Contempla centenares de figuras de Buda en las Cuevas de Pak Ou y visita Bang Xang Hai, conocida popularmente como la aldea del whisky.
Destacamos
- Travesía por el Mekong en una barcaza tradicional
- Explora las espectaculares Cuevas de Pak Ou
- Parada en Ban Xang Hai, un pintoresco pueblo dedicado a la producción de whisky
Disfruta de un corto paseo hasta el muelle, donde subirás a bordo de una embarcación típica que te llevará de viaje por el increíble Mekong, uno de los ríos más largos del mundo. Admira el idílico paisaje de la ribera y aprecia el estilo de vida de los lugareños mientras navegas en dirección a las Cuevas de Pak Ou, situadas entre los acantilados de piedra caliza donde confluyen el Mekong y el Nam Ou.
Las Cuevas de Pak Ou están divididas en dos partes (Tham Ting y Tham Theung) que esconden tesoros en su interior: ambas están repletas de esculturas de Buda en miniatura que se han ido depositando durante siglos, lo que las ha convertido en un lugar de peregrinación, especialmente durante el Año Nuevo Laosiano, cuando las cuevas se llenan de cientos de peregrinos que lavan ceremonialmente las estatuas de Buda. Tómate tu tiempo para explorar las cuevas superiores e inferiores antes de degustar un delicioso almuerzo laosiano en un restaurante de la zona.
A poca distancia de las Cuevas de Pak Ou se encuentra Ban Xang Hai, una pequeña aldea que durante muchos años se ha dedicado a la producción de tinajas de barro para fermentar el vino de Laos. En la actualidad, se mantiene la tradición pero el pueblo también se ha especializado en la elaboración de whisky y vino. Aprovecha la ocasión para catar estas dos bebidas antes de regresar a Luang Prabang por la tarde.
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.
We begin cycling out of the city of downtown Vientiane. After a short while city quickly turns into countryside and we continue onwards cycling along the Mekong River where you can enjoy the beautiful views across the river and into neighboring Thailand. After a few KM it is time to turn off and head towards Ban Tong pong village. From the village we continue along the canal which takes its source from the nearby Mekong River and is used to irrigate nearby rice paddy fields. As we carry on cycling despite the relative close proximity to the bustling city you will certainly feel like you are a million miles away! Enjoy the peace and serenity as you watch the local people going about their everyday tasks.
Carrying onwards we head through some dirt tracks which take us through rice fields and forest, the trail can get a little muddy and sandy along the way but really takes us away from everything and will immerse us in nature. Along the way we may see the local people tending to their rice paddy fields depending on the time of the year, the trail leads us back to a tarmac road, we head along the road for a while until arriving at Tad Moun waterfall which is a popular spot for the local people from Vientiane, the waterfall itself can actually completely dry up during the dry season however it is still worth a visit to see the different rock formations, at the waterfall we take some time for a quick break and enjoy a cold drink.
From the waterfall we cycle along the main road which is freshly paved and very smooth yet relatively quiet in terms of traffic, we shall begin with a slight ascend which from there the remainder of the cycling takes us on a steady downhill until arriving in the village of Ban Mai which sits on the banks of the Mekong, it is here that we make the transition from land to water as we kayak down the Mekong River back to Vientiane. However before we hit the water it is time to enjoy lunch alongside the river, you will take a lunch of delicious sandwiches, crisps and fruit all washed down with a cold drink whilst your guide gets all the kayaks ready. After your lunch and taking some time to relax you will don your lifejackets and board your kayaks for the journey downstream back to Vientiane.
Along the way you will enjoy the scenery on both sides of the river as you head along the border between Laos and Thailand, of course staying on the Lao side during the entirety…The Mekong River is home to several river islands (‘Don’ in Lao) along the way we visit one of the largest ‘Don Xing Xou’ which is used as for farming taking advantage of the year round fertility, it is also home to a beautiful beach at the far end! We carry onwards kayaking down the Mekong until arriving back in Vientiane, the trip ends just outside the city centre next to a riverside bar, the perfect way to end the day by enjoying an ice cool beer next to the river. From here you will be picked up by a truck and driven back to your hotel in afternoon.
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.
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Ban Long Lao (a Hmong village) south of Luang Prabang, passing banana and pineapple plantations en route. We will also visit a ‘Khamu village’ on the way. Arrive at the “Hmong village” of Ban Lang Lao where we commence trekking/hiking.
Three hours of trekking brings you to the crystal clear water of just one of the springs that feeds Tad Kuang Si: a beautiful series of falls and pools. After descending on paths from the top of the waterfall we will have a picnic lunchserved in a verdant setting. After lunch you will have spare or free time for swimming or bathing and/or relaxing by the many turquoise pools. We also recommend a visit to the Bear Rescue Center near the entrance gate close to the parking lot. There is a small walking path that leads down to the center from the right side of the road opposite the entrance pay booth. Visit and walk around the handicraft shops in the parking lot and visit the Hmong village of Ban Na Ouane before transferring back to Luang Prabang .
We meet at Full Moon Cafe at 10:00am to begin our experience. Travel to the garden on the Mekong River, and begin preparations for lunch. Lao Cooking is light, fragrant and intriguing and you can customize each dish to your own taste. It’s the good way to learn about Lao culture and eating etiquette. You will use traditional Lao cooking implements to create a variety of dishes such as Mok Pa (Mekong River fish in banana leaf), Jeow (Lao dipping sauce ingredients), Tam mak hoong (Papaya Salad), and learn the secrets of making Laos dishes.
La visita de la ciudad comienza con una visita a Visoun Wat, el templo de Wat AHAM y Wat Mai y luego a la cima de la colina Phousi para explorar lo sagrado, estupa dorada, donde esta extenuante subida será recompensada con una vista hermosa puesta de sol sobre la ciudad y el río Mekong.
A continuación, los huéspedes exploran el Bazar de la calle de noche donde se puede encontrar una amplia variedad de téxtiles hechos a mano por las tribus de las colinas y de los alrededores. Subir la colina empinada no es adecuado para las personas mayores o enfermos. Buenos zapatos para caminar se recomienda encarecidamente.
En este recorrido los participantes disfrutarán de un recorrido de 3 horas en coche de la carretera nacional N º 13 norte a través de bellos paisajes y cordillera. En el camino de la visita de las aldeas de pescadores de Ban Mo, Hine Heum y otras minorías étnicas de los pueblos letón Telar. Luego visita la ciudad de Vang Vieng, donde visitaremos la cueva de Jang, un local tradicional de plantación y la minoría Lao Lum pueblo de Ban Pha Tang. Los huéspedes disfrutarán de un paseo en barco por el río Nam Song seguida por una vuelta a Vientiane. En el camino, Tey se detendrá en la aldea hmong y el mercado de productos frescos locales donde la gente de trueque de sus productos agrícolas. Habrá un almuerzo en un restaurante local.
We depart from Luang Prabang and head towards Ban Phanom village which is famous for its weaving. After taking some time to look around we continue onwards along the banks of the river Khan before arriving at the amazing Henri Mohot Tomb. Here we spend a while looking around before continuing onwards to Ban Picknoi village which is home to people of the ‘Youane ethnic minority’.
After this it is time to cross the Nam Khan River via fishing boat, and head onwards to Ban Pickyai village which is home to both Youane & Leu ethnic minorities. The river cruise along the way passes through several rural villages, rice fields and some spectacular scenery before arriving at the village. As we carry onwards we pass through more ethic villages including, Ban Kokvan a village of Khmu ethnic minority and Ban Bohae a Hmong village. Here we stop for a while to enjoy a picnic lunch and take some time to relax. After lunch we head off via bicycle again on our way back to Luang Prabang. This is a journey of around two and a half hours along a paved road, during the trip back to Luang Prabang we stop for a short while at Ban Xang Khong which is famous for its handmade ‘Sa’ paper.