Day 1: Vientiane arrival
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On arrival in Vientiane, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Time permitting, the half day city tour enables us to see the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit Laos national icon, That Luang Stupa, and we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
Overnight in Vientiane
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Day 2: Vientiane - Luang Namtha (B)
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The journey northwards begins as we transfer to the airport and board our flight to Luang Namtha, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to you accommodation.
No activities are planned for the rest of the day so you can stroll around the town or just relax at the riverside retreat until the briefing about our upcoming trekking days.
Overnight in Luang Namtha
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Day 3: Luang Namtha – Ban Nam Yang (B, L)
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This morning we depart by songtaew for the ride to Ban Nam Ngaen where the local guide will help you across the only stream that you will cross that day. We walk for around three hours through forest and upland fields to the highest point of the trek, where there is an Akha resting place. Here you will have a picnic lunch of local food before you descend to the village of Nam Yang for a visit with the villagers. On the way back an Akha hunter will accompany you and display his bird calling skills. We continue down to the Ban Nam Ngaen where you can choose to visit That Poum Pouk if you still have time.
Overnight in Luang Namtha
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Day 4: Luang Namtha -Oudomxay – Muang La (B)
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The local market also attracts numerous ethnic minorities who converge from the surrounding mountainsides or valley to barter and trade their goods. We visit this congregation before setting off on our journey along the south to Muong La via Oudomxay. Here we have the chance to visit the intriguing Pra Xack Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. The 400 years old legendary statue is said to have many supernatural powers, and is widely worshiped among the faithful local Buddhists.
We arrive in Muang La, famous for its natural hot springs by mid afternoon. Here you can relax by taking a traditional massage, or enjoy the hot springs.
Overnight in Muang La
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Day 5: Muang La half day tour -Nong Khiaw (B, L)
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This morning we have time for an exploration of Muang La and surrounding ethnic villages before heading back on the road, taking in some wonderful scenery en route to our next stop Nong Khiaw.
Overnight in Nong Khiaw
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Day 6: Nong Khiow – Luang Prabang by boat (B, L)
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Today we continue our boat adventure down the Nam Ou, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. We will be able to stop off at a few villages and admire the breathtaking limestone karst scenery. Along the way we stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. We continue our trip down the river to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, which we shall reach by late afternoon. After a transfer to your hotel you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
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Day 7: Luang Prabang – Khuangsi Waterfall (B)
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First we visit the morning Phousi 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, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu villages. This then takes us to the beautiful Khuangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.
Following lunch we then return to Luang Prabang. Your half day city tour begins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We also have time to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
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Day 8: Luang Prabang departure (B)
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Depending on your flight, you may have time at leisure before the transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
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