Compare The Hidden Heart of Laos by Audley Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 17 days |
| Price From | $ 5,021 |
| Price Per Day | $ 295 |
| Highlights |
N/A
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
| Description |
Laos is one of the few destinations where, in some areas, visitors are yet to deviate from a few well-trodden sights. It’s Indochina’s final frontier, and our specialists have trekked through jungles, scouted out caves and journeyed up rivers to get to know it more intimately. They can help you plan your holiday to Laos to follow in their wake.
Only now emerging after years of isolation, Laos is a country of steep, jungle-robed valleys inhabited by resilient communities who live at a refreshingly unhurried pace. The former royal stronghold, Luang Prabang, is a mosaic of golden wats and Indochinese villas, its streets often filled with silent processions of monks. In the diminutive capital, Vientiane, you’ll find faded French-colonial mansions and coffee shops. The rest of the country is predominately one blanket of green, carved with slow-flowing tributaries of the Mekong. As you explore, you’ll happen upon little-visited hill tribes, backwater towns and Cham temples that predate Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. |
Day 1 : International outbound flight
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Luang Prabang.
Day 2 : Luang Prabang
Arriving into Luang Prabang you will be met and taken to your hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 3 : Luang Prabang
A chance to take part in a spiritual ritual that has been a part of Luang Prabang's heritage since time immemorial - alms giving to the local community of monks at dawn. You then return to your hotel for breakfast before spending the day with your own private guide exploring the delights of Luang Prabang using electronic bicycles. In the afternoon you will take a trip to the scenic waterfalls at Kuang Si.
Day 4 : Luang Prabang
Spend the day exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site at your own leisure, soaking up the atmosphere of this most charming of towns.
Day 5 : Phonsavan
Transfer by road through the mountains to Phonsavan, home to the mysterious Plains of Jars. The road travels through some of the most impressive scenery in Southeast Asia.
Day 6 : Phonsavan
Visit the three sites of the strange giant stone jars and the ancient capital at Muang Kham. You may wish to try the hot springs while you are here.
Day 7 : Vang Vieng
Head on south to Vang Vieng, one of the most picturesque areas in the country.
Day 8 : Vang Vieng
Full day at leisure to explore this beautiful area.
Day 9 : Vientiane
Transfer from Vang Vieng with your guide and driver to Vientiane, the Laos capital.
Day 10 : Vientiane
A morning tour of Vientiane and the rest of the day free - we highly recommend the herbal sauna and massage in the grounds of a monastery on the edge of town, or just relaxing at your lovely hotel.
Day 11 : Hin Boun
Today you will head south with your guide and driver, to the beautiful Hin Boun National Park.
Day 12 : Thakek
This morning you will visit Kong Lor Cave, before heading on to Thakek, an attractive town with some interesting buildings and a good spot to break your journey south.
Day 13 : Thakek
Spend the day exploring the area with your guide, heading out to Buddha Cave. Evening in Thakek.
Day 14 : Champasak
Venturing further into the heart of Laos today you head south to the 4,000 Islands region, with three nights to explore the area.
Day 15 : Champasak
Spend a day on the water with your guide exploring this beautiful region.
Day 16 : Champasak
Head to the magnificent Wat Phou temple complex today, exploring these impressive ruins that pre-date Angkor Wat.
Day 17 : International return flight
A final morning to relax before a transfer to the airport. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
