Travel down the mighty Mekong River is the most incredible adventure, an on this package you will have chance to connect with remote villages and friendly Hill Tribes as Khmu, Lanten… along the way.
Start city: Vientiane
End city: Luang Prabang
Duration: 10 Days 9 Nights
Departure: Daily, upon your request.
Cities to visit: Vientiane – Luang Namtha – Houay Xay – Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
- Extendable with optional tours from Vientiane and from Luang Prabang
Tour Brief
Day 1: Vientiane – ArrivalDay 2: Vientiane – Luang Namtha by QV601 14.30 – 15.25
Day 3: Luang Nam Tha Trekking
Day 4: Luang Namtha Trekking
Day 5: Luang NamTha – Khou Vieng ruins - Houayxay
Day 6: Huoay Xay – Pakbeng by Shompoo Cruise (departure on Mon – Tue – Thu – Sat)
Day 7: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
Day 8: Luang Prabang – World heritage site
Day 9: Luang Prabang – Kuang Si waterfall
Day 10: Luang Prabang - Departure
| GROUP SIZE | PRICE/Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Persons | $889 | Reservation |
| 4 Persons | $942 | Reservation |
| 2 Persons | $1,181 | Reservation |
| 1 Person | $1,936 | Reservation |
| > 6 Persons | Contact us for even better offer | |
Day 1: Vientiane – arrival
Sabaidee! Upon arrival you will be welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel for checking in.
If time permit, visit Pha That Luang. The giant golden stupa is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Next you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane.
Back to hotel for relaxing.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Namtha by QV601 12.40 – 13.35
After breakfast, we take a half day tour to explore Vientiane- the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indo Chinese cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Our visit will take you to the key sites: Wat Sisaket - the city ‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the next stop is Haw Phra Kaeo. This large temple is beautiful both interiorl and exterior, it was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees.
at noon, take the flight to Luang Nam Tha. Upon arrival transfer to hotel for checking in. The rest of the day free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Namtha
NOTE: no pick up guide in Luang Nam Tha
Day 3: Luang Nam Tha trekking
The traditional two-day excursion, led by a local English speaking guide, starts at Ban Chaleunsouk, south of Luang Namtha town. You’ll ascend through a forest and pause on a ridge, which offers great views. The trail then descends through centuries-old trees and past an Indochina War gunnery emplacement to the Nam Ha River and Ban Nalan (Khmu Village). Dinner is often enjoyed in the company of a prominent village elder, from whom you can learn about Khmu culture. Moreover, he might offer you an insight into your own lifestyle. Remember, curiosity runs both ways, especially when sipping Lao Hai (rice wine) from a jar through bamboo straws.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Khmu’s Riverside Eco-lodge
Day 4: Luang Namtha Trekking
The second day follows the Nam Ha River, through stands of large hardwood trees and bamboo patches, to Ban Nalan Tai (Khmu Village) and Ban Namkoy (Lanten Village). The trail becomes quite challenging as it climbs under a pristine tree canopy teeming with birdlife, and ends up on a ridge with a stunning view of Luang Namtha town, visit the last village of Lanten (Ban Namlue), that is, before the final descent and a ride back to town with memories to will last you a lifetime.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Namtha
Day 5: Luang NamTha - Houayxay
After breakfast, you will rejoin your car to transfer to Hoayxai. En route stop for taking photos of local rural life.
Upon arrival Houay Xay, check in hotel for relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Houay Xay
NOTE: No tour guide
Day 6: Huoay Xay – Pakbeng by Shompoo Cruise (departure on Mon – Tue – Thu – Sat)
After breakfast, you will be transferred by tuk tuk to boat pier and embark for the first time on boat for the Mekong downstream cruise. On the way, the boat will take its first stop in Pak Tha, to have necessary boat documents signed. The second stop will be to visit a Hill tribe village along the Mekong River. Our guide will explain the way of living and the origins of these rural populations. Lunch is served on board, and during the afternoon, you will be free to relax and taste local flavors with seasonal snacks and drinks. The boat will arrive in Pakbeng before sunset, where you will retreat to your accommodation for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Pakbeng
Day 7: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
At 08:00 AM, the boat leaves Pakbeng. Use your free time in the morning for asking some questions about Luang Prabang and Laos to our guide. Lunch is served on board. In the afternoon, we will make two stop. First, we will visit the famous Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its thousands of Buddha images. The second stop will be at the Lao Lao village, commonly known as the Whisky Village. In there, the guide will provide information about the locally made rice whisky, and you will have the chance to taste it if you wish. You will also have time to enjoy the charm of this small and authentic village, its temple and local artisans. You will be served a typical snack and drink on board in the afternoon. We will arrive in Luang Prabang around 04:30pm.
Upon arrival pier, you will transfer to the hotel for checking in. Free at your leisure in the rest of day. It is recommended to visit Phousi Hill with ascending the 328 steps to the top that offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding rivers and cityscape and wandering through the bustling Hill tribe Market for traditional textiles and handicrafts made by the hill tribes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel in Luang Prabang
If you interested at the Monks’ alms procession, please be ready at 5.30. – Daily dawn, saffron clad monks pad barefoot through the streets while pious townsfolk place tiny ball of sticky rice in there begging bowls. It’s quiet, meditative ceremony through which monks demonstrate their vows of poverty and humility while lay Buddhists gain spiritual merit by the act of respectful giving.
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the former king’s palace, which is now a Royal Palace Museum. Many items nicely displayed include rare furniture, traditional costumes and arts, jewelry, ornaments as well as working tools and utensils of the early part of the 20th century. Then you will discover Wat Xieng Thong, the Golden City Monastery, which dates back to the 16th century and is considered to be the finest in Laos. Furthermore, we visit the fine temple of Wat Mai, Wat Wisoun, Wat Aham.
Later of this day, you will visit Wat Siphouthabath to explore the daily life of local Monks.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 9: Luang Prabang – Kuang Si waterfall
After breakfast, you will visit the morning 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.
Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village and Ban Thapene, Khmu Village, then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turqoise pools or walk along the forest trails.
Then you will visit the Bear rescue center and Khuang Si Butterflies center.
Come back to town in late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
Day 10: Luang Prabang - Departure
Depend on the departure time you will have some last minutes shopping by you own before transferring to airport to take the flight back to home.
Meals: Breakfast
Bonne journey!
1. Are tour dates of flexible?
Yes, this tour package is private and you can depart on any dates at your convenience.
2. Can I extend or change my stay?
Absolutely! Extra days can be arranged in most areas if desired. Let us know how you would like to customize your trip and we will do our best to accommodate you. You can ask helps from our travel consultant to amend or extend your stay (subject to availability of hotels and flights; surcharge may be applicable).
3. Are the rates displayed per person or per room?
The prices shown on our website are per person based on twin/ double accommodation.
4. Any surcharges if my travel dates are during Christmas or New Year Holidays?
The rates are regular price and they are not included a compulsory dinner (Gala Dinner) on the day of Christmas or New Year Eve. Surcharges depend on specific hotels you stay at, so our travel consultants will give further information to you in communications.
5. Are there any discounts available?
We offer select trip discounts periodically throughout the year, especially in the low season (Summer time in Vietnam is from May to Sep). Please contact our travel consultants to get more details.
6. How do I pay when I want to book this tour?
We accept payment by debit/ credit card (Visa, Master, Amex), cash and bank transfer. When you confirm a booking with us, we will send you our online payment link or bank details to deposit 30% of the total tour cost. The balance will be due as soon as you arrive in Cambodia. Our travel consultants will give more details via email about payment instruction.
7. Are meals included?
We have tried to balance flexibility and convenience regarding meal options. This tour package includes daily buffet breakfast at hotels and some lunches or dinners as listed in parenthesis next to the tour itinerary on each day tour. In the major cities, where there are a wide variety of restaurants, we generally do not include meals to allow our travelers the flexibility of choosing their own food preferences. Our tour guides can recommend some options for our clients to choose from according to traveler's interest & budget.
8. What type of food is typical of Vietnam?
Vietnamese cuisine is quite varied from the North to the Centre and to the South, having had many external influences over the years that have created an interesting mix of cooking methods and ingredients. French presence in the recent past has led to the assimilation of French cuisine influence, and is often attributed with Pho noodle soup's rise to popularity. Most meals include rice, as well as fish sauce which is a popular condiment added to almost every meal throughout the country.
9. What if I have a special request on food?
You just need to share us your request on type of foods, we will choose a right restaurant and order suitable menus for you.
10. What are the accommodations like?
Vietnam Tours only recommends good hotels rated from 3 stars to luxurious resorts. They are located within walking distance of the town center and the reception generally speaks English. For more information, check with your travel consultants to view pictures of our suggestion on standard hotels/ lodges/ resorts. Don't forget that you can give your favorite name of hotel brands to us, so we can get your concept.
11. What type of transportation is used?
Our Vietnam tours utilize a variety of primarily private transportation (arranged just for your groups) including new and modern vans/ cars, motor boats, etc. We use a mix of private (vans/ cars)/ public transportation (domestic flights, sharing cruises, trains) to provide travelers with the safest and most efficient transit in each area.
12. Is this tour suitable for kids?
Yes! If you have children traveling with, ask your travel consultants to customize the tour program to fit a variety of interests and ages. We also focus on family friendly vacations with less travel and minimum drive times and maximum in-country activity that will keep younger minds engaged.
13. How many people are typically on your tours?
We only offer completely private tours, so only the people you book for will be on the tour. If you are alone, it will just be you and your guide. If you are a couple, just the two of you and your guide, and so on. We believe this is the best type of tour, so that it can be personalized to you, go at your own pace, and so that you can have the full attention of your guide for the duration of the tour.
14. Is this trip a good choice for solo travelers?
Yes, it is. You will still have a private tour guide and driver to accompany throughout the journey. However, you have to cover all expenses regarding accommodations (single room), tour guides, transportations because no-one shares cost with.
15. Do tour rates include international flights?
This tour only includes domestic flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. You can purchase international flights on your own, or we can certainly help you arrange these flights with an airfare consolidator who specializes in international flights.
16. How do I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?
When you arrive at airports, you will be greeted with your name on our driver/ tour guide's welcome sign, then get transferred to your hotel.
17. How if bad weather such as storm, flood, landslide occurs during my holiday with Vietnam Tours?
Our Travel Consultants and Tour Operators keep checking weather forecast every-day, if the weather is bad and it may affect to your safety, we will discuss with you regarding a tentative program immediately.
18. How much should I budget for tips?
Tips are not compulsory on any of our tours. However, it is customary to offer a small tip for exceptional service. Other travelers opt to bring small souvenirs from their home to give to tour guides and drivers along the way.
19. Is travel insurance included? And is it recommended?
Travel insurance is not included in our tour price. Absolutely, we recommend you to contact with your local agent in your country to buy travel insurance before you go.
20. How to change or cancel my reservation?
- You can change or amend your schedule in advance or during your trip but surcharge maybe applied according to our contract with local suppliers, hotels and airlines. Regarding cancelation terms, please check out this link: https://asiatravelandleisure.com/terms-conditions.html
Want to Ask a question?
- 1 domestic flights: Vientiane – Luang Namtha in Laos
- Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
- Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary
- Services of a private driver and air-conditioned vehicles
- Service of English speaking guides in every location
- Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
Call us on 0084 983 787 868 to speak to one of our experts.
Comments
we would like to visit Laos in februari 2020 with a group of 6 people
we have about 16 days … we are from Belgium and fly over Bangkok
had in mind : Vientiane, Vang Vieng, phonsavan, muang Khua, (ferry to) phongsaly, luang nam tha, luang prabang … culture, walk, bike … we have a lot of intrests
we are used to travel on our own so besicly we need a car with driver, can take some flights if useful, like to stay in the best hotels …
can you propose Something ?
Best regards
Dirk Defrère
Thank you very much for sending us a message. Our travel consultant will work on detail proposal and send back to you very soon.
My best regards,