Laos tours of down the Mekong

Laos has one of the most pristine ecologists in South East Asia. An estimated half of its woodlands consist of primary forest, in particular the tropical rain forest. Unlike the vegetation in the bored climate of northern Europe and the United States, the tropical rain forest here is composed of three vegetative layers.

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Duration: 5 days/4 nights

Tour Code: MLSD04

Tour Valid: Until December 30th, 2013

Highlights: Chiangrai (Thailand) - HoueiSay - Pakbeng - Pak Ou Cave - Luang Prabang City Tour - Khouang Si Waterfall - Vientiane City Tour.

• Day 1 - Chiangrai (Thailand) - HoueiSay - Pakbeng

  Place Transport: Car->Boat 
  Meals: Dinner

  Transfer from the Chiang Rai airport to Chiang Khong. After passing through immigration, you cross the Mekong River to Houei Say 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. As you cruise down the river, you will stop at some tribal minority villages such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu. Stay overnight in Pakbeng.

  Day 2 - Pakbeng - Pak Ou Cave - Luang Prabang

  Place Transport: Cruise 
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  As you sail from Pakbeng to Luang Prabang, you will pass areas of virgin forest with hill tribal villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You'll visit a fishing village and a rice wine making village and perhaps even taste some of the infamous beverage known as Lao Rice wine. Then you'll visit the Pak Ou caves. After that, you'll spend the day visiting Wat Xiang Thong- the most important Buddhist monastery in the country. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

  Day 3 - Luang Prabang City Tours - Khouang Si Waterfall

  Place Transport: Car 
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Explore Wat Visoun, Wat Khili and Wat Mai. Later, visit the former Royal Palace. It now is a National Museum where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms as well as Buddha and spectacular artifacts including the Prabang- a large holy image which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum. At sunset, climb the nearby temple-topped hill of Phousi where you'll catch a lovely view out over the town and the river. We get out the town to experience local lifestyle of Luang Prabang Villages and the most beautiful waterfall in Luang Prabang. On the way, visit Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. After that, visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. If time permits, you may also want to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Return to Luang Prabang city in the late afternoon and visit Street Night Bazaar. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

  Day 4 - Luang Prabang - Vientiane City Tour

  Place Transport: Airplane->Car 
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  We stroll around and visit the Silver smith's and the Central Market in the morning (if time permit) before we catch a flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, we 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 was previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous, sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument which is Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. Enjoy sunset by Mekong Riverside. Stay overnight in Vientiane.

  Day 5 - Vientiane Departure

  Place Transport: Car->Airplane 
  Meals: Breakfast

  We visit the Morning Market. The tour ends after your transfer to Wattay Airport or for departure. Thanks for traveling with Minmax.

  The Tour Inclusion:

  - 04 Nights Accommodation with BKF.

  - Domestic flight tickets, including domestic airport taxes.

  
  

  - Boat cruises as specified in the program.

  
  

  - Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.

  - The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.

  - Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the program.

  - Meals (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.

  The Tour Exclusion:

  - International flight tickets and airport tax. Visas.

  - Dinners, except as specified above.

  - Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

  - Surcharge for peak season (if any) & other not mentioned in the above detail program.

  Additional Information

  Importance note

  - The itinerary is just a sample of our tours; we'll be pleased to design similar programs with dates and itinerary customized to your personal preferences in Tailor Made Tours section. Rates may vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.

  What to bring?

  - Sun Block, Wide brim hat, Camera + Film, Comfortable shoes, Rain gear, Warm clothes, original Passport...

  How to start?

  - MinMax Travel is a fully escorted tour and best-available all year round; the only thing you need to prepare in advance is the international air-ticket from/to your country.

   - If you don’t have enough time to complete visa before your departure, we will help you to obtain Laos Visa on arrival easily (getting visa at the airport, on your arrival).