Tickets en Vientiane

La gira por la ciudad incluye visitas a Wat Sisaket con sus miles de estatuas de Buda en miniatura; Wat Prakeo, el antiguo templo real que ahora sirve como un museo nacional de objetos religiosos; Wat Simuang, el sitio de la ciudad y el pilar de la casa guarda el espíritu de Vientiane, la famosa Pha Luang Que, el más importante monumento nacional en Laos y un símbolo de la religión budista y la soberanía y la Patuxai letón, un gran monumento que recuerda el Arco de Triunfo en París.

Los huéspedes de la gira se reunirán a alguien único e inolvidable con una historia que contar. Su nombre es Carol Cassidy. Ella ha revivido sin ayuda el arte de tejer la seda laosiano. Cassidy, una nativa de Connecticut, se encontro con un arte de morir en un viaje que tuvo a Vientiane como trabajador de las Naciones Unidas en 1989. Las técnicas antiguas fueron desapareciendo rápidamente, laosiano madres ya no pasaron sus conocimientos a sus hijas. Hoy en día, Cassidy se ejecuta con éxito un negocio que emplea a 32 tejedores, y 3000 los agricultores de suministro con la seda de sus árboles de morera. Cada pieza de museo-calidad-apareció de la mano de seda es una obra de arte, cada una única. Los productos terminados se venden a los diseñadores de Nueva York, a Londres, los coleccionistas de arte, danés a la realeza y de Hollywood a la A-lista. Proceder a la central de mercado en el que todo tipo de artesanía local se puede encontrar, como plata y oro de cerámica, tallas de madera, algodón y productos de seda.

El tour comienza con una visita a la presa de Nam Ngum, donde un enorme y hermoso lago artificial se ha creado, después de represar el río Nam Ngum que inundó cerca de 250 km2 de bosque.
El lago está salpicado de pintorescas islas pequeñas y vale la pena explorar en crucero, la organización de las aldeas de pescadores en diferentes islas.

La siguiente parada es en el mercado Hmong, un pequeño santuario Mon-Khmer de lo siglos X-XII en Vang Xang y una aldea hmong. Después del almuerzo en un restaurante local, los huéspedes tendrán una hora en barco de cola larga a Dansavanh Resort, un lugar ideal para escapar del calor de la ciudad.

En ruta, visitaremos algunos hermosos islotes y tomaremos un paseo para explorar el estilo de vida de los pescadores. Visitamos Ban Keun y Ban Bo, una planta de extracción de la sal tradicional, en nuestro camino de regreso a Vientiane en la tarde.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the morning time, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane, to visit religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo from the early time of Lane Xang Kingdom until 18th century, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha, That Luang serves as the main and symbolic stupa in Laos. It's also our national symbol and recognizable throughout the world, gathering place for national Buddhism ceremony. It's also the biggest stupa in Laos; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane. We make a lunch stop at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we continue the sightseeing tour to Carol Cassidy, a Gallery weaving Lao textiles and natural dye making process from A-Z; Buddha Park on the Mekong of which Buddha statues in modern style shapes. One of them is the largest Reclining Buddha in Laos. They were built by a Lao man in order to teach following generations about religions worldwide after his study in India. A larger park was built in Nong Khai, Thailand and his body has been kept there. We return to Vientiane in the late afternoon.

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.

In the morning time, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane, to visit religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo from the early time of Lane Xang Kingdom until 18th century, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha, That Luang serves as the main and symbolic stupa in Laos. It's also our national symbol and recognisable throughout the world, gathering place for national Buddhism ceremony. It's also the biggest stupa in Laos; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane. Lunch is served in a local restaurant.

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.

This 1 day excursion offers hicking from waterfall to waterfall where you can swim and relax! The National Protected Area of Phou Khao Khouay is the nearest National Park to Vientiane. Besides some great scenery and beautiful waterfalls, the NPA offers trails through dry evergreen and mixed deciduous forests.

We will be transferred from Vientiane to Ban Hatkhai, where a long-tail boat takes us up stream on the Nam Mang, before continuing along one of its tributaries, Houay Xai. A 2 hours trek passes through an evergreen canopy as we gain height. A picnic lunch is served on the way.

The magnificent pair of waterfalls Tad Xay and Pha Xay, particularly beautiful during and after the rainy season are reached in the afternoon. You have some free time at Tad Xay which has a pool recommended for bathing. We return to Vientiane from Ban Hatkhai, tour ends.

This morning our guide and driver will collect you from your hotel. Our first stop is the fascinating Wat Sisaket national museum, the oldest and most unique temple in Vientiane. Our guide will explain the history of the temple before leaving some time for you to browse the 7000 or so Buddha images housed here.
After this we take the short walk to Haw Phra Kaeo. Originally built in 1565 to house the revered Emerald Buddha it was destroyed by the Thais when they sacked the city. It now contains some excuisite assortment of Lao and Khmer art. We then head to That Luang stupa, the most important religious site in the country said to contain some bones of the Buddha himself.
On the way to our next site we stop at COPE www.copelaos.org this fantastic NGO is the only organization in Laos helping the victims of UXO. We finish our morning sightseeing with a climb up to the top of Patouxai – Vientiane’s own Arc De Triomph for some great views of the city.
Then we continue to Vientiane’s vibrant market where you will have some free time to browse and get some lunch at the food hall. We then take you to the interesting National Musuem before we drive outside of the city to visit the bizarre world of Xieng Khuan otherwise known as the Buddha Park. The park was created in the 1950’s by an eccentric priest called Luang Pu who combined his own unique views of Buddhism and Hinduism to create some large weird and wonderful sculptures forming a religious theme park. We then return to the city late afternoon with a stop at Wat Chom Phet, a peaceful and historically important temple just outside the city.

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.