TRIP
FEATURES
 |
Name
of the trip: Unseen Laos |
|
Trip
Code: VNLT-LPT-09 (Reference Code) |
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Duration: 10 days and 9
nights |
|
Trip
type: Private & Daily departure |
|
Trip
Starts from: Vientiane City |
|
Trip
Ends in: Luang Prabang City |
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Extension:
The trip can be extended if tourists want to visit
Cambodia, Thailand or Vietnam pre/post of the trip. |
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Call to Book:
+84.91.2270058 |
|
Required booking
time: At least 30 days in advance for group and 15
days for individual |
TRIP OVERVIEW
Immerse yourself on a journey relatively
touched by tourism. The Unseen Laos tour allows you to
discover the secret secluded lives of the hill tribe people on
a challenging trek, visiting the various hill tribe groups of
Akha, Laos, Dao, Khmu and Lantern. The people are very poor
but share interesting cultures and a colourful history. You
will get a real village life experience spending a night at
the home of a Ban Nalan Villager. No visit to Laos is complete
without exploring the main cities Vientiane, Luang Prabang and
the peaceful town of Vang Vieng.
TRIP DETAILS
Day 1: Arrival – Vientiane
On arrival in Vientiane Capital, you will be met and
transferred to your hotel. Located on the banks of the Mekong
River, Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with
an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French,
Soviet and American influences. A city tour acquaints us with
the capital and after freshening up, we start visiting some
the major sights; including the oldest temple Wat Sisaket, an
amazing structure featuring remarkable frescoes and Buddha
images. We also visit 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. Overnight in Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane - Luang Namtha
The journey northwards begins as we board our flight to Luang
Namtha, a province sharing its border with China and Myanmar.
Luang Namtha is located on the banks of the Namtha River is a
land of rugged mountains and beautiful tropical forests. Today
Luang Namtha is populated with over twenty ethnic groups,
making this region one of the most ethnically diverse
provinces in Laos. No activities are planned for the rest of
the day so you can stroll around the town or just relax at the
riverside retreat until the briefing about our upcoming
trekking days. Overnight in Luang Namtha (B)
Day 3: Luang Namtha – Ban Nalan
Heading out of the town, we take a short drive to Ban
Chalernsuk, a Khmu minority village 20 kilometres away from
Luang Namtha. We get well and truly off the beaten track as we
trek into this beautiful mountain region, using the local
tracks. Todays trekking may be tough at times with some steep
uphill and down hill climbs, but the experience is unique and
rewarding. The friendly Khmu hill tribe resides in this area;
they have a primitive and basic lifestyle. We arrive at Ban
Nalan by late afternoon; here we have a chance to understand a
little more about the local culture and their daily lifestyle
as we spend time with a Khmu family. We enjoy a local dinner
and will reside as guests at the Khmu family house, the best
way to experience authentic village life. The accommodation is
simple dormitory style, no western facilities. (Home stay) (B,
L, D)
Day 4: Ban Nalan – Ban Namlu – Luang Namtha
Todays trekking leads us along the bank of the river to Ban
Namkoy, passing picturesque landscape of forests and rice
fields. The forests here vary from a few isolated trees to
overgrown bamboo. On arrival at Ban Namkoy we embark on a
three-hour walk uphill. This trek is a real challenge; however
some prior physical preparation will enable you to maximize
your enjoyment from the walk. As we pass through several
hamlets, we are sure to attract attention from the locals, as
visitors do not frequently encounter this remote part of the
country. At the small village of Ban Namlu, we meet up with
our truck and drive back towards Luang Namtha Town. Overnight
in Luang Namtha (B)
Day 5: Luang Namtha – Xieng Kok - Moung Sing
Early this morning, we travel by road to Moung Sing, also home
to various hilltribe communities. There is also a significant
Chinese population and a lot of trade goes on between here and
China. We stop along the way at the Akha hill tribe village.
This ethnic group originally lived in China but immigrated
into Laos over a century ago. They are very poor, but have a
vibrant culture and an interesting history. We depart this
village, heading westbound, travelling over bumpy roads to
Xieng Kok, which is a border town with Myanmar near the golden
triangle. In late afternoon, we drive back to Muong Sing with
a stopover at the Lantern minority village. Overnight at Moung
Sing (B)
Day 6: Muong Sing – Oudomxay
Early morning, we visit the bustling colorful Morning Market
and the impressive ethnologic museum, dedicated to region’s
ethnic minorities. We then continue on to Oudomxay. Our
splendid journey downhill passes numerous small villages
en-route visit Khmu and Lantere. On arrival at Oudomxay you
will be transferred to your hotel before we commence our
sightseeing tour of the town, which includes a visit to
the stupa of Santhiphap that overlooks this bustling center of
local trade and commerce. Overnight in Oudomxay (B)
Day 7: Oudomxay – Nong Khiow - Luang Prabang (Road
and boat)
We depart early for our drive to Nong Khiow, where we board a
traditional boat down the Nam Ou River to Luang Prabang. This
tranquil town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial
architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been claimed
by UNESCO to be“the best preserved traditional city in South
East Asia”. En route we visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves
where thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed
into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff.
Continue down river to Ban Sang Hay village to sample the
local rice wine known as Lao Lao. Arrive in Luang Prabang in
the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in
Luang Prabang (B)
Day 8: Luang Prabang – City Tour
After breakfast, we explore some of the major sights in this
faboulous city, including the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun,
the shrine of Wat Aham, the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene
and Wat Mai. We visit these sights as well as the magnificent
Wat Xiengthong, its exterior architecture is remarkable with
decorated guilded stuccoes and doorways, a “tree of life”
mosaic pattern set in coloured glass on the back wall and its
three tiered roofs sweeping low to the ground representing
classical Laotian architecture. A visit to Luang Prabang would
be incomplete without ascending 329 steps to the top of Mount
Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded
stupa and to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the city and its
glowing reflection on the Mekong River. From there, we explore
the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of
handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people
surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)
Day 9: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane
(Road)
After breakfast, we leave this charming city in the early
morning for our journey to Vang Vieng. Our journey will be
strenuous as we drive along one of the most scenic but also
one of the roughest routes in Asia. In the afternoon we arrive
in Vang Vieng, a small and tranquil town, which is nestled on
a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a
mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains
unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of
tourism. After exploring this peaceful and dream-like city, we
continue our journey to Vientiane capital. We arrive in
Vientiane by late evening. Over night in Vientiane (B)
Day 10: Vientiane – Departure
After breakfast, you are free until your transfer to the
airport.(B) |
Vientiane City
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