Marvel at the simplicity of a quaint relaxing city of Luang Prabang, Laos. Cruise along Mekhong River to watch thousands of Buddha images at Pak Ou Caves and visit the well preserved Buddhist temples.

Destination:	Luang Prabang, Laos
Activity:	Arts & Culture, Boat travel, Historic sites / Temple visits
Price:	start from $354 per person
Duration:	3 Days / 2 Nights

Tour Rates* (Price/Person) in U.S. Dollars
Period	Single	Double	Triple	Group 6-8	Single Supplement
Villa Santi hotel or Villa Santi Resort & Spa
1 Apr 2011 – 30 Sep 2011	639	354	304	277	200
1 Oct 2011 – 30 Sep 2012	644	357	307	279	200
La Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel
1 Apr 2011 – 30 Sep 2011	932	500	450	423	245
1 Oct 2011 -  30 Sep 2012	939	504	454	426	247

Rates include 7% VAT tax and 10% hotel service charge. Major credit cards accepted. No extra charge, no minimum

Note: Booking should be made at least 7 days in advance. The Triple rates are based on a twin sharing room with an extra bed for the third person.

Itinerary

Day 01 Luang Prabang

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, transfer to hotel for check in

PM: Old city tour with visit to Wat Vixoune, known to be the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang with a collection of gilded wooden Buddha’s from 15th and 16th centuries, THAT MAKMO – the watermelon shape stupa.  Proceed to WAT XIENG THONG, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. Climb up Phousy Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 02 Luang Prabang – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at hotel. Embark at the local pier of Luang Prabang on a traditional boat and go upstream on the Mekong to visit Pak Ou Caves.  Pak Ou Caves are full of Buddha images in various style, ages and sizes. On the way stop at Thin Hong, a picturesque village, get a glimpse of daily life. Visit Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves housing hundreds of Buddha statues. Stop at Ban Xang Hai.  This village was once a Jar-maker village but today the community fills the jars that are imported elsewhere with lao-lao, the local rice whisky. Lunch at local restaurant

On the way back, stop at Ban Xang Khong - handmade paper village and Ban Xieng Lek - a weaving village. Arrive at Luang Prabang, drop in the old city or take a short walk or shop at Hmong market, if time permit.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 03 Luang Prabang – Bangkok or Vientiane (Breakfast)

Breakfast at hotel. Option: Alms offering at early morning along the street.
Visit the National museum, the former royal palace then proceed to Wat Mai with its five tiered roof and exquisite carved veranda.

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Price Includes:

• Tours and transfers as mentioned in the program with English speaking guide and private vehicle
• Admission fee(s) where applicable
• 2 night accommodation in a sharing twin room with daily breakfast (Choice of hotels: Villa Santi Hotel, Villa Santi Resort, Phousi Hotel, La Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel)
• Personal accident insurance
• Boat ticket (s) according to the program

Price Excludes:

• International air ticket to and from Luang Prabang.  Please contact us for further details.
• International and domestic airport tax
• VISA fees, drinks, personal expenses
• Other services not mentioned in the program

Note:

• Laos visa is required to enter Luang Prabang and other provinces in Laos. We suggest you apply for the Laos visa in your country (if available) or at the Laos consulate in Bangkok before arrival.
• 25 Dec – 2 Jan & 12 – 17 April
  Peak season surcharge due to New Year and Song Kran Festival – to be advised upon booking.

About the Package

Laos is a strange place. It is a sleepy and curiously pleasant country with inhabitants among the friendliest people on earth. But it wasn’t always so. Bordering Thailand across the Mekhong River in the west, Myanmar and China in the north, Vietnam to the east, and Cambodia to the south, it is a miracle this former French colony wasn’t carved up as spoils to the ambitions of its powerful neighbours long ago. But it has survived somehow, in spite of having the dubious distinction of being the most bombed country per capita in history during U.S. carpet bombings of the Vietnam War.

Second City
When Fa Ngum founded the Lan Xang kingdom in 1353, he named his capital Muang Sawa. Later, when he received a Sri Lankan Buddha image (Phra Bang) from the Khmers, he renamed the capital Luang Phrabang. Vientiane became the new capital in 1545. Now, as Laos’ second biggest city, Luang Phrabang remains a sleepy town still awaiting modernity. The ethnic mix is Laos, Mien, Hmong and various other Thai tribes. The architecture is assorted, with northern Laos temples and French colonial buildings standing among humbler private dwellings: mountains surround the area, giving an isolated feel.

Temple Finery
Interesting temples: The classic Wat Xieng Thong (1560) is the city’s finest temple. It features some unique Buddha effigies and a beautiful tree of life mosaic. Stunning gold relief adorns the doors of Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham (1797). Wat Wisunalat (1513) is Luang Phrabang’s oldest, continually used temple. Burned by Chinese Ho bandits in 1887, it was rebuilt in 1898.The main stupa of Wat That Luang (1818) holds the ashes of King Sisavang Vong. Local lore dates the site to the 3rd century BC.

River Attractions
Outside Luang Phrabang: Pak Ou Caves on the Mekong River are a 25-km boat ride away and contain hundreds of Buddha statues. 29 km south of the city are Kuang Si Falls, where water cascades from several tiers into the green pools below. This is a public recreation area.