LAOS BEYOND PLAIN OF JARS

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1

  Vientiane – arrival

   On arrival in Vientiane Capital, you are met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. After a rest, start our plain of jars tours by visit the major sights of the capital; including the antique Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph, and sunset by the Mekong Riverside. 

• Day 2

  Vientiane – Xieng Khouang (B)

   Board a afternoon flight to Xiengkhouang, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Arrive in Xieng Khouang. Your guide and private car will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.  

  Xieng Khouang is a town that has been totally rebuilt after it was destroyed during the secret war in Laos. The town is now located 30 km away from where it was originally. Today, Xieng Khouang, locally called “Phonsavan” is the gateway to the Plain of Jars. This is the highlight of our plain of jars tour.
   
  After checking into your hotel, enjoy a city tour and if you like visit the MAG Center in the town. MAG is a humanitarian organization clearing the remnants of conflict for the benefit of local communities worldwide. Lao PDR is the most heavily bombed nation in the world (per capita). Free entry, open every day from 08:00 – 20:00.
   
   
• Day 3

  Xieng Khouang – Plain of Jars (B/L)

   In the morning journey through Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars.

  The Plain of Jars is a huge archaeological complex covered by plenty of mysterious 2,000 years old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters. Actually, we do not know really about their origin. It seems that they were carved into boulders, several researches lead by the French archaeologist Madeleine Colani in the 30’s suggest that they could be aged graves, but presently it stays an enigma.
   
  Your trip will enable you to visit the 3 sites and also discover some villages where you can observe village life. Site 1, close to the town is settled at Thong Hai Hin and is the biggest site, site 2 is at Hai Hin on Phou Salator, “Phou” in Lao means “Mountain”. End your tour at site 3 in Hai Hin Lat Khai. Site 3 is the most impressive with over 150 jars. Close to this site, you will visit Ban Xiengdi where there is a small monastery with Buddha images. On the way back, you will pass areas that were important battlefields during the American secret was. You can still see a bomb craters from that time today.
   
  Attention: The Plain of Jars has been hardly bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.
   
  In the afternoon, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun. Muang Khoun is one area in the old provincial capital that has not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to a unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some pagodas that remain in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.
   
  Then return to Xieng Khouang.
• Day 4

  Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang by road (B)

   Early morning, visit Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch different Hill Tribes to barter and exchange merchandises. Then heading out the this small town to Luang Prabang, on the way, drop off and see a site more than 200 years old Buddha images in Thampra and varied Hmong and varied hill tribe minority villages along the road. They are nice, friendly and welcome you to visit. After a photo stop, continue driving up hill, enjoying mountain splendid natural scenery, forest and landscape. After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, where the T-junction of bordering meets Vientiane - Xiengkhouang - Luang Prabang. The journey will take us over mountainous region to Luang Prabang. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. Arrive in Luang Prabang in mid-afternoon. Relax for rest of day.

   
   
• Day 5

  Luang Prabang - Full day city tour (B)

   For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms.  As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents.  It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Visit Morning Market where you can find all ingredients for food. Return to your hotel for breakfast.

   
  After breakfast, visit the National Museum at the Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Continue to visit the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang.
   
  Afternoon, aboard a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes.
   
  Evening is your free time to explore the Street Night Bazaar.
   
   
• Day 6

  Luang Prabang - Departure (B)

   After breakfast, you will be free before we end our Plain of Jars tour until a good time drive to the airport for your departure flight.

  A. CANCELLATION POLICY:

• More than 45 days before departure: No cancellation charge
• Between 45 and 30 days before departure: 10% of total tour cost 
• Between 30 days and 15 days before departure: 25% of total tour cost
• Between 15 days and 7 days before departure: 50% of total tour cost
• Less than 7 days before departure: 90% of total tour cost
• No-show at the airport on the day of arrival/departure: 100% of total tour cost

• Child from 1- 4 yrs:  Free of charge if sharing bed with parents 
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 30% of adult price if sharing existing bed(s) with parents
• Child from 5 – 6 yrs: charge 50% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 7 – 11 yrs: charge 75% of adult price if using extra bed/mattress in parents’ room
• Child from 12 yrs up: pay as adult rate