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Day 1: Vientiane Arrival (B)
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Today we will embark on a tour of Vientiane including historical museum, Wat Sisaket, Ho Prakeo, Patuxai monument and the revered That Luang Stupa. Overnight in Vientiane.
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Day 2: Vientiane - Vang Vieng (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Vang Vieng, visiting the ancient Vangsang archeology site and Nam Ngum dam hydro-electricity power generation. Visit caves at Tamchang. Free time to explore Vangvieng and relax or photograph the superb views (don't miss the wonderful sunset). Overnight at hotel in Vangvieng.
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Day 3: Vangvieng - Xiengkhouang (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive through mountains to Xiengkhoaung, see hundreds of jars, several thousand years old at the amazing Plain of Jars (in three separate areas), and the old capital of Muangkhoune. Overnight at hotel in Xiengkhouang.
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Day 4: Xiengkhouang - Luangprabang (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive for 5 to 6 hours through mountains to Luangprabang, with stops to visit local minority villages along the way. Visit the charming ancient royal capital of Laos Lanexang, which became a UNESCO listed site in 1995, including: Wat Visounnarath and That Makmo, Wat Xiengthong, Wat Sene and walk the 328 steps up Phousi Hill for a superb view of the town and sunset over the Mekong River. Shop at the famous evening street market set at the foot of Phousi Hill. Overnight at hotel in Luangprabang.
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Day 5: Luangprabang - Tad Kuangsi (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Former Royal Palace and Wat Mai. Drive 30km south of Luangprabang to visit Tad Kuangsi waterfall with its clear water. On the way back visit local villages of Lao Loum, Lao Kang and Lao Soung. If time permits, visit Ban Phanom Tai Lu hand weaving village. Overnight at hotel in Luangprabang.
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Day 6: Luangprabang - Pak Ou (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to pier for a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit Tamting cave, stopping at Ban Sanghai to see rice whisky distillation and the ancient pottery village; visit Tamting in front of the caves at Pak Ou with thousands of antique Buddha figures. Return by boat to Luangprabang and have the rest of the day free to roam. Overnight at hotel in Luangprabang.
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Day 7: Luangprabang - Oudomxai (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive through picturesque mountain scenery to Odomxai with stops to visit interesting local hill tribe villages along the way of Hmong and Khmu tribes. Overnight at hotel in Oudomxai.
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Day 8: Oudomxai - Muang Sing (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Muang Sing, home of ethnic people: large community of Tai Lu, Akha, Hmong and Yao. Stops to visit local Leantean and Khmu villages on the way. Overnight at hotel in Muang Sing.
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Day 9: Muangsing - Luangnamtha (B)
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Early morning visit to colorful markets of the local people offering interesting local products. Short trek to visit local villages of Akha, Yao. Drive to historic Luangnamtha, then visit Ban Thongchai, Tai Dam weaving village. Overnight at hotel in Luangnamtha.
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Day 10: Luang Namtha - Udomxai (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Last visit in the north of Laos to Ban Namngen of Tai Dam, and the ruins of That Poumpu and then observe the architecture of Wat Loungkhone and Tai Ngun. Drive back to Udomxai. Overnight at hotel in Udomxai.
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Day 11: Udomxai - Vientiane (B)
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Morning tour to local market and Phou That. Then you are free till transfer to airport for the flight to Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane
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Day 12: Vientiane - Pakse (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Wattay Airport for flight to Pakse in the south. Visit the local Talat Daoheuang market and historical museum. Drive a few kilometers to visit Ban Saphay and Donkho cotton and silk weaving villages. Overnight at hotel in Pakse
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Day 13: Pakse - Tadlo - Pakse (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Tadlo through the Bolaven Plateau, visiting local villages of the Ban Houey houn Katou tribe. On return, visits to Thateng for Nge and Alak tribes, coffee plantation at Paksong and the Tadfane waterfalls. Overnight at hotel in Pakse.
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Day 14: Pakse - Meuang Khong (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to pier for a boat ride on the Mekong River to Champasack. Drive to visit the 9th-12th century Pre-Angkor buildings at Wat Phou. Continue by car to visit Oum Mong then to Meuangkhong. Overnight at hotel in Meuangkhong.
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Day 15: Meuang Khong (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Excursion by boat to Ban Khone, visiting Don Det fishing village, walk to visit the old French port and the solitary locomotive, then Somphamit / Liphi Waterfall. By boat to Ban Phiengdi and drive back to Meuangkhong for overnight.
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Day 16: Meuang Khong - Pakse (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Ban Veunkham, and take a local boat to observe the rare Mekong Dolphins (if you are lucky). Drive to the largest waterfall in south-east Asia at Khonphapheng and to Khietngong for elephant ride before returing Pakse for overnight.
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Day 17: Pakse - Vientiane (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Pakse airport for the flight back to Vientiane. Time for shopping at Talatsao Morning Market. Drive south of Vientiane to visit fascinating collection of Buddhist and Hindu statues at Xiengkhuan Buddha Park, passing Mittaphap (Friendship) Bridge. Overnight in Vientiane.
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Day 18: Vientiane Departure (B)
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Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Wattay airport or Mittaphap (Friendship) Bridge for departure to your next destination. End of service by Indochina Travel Service.
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Boat, drive and hike in a variety of spectacular settings
