6D5N Northern Heritage of Laos,
Vientiane, Xieng Khuang & Luang Prabang

Itinerary

Day 01 / Singapore – Vientiane (MOB/D) QV536 SIN/VTE 13.20/15.20
Welcome to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French and American influences. This charming and easy-going city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos. On arrival in Vientiane city after immigration and custom clearance, proceed to the city to visit Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure, That Luang Stupa. You will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Check-in to the hotel.

Overnight at Vientiane Plaza Hotel or similar.

Day 02 / Vientiane – Xieng Khouang (B/L/D)
After breakfast, check-out of hotel and transfer to the airport to board a domestic flight to Xieng Khouang.
Xieng Khouang is best known for the enigmatic Plain of Jars comprising of thousands of stone jars varying in height from 1m to over 3m, in clusters of up to 300 jars. This is an archaeological landscape that combines ancient and contemporary history with authentic insights into Phuan, Hmong, Khmu and Tai Dam cultures. Your tour will cover Site 1 of the Plain of Jars followed by the MAG Exhibition. Though best known for the mysterious stone jars scattered throughout the province, Xieng Khouang has a number of other attractions. Old Xieng Khouang Town, now known as Muong Khoun was the centre of a former Tai Phuan Kingdom and boasts many centuries old pagodas and Buddhist temples.
Unfortunately, many were either destroyed or severely damaged from heavy bombing during the war.
Stop by the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people before returning to your hotel.

Overnight at Vansana Plain Of Jars Hotel Xieng Khouang or similar.

Day 03 / Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang (B/L/D)
This morning, have time to visit the interesting Central Market in Phonsavan before taking a scenic drive through the mountains passing by various Hmong and hill tribe minority villages to Luang Prabang.
Enroute stop to see the Buddha images at Thampra, a site more than 200 years old.

Overnight at Manoluck Hotel Luang Prabang or similar.

**Note Please be prepared for a long, winding but scenic drive, estimated about 7 hours.

Day 04 / Luang Prabang (B/L/D)
Welcome to one of the most charming cities in South-East Asia! Surrounded by nature’s beauty, Luang Prabang is rich in cultural heritage and is known as the seat of Lao culture with monasteries, monuments, traditional costumes … Your tour begins visiting the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture. A short boat trip takes you across Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, a 2 linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Enroute, stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. Have time to see Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving, Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek, small villages well known for silk weavings and saa paper making. Climb to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the scared, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset over the Mekong River.

Overnight at Manoluck Hotel Luang Prabang or similar.

Day 05 / Luang Prabang – Vientiane (B/L/D)
While in Luang Prabang, you may observe the morning alms giving ceremony where monks walk through the town in single file carrying their alms bowls to give lay people the opportunity to offer alms and gain merit. Offerings by the people usually comprised of sticky rice, fruit or simple traditional snacks. Known as “binthabat” in Lao, this is a sacred religious ceremony.
You may participate and photograph the whole process, however, this must be done in a respectful manner to ensure that there is no disruption to this ancient tradition.
A visit to the local morning Phousi Market allows you to see the diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and salt paper among the chickens, vegetables and hill tribe weavings for which Laos is famous for.
After breakfast, visit the former Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.
On the itinerary next is the impressive Stupa of Wat Visoun. Your day continues visiting the local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou, a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village.
Cool off the day at the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall before transferring to the airport to catch a domestic flight to Vientiane.

Overnight at Vientiane Plaza Hotel or similar.

Day 06 / Vientiane – Singapore (B/MOB) QV535 VTE/SIN 08.20/12.20
It’s time to bid farewell to Luang Prabang as you set off for your flight home via Vientiane.