ESSENCE OF VIETNAM AND LAOS

DAY 1 : LUANG PRABANG – ARRIVAL

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel for check in. The rest of the day is your own time at leisure.

Meal: No Meal

Overnight in Luang Prabang (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 2 : LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATERFALLS

After breakfast, we visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Our next stop is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground represents classical Laotian architecture. We will also take a look at the Traditional Art & Ethnology Center to learn about the many Lao ethnic groups.

Next stop is Wat Visoun dates back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), making it Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, where you will have a short tour so you get information about Silk, about weaver, about the Women that work in the Centre.

Continue to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. Before returning to the town, stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed on Tuesday), one of the must-visit spots where you can have an optional 15 minute tour to learn about butterflies and local flora.

You will also visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. Late afternoon, ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunrise view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight in Luang Prabang (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 3 : LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES – KAMU LODGE

Board on a traditional long river boat at Kamu Lodge pier at 08:30am and take a leisurely cruise upstream. Marvel at the thousands of gold Buddha statues placed in sacred Pak Ou caves by devotees. Continue upriver to Kamu Lodge around noon. Check into your super-size tents with attached modern bathroom amenities and facilities. Have lunch in an airy SALA settled in the middle of rice paddy fields.

After lunch, you can choose to either relax or to enjoy the traditional Kamu lifestyles and activities such as rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields, gold panning in the Mekong, traditional fishing techniques or visiting Kamu village, archery contest.

Dinner is a feast by Kamu tribe standards. Overnight in Kamu village.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight in Kamu Village (3*)

DAY 4 : KAMU LODGE – PAKBENG (Shompoo Cruise)

After breakfast, you will be free to stroll around the lodge to wait for Shompoo Cruise. The boat will arrive at the boat pier of Kamu Lodge at around 10AM.

After boarding, you enjoy the leisure cruise upstream the Mekong River to Pakbeng while admiring the peaceful countryside scenery along the banks of the river. For lunch, local food is served onboard.

Then, you will have free time for relaxing in the afternoon, until the boat arrives in Pakbeng at dusk. Here, you will retreat to your accommodation for the night.

Departure Schedule of Shompoo Cruise: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight in Luang Pakbeng (3*)

DAY 5 : PAKBENG – OUDOMXAY – MUANG LA

For early risers visit the morning market where residents of the nearby villages and hill tribes gather to buy and exchange their goods.

After breakfast, take a long boat and cross the river to reach the elephant camp located at the opposite side of the Pakbeng Lodge. Get an introductory tour of the camp. Then you will participate at the elephant’s daily bath which lasts about 30 minutes. The camp's pool is designed to allow all 8 elephants to bathe at the same time.

Next, you will assist to the elephant show during 30 minutes. Then, take the boat to return to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch, depart for Muang La. On the way, you can observe the local rural life, local markets on the side of the road, and clear views on corn and banana plantations and amazing views over the mountains.

Arrive at Muang La Resort in the late afternoon. Check in, relax and enjoy the views. Facilities include a spa, sauna and steam room (it does get cold in the evenings here, especially November – March). The resort is built next to a natural hot spring and they fill a small pool every evening with water from the hot spring. Evenings are a real treat here, with 5 course set menus combining Asian and European influences, to be enjoyed by candle-light with the sounds of nature.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight in Muang La (3*)

DAY 6 : MUANG LA – ETHNIC TREK

Travelling by 4x4 is the only way to cover enough ground and climb the steep mountains in order to reach the most untouched and fascinating villages in the region. Speak to your guide to check if there are any special markets or festivals happening today, as the itinerary can sometimes be flexible.

Today, you will spend a day walk through villages to villages. Set off after breakfast to visit an entirely isolated Ikhos village. This ethnic group originates from Tibet and Yunnan and these villagers have seen very few foreigners. Explore the daily life of the villagers and how they still follow ancient customs passed down through the centuries. Here you are more than 1,000m above sea level and the views are magnificent, making it great picnic spot.

After lunch, you leave the village walk for approximately 45 minutes to the Hmong village of Ban Tauser. The remote route to the village takes you to a viewpoint with a stunning 360° panorama. The Hmong originate in the high steppes of Tibet and you will learn about their way of life, including the great importance of their livestock. Return to the resort at the end of the day.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight in Muang La (3*)

DAY 7 : MUANG LA – MUANG KHUA – MUANG NGOI – NONG KHIAW

In the morning, we will depart for Muang Khua, the small town along the way to Tay Trang Border with Vietnam. From there, we will board on a long-tail boat downstream the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw, a lovely boutique town along the river. The scenery along the way is said to be the most beautiful part of the gently Nam Ou River.

En route, we may make a short stop to enjoy the drink at one of the bars in Muang Ngoi overlooking the river. We arrive in Nong Khiaw just in time to catch the sunset before checking in your guesthouse for overnight.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Nong Khiaw (3*)

DAY 8 : NONG KHIAW – 100 WATERFALLS

Start today with a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou River where you will be able to explore a small Lao village along the riverside, learn about local daily life before beginning the '100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail'!

Walking through small streams and rice paddies, you will arrive at the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls which were only first explored in October 2008. For the next few hours you will see only water and jungle and hear the constant sound of clear waterfall cascades. The pools around you are very inviting for a refreshing splash. Our guide will lead you through the cascades and prepare a local style lunch that you can enjoy on the falls surrounded by amazingly green nature.

Then following a small village trail on the top of the '100 Waterfalls' to hike back down into the valley. You will have time to experience the daily life of the Nam Ou riverside village before heading back to Nong Khiaw by boat.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight in Nong Khiaw (3*)

DAY 9 : NONG KHIAW – LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE

You are free before taking the direct transfer back to Luang Prabang just in time to catch the late afternoon flight to Vientiane.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight in Vientiane (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 10 : VIENTIANE – CITY TOUR – BUDDHA PARK

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. After that take a 45 minute drive to Buddha Park, on the way, stop for photos of the Friendship Bridge which was built by the Australian government in 1994 and links Laos and Thailand. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues.

The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by a Laos’s shaman. The concrete sculptures are bizarre but intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park. Back to Vientiane, en route, stop at Mai Savanh to explore the traditional textiles of the Lao people. (Note: Mai Savanh is closed on Saturday & Sunday).

In the afternoon, visit That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire. Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.

Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Finish your day at Wat Phra Keo which is now used as a religious museum displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight in Vientiane (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 11 : VIENTIANE – DEPARTURE – TAKE FLIGHT TO HA NOI – HALF DAY CITY TOUR

You are free before taking the departure flight to Hanoi airport. Welcomed by our guide & driver then transfer to the city. Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name literally means is Vietnam’s capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city’s fascinating beauty which is characterized by unique cultural relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming cities of Asia.

Start a city tour beginning with the Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the nation’s founder’s body is preserved (closed on Monday, Friday and through October - November), the colonial Presidential Palace, originally the French Governor Office and a fine example of French architecture in Hanoi, and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked.

Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Ha Noi (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 12 : FULL DAY KY SON TOUR

Morning, after breakfast at hotel, our guide will pick you up for transfer to Ky Son village (1.5 hours in driving) 10:00: Arrive at Moon Garden Homestay in Ky Son village. Welcome drink with local fresh green tea. Free time for discovering Moon garden Homestay and Ky Son village by yourself (local market, kinder garden)

11:00: Cooking class

12:30: Lunch

13:30: Hand Spa- Enjoy having your fingers dipped in a fragrant lime bowl and the traditional herbal hand massage then, free time for relaxing or further conversation with the host family about local snacks, sharing cultures, and learning about traditional customs. If you want to learn Vietnamese, one of the family members can teach you.

14:30: You can have choice of a short ride of 6 km or a long ride of 12 km round trip: Short ride: Take a bicycle ride to discover the Ky Son, Tam Son, Van Minh, and Cham farming communities to and stop at any home you like for a cup of tea. Visit the kindergarten (if open). Chat with local people about their daily life and farming. Or walking in the village, (if required) you can help with plowing or transplanting seedlings, harvesting rice (or cassava, corn, sweet potatoes, cucumber...) depending on the harvest season.

Long ride: Take a bicycle ride with local guide to discover the Ky Son, Tam Son, Van Minh, and Cham farming communities, Duong Lam ancient village and visit Mia Pagoda, Mong Phu Communal House... Then bike ride back along the ritual paths of Thang Thac village to discover the Ngo Quyen tomb and temple

17:00: Return to the Moon Garden for happy hour (you will be offered some kind of local tisane). While waiting for your foot bath in warm water with ginger, salt and mugwort medicinal herbs to be prepared, you can enjoy our local drink and taste some of the local products such as traditional dessert, maize, sweet potato, cassava, peanuts, etc., depending on season.

18:00: Leave Ky Son back to Hanoi.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 13 : HA NOI – HA LONG OVER NIGHT ON BOAT

Morning pickup at 8:00 AM from your hotel for transfer to Ha Long Bay, which is about 160 km or 3.5-hour drive away. On the way, you will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields. Stop half way to visit a handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings. Arrive in Ha Long City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view.

Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight on cruises in Ha Long Bay (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 14 : HA LONG – HA NOI DEPARTURE – TAKE FLIGHT TO DA NANG – TRANSFER TO HOI AN

Wake up at 06:30 AM and refresh your body and mind with a Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck. Tai Chi is an ancient internal martial art often practiced in soft and gracefully slow moves to enhance internal harmony and vitality. Have tea and coffee onboard before proceeding to Titov Islet or Soi Sim Island to trek and swim. Check out at 09:30, have a buffet brunch while cruising back to shore.

Disembark at 11:00 AM to transfer to Hanoi capital. Free at leisure until meet our guide then transfer to airport for flight to Da Nang. Arrival Da Nang airport, you are transferred to Hoi An ancient town by private car & guide.

Meal: Breakfast,

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 15 : HOI AN FULL DAY CLASSIC TOUR –  BIKING & TRA QUE VILLAGE

Morning, meet our guide at your hotel and transfer out for a full day city tour to discover the charm of Hoi An as a renowned World Heritage Site. Once a bustling maritime commercial port of Asia between 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a peaceful town of exceptionally well-preserved architecture, lifestyles and traditions.

The town exemplifies a fascinating fusion of cultures between Vietnam and the outside world including China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. Highlights for sightseeing include the town’s iconic 400-year-old Covered Bridge with a small temple attached to one side as a prominent example of Japanese architecture, the Museum of Trade Ceramics which is an elegant Vietnamese style wooden house built in 1858 showcasing antique ceramic artifacts, the 200- year-old Tan Ky House typifying an ancient Chinese merchant residence, the Ong Temple built in 1653 by Chinese settlers to worship Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general whose character stands for loyalty, bravery and justice and the local market vibrant with colors and activities.

Afternoon, bike to Tra Que herb village that has been very famous for many kinds of vegetables in a long time. A day to this village, you are showed to hoe land, cultivate, thrust, seed, plant vegetables and pick up seaweeds to manure or gather planted vegetables together with farmers. You will also make special meals from Tra Que vegetables, then relax, talk & read on bamboo beds or hammocks in the quiet atmosphere.

Afterwards, we go fishing so as to be attached to each other in unforgettable impression or bike to Cua Dai beach or relaxing.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Hoi An (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 16 : HOI AN – DA NANG DEPARTURE – TAKE FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH – HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Free at leisure until transfer to Da Nang international airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, welcome by our guide and transfer to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City formerly named Saigon is the largest city and economic center of Vietnam always bustled with activities of modern life. It is where businesses converge and shoppers indulge themselves into unlimited choices. However the city also carries with it a rich historical legacy in contrast with its dazzling glamor.

Take a city tour to visit the War Remnants Museum which features a comprehensive collection of the machinery, weapons, photos, and documentation of Vietnam War with the both the French and Americans and the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975.

Last, stop for shopping at the French-built Ben Thanh Market which dates back to 1870 and whose main entrance clock tower has become a city’s symbol.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 17 : FULL DAY MEKONG DELTA (VINH LONG)

Morning, pickup at your hotel to transfer about 136 km to Vinh Long, a riverside town in the vast Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta. Take a boat cruise to lively Cai Be floating market where sellers and buyers bargain and exchange goods from their boats. Proceed through a fascinating maze of shady canals to Hoa Binh Phuoc Island. Beautiful landscape of zigzag canals, lush vegetation, peaceful villages and activities of rural life will make you a delightful sight.

There on the island, visit some local farmers’ homes, interact with warm-hearted hosts and learn about their trades of bonsai gardening, tile and ceramic production and rice paper and coconut candy making. A typical Vietnamese lunch at a local home will be arranged.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh (3*, 4* or 5*)

DAY 18 : HO CHI MINH DEPARTURE

Meet our guide & driver at the hotel lobby then transfer to Saigon airport for flight to departure.

Meal: Breakfast