Tribes and Mysterious Jars ( 18 days )
Day 01) Bangkok – Connecting flight – Chiang Rai – Chiang Khong
Upon arrival at the Chiang Rai airport, you will meet our Thai driver show your name and transfer with private vehicle (2 hrs) to Chiang Khong. The Mekong river forms the border between Thailand and Laos. Overnight in Chiang Khong.
Noted: In the case you arrive earlier in Chiang Khong you can cross the border to Laos and overnight in Laos side
Day 02) Chiang Khong – Houeixai – Luang Namtha ( B/-/- )
Following an early breakfast at the hotel, there will be a transfer to the Thai immigration for departure to Laos. We check out with the immigration and take the shuttle bus crossing the Mekong river over the bridge to Laos. Upon arrival Laos side we meet up with our local guide before continuing our trip to Laos. In Ban Houeixay we will continue our journey to Luang Nam Tha by private vehicle. On the way we will visit Ban Nam Khok where the local people make Lao whisky. We will also visit a Laentan tribe dwelling. We’ll arrive Luang Nam Tha late afternoon.
Approximately 4 hours driving
Day 03) Luang Namtha – Muang Sing ( B/-/- )
The next morning you will awake to the sounds of the village coming to life. The inevitable roosters probably will start crowing long before the sun is up. After breakfast at the restaurant we continue our journey to Muang Sing. On the way, we will have a short visit at a Laenthen village. We’ll be arriving in the town in the afternoon.
Approximately 2 hours driving
Day 04) Muang Sing – Oudomxai ( B/-/- )
We have a long drive out of Muang Sing via Luang Nam Tha to Oudomxai today. The condition of the roads in this part of the country is very much depends on the weather and therefore you should be prepared for some landslides and delays. The scenery however is spectacular-mostly forested with slash and burn cultivation and with many hill tribe villages along the way.
Approximately 6-7 hours driving
Day 05) Oudomxai – Nongkhiaw ( B/-/- )
Climbing out of the Oudom Xai valley, this morning we are rewarded with some amazing views. Most of the villages through this area are Hmong and the people are very distinctive in the way they dress. We stop of to visit Ban Nag Yang a village with very impressive and decorated houses. Late afternoon we’ll reach in Nong Khiaw, where we have to overnight here at Local bungalow near the river. It’s nice to walk around this area and crossing the bridge over the Ou River.
Approximately 6-7 hours driving
Day 06) Nongkhiaw – Luang Prabang ( B/-/- )
After breakfast you’ll have some time left to enjoy the village life before we board our wooden ‘sampan’ and continue our trip on the Ou Rriver. Before reaching Luang Prabang, we will stop to visit the Pac Ou caves, where we climb steps up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine. Around lunch time we will arrive in Luang Prabang. This afternoon you’ll have some time to relax and unwind or to explore a bit of this world heritage town. All the main sites of interest are close together so you can comfortable wander around and visit several Wats by yourself.
Day 07) Luang Prabang ( B/-/- )
Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, is best known for it’s ancient temples and romantic setting at the confluence of the Mekong and Kane Rivers. Because of the compact size of the peninsula, Luang Prabang is best explored on foot and bicycle. In the morning we embark on a half-day walking tour, visiting the National Museum (formerly known as the Royal Palace), wat Xieng Thong, wat Sen and wat May. The afternoon is free to explore or relax on your own. Perhaps you’d like to climb the Phousi Hill to enjoy excellent views of the lush green World Heritage city and the Kane and Mekong River.
Day 08) Luang Prabang ( B/L/- )
If one rises early there is a good opportunity to see a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander through town blessing local people who give them offers (mostly sticky rice). After breakfast a day trip to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls where turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. The abundance of water forms a magnificent display of nature. Below the Kuang Si are large ponds perfect for swimming and cooling off under the spray. Before enjoying a picnic lunch next to the pools, we will pass stupendous landscapes, teak forests and several ethnic minority villages (Hmong and Khmu). Near the waterfalls it’s worth while to visit a centre where the endangered black Asiatic beers found a safe shelter. If we have time enough we will continue to Ban Phanom or Ban Xiang Lom the weaving village for the excellent pieces of Lao textiles.
Day 09) Luang Prabang – Phonsavan the plain of Jars ( B/-/- )
After breakfast we have a scenic drive to Xieng Khouang, the home amazing Plain of Jars.
On the way through high mountains and karsts formations, we have time to stop and have a short visit at the remote dwellings of ethnic minority villages. Probably you will notice that many houses have looms underneath with which the family’s clothes, bags and accessories are manufactured. Late afternoon we’ll arrive at Phonsavan, the capital of the Xieng Khouang province.
Approximately 6-7 hours driving
Day 10) Phonsavan visit plain of Jars ( B/-/- )
Today we’ll spend the day exploring the Plain of Jars ( number 3,2,1 ) and the surrounding area. The jars are thought to be 2000 years old, although there is little proof to date them very accurately. Archaeologist still struggle to find out the specific purpose of the jars, were they used for funerary urns or to store rice wine. We‘ll see the sunset at the site number 1 before return to the town.
Day 11) Phonsavan – Vang Vieng ( B/-/- )
Following breakfast and travel to Vang Vieng, on the way we’ll have time to stop to take in the scenery from the viewpoints. Vang Vieng is a small village settled between a spectacular spread of limestone karsts and is surrounded by lush green paddy fields and dwellings of ethnic minorities. We’ll arrive the town before sunset and check in your hotel which offers splendid sunsets amidst these magnificent natural settings.
Approximately 6-7 hours driving
Day 12) Vang Vieng – Vientiane ( B/-/- )
After breakfast we have a scenic drive to the capital of Laos. Vientiane is a friendly sleepy town resting on the shores of the mighty Mekong river. In the afternoon we’ll also have a sightseeing tour around the city. We’ll explore some of the best sights including the Victory Gate (Arc de Triomphe), the wat Sisaket, and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country’s most important monument. Also visit the ‘morning market’ where you can wander around and buy silver, silk or other items you like to take back home. In the evening you can walk along the path beside the Mekong at the sunset is always popular for travelers and locals alike.
Approximately 4 hours driving
Day 13) Vientiane ( B/-/- )
After breakfast, we drive out of Vientiane to Buddha Park. On the way we will pass the Friendship bridge between Laos and Thailand. We may stop the beautiful point to take a photo. Xiengkhouan is the name of the village, during the Lao Royal Kingdom, Mr Boun Leua who believe and used to study in India about Hinduism constructed and hired the people to make many statuses in this area. Inside this garden you can see the statuses of Buddha and Hinduism mixing. It’s good idea if you walk through the big pumpkin from the ground to the top and you can see the nice view of this garden. We will spend the time here about 1 or 2 hrs before return to the town. Free time to explore by yourselves.
Day 14) Vientiane – Flight – Pakse – Champasak– Khong Island ( B/-/- )
Early morning we fly to Pakse. Upon arrival we drive and travel on a wonderful bridge over the Mekong River to Champasak. Here we visit the sacred Khmer temple of Wat Phu. This complex represents the most eastern border of the Khmer Empire in the 4th centenary. Later in the afternoon we take a scenic drive and over the bridge to Don Khong. This island is one of the larger permanently inhabited islands in the ‘Si pan don’ area. Dong Khong is best explored by bicycle. A reasonable dirt road circumvents the island.
Approximately 3 hours driving
Day 15) Khonephapheng and Liphi fall ( B/-/- )
By boat we’ll explore the 4000 islands area (Si Pan Don). Here, the Mekong river is at its widest. During the rainy season it is up to 12 km across. When the waters recede, many small islands emerge. It is from this phenomenon that the region takes its name. From far distance you can hear the unmistakable roar of the Khone Phapheng and Li Phi falls, which we will visit today. Nearby the falls live some hundred Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins. Ban Hang Khon is one of the rare places on earth to spot these endangered mammals. Also see the old locomotive, railway and colonial bridge built by the French to avoid navigating on the rapids and waterfalls that abound on this section of the Mekong.
Day 16) Khong Island – Bolaven Plateau ( B/-/- )
After breakfast we take a vehicle we leave early morning to drive to the Bolaven Plateau and visits to villages on the Bolaven plateau. We overnight at our resort near the Tad Fane waterfall.
Day 17) Bolaven Plateau – Pakse ( B/-/- )
For those feeling active, it is possible to enjoy some treks in this delightful area. In the morning, make a hike up to the Dan Sin Say Plateau. Passing a hanging bridge, this walk goes trough coffee plantations and local villages. Ethnic tribes living in this area include the Laven, the Alak, the Katu and Suay people. After lunch we drive to Pakse. Continue to your hotel for check-in.
Day 18) Pakse – Bangkok ( B/-/- )
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangkok
End of the tour in Laos
Tour information:
Departure from: Airport Chiang Rai ( Thailand )
Arrival at: Your arrival time in Chiang Rai
End at: Pakse airport
Departure days: On your request
Hotels use: 2-3 stars hotel
RATES INCLUDE:
Accommodation based on twin or double rooms with daily breakfast
Meals as indicated in itinerary
Private vehicle/boat all through Laos and Thailand (Also private vehicle from Airport Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong )
Guidance of English speaking local guide throughout trip in Laos ( you will meet guide at day 2 at Laos side )
All excursions as mentioned in itinerary
Entrance fee during guided time
All service charge and government taxes
RATES EXCLUDE:
Visas and visa fees
Flight ticket Bangkok – Chiang Rai
Flight ticket Vientiane – Pakse
Flight ticket Pakse – Bangkok
Personal expenses such as bar, telephone and laundry bills.
Travel insurance against any personal injury of illness and damage of the property incurred – during the course of this trip.
Foods and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
Tips and gratuities
Entrance fees during free time
Bank charge
Bank transfer
Additional days
Adding extra days is simple – by arrangement before or after the tour. If you need advise, please do not hesitate to ask us. If you require assistance with your flight ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, we can help.