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SECRET OF LUANG NAM THA
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Code: |
LWT 07 |
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Routes: |
Vientiane - Luang Nam Tha
- Trekking - Hill Tribe - Muang Sing -
Xieng Kok - Luang Prabang - Mekong
Cruise
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Duration: |
9 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1 : ARRIVAL - VIENTIANE
Day 2 : VIENTIANE - LUANG NAM THA
Day 3 : LUANG NAM THA - BAN NALAN
Day 4
: BAN NALAN - BAN NAMLU - LUANG NAM THA
Day 5 : LUANG NAM THA -
XIENGKOK - MUANG SING
Day 6 : MUANG SING
- LUANG NAM THA - LUANG PRABANG
Day 7 :
LUANG PRABANG - PAKOU CAVE - LUANG PRABANG
Day 8
: LUANG PRABANG - VIENTIANE
Day 9 :
VIENTIANE - DEPARTURE
This new adventurous
trip is a perfect way to explore the very best of
northern Laos. Trekking through the Nam Ha National
Biodiversity Conservation Area , we have chance to
explore the primary forest and meet with different
ethnic minorities who have a colorful history and an
interesting culture. We enjoy our last day of trip,
visiting the magnificent temples of Luang Prabang.
Detail Itinerary
DAY 1 :
ARRIVAL - VIENTIANE
On arrival at Wattay Airport or
Friendship Bridge, you are met and transferred to our
centrally located hotel. The charming and fascinating
capital of Laos, Vientiane is located on the Banks of
the Mekong River. This small city conjures up
exotic images, with the curious mix of Lao, Thai,
Chinese, Vietnamese, French influences. After a short
rest, we start our city tour with Wat Sisaket, the
oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing
structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha
statues. The following sight is the former royal temple
of Haw Pha Kaew, which previously housed the famous
Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the imposing
Patouxai Monument well known as Vientiane's own Arc de
Triomphe before continuing to the great sacred structure
and symbol of Laos, That Luang Stupa. O/N in Vientiane.
DAY 2 :
VIENTIANE - LUANG NAM THA
The journey northwards begins
as we board our flight to Luang Namtha, a land of rugged
mountains, beautiful forest and rich river plain. This
mountainous region is also sharing the border with China
and Myanmar. There are over twenty ethnic groups who are
settled in Luang Nam Tha, making it one of the most
ethnically diverse provinces in Laos. No activities are
planned so you can stroll around the town or just relax
at the riverside retreat until the briefing for our
trekking days. O/N in Luang Namtha. (B)
DAY 3 :
LUANG NAM THA - BAN NALAN
Heading out of the town, we
take a short drive to Ban Chalernsuk , a Khmu minority
village at 20km away from Lung Nam Tha. We get well and
truly off the beaten track as we trek into this
beautiful mountain region, using the local tracks. The
journey is quite strenous with many steep uphill and
down hill walking but the verdant and rugged mountain
scenery combined with the colorful local population
makes for an unforgettable experience. We finish our
walking day on arrival at Ban Nalan where we are the
guest of a Khmu family. The accommodation is very simple
and dormitory style, no western facilities. O/N in Ban
Nalan. (B,LD)
DAY 4: BAN
NALAN - BAN NAMLU - LUANG NAM THA
The trekking leads us along the
bank of the river to Ban Namkoy, passing the picturesque
landscape of forest and rice fields. The forest here
varies from small patches of old tree to never grown of
bamboo. On arrival at Ban Namkoy we embark on a three
hour walk uphill. This trek is a real challenge ;
however some physical preparation will enable you to
maximize enjoyment from the walk. Along the way we pass
through several hamlets , and are sure to attraction
attention as this part of the country receives very few
visitors. At the small village of Ban Namlu, we meet up
with our truck and drive back towards Lung Nam Tha Town
. O/N in Luang Nam Tha. (B,L)
DAY 5:
LUANG NAM THA - XIENGKOK - MUANG SING
An early morning departure
towards Muang Sing which is home to verious hill tribe
groups including Akha, Laos, Dao. There is also a
significant Chinese population and a lot of trade goes
on between here and China. On the way we visit an Akha
minority village. This ethnic group was originally in
China but immigrated into Laos down centuries. They are
very poor , but have an interesting culture and a
colorful history. Upon leaving this village, we drive
west, travelling by bumpy roads to Xieng Kok, a border
town near the golden triangle. In late afternoon, we
drive back to Muong Sinh with stopover at the Lantern
minority village. O/N at Muang Sinh. (B)
Day 6:
MUANG SING - LUANG NAM THA - LUANG PRABANG
The bustling morning market and
the impressive museum of Ethnology are not to be missed.
We visit these sights before we drive back to Luang Nam
Tha for a flight to Luang Prabang. This royal former
capital with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial
architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been
claimed to be “ the best preserved traditional city in
South East Asia”. After checking into hotel, we visit
the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat
Aham and city’s oldest temple of Wat Wisunalat , the
Wat Mai with five tiered roofs. We also climb 329 steps
to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of
the city and the Mekong River. The zigzag path crosses
over various temples to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat
Phousi at the summit. O/N in Luang Prabang. (B)
DAY 7:
LUANG PRABANG - PAKOU CAVE - LUANG PRABANG
Today we continue seeing this
town with the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong which nestles
at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. The
temple structures are decorated in various ways with
gilded stuccoes and doorways while the main sim has a
marvellous 'tree life' mosaic pattern on an outer wall.
We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River,
stopping along the way at Ban Xang Hai where villagers
make the potent local rice wine. This exciting boat trip
will take us through the stunning scenery to the
mysterious Pak Ou Caves, which are crammed with
thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various
shapes and sizes. After exploring these caves we return
to the town and transfer to Ban Phanom famous for hand
weaving. O/N in Luang Brabang. (B,L)
DAY 8: LUANG
PRABANG - VIENTIANE
The exploration of Luang
Prabang would be not complete without a visit to the
national museum at the former Royal Palace. This
interesting structure displays a lovely collection of
treasures and artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao
culture dating from the days of the early kings right
through the last sovereign. We wander through the
charming streets and catch up on some last minute
shopping, before we take a short flight back to
Vientiane. On arrival we head out to see the impressive
Friendship Bridge which links Laos and Thailand, and the
Buddha Park. This landmark represents a curious blend of
Buddhist and Hindu sculptures created by mystical monk
on a parkland located by the Mekong River. A perfect way
to round off the day is to watch the spectacular sunset
over the Mekong River from one of riverside bars. O/N in
Vientiane. (B)
DAY 9:
VIENTIANE - DEPARTURE
There is a free time for your
own exploration of the city or strolling around the
shopping areas. The trip ends after your transfer to
Wattay Airport or Friendship Bridge for departure. (B)
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HOTELS USED
ON THIS TRIP |
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CITY/ AREA
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Standard
Class
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Vientiane
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Lanexang hotel |
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Luang Prabang
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Phousi hotel,
Manoluck hotel
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Other area
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Guesthouse or mini
hotel |
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HOTEL NOTES
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+ The higher hotel
category in Luang Prabang and Vientiane can be
arranged upon request.
+ The hotels in
Luang Nam Tha and Muong Sinh do not match tour
classification since some of them are very
simple but remember that Laos is a developping
country.
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Bac Ha
Trekking Tour |
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Vietnam Cycling
Tours |
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Ha Giang Trekking Tour |
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Northeast Cycling Tour |
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Kayaking Ha Long Bay Tour |
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Fansipan Climbing Tour |
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Explorer Ha
Long Bay By Cruise Tour |
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Sapa Trekking Tour |
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INCLUDING
Transportation in private air-conditioned
vehicle with driver and truck on bad road conditions + Meal as
mentioned: B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = dinner + Accommodation: twin
sharing room at the below mentioned hotel or similar one + English or
French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights + Boat trip in
Luang Prabang + Domestic flight Vientiane - Luang Nam Tha, Luang Prabang
- Vientiane |
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NOT INCLUDING
Other
meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement,
personal expenses, travel insurance, visa, flight in/
out Laos, any optional additional tours or activities
during free time.
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