Tickets en Laos

Our tour guide meets you up at The Full Moon Cafe at 8am and travel by tuk tuk to the largest fresh market in Vientiane. We spend one hour touring the fresh market where our Lao guide will explain the importance of sticky rice in Lao culture. The recipe used for Padek or Lao Fish Sauce will be revealed. Our guide will surprise you with some authentic Lao tasting experiences depending on the season. Leaving the fresh market, you will travel to a small laneway to a local family run cafe not known on the tourist trail. Relax and enjoy a Lao coffee and a mango and sticky rice pancake tasting; famous in Vientiane.

We depart from our office and drive for around one hour west to Ban Xeng Mouk village where the trek starts. We begin with a visit to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Longlao Nung before heading to the nearby Hmong village of Ban Longlao Song. You will be able to observe the lifestyles of these two culturally very different minority groups and see how despite their differences they manage to work together on a day to day basis and even sharing the same school. As we continue onwards the trail leads through rice paddies and vegetable fields before reaching the mountainous forest. Along the way we explore a cave which was used as a bomb shelter by the locals during the second Indochina war.

After visiting the cave one more hour of trekking brings us to one of the many springs which feeds Kuang Xi waterfalls, here a beautiful pool full of sacred fish can be seen. After descending from the top of the waterfall we enjoy a Lao style lunch amongst some beautiful settings! The afternoon is spent bathing and relaxing around the turquoise pools below the waterfall. You can also visit the bear conservation center which is located nearby and home to many bears which have been rescued from illegal farms. Before returning to Luang Prabang we take a short walk to a nearby Khmu village of Ban Thapene which is home to some of the most beautiful pools of Kuang Xi Waterfalls.

Visita el Museo Revolucionario de Laos y Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan. El Museo Revolucionario fue construido en 1925 como residencia del gobernador francés, pero después de la independencia el edificio ha sido utilizado como residencia real, como una casa de huéspedes del estado y como varias oficinas ministeriales antes de convertirse en museo en 1985.
En su mayor parte, el museo contiene artefactos y fotografías de la batalla del Pathet Lao por el poder. Muchas de las pantallas constan de armamento histórico.

Continúa visitando Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan, uno de los templos más importantes de Laos. El edificio fue construido en el siglo XVI por el rey Setthathirat y como tal es un contemporáneo de Pha That Luang, pero al igual que todos los templos en Vientiane (con la posible excepción Saket Wat Si), que fue destruida en las guerras posteriores, y luego reconstruida en los siglos XIX y XX.

El Patriarca Adjunto (Hawng Sangkhalat) de la orden monástica Lao tiene su residencia oficial en Wat Ong Teu y preside el Instituto Budista, una escuela para monjes que vienen de todas partes Laos para estudiar filosofía budista en la capital.

After breakfast, our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and start our full day trip to explore Vientiane by visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of WatPrakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

Lunch will be served at local restaurant. In the afternoon after a short rest we continue visiting the rest of Vientiane by foot, including Wat OngTue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. We pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where various goods are displayed for sale; including fresh food, household goods, souvenirs, textiles, gold, silver and antiques. We return to the Mekong Riverside in the late afternoon for observing the sunset. Then we take you back to your hotel and end of our services.

Day1: We start off with a visit to the former royal palace which was built between 1904 & 1905. Here we take some time to look around this magnificent building before moving onwards to Wat Visoun temple which was built by Visounnarath 500 years ago in 1513! The next stop is Wat Xieng Thong which was built by Sayasettha back in 1565.
We then continue onwards to Ban Phanom village which is famous for its weaving before heading to Ban Xang Khong which is famous for the handmade Sa paper which is produced here before then heading back to Luang Prabang.

Day2: We depart from our office and take a short walk to the boat pier. We board the boat and begin our cruise along the amazing Mekong which takes us past idyllic scenes of rural riverside life and spectacular scenery until reaching the beautiful Pak Ou Caves which sit amongst the limestone cliffs where the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers meet. The caves are spilt in two, one named Tham Ting and the other Tham Theung. They are both filled with thousands of Buddha images and statues which have been deposited here over centuries.
Pak Ou remains a popular pilgrimage site for Lao people, especially during the Lao New Year in April when the caves become crowded with pilgrims who gain merit by ceremonially washing the Buddha statues. We take time to explore upper and lower caves before stopping for a delicious Lao lunch at a nearby restaurant. A short distance away from Pak Ou Caves we visit the village of Ban Xang Hai which has for centuries made the clay jars which are used to ferment Lao wine. Nowadays the tradition continues however the village now also specializes in producing a wide range of ‘Lau Lao’ Lao whisky and ‘Lau Hai’ Lao wine. Be sure to try just a little before we head of back down river to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.

Day3:We depart from our office and drive for around one hour west to Ban Xeng Mouk village where the trek starts. We begin with a visit to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Longlao Nung before heading to the nearby Hmong village of Ban Longlao Song. You will be able to observe the lifestyles of these two culturally very different minority groups and see how despite their differences they manage to work together on a day to day basis and even sharing the same school.
As we continue onwards the trail leads through rice paddys and vegetable fields before reaching the mountainous forest. Along the way we explore a cave which was used as a bomb shelter by the locals during the second indochina war. After visiting the cave one more hour of trekking brings us to one of the many springs which feeds Kuang Xi waterfalls, here a beautiful pool full of sacred fish can be seen. After descending from the top of the waterfall we enjoy a Lao style lunch amongst some beautiful settings!
The afternoon is spent bathing and relaxing around the turquoise pools below the waterfall. You can also visit the bear conservation center which is located nearby and home to many bears which have been rescued from illegal farms. Before returning to Luang Prabang we take a short walk to a nearby Khmu village of Ban Thapene which is home to some of the most beautiful pools of Kuang Xi Waterfalls.

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG – ANCIENT TOWN

For early-risers (05h30) there is a very special dawn visit to witness the long lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, a city tour begins at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs. Then the Wat Sene with its beautiful golden façade, temple: Wat Xieng Thong. In the afternoon, visit Wat Visoun , Wat Aham, Wat That where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa. Continue to climbing the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside, Stop at the night market. Overnight in Luang Prabang Villa Santi Resort

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVE

After breakfast embark for a boat trip on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Then back to Luang Prabang with stop off Ban Xang Hai to sample local rice wine and visit its handicrafts. Overnight in Luang Prabang Villa Santi Resort

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG – VANG VIENG – VIENTIANE

After breakfast, departure from Luang Prabang to Vientiane, on the way overstop in Vang Vieng, then continue to Vientiane. On arrival in Vientiane transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Vientiane Plaza Hotel.

DAY 4: VIENTIANE – CITY TOUR

After breakfast full day dedicated to the visit of capital city: Wat Sisaket, Wat Phra Keo, the Patuxai monument, That Luang, the holiest place in Laos and the Vat Simuang, the most popular and venerated temple in Vientiane. Visit of market with handmade crafts and sarongs. Overnight in Vientiane Plaza Hotel

El tour comienza con una visita del Museo Nacional en el antiguo Palacio Real, que muestra una hermosa colección de los objetos que reflejan la riqueza de la cultura letón se remonta a los días de los primeros reyes hasta el último soberano, y el Mercado Central de disfrutar de algunas compras.

Day 1 - arrival in Vientiane.
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. An orientation walk of Lao Capital is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture. We will observe sunset by the Mekong riverside and experience the lifestyle of the local people. Overnight in Vientiane (Vientiane Plaza Hotel).

Day 2- Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
After breakfast we will visit the central market known as the ‘Morning Market’ which is a great place for browsing antiques, handmade textiles and gifts. From there, we will visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

We then board our short flight to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City Luang Prabang. On arrival, transfer to hotel. After a short rest, we will climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable view of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient and once royal city and the Mekong River. We then will stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang (Villa Santi Resort).

Day 3 - Luang Prabang and Pak Ou Cave.
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. We enjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We board a cruise boat on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On the way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan before we see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belonged to a royal family patronage nearby Sackarine Caves. Overnight in Luang Prabang (Villa Santi Resort).

Day 4 - Luang Prabang and departure.
Following breakfast, we visit The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. We then visit the silver smith’s and Fine Arts School and the Central Market, which is not to be missed. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

We depart from our office at either 8.30 or 12.30 (depending on your preference) and head to Pick Noi which is only around 30 minutes away. Upon arrival our guide will give you a short safety briefing and introduction to kayaking before heading off down the river. As we continue onwards we reach a small section of light but fun rapids before arriving at the tomb of the 19th century French explorer ‘Henri Mouhot’ who was the first European to discover Luang Prabang! Here we of course take some time to look around this fascinating site before continuing onwards to Ban Had Hien, a small village famous for its iron knife* making. From here, we return to Luang Prabang.
*Please understand that villagers are not making iron knifes every day.

Starts at 10:00am and finishes at approximately 5:00pm (including eating time). We meet up at Tamnaklao restaurant and start approximately 1-hour market tour to find some fresh ingredients. And then we are back to restaurant for morning tea break. And then it’s time for demonstration and cooking of two dishes:
* Luang Prabang Salad – learn how to make the delicious Lao hard-boiled egg mayonnaise
* Feu Khua – sticky rice noodles with chicken and vegetables
These two cuisines will be your lunch and after that it’s demonstration of 3 dishes:
* Chicken Larp – famous Lao cold meat salad
* Kheu Sen Lon – soy vermicelli noodle dish
* Oh Paedak – a moist pork dish which is a great example of delicate Lao flavours

You will have chance to taste the 3 dishes and choose to cook 2 at your work station, following the instructions in the Cook Book and aided by the instructors.
Afternoon tea break it’s the demonstration of 2 more dishes:
* Kheu Muk Kheua Gup Moo – pork with eggplant
* Gheng Phet – eggplant, chicken, coconut milk, beans and basil
You continue tasting these 2 dishes and choose to cook 1 at your work station, following the instructions in the Cook Book and aided by the instructors. Finally there is demonstration only, you are shown how to cook Cowniouw (Lao sticky rice) and Jeowbong (the famous Luang Prabang chilli paste). Eat what has been cooked in the afternoon for your early evening meal.