Discovering the Wonders of Northern Laos 8-Day

Upon arrival in the capital, our staff will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Vientiane is a captivating city with an intriguing blend of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. After a short rest, we will begin our visit to the major city sights, including Wat Sisaket, the country's oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. Along the way, we will stop at the famous That Luang Stupa, which is the most important monument in Laos. You will have the opportunity to take photos of the impressive Patuxay Monument, also known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. Tonight, we will enjoy a welcome dinner at one of the city's fine restaurants.

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Accommodation Options:
Orchid Laos Hotel - 3-star or similar
Green Park Hotel - 4-star or similar
Crown Plaza - 5-star or similar

After an early breakfast, we will take an express train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been recognized by UNESCO as 'the best-preserved city in Southeast Asia.' After a short rest, we will visit The National Museum, which is housed in the former Royal Palace, and it exhibits a beautiful collection of artifacts that reflect the richness of Lao culture throughout the ages. Next, we will visit the city's oldest temple, Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, where you can see the impressive "tree of life" mosaic made of colored glass. We will then continue our visit to The Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, which is the first exhibition space and fair trade store dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of Laos' traditional arts and lifestyles. After that, we will climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa, as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset. From there, we will explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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Accommomalyon Options:
Villa Chitdara Hotel - 3-star or similar
Le Belair Resort - 4-star or similar
Villa maly Hotel - 5-star or similar

Breakfast at the hotel.

8:15am - 8:30am: Today, we will board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, offering a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We will stmalyt the Pak Ou Caves, which are sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. Along the way, we will also stop at a few villages, including Ban Muangkeo, where the local rice wine is produced, and Ban Xiengmene. We will also have a chance to climb up to Wat Chomphet, offering one of the best views of Luang Prabang from across the river. Once we return to Luang Prabang city, we will take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek - small villages well known for their silk weavings and Saa (jute) papermaking. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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Accommodation Options:
Villa Chitdara Hotel - 3-star or similar
Le Belair Resort - 4-star or similar
Villa maly Hotel - 5-star or similar

After breakfast, 8:10am - 8:30am, we will transfer to Ban Long Lao where we will first visit the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Longlao Nung before heading to the nearby Hmong village of Ban Longlao Song.     Villa malymalya chance to observe the lifestyles of these two culturally different minority groups and see how they manage to work together on a daily basis, even sharing the same school.

Next, we will continue our excursion to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall. Along the way, we will stop at the Buffalo Dairy Farm, where we will take a 40-minute tour that includes a guided tour of the mini farm, feeding and washing the buffalo, a milking demonstration, and feeding chickens and rabbits. After the tour, we will visit some ethnic minority villages to learn more about how these colorful people live.

Then, we will continue to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where we can swim in the turquoise pools or walk along forest paths. On our return to the city, we will stop at Wat Phabath to observe the sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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Accommodation Options:
Villa Chitdara Hotel - 3-star or similar
Le Belair Resort - 4-star or similar
Villa maly Hotel - 5-star or similar

After breakfast, we will catch the express train to Oudomxay. This province is home to 23 ethnic minority groups. Upon arrival, our staff will meet you and transfer you to the jungle resort, Namkat Yolapa. After checking into your hotel, we will enjoy a short trek through the jungle to the Namkat waterfall. You can take your time at the waterfall before returning to the hotel for an overnight stay.

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Accommodation: Namkat Yorlapa Resort (local best)

Having breakfast at the hotel. 8:15am - 8:30am: In the morning, we will depart from Namkat Yolapa towards Pak Khai, enjoying stunning views of the Nam Pak River, terraced rice fields, and small villages along the riverbanks. Upon arrival, we will begin our trek along a mountain trail that follows a mountain stream through lush vegetation. You will have the opportunity to meet local farmers working in their rice fields, and learn about their farming practices, as well as hunting and fishing in the mountain stream. After about 1.5 hours, we will leave the forest and arrive at Ban Phavie, a beautiful Khamu village located on top of a hill. After having lunch in the village, we will continue on to nearby waterfalls, where you can relax in the refreshing waters and enjoy the peaceful surroundings (weather permitting). We will return to Namkat Yolapa at around 2:30 PM and arrive in the late afternoon.

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Accommodation: Namkat Yorlapa Resort (local best)

After breakfast, we will embark on a journey to the remote and mountainous region of Northern Laos towards Pakbeng. Along the way, we will make several stops to meet and interact with the friendly hill tribe people from the 23 ethnic minority groups residing in Oudomxay province. We will visit the pottery village of Ban Yor and other tribal minority villages. The Lao people, who are the ethnic majority, along with the Khammu and H’mong tribes are the most numerous in the area. Only the senior members of the H'mong tribe still wear traditional clothes and hairstyles, often combined with modern garments. The other inhabitants are now dressed in western style. However, their houses continue to be built according to tradition, and it is interesting to observe the differences between each ethnic group in their concepts of home and all the rituals and customs related to daily life such as initiation into adulthood, marriage, work, celebrations, and funerals. We will arrive at Pakbeng in the late afternoon, where after checking into your hotel, you can spend the rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Pakbeng.

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AccommodatPakpengions:
The Sanctuary Pakpeng Lodge - 3-star or similar
Le Grand Pakpeng - 4-star or similar
Le Grand Pakpeng - 4-star (local best)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to the boat pier and embark on one of our luxury boats for the upstream Mekong River cruise. During the journey, the boat will make its first stop at a hill tribe village along the river, where our guide will explain the way of living and the origins of these rural populations. The boat will then stop at Pak Tha for necessary boat documents to be signed. Lunch will be served on board, and in the afternoon, you will have free time to relax and taste local flavors with seasonal snacks and drinks. The boat will arrive in Huayxay before sunset, where the tour will end with a drop-off at your hotel in downtown or Lao customs. (Houayxay Immigration (Laos), Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai, Thailand. It takes you 1 hour and 50 minutes approximately 110 km from the Border to Chiang Rai Downtown by car)

Thank you for traveling with Legend Travel Group, and we hope to see you again soon on your next adventure.