Laos Discovery Tour

After breakfast, you will visit the oldest Buddhist monastery temple in the country - Wat Si Saket – and the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaeo, built to house the famed Emerald Buddha. Today it serves as the national museum of religious art. Learn about Laos’ tragic past and present suffering at the COPE Centre, an organization that works with victims of unexploded bombs and mines. Next, visit Pha That Luang, the most important monument in Laos and a symbol of both Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. You will also stop to view the imposing Patuxay monument - Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe. Later in the afternoon enjoy time exploring the hundreds of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures scattered throughout Buddha Park. End the day with a sunset dinner besides the Mekong River.

Leave the capital early and journey north through lush countryside to Vang Vieng. Along the way we visit Ban Keun, famous for its salt extraction plant and a village of local Lao rice wine whiskey distillation. A next stop is the busy and colourful market of Thalat, where local hill tribes come to trade and shop and also visit the archaeological site of Vang Xang that dates back to the 11th century. Arriv at lVang Vieng, nestled on the banks of the Nam Song River is our delightfully rustic and rural hotel. The remainder of the day offers free time, perhaps opt to explore the local caves or take a bicycle ride through the surrounding countryside.

This morning you will explore the famous caves of Tham Jang once used by the local people as a hideout during Chinese invasions. You will observe the lifestyles of the local people at Ban Huai Ngai village before making your way further north to the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Luang Prabang.

Consider rising early this morning to view the daily ritual of saffron-clad monks and their procession down the streets of Luang Prabang collecting alms from the residents. After  commencing your sightseeing tour of this enchanting city, starting with a visit to the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun, and the banyan tree graced grounds of Wat Aham, stop at the Ock Pop Tok weaving centre. Later you marvel at the former Royal Palace, now a national museum and home to gilded rooms and Buddha artifacts. In the afternoon, stop at ethnic minority villages before arriving at the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls. Dip in the turquoise pools or take a walk along the forest trails.

Discover more of Luang Prabang’s holy sites with a morning visit to Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong. Sit back and enjoy the views of tranquil countryside as we cruise upstream on the Mekong River to reach the mysterious Pak Ou caves. Crammed with Buddha images of all shapes and sizes, these two caves stand in the lower part of a limestone cliff overlooking the river. Along the way sample local rice wine at the village of Ban Xanghai and shop for local handicrafts at the village of Ban Phanom, known for its hand weaving.

Free at leisure after breakfast till transferring to airport for your flight home. End ofservices.