Laos Discovery (dept Vientiane)

Upon clearing Customs and Immigration at Vientiane Wattay International Airport, greet your guide, who will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers, including all contact information of your guide and local offices. Vientiane’s unhurried air reflects its status as Southeast Asia’s smallest capital. Old French colonial villas mix with tranquil Buddhist temples in this quaint diminutive city nestled on the banks of the Mekong.

Enjoy the journey to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Vientiane confuses us; is it Asian or French? There are beautiful Buddhist sites such as Wat Sisaket and the gleaming golden stupa of Pha That Luang, yet turn a corner, and you come face to face with Patuxai, a monumental arch resembling the Arc de Triomphe. You can decide after visiting these sights plus more.
Did you know that Laos was the most bombed country during the Vietnam War? We’ll visit COPE, which stands for Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise. It is a locally run, non-profit organization founded in 1997 to provide survivors of unexploded ordnance with care and support. This includes access to orthodontic and prosthetic devices, quality treatment and rehabilitation services. COPE was also visited by former President Barack Obama in September 2016.

And of course, we’ll find time to practise our bartering skills at the local market!

Today we will leave the busy capital and drive from Vientiane to Vang Vieng, where we will enjoy a leisurely boat ride on Nam Ngum Lake. The climate is equally as pleasant as the views, as seen as the vehicle makes its way past mountains and cliffs along the first part of the journey. Visit a salt field in Ban Keun, then continue for a boat ride on Nam Ngum Lake, a serene, manmade reservoir that also generates a portion of the electricity sold to Thailand. Stop at Talat fish market in Huay Mor before continuing to Vang Vieng. Upon arrival check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Today continue driving by vehicle from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Journey north passing through Ban Phatang and Muang Kasi, visiting local villages on the way. The historic home of the Laotian Kings, and formerly Laos’ religious capital, Luang Prabang nestles in a deep river valley ringed by dramatic green mountains. Luang Prabang is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its uniquely preserved architecture and townscape; traditional wooden buildings and European colonial mansions form a backdrop to the daily ritual of saffron-robed monks gathering alms.

Would you like some grilled insects for breakfast today? Only kidding, but these are just some of the exotic produce we will see at the morning market. It’s a great place to get a flavour of local culture – and if you do have a craving for fried crickets, you can get them here too!
You will then visit the rich treasures in the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace. Check out the royal family’s private quarters, as they have been preserved just as they were when the royal family were forced to leave.
Nearby is Hor Phra Bang, an ornate temple housing a sacred Buddha shrouded in legends. At New Year, the Buddha is carried to Wat Mai. Later pack your swimsuit for a unique swimming experience at the spectacular Kuang Si Falls. Water tumbles over limestone rocks into numerous turquoise pools that are used as natural swimming holes. It’s refreshingly chilly and impossible to resist! On the way back to Luang Prabang, enjoy a stop for a walk around a local village. In the evening, visit Mount Phousi for the sunset. Climb 328 steps starting from the entrance on the opposite side of the National Museum or 410 steps on the other side of Khan River to the small temples atop Phou Si. The hill is 150m high and sits in the middle of the town, offering beautiful views over the temples and river.

This morning let’s get spiritual as we follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims to the Pak Ou Caves. These ancient limestone caves are crammed full of thousands of Buddha statues, many broken and crumbling, covered in dust and cobwebs. But first, relax on a cruise down the Mekong River, observing life on the sleepy riverbanks. Enjoy your last few hours at leisure before meeting your guide in the hotel foyer, who will provide the private vehicle transfer to Luang Prabang International Airport for your onward flight.