Glimpse of Laos
                                                                                           4 days, 3 nights                                  Photo Gallery for this trip        

Introduction

Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang make up the highlights of your Glimpse of Laos trip.  We’ll cover the sights of Vientiane and make our way north through the ‘chill out’ town of Vang Vieng and end with a full tour of the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang.  Come get a taste of Laos!  This trip can also be done in reverse and optional add on excursions are available.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Vientiane – Half day City Tour
Day 2: Vientiane – Nam Ngum Dam - Vang Vieng Cave
Day 3: Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang
Day 4: Luang Prabang Tour - Luang Prabang Departure

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Vientiane – Half day City Tour

You will be met at the Friendship Bridge or Watay airport. After a short transfer, you check into hotel and have early lunch.

Following lunch, we’ll visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have survived the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues. We then make a short trip to Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo from the early time of Lane Xang Kingdom until 18th century, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane.  We then go to the most recognised symbol of Vientaine, That Luang Stupa.  Built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha, That Luang serves as the main and symbolic stupa in Laos as well as being the largest stupa in Laos We then visit Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane.

You have the evening to explore and the many fine restaurants in town serve an international palate, cold beers along the Mekong are also a great way to spend an evening!

Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit:  short periods between locations/30 minutes from the Friendship Bridge or 15 minutes from Watay airport
Meal plan: L

Day 2: Vientiane – Nam Ngum Dam - Vang Vieng Cave

We leave Vientiane on Highway 13 for an excursion by car or minivan to the Nam Ngum Reservoir, 100 km from Vientiane.  On the way, you stop at a Hmong village and then continue to Archaeological Site of Vang Xang, built during the Mone-Khmer Empire between the 8th and 11th century.  We arrive at Nam Ngum Reservoir at lunch time and enjoy it at lakeside.

After lunch, we embark for a boat cruise to visit fishing villages in the picturesque islands.  We then continue to Vang Vieng via Highway 13.  Vang Vieng is reached by mid afternoon. We check into the hotel on the Nam Song and make our way to Tham Chang, the most famous of the caves of Vang Vieng. From the cave mouth, you can look over the river valley through an opening limestone wall.  A cool spring at the foot of the cave is recommended for swimming.

In late afternoon, we drive to Phoudindeng Organic Farm. The farm raises mulberry trees for silk and tea production as well as organic fruit and vegetable. You enjoy delicious mulberry shake and diner before returning to town.

Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse from our list
Transit: 4 hours by mini bus or car/ 1 hour by boat
Trekking time: 1 hour
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Meal plan: B, L

One of the most spectacular road trips in Laos starts north of Vang Vieng and we’ll take our time to get to Luang Prabang today.  We have plenty of time for photo stops for the scenery - endless vistas and craggy peak mountains unfold along the way, truly a spectacular drive in Laos.  We have lunch in Phou Khoum in a local shop and continue.  We’ll pass several schools that will most likely be in session and get a few smiles out of the kids. 

We are in Luang Prabang late afternoon, check into the hotel, shower and make the climb up to Wat Phou Si for sunset.  Wat Phou Si sits high above Luang Prabang offering excellent views of the town.  Luang Prabang has a good variety of local bars and places to unwind after a long day on the road.  After dinner we suggest a visit to the Night Market to examine local handicrafts and souvenirs found only in Luang Prabang.