Romantic Mekong River

This tours offer such a great combination of history and environmental ambience as a boat trip down the Mekong in Laos. The ancient land is full of stories and the traditional villages close to the river imbue one with a sense of history. Serving as a life force for centuries, the river is never far away from an important reference from the past, including monumental temples or a communities seemingly untouched by the hand of modernism. Romantic, meditative and insightful, an discovery on the Mekong is quite often the highlight of a trip to Southeast Asia.

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Duration: 4 days/3 nights

Tour Code: MLLS08

Tour Valid: Until December 30th, 2013

Highlights: Huai Xai Ferry – Pak Beng - Pak Ou Buddha Caves – RiceWwine Making Village - Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall

• Day 1 - Huai Xai Ferry – Pak Beng - Lovely scenery along both sides of the Mekong

  Place Transport: Cruise
  Meals: Lunch - Dinner

  Your guide will pick you up at Huai Xay by ferrying boat pier for transfer to another pier to board a huge traditional Mekong riverboat for the downstream cruise to Pak Beng, departure at 09.00 hrs. This portion of the Mekong is very remote which sometimes allows glimpses of wildlife in the extensive forests. There are occasional stops at local hill tribe villages to meet people and observe life on the riverside. Buffet lunch is served on board. Enjoy the lovely scenery along both sides of the Mekong cruising to today’s destination. After arrival in Pak Beng, check in at the lodge, and then enjoy a buffet dinner here.

  Day 2 - Pak Beng – Pak Ou Buddha Caves – Rice Wine Making Village - Luang Prabang

  Place Transport: Cruise
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Before or after breakfast at the lodge, you can make a quick walk to visit the Pak Beng morning market to check out the local wares. Then continue the river journey for the second leg downstream to Luang Prabang. En route, stop to visit the sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Ou Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that have been placed here since 16th century. King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Ever since that time, local people have continuously brought Buddha images here to pay respect. Picnic lunch will be served at the caves after you will re-embark, stop at a village specializing in making rice wine! Have a taste, or perhaps just browse the small market the villagers have erected before continuing on to Luang Prabang which is the ancient royal capital and crown jewel of the Lane Xang Kingdom (pronounced ‘lan sang’) – the Land of a Million Elephants. Transfer to your hotel, and enjoy the rest of the day either exploring on your own or at leisure in the hotel. Dinner is on your own in local restaurant.

  Day 3 - Luang Prabang City Tour

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Please get an early (6:00am) and go watch or participate in the traditional Lao rite of Almsgiving to the monks. In the city, some 300+ monks file through silently collecting alms. This is an amazing sight and your guide will be on hand to demonstrate and explain this important ritual. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
  
  After breakfast, enjoy a half-day spin around Luang Prabang and you will understand why it deserves the World Heritage title. Visit Wat Visoun- the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. Wat Phou Si sits atop the mountain, along side the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns! Then continue visiting Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Wat Xieng Thong further emphasizes and characterizes the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. Then visit the National Museum, once a king's palace, where displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. Also peruse the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center which is a private museum recently opened to explain about the livelihoods of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
  
  Return to the hotel to relax or explore on your own. Luang Prabang is a wonderful walking town, and you can find dinner on your own at any number of fine international restaurants.

  Day 4 - Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfall – Onward

  Place Transport: Car->Airplane
  Meals: Breakfast

  After breakfast, drive with your guide by car to the Kuang Si Waterfall. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool and turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green tint due to the high mineral content. You can climb the stairs and look down from various high viewpoints on the way to the top. Bring a bathing suit if you’d like to swim. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight onward.

  General Itinerary:

  • Day 1: Huai Xai Ferry – Pak Beng - Lovely scenery along both sides of the Mekong
  • Day 2: Pak Beng – Pak Ou Buddha Caves – Rice Wine Making Village - Luang Prabang
  • Day 3: Luang Prabang City Tour
  • Day 4: Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfall – Onward

  The Tour Inclusion:

  - 03 Nights Accommodation with BKF.

  - Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.

  - The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.

  - Boat cruises as specified in the program.

  - Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the program.

  - Meals (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.

  The Tour Exclusion:

  - International flight tickets and airport tax.Visas.

  - Dinners, except as specified above.

  - Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

  - Surcharge for peak season (if any) & other not mentioned in the above detail program.

  Additional Information

  Importance note

  - The itinerary is just a sample of our tours; we'll be pleased to design similar programs with dates and itinerary customized to your personal preferences in Tailor Made Tours section. Rates may vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.

  What to bring?

  - Sun Block, Wide brim hat, Camera + Film, Comfortable shoes, Rain gear, Warm clothes, original Passport...

  How to start?

  - MinMax Travel is a fully escorted tour and best-available all year round; the only thing you need to prepare in advance is the international air-ticket from/to your country.

   - If you don’t have enough time to complete visa before your departure, we will help you to obtain Laos Visa on arrival easily (getting visa at the airport, on your arrival).