & Boat transportation as per itinerary
-Flights Vientiane to Luang Prabang & Phonsavan to Vientiane
-English speaking guide
-All site entrance fees as per itinerary
-All meals (not including drinks)
Not Included:
- International airfares to/from Vientiane
-Visa fee on arrival: US$30 per pers
FRANKO’S rate a trip to Laos very highly. Fabulous scenery and friendly, welcoming locals ensure you will always remember a visit to this wonderful country …touted as the “jewel of SE Asian tourism”.
Bia - Beer - Biere Putaxai - Vientiane Luang Prabang Pha That Luang - Vientiane Bronze Buddha - Laos Luang Prabang ...time seems as it was when you were a kid! National Dress - LAOS nearly there! Plain of Jars (Site 1) Ruins of Wat Phia Wat - Muang Khoune (NE Laos)