Downwards the Mekong – 5 days

Destinations: HoueiSay/Pakbeng/Luang Prabang/Vientiane

The Mekong River is a sleepy, undeveloped river waiting to be explored. It is Southeast Asia’s longest river and is perfect for leaving your busy life behind to immerse yourself in the beautiful and exotic riverscape. Observation life on the Mekong river as we travel by boat from the Lao-Thai border town of Houixai towards the former royal capital of Luang Prabang. We visit hill tribe villages along the way and withess some spectaculor sunsets over the Mekong.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Chiangrai/HoueiSay/Pakbeng (G)

This morning you will have an early morning transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong, the exit point from Thailand on the banks of the Mekong. After passing through immigration, you will cross the Mekong River to HoueiSay in Laos where your Lao guide will be waiting for you at the immigration point. After completing border formalities, you board a ready traditional boat for the trip down the Mekong River. The scenery along this part of the Mekong is argueably at its most beautiful.  As your journey downriver you will stop at some tribal minority villages such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu. Upon arrival in Pakbeng, we visit local market; experience daily lifestyle of colorful hill tribe traders exchanges their goods. Overnight in Pakbeng.

Day 2: Pakbeng/Pak Ou Cave/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

As you sail downriver as a second leg, you will pass areas of un-spoilt forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You will also visit a fishing village and a rice winemaking village and perhaps even taste some of the infamous beverage known as Lao Rice wine. You also visit the Pak-Ou caves, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. You arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset and transfer to your hotel. You’ll then have time tol visit Wat Xiang Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang City Tour/Khouangsi Waterfall (B, L, G)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual.

In the morning, you’ll explore, Wat Visoun, Wat Khili and Wat Mai. Later, visit the former Royal Palace, now a National Museum (closed Tuesdays) where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as artefacts including the Prabang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum.

In the afternoon, you’ll travel out of the town and visit the most beautiful waterfall in Luang Prabang. On the way, you’ll visit Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and today you will visit the villages of Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom which are populated by Lao ethnic minority groups. You’ll spend time at the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you’ll take a dip in the inviting pools or walk along the forest paths. You’ll return to Luang Prabang city by late afternoon and visit the Night Market, where you can find the lovely selection of handmade textiles from local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Vientiane (B, G)

A prominent Luang Prabang silver smith’s, the Fine Arts School and the Central Market are of interest to many people and you can visit these sights prior to bidding farewell to Luang Prabang and catching the your flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you’ll see the major temples including the oldest Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. You’ll also visit Laos national icon, That Luang Stupa, and stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. We enjoy our final evening by watching sunset by the Mekong Riverside and taking in the city atmosphere at night. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 5: Vientiane Departure (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll visit the Morning Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong (if time permits). The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for international departure flight.

Price in US$ per person:

Our price includes:

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room.
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above
• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver.
• One way domestic flight tickets: Luang Prabang-Vientiane including domestic airport taxes.
• Boats cruise as programme.
• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the good local restaurants, picnics where suitable restaurants are not available.
• VAT and other taxes

Our price does not include:

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visa stamping fee on arrival US$30.00/pax
• Dinners, except as specified above.
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Insurance.

Hotel list for Two-Stars standard:

• Pakbeng: Phetsokxay Hotel (** in the fine area of Pakbeng) or similar
• Luang Prabang: Sanakeo hotel (** located in the city centre) or similar
• Vientiane: Asian Pavilion Hotel (** located in the centre of Vientiane) or similar

Hotel list for Three-Stars standard:

• Pakbeng: Phetsokxay Hotel (** in the fine area of Pakbeng) or similar
• Luang Prabang: Sala Prabang Hotel (*** on the banks of the Mekong River and consists of well restored small colonial houses) or similar
• Vientiane: Inter City Hotel (*** beautifully decorated with antiques and artifacts; located in the heart of the city) or similar

Hotel list for Four-Stars standard:

• Pakbeng: Pakbeng Lodge (**** situated just a short walk from the Mekong River and is conveniently close to many of the city’s most beautiful Buddhist temples) or similar
• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel (**** located in the heart of the World Heritage Site with walking distance to many historical sight seeing places) or similar
• Vientiane: Novotel Hotel (**** located close to both the centre of Vientiane and the airport) or similar

Hotel list for Five-Stars standard:

• Pakbeng: Pakbeng Lodge (**** situated just a short walk from the Mekong River and is conveniently close to many of the city’s most beautiful Buddhist temples) or similar
• Luang Prabang: La Résidence Phou Vao Hotel (***** a luxury spa hotel with breathtaking views of the mountains and surrounding World Heritage town of Luang Prabang) or similar
• Vientiane: Settha Palace Hotel (***** located in the heart of bustling Vientiane, built in the early part of the last century, circa 1932, and painstakingly restored to its former imperial glory) or similar