Luang Prabang & the Plain of Jars
Travel from Luang Prabang to Vientiane through a dramatic landscape full of adventure activity opportunities, natural attractions and enigmatic sites such as the Plain of Jars
The route from Luang Prabang in the north of Laos to the capital Vientiane takes you through a dramatic landscape of gently meandering rivers, tall limestone karst formations, craggy caves and waterfalls. Villages that are home to the Hmong and Yao hill tribes hide in the forest whilst the activity centre of Vang Vieng provides plenty of adrenaline-fuelled options and the gateway to enigmatic attractions such as the ancient Plain of Jars.
3 nights Luang Prabang • 2 nights Plain of Jars • 2 nights Vang Vieng • 2 nights Vientiane
Day 1: Depart the UK
Depart the UK for your flight to Luang Prabang
Day 2: Arrive Luang Prabang
Upon arrival, you will be met by a guide and driver at the airport and transferred to the 3 Nagas Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Stay: 3 nights 3 Nagas
Day 3: Luang Prabang Temples and Kuang Si Falls
This morning your guide will meet you at 8am to begin with a visit to a local market, for an experience of uniquely Asian sights and sounds. You will then explore the National Museum, full of fine examples of Lao art and furniture and the former residence of the now deposed royal family. Your sampling of Luang Prabang’s exquisite temples begins with a visit to Wat Mai. This temple was spared sacking by the Chinese Black Haws in the late nineteenth century, supposedly because of its beauty and stunning design. From here we head to the serene WatXieng Thong before taking a break for lunch (Lunch not included)
In the afternoon, you will travel by private vehicle to Kuang Si Falls (approximately 45 minutes drive), one of the most beautiful falls Luang Prabang has on offer. Here you will have the chance to swim and relax amidst stunning verdant jungle surrounds and turquoise pools at the base of the falls. You will also have the chance to get up close and personal with some Asiatic Black Bears which are cared for at a bear sanctuary near the falls. Many of these bears have been saved from the illegal wildlife trade or have been placed here as a result of habitat degradation. Following your visit at the falls, you will return to town and be dropped off at your hotel.
Additional information: Luang Prabang is an atmospheric and culturally important town preserved under UNESCO World Heritage decree. To maintain the atmosphere of the town in an environmentally friendly way and to comply with UNESCO recommendations, you will sightsee on foot. This will be for a maximum distance of two kilometres. Touring outside of Luang Prabang is undertaken in comfortable vehicles.
Day 4: Pak Ou Caves by boat
This morning you will take a leisurely boat journey along the Mekong to the mysterious ’Cave of 1,000 Buddhas’ at Pak Ou. Along the way, soak up the Mekong riverside scenery: villages, local fisherman, and mountains carpeted with thick green forest. At the caves, in a tradition that has lasted for centuries, local people add annually to a repository of Buddha statues near the base of the small cave. The boat journey to the cave will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on current strength. You may also visit a riverside village and be given the chance to sample the local rice wine (Lao-Lao). After you glide back into town, you will return to your hotel by tuk-tuk.
Day 5: Luang Prabang - The Plain of Jars
This morning you will be picked up at your Luang Prabang hotel at 8am for the overland trip to XiengKhouang Province (site of the Plain of Jars). The journey will take around seven hours and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the wonderful scenery. The journey passes through beautiful mountain ranges and H’mong hill tribe villages before arriving in Phonsavan town. The Plain of Jars is one of Asia’s most unusual sites and the jars you will visit here are thought to be over 2,000 years old, however their origins are still a mystery. Archaeologists speculate that the jars were funerary urns, but discoveries in recent times have uncovered nearby unusual treasures of statues and precious artefacts. Late afternoon you will check into your lodge accommodation to watch the sun fade behind the surrounding hills.
Stay: 2 nights Auberge Plain des Jarres
Day 6: Xieng Khouang (Phonsavan)
Your exploration of the mysterious Plain of Jars starts this morning with a drive out of town to visit to Jars Sites 2 and 3, which will begin to spark your imagination as to the possible purpose of these intriguing artefacts. It is possible for you to walk from site 2 to site 3, taking in some excellent surrounding views of the countryside. The walk is about six kilometres and passes through some amazing hilltop scenery. Site 3 is possibly the most beautiful jars site and is set atop a small rise, surrounded by scenic yet bomb-scarred rice paddies. After site 3 it is a short drive to Tad Lang Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in XiengKhouang province. This is perfect for some exploring or just relaxing and enjoying the sounds of the cascading water in this beautiful region. Following the falls it’s back to town to take a break for lunch (cost of lunch not included to allow for choice), before paying a visit to the MAG visitors’ centre. The displays and information at the MAG centre will give you an excellent introduction into the war-torn history of this region and showcase the unprecedented volume of munitions left in this area. Finally, end your day with a visit to Jars Site 1, the largest and best-preserved of all three Jars sites. Following your visit to Jars site 1, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Breakfast included.
Day 7: Xieng Khouang - Vang Vieng
Begin the day with a drive to the idyllic town of VangVieng. The journey will take approximately five hours and pass through more of Laos stunning natural beauty. Despite its growing popularity with backpackers, there are quieter pockets of VangVieng which are easily discoered with just a short walk outside town or across the Nam Song River. Mid to late afternoon you shall visit the amazing Tham Chang (Frozen Cave), located on the banks of the Nam Song River. After ascending the steps to the cave entrance you can enjoy panoramic views of the Nam Song River, spectacular karst limestone formations and the quaint town of VangVieng. The cave is quite deep and makes for amazing exploring opportunities. At the base of the cave is a natural spring which is fed by the icy cool cave water. This is a very popular swimming hole for the local people and the water is believed to have special medicinal qualities. This evening you may like to take advantage of the unique VangVieng sunsets whilst relaxing with a cold drink on the bank of the river. Breakfast included.
Stay: 2 nights Ban Sabai Bungalows
Day 8: Vang Vieng
This morning is at your leisure. You may wish to rent a bicycle and ride around the outskirts of town to experience some more of the beautiful scenery and local life VangVieng has on offer. In the afternoon you will be transferred 10 kilometres upstream for some light kayaking on the majestic Nam Song River. After a brief introduction to the basics of kayaking, you will work your way downstream towards town, taking in the towering karst formations around you from the unique perspective of a kayak. Arrive back in town in time to catch one of VangVieng’scolourful sunsets while you unwind from the day. Breakfast included.
Day 9: Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Enjoy some free time this morning before being transferred for the three hour drive to the nation’s sleepy capital, Vientiane.
Stay: 2 nights Green Park Boutique Hotel
Day 10: Vientiane City Tour
Located on the Mekong River and with a population of 600,000, Vientiane is Laos’ capital and largest city. Despite some new developments, Vientiane retains an ’old world’ feel unlike other Asian cities. Starting at 8:30am, your touring will take in the city’s intriguing main sights. You will visit the morning market, or Talat Sao, where you will see silk and cotton textiles, gold and silver jewellery, and wooden carvings. Next, visit exquisite Wat Sisaket, Vientiane’s oldest original temple, built in 1818 (all other temples in Vientiane were re-built after the Siamese invasion of 1828). Across the street, Haw Pha Kaew, the former royal temple of the Lao Monarchy, has now been converted into a museum. After a break for lunch (to allow for choice, lunch is on your own), visit the most active temple in Vientiane, Wat Si Muang; if you are lucky, you may be able to see local temple-goers praying for good fortune. From here you will continue on to the COPE Visitor’s Centre, an outstanding organization providing prosthetic limbs to victims of UXOs and vehicle accidents in Laos. This centre gives you both an informative and interactive experience into some of the issues still plaguing Laos from the Indochina war era. Finally, finish your day’s touring with a stops at Phra That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos and symbolic of both the monarchy and the Buddhist religion, and the Patuxai Monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. At the conclusion of your touring, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Stay: 1 night Green Park Boutique Hotel
Day 11: Depart for the UK
You will be transferred to the airport today by private car with guide for your flight home.
Luang Prabang & the Plain of Jars itinerary map
Prices from
Prices from: £2,330 to £3,525 per person, twin share
Valid for Travel: 01 August 2011 to 31 December 2012.
Package includes: Return international economy flights from London, 10 days tailormade touring as specified.
Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and change; normal booking conditions apply.
Please note that surcharges may apply at peak times including Christmas and New Year.
To book, call 0845 643 6561
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX102419.
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