Laos Entdecken

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1:
Vientiane. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the joining hotel. The Pre Departure meeting will be held in the hotel reception and will take place at 18.00pm. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore.

Day 2:
Vientiane. After breakfast there will be a tour of Vientiane. Although it is a capital city, Vientiane has a feel of a small provincial town. The wide boulevards are almost devoid of traffic, and with its many temples, the city retains the feel of another age. Our tour includes visits to the major temples of Wats Sisaket, Prakeo, and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the countrys most important monument. We will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum and the main market. The Patuxai Victory Monument resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. But close up you will see that its ornamentation is typically Lao in style. It was built in the 1960s to commemorate the Lao people who died in pre-Revolutionary wars. In the evening, you can enjoy an evening stroll along the banks of the Mekong River. (B)

Day 3:
Vientiane - Pakse - Watphou - Khong Island. Early morning we fly to Pakse. Upon arrival we drive and travel on a wonderful local ferry 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 century. Later in the afternoon we take a scenic drive 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 circles the island, and a bicycle can be hired for a few dollars. (B)

Day 4:
Khong Island - Bankhone - Pakse. 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 the 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. Afterwards we drive to Pakse. (B)

Day 5:
Pakse - Vientiane - Phonsavan (Plain of Jars). After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the flight to Vientiane and the connecting flight to Phonsavan in the afternoon. Upon arrival at Phonsavan airport, we transfer to the hotel and the remainder of the day is free at leisure. (B)

Day 6:
Phonsavan. Xieng Khouang, home to the amazing Plain of Jars. Travelling through high mountains and karsts formations, we have time to stop and visit the plain of Jars site Nos 1,2,3. In the afternoon we continue to visit the village Ban Nanou where the local people make noodles and Ban Na Phear. Afterwards we drive back to the hotel. (B)

Day 7:
Phonsavan - Luang Prabang. Following breakfast at the hotel, we depart by road to Luang Prabang, the World Heritage city. On the way we'll also stop for photos at villages. We expect to arrive in Luang Prabang before sunset. Luang Prabang is the jewel of Indochina, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The ancient royal city is surrounded by mountains at the junction of the Mekong and its tributary, the Khan river. In the centre of the city is Mount Phousi with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills. Luang Prabang is a city where time seems to stand still. Once occupied by the French, it has some typical French provincial architecture, which adds a foreign flavour to the street scene. Luang Prabang is principally famous for its many historic temples and as you walk around you will see the gleaming temple roofs. French influence is very strong here and you will find that reflected in the delicious food.(B)

Day 8:
Luang Prabang. This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander through the town blessing local people who give them offerings (mostly sticky rice). Luang Prabang is best known for its beautiful scenery and high numbers of ancient temples. This former capital has a rich variety of architecture from the old facades of French colonial homes to the glittering temple rooftops. We embark on a tour of this enthralling town, visiting Wats Xieng Thong, and the Golden City Monastery. Dating back to the 16th century, this splendid temple is considered to be the finest in Laos. We also visit the fine temples of Wats Mai, Vixoun, and That Luang. Later in the day we adjourn to the Phousi Holy Hill to enjoy the panoramic views of the town and its temples as the sun goes down. (B,L)

Day 9:
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves. Today we take a trip to the Pac Ou caves, known as the caves of one thousand Buddhas. The caves are actually on two different levels in the limestone cliff - the upper and lower caves, and both are full of images of the Buddha in all sizes and of all sorts. Entry to the lower cave is by a flight of steps and there is enough daylight for you to view the images. You need a flashlight to take a good look at the higher cave. On the way we have a short visit to Ban Xang Hai to learn about the traditional process of making local sticky rice alcohol, called "Lao Lao". We will have a picnic lunch before returning to Luang Prabang. We then continue to Ban Phanom and Ban Xang Khong, traditional weaving villages, where you will be able to appreciate the skill and design of the craftspeople in making these intricate clothes and hangings. Around 4 or 4:30pm, back in Luang Prabang, the monks in Wat Ho Siang begin to beat the drum and clang the cymbals high in the drum tower. The acoustics are incredible! For those who have an appreciation of foreign instruments it is certainly not to be missed. (B,L)

Day 10:
Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Falls. Following breakfast at the hotel, we visit the former King’s Palace, which is now a museum. Furniture, costumes, jewellery, art and ornaments as well as working tools and untensils of the early part of the 20th century, are well displayed around the "palace" museum.

We then continue to the scenic and popular waterfalls of Kuang Si, a half hour drive from the town. It is a good idea to wear shorts today, in case you get wet, and pack your swimming costume. En route we will encounter the Ban Xom (traditional Lao Lum village) and Ban Thapan near the waterfalls, known as the Lao Theung village. In these traditional villages, the women weave beautiful bags and clothes of fine embroidery. The falls are special - a wide waterfall tumbling in several tiers over the limestone into striking turquoise pools. Swimming is possible in them (but not in the rainy season – July to December). We have a picnic lunch in the gardens by the falls and it's clear blue pools, and return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon. The central market is another of Luang Pragbang's highlights, as well as That Luang Market near Wat Phabatai. There will be an opportunity to visit these markets at your leisure in the afternoon. (B,L)

Day 11:
Luang Prabang - Vientiane. Following breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival we transfer to the hotel and the remainder of the day is free at leisure. (B)

Day 12:
Vientiane. The tour ends after breakfast, but a departure transfer to the airport is included for your departure out of Laos. Please ensure that you have advised us of your flight details. (B)