2World Travel (Cambodia)

Day 1: ARRIVE LUANG PRABANG ( - / L / D )
- Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel.
- The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang, is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia. Magical and charming, it has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage City.
- Lunch at local restaurant.

- Visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That Makmo, stylistically more Srilankalese than Lao. Then walk to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Climb Phousi Hill for an outstanding view over the city. Continue to visit Vat Mai, built in 1796, famous for the five – tiered roof of its wooden sim.
- Sunset at Vat Siphouthabath located along the Mekong River.
- Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 2: LUANG PRABANG – KHUANGXI – LUANG PRABANG ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Visit Vat Xieng Thong, considered as the most beautiful temple. The main sanctuary represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. In the compound stand several small chapels housing bronze Buddha images, which were displayed in Paris in 1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal funeral chapel. Inside are an impressive 12-meter high funeral chariot and various funeral urns of each Royal Family member. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts a semi-erotic episode from Ramayana.

- Departure by road to the Khuangxi Waterfalls (30 kms, approx. 1 hour drive). The waterfalls tumble over multi – tiered limestone formations into cool, clear pools ideal for swimming and relaxing. On the way to the waterfalls, visit the Khmu minority village of Ban Thapaene.
- Picnic lunch nearby the waterfalls.
- Return to Luang Prabang. On the way, visit Ban Xom village known for its cotton production and Ban Xang Khong village to see how traditional paper is made.
- Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 3: LUANGPRABANG - UDOMXAY - LUANGNAMTHA ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Drive to Oudomxay. En route, visit a Thai Daeng village where animist practices are still preserved and a Khmu village. The Khmu, who belong to the Mon-Khmer ethnic group, are the original inhabitants of the Indochina peninsula.
- Lunch at local restaurant in Oudomxay.
- Continue to Luang Namtha. Visit a Lanten minority village. The Lanten are sometimes called “Lao Houay” (stream Lao) because they choose to live near permanent rivers. The dark indigo clothing worn by men and women immediately recognizes them. The women also pluck or shave their eyebrows upon reaching puberty and wear their hair in a traditional style, swept up and held in place with beautiful silver jewelry.
- Arrival in Luang Namtha in the late afternoon.
- Diner and accommodation at BOAT LANDING ECO-LODGE (superior category).

Day 4: LUANGNAMTHA - TREKKING ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Orientation and information session is given prior to the departure in order to allow participants to learn about the cultures and environment they will see on their journey.
- Transfer to the pier and board a traditional riverboat for a full day excursion along the Nam Tha River towards Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area.
- Explore the forest and the village of Ban Xopxim, populated by Khmu.
- Picnic lunch.

- Return to Luang Namtha. En route, visit the Lanten minority village of Ban Xoptoud. Luang Namtha is home to the largest concentration of Lanten villages in Laos, and counts about 4,000 Lanten in its population. Like the closely related Mien, the Lanten emigrated from China in search of stability and new mountain rice fields. Legend holds that the Lanten were separated from their older brothers, the Mien, during the flight and made their way alone from China’s Hainan Island through northern Vietnam, settling here in the 19th century.
- Dinner and accommodation at BOAT LANDING ECO-LODGE (superior category).

Day 5: LUANG NAMTHA – MUANG SING ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Drive to Muang Sing. En route, visit an Ikhor minority village. The Ikhor belong to the ethnic Khor group once originally called “Akho or Akha“ meaning “older brother“ in Lao. They emigrated from South China about 500 years ago due to war and entered the Lanexang kingdom of Laos through the Southwest. Upon entering Laos, the Khor group divided into sub-tribes: Khor Pho Xang, Debla, Loma, Eupa, Mu Kuew etc… The women of Khor tribes are skilled in weaving, knitting and ornamental sewing, while the men are excellent woodcrafters. The men are often dressed in baggy pants, dark brown long sleeved shirt, with silver ornaments. Continue to visit a Lanten minority village.
- Arrival in Muang Sing and check-in at the hotel.
- Since the late 16th century, the small town of Muang Sing has been a traditional Thai cultural nexus as well as a trade center attracting a large variety of hill tribes.
- Lunch at local restaurant.
- Visit the Muang Sing Exhibitions, which display a collection of cultural artifacts from the area, such as fishing utensils, looms, gongs, bells, pottery, musical instruments and local ethnic costumes … Visit Vat Xieng Jai and Vat Nam Keo Luang, two temples which show Thai Lu architectural influence.
- Dinner and accommodation at PHOU OUI (medium category).

Day 6: MUANG SING ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast.
- Visit the colorful local market where the various minority people come early in the morning to sell their products.
- Full day excursion and soft trek to the surrounding hill tribes’ villages: Ikhor, Yao or Mien, Lanten … The Yao originally came from Yunnan Province in southern China. In their villages, the Yao maintain a large extended family in the same household. Yao women, who wear high turbans and long indigo gowns bordered with bright pink wool boa collars, are easily recognized.
- Lunch at local restaurant.
- Dinner and accommodation at PHOU OUI (medium category).

Day 7: MUANG SING - LUANG NAM THA – OUDOMXAY ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast.
- Drive back to Luang Namtha.
- En route, visit the weaving village of Ban Thongpoung and Ban Nam Ngene village to observe the rice wine distillation.
- Lunch at local restaurant in Luang Namtha.
- Continue towards Oudomxay.
- Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
- Dinner at local restaurant.
- Accommodation at Denesavanh hotel.

Day 8: OUDOMXAY – PHONGSALY ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast.
- Drive to Phongsaly making several stops along the route to minority villages to see the varied lifestyles of tribes such as Ikho, Yao , Hmong and Khmu
- Lunch on the way.
- Arrive in Muang La and visit the Pra Xack Kham temple, which houses a sacred Buddha image. The 400-year-old image is very sacred and has many supernatural powers that are widely worshipped among the people of the Muong la district and other Buddhists.
- Arrive Phongsaly , check’in at the hotel.
- Dinner at the local.
- Accommodation at FouFa.

Day 9: PHONGSALY – HATSA – MUANG KHOUA - NONG KHIAO ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast.
- Early morning drive to Hatsa, continue your trip on the mighty Nam Ou River towards Muangkhoua. The nam Ou River, a subsidiary of the Mekong River,
- Lunch at local restaurant.

- Arrive Muang khoua.
- Dinner and accommodation.

Day 10: MUANG KHOUA - NONG KHIAO - PAK OU – LUANG PRABANG ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast.
- Sightseeing tour, drive to Luang prabang, on the road stop at ban Khok Nin, across the nam Ou river for visit Pak-Ou cave, housing thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha.
- Picnic lunch at a bamboo cottage overlooking the confluence between the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers.
- Return to Luang Prabang by boat
- Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 11: LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast.
- Visit a local Market then transfer to the Airport for flight to Vientiane.
- Arrive Vientiane, check’in at hotel.
- Vientiane’s major attractions are the serene Buddhist monasteries that dominate the center of town. The city has kept its timeless charm with tree-lined avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture.
- Lunch at local restaurant.
- In the afternoon visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the sole survivor of an invasion in 1828. All other temples in the city have undergone extensive restoration. Vat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha images. Nearby is Ho Phra Keo, once the royal temple of Lao monarchy. Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo has been used as a museum since 1970 and contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in the country. Special displays include antique brass drums and palm leaf manuscripts. The main structure originally housed the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Keo. One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patousay, the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. Another famous Vientiane landmark is the That Luang Stupa. King Setthathirath built this great sacred stupa, considered as the national symbol, in 1566. Its central structure is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus. The original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha.
- Dinner at local restaurant.
- Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 12: VIENTIANE ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast.
- Visit a Buddhas Park, on the way stop at Friendship bridge.
- Lunch at local.
- PM. Visit a Morning Market then continue to the weaving village at Ban Nong Bouathong.
- Sunset along the Mekong River.
- Dinner with traditionel dance at local.
- Accommodation.

Day 13: VIENTIANE - PAKSE - KHONG ISLAND ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Transfer to the airport for flight to Pakse.
- Meet upon arrival at Pakse airport and transfer to the boat pier. Embark on a long-tail riverboat for a cruise down the Mekong River to Champasack. Then continue en route, stop at the former royal capital of Champassak and visit the pre-Angkorian Vat Phu Temple (6th-13th centuries). Vat Phu Temple lies on a hillside and offers spectacular views on the surrounding plains and on the Mekong River. UNESCO listed Vat Phu Temple as a World Heritage site in 2002. Hindu Khmer probably chose the site because of the spring that flows from near the top of the hill. Historians say that Phu Pasak was in fact sacred to the pre-Angkorian Kingdom of Chenla (6th century) and may have been the site of human sacrifices.
- Lunch at local restaurant.

- Continue by road to Khong island . Arrival in Khong Island, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Khong Island, blessed with lush tropical vegetation, serene monasteries and lovely fishing villages, offers a unique opportunity to experience the peaceful Lao way of life.
- Dinner and accommodation at Senesodseune hotel.

Day 14: KHONG ISLAND - KHONEPHAPHENG ( B / L / D )
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Cruise along the backwaters to explore Siphandone and visit the surrounding islands of Done Det and Done Som for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the fishermen.
- Continue to Done Khone Island.

- Lunch at local restaurant in Ban Khone.

- Visit Done Khone Island and hike along its ancient railway built by the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids when transporting goods from Cambodia. Continue to Sumphamith Waterfall. In the dry season, the Irrawaddy Dolphins, one of the world’s rarest large mammal species, congregate at the base of the rapids to hunt the fish that survive in the deep pools. Spend a relaxing hour watching these extremely shy and endangered freshwater dolphins.

- Return by boat to Ban Nakasang, then continue by bus to Khone phapheng Resort.
- Dinner and accommodation at Khone Phapheng Resort.

Day 15: KHONEPHAPHENG - PAKSE - CHONG MEK - UBON AIRPORT ( B / L / - )
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Drive to Khone Pha Pheng Waterfall, the largest cascade on the Mekong River along its 4.350 km journey from the Tibetan Plateau towards the South China Sea.
- Lunch at the local.
- Drive back to the city of Pakse, continue to Chongmek for transfer to Ubon Airport.
- ( End of our services )

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* NOTE: Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability

* Season Surcharge 13 April 2012 – 17 April 2012 and 23 Dec 2011 – 02 Jan 2012 and USD 50 per room per night