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  • Laos at a Glance

    Code: LCT03 - Duration: 8 Days
    Start: Luang Prabang | Finish: Pakse
  • Known as the ancient kingdom of the “Millions of Elephants”, Laos has awe-inspiring nature full of rugged mountains, impressive waterfalls and the mighty Mekong River winding its way through the slim country. Laos at a Glance is workable program in any season, built around the most famous natural, cultural and accessible sites of Laos. Start in Luang Prabang, you will be introduced to the spiritual center of the country by visiting temples dating back from the 16th century and take a boat trip on Nam Ou River to explore Pak Ou Cave. We then fly to Vientiane to explore the oldest temples designed under Khmer architecture. The trip is followed by exploring the Southern Laos, famous coffee plantations and the breathtaking 4000 Islandss.

    Highlights:

    • Visit the temples in Luang Prabang & Vientiane 
    • Cruise to Pak Ou cave on Nam Ou River
    • Live with the beautiful nature in the north of Laos 
    • Discover the Si Phan Done - 4000 islands - with the possible observation of freshwater dolphins
    • Immerse yourself into the pure and fresh atmosphere of the Bolaven Plateau known for its cooler temperature and beautiful villages
    • Charming hotels in great locations
    • Comfortable & spacious vehicle for transfers

    Itinerary in brief:

    Day 1: Luang Prabang arrival (-/-/-)
    Day 2: Luang Prabang City (B/-/-)
    Day 3: Luang Prabang - Big Brother Mouse - Ban Khia Luang – Pak Ou Cave (B/L/-)
    Day 4: Luang Prabang - Flight to Vientiane (B/-/-)
    Day 5: Vientiane – Pakse - Khong Island (B/-/-)
    Day 6: Khong Island (B/-/-)
    Day 7: Khong Island - Tadlo - Pakse (B/-/-)
    Day 8: Parkse - Departure (B/-/-)

    • Ability to change the direction of the program
    • Possibility of an extension in Vietnam & Cambodia 

    Notes:

    - We specialize in “tailor-made” tours for groups of two or more. We carefully inspect each step of your journey from the accommodation to the perfect guide to suit your needs
    - The itinerary is open to modification to fit your personal travel needs
    - Modifications to the itinerary may increase the price of the package
    - For the price of this trip, just ask for a quote by clicking on "TOUR PRICE"

    - If you are looking for a trip modified to your requirements, please send us your needs by filling out the form in Customize your trip” 
    - We will contact and send you a quote, excluding holiday period, within 48 hours of receiving your request. 

  • Day 1: Luang Prabang arrival (-/-/-)

    Luang Prabang - Airport: 5km, ~11min drive

    luang brabang, tonkin travelUpon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel by our guide and driver. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, they will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight.

    Meals Included: None
    Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

    Day 2: Luang Prabang City (B/-/-)

    wat xiengthong, tonkin travelAfter breakfast, we visit the Royal Palace Museum which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We begin our walking tour taking in the most beautiful temples. Depending on the rest of your program this may include the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style, as well as Wat Mai and Wat Sene, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang. In the afternoon we stop at Yensabai, where you will see some Lao traditional stensils made with Saa paper.  Our next stop is the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. We then climb up Mt Phousi, which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. This evening we transfer out to a local village, where you take party in a traditional Baci Ceremony, involving the tying of strings to ones wrists aims to keep bad spirits away and bring good luck.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

    Day 3: Luang Prabang - Big Brother Mouse – Ban Khia Luang – Pak Ou Cave (B/L/-)

    pakou, laos tours, tonkin travelAfter having breakfast, our day starts with a visit to the Big Brother Mouse shop to select some books for the village visit. We then head north by car along route 13, before taking a unpaved road to Ban Khia Luang village. We then have ample time to visit the school, play with the kids and watch them enjoy their new books. We also take some time to explore the rest of the village, where you can see weaving and visit the local temple. We stop for lunch at the village, which can either be a western picnic lunch, or traditional Lao food such as sticky rice, laap and fresh vegetables cooked by the villagers.

    After lunch we say good bye to the village and drive to Ban Khoklin, which takes us through some beautiful scenery of mountains and paddy fields. At Ban Khoklin we then board a private boat down the Nam Ou river for 30 minutes to Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. and continue down the Mekong River to the picturesque village of Ban Chan, a pottery village. We then arrive back in Luang Prabang, arriving back there by late afternoon.

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

    Day 4: Luang Prabang - Flight to Vientiane (B/-/-)

    Luang Prabang - Vientiane: 340km, 45min flight

    wat sisaket, tonkin travelThis morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival in the capital you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

    This afternoon, we enjoy a half-day city tour beginning with the oldest temple, Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. The final visit of the day will be the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day to day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

    Day 5: Vientiane - Pakse - Khong Island (B/-/-)

    Vientiane - Pakse: 670km, 1h15min flight

    watphouAfter having breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport early this morning for the flight to Pakse. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred directly onto a private traditional boat for a 2-hour cruise to Champassak. Disembark at this ancient town, of the Champa Kingdom; continue by car to Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became recognized by UNESCO in 2002. Wat Phou is the site of ruins which were once part of a temple built some time before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It contains some of the most Ancient Khmer architectures which date back to between the 7-11th centuries. In the afternoon you will drive to Don Khong, an area of 4000 islands which is the widest point of the Mekong River during the rainy season, although during the dry months the river recedes, leaving behind thousands of islands and islets. This area of the river is also famous for being the home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. En route, we visit the atmospheric ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo, located in the forest. Arrive at Khong Island via ferry early evening.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Khong Island

    Day 6: Khong Island - Surrounding (B/-/-)

    khong islandFollowing breakfast, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a long tail boat tour to Don Khone, where we disembark and have the option of exploring the island by bicycle, which takes you to visit the remains of the French period and Liphi Waterfall or "the Corridor of the Devil". We return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia; this is a really impressive site near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Then we drive back to Khong Isand.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Khong Island

    Day 7: Khong Island - Tadlo - Pakse (B/-/-)

    TadloUpon leaving Khong Island, we journey towards the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Our first stop is to visit Houey Ten, a Katu village specializing in knifemaking. We then stop tea plantation, followed by a stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall. We then make a stop at a coffee plantation, en route to Tha Teng Market, a colourful ethnic minority food market. Next we explore another interesting minority village, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village, that boasts a sacrificial alter. We arrive at the beautiful Tadlo Waterfall afternoon. There is also time to relax and cool off in the pools below the waterfall. In the afternoon, we head back to Pakse, stopping at Ban Houi Hun, an Alak weaving village, where they keep coffins under their houses, and at another picturesque waterfall, Paxuam, before arriving back in Pakse by late afternoon.

    Meals Included: Breakfast
    Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

    Day 8: Pakse - Departure (B/-/-)

    After breakfast, there will be free time for your own exploration of Pakse Town before catching a flight to the next destination. End of our services.

    Meals Included: Breakfast

  • Prices

    This trip is private and therefore can be altered to suit your needs, date of commencement and budget requirements.

    Prices vary due to a number of specifics:

    • Seasonal: during high season (October-April), the prices of services are generally higher when compared to the low season (May-September).
    • The number of participants: the more of you that travel together the less you will pay!
    • The choice of hotels: Fairly obvious one here; a 5-star hotel can cost ten times as much as a 2 star hotel.
    • The activities during the trip: Two trips on the same itinerary and of the same length can have two different prices depending on the number and nature of activities included.
    • The booking date: In some cases, booking your trip late can drastically affect prices due to their low availability.

    Inclusion:

    • Accommodation as recommended or similar category according to availability.
    • Transfers according to program by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver except free day
    • English-speaking guide’s assistance at every stage
    • Meals as indicated in program (B: Breakfast /L: Lunch / D: Dinner)
    • Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
    • All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
    • Private Boat cruise in Luang Prabang and Khong Island
    • Domestic air-tickets: Luang Prabang – Vientiane; Vientiane – Pakse
    • Water and cool tissues
    • Government taxes & service charge

    Exclusion:

    • Other drinks and meals not clearly mentioned
    • Early check-in, late check-out
    • Personal expenditures, tips
    • Personal insurance (compulsory)
    • Any service not clearly mentioned in the program
    • International air transfers associated with airport taxes
    • Visa and visa arrangement (available upon request)

    Booking

    Here are 2 steps to book your trip with Tonkin-Travel:

    Step 1. Focus on your travel program:

    You can choose this trip as is or customize it to your specific desires. Just click on the “Customize this trip” tab and fill in the form. One of our travel consultants will contact you within 48 hours to develop the travel program based on your specifications.

    Step 2. Booking:

    • Following the first step, tour program is selected and we access the rates.
    • Upon confirmation of the trip, the registration must be accompanied by a deposit up to 25% of the total estimate.
    • For programs with private junk (cruise) and/or 5 star hotels, the deposit is represented by 30% of the total estimate.
    • Tonkin-Travel carries out the booking process upon receipt of the deposit. Confirmation of these reservations is sent to customer within 10 days via email

    Nature of travel

    This trip is private. That implies:

    • You will be escorted by a private guide and driver. This approach guarantees a smooth trip with fewer organizational constraints.
    • You will be the master of your trip. We guarantee flexibility in organizing visits at your request.
    • Our services will be personalized according to your desires. Thus the proposals in this package are not fixed and you can bring suggest all the desired changes.
    • You receive individualized care: ample food, organizing small events (anniversary, honeymoon, etc.), targeted information, followed necessary modifications, etc.

    Accommodation

    • Accommodation is an important expenditure of your trip. When you choose a luxury trip for example, the accommodation can represent three quarters of the price. Thus, your choice of hotels is closely related to your budget.
    • Tonkin-Travel has negotiated rates with a wide range of hotels from 2 to 5 stars.
    • In some places you will have the option to choose ‘home-stay’. Although this provides less comfort that a hotel it is a truly authentic experience and highly recommended for at least one night of your journey.

    Transport

    All transfers during your trip are covered by private vehicle with driver, unless otherwise indicated in our offer. We ensure that our vehicles are new and comfortable. Fuel, tolls, accommodation, compensation and the driver are included in our offer. Only gratuities are not included and are at your discretion.

    The size of the selected vehicle is based on the number of tour participants according to the following quality standards:

    No. of participants

    2 pax

    3 pax

    From 4 to 7 pax

    From 8 to 14 pax

    From 15 to 20 pax

    Vehicle size

    Car 4-7 seats

    Car 7 or minivan 
    16 seats

    Minivan 16 seats

    Bus 24 seats

    Bus 35 or 45 seats

    Domestic flights

    If your trip includes domestic flights if any, they will be operated by Vietnam Airlines, the largest airline in Vietnam. The fleet consists mainly of Airbus and Boeing. On some short trips, the company operates 72 ATR and some Fokker.

    Rail transport

    Train travel can be offered (particularly between Hanoi-Lao Cai and Hanoi-Hue). Travelling at a speed of 60km/h on average it is not necessarily the fastest but an interesting experience nonetheless.

  • This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation

      (*) : Required fields

      Have you already booked the flight?
      What type of accommodation do you want?

      Regarding meals, you want the agency to offer you:

      Your message (Ex: The desired steps and activities, what you like, what you do not,
      the health condition of the participants, your questions on this trip...)

    • This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation

        (*) : Required fields

        Have you already booked the flight?
        Which country would you like to discover? *
        What type of accommodation do you want?
        Regarding meals, you want the agency to offer you:
        Describe your trip
        These ideas are a guide for creating a trip suitable for your needs and expectations
        • Your desire to travel (culture, adventure, beach extension, local meetings, nature, etc.)
        • The desired pace of your trip (moderate, free and easy, etc.)
        • Your knowledge of the country. Your interests
        • The opportunity of your trip (vacation, wedding anniversary, cultural group, etc.)
        • Remarks (Room types, diet, special requests, etc.)

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