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| Hotline: +84 936237786 | Email: nhan@vietourtravels.com |
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Follow the natural contours of Laos from north to south with this extensive eight-day tour. From the northern hills and gleaming temples of Luang Prabang, visitors can explore the diverse local cultures and dramatic landscapes that have shaped this mesmerizing country. Moving south, guests can savour the charming capital Vientiane, with its exquisite Buddhist temples and ornate architecture, before continuing further down the Mekong River to the southern towns of Pakse and Champasak. The tour ends at the incredible ‘Sipandon’, where the Mekong fans out to create a land of 4,000 islands. Highlights:► Connect with local culture in Luang Prabang Join locals in serene Buddhist ceremonies, visit countryside villages and explore religious landmarks in the cultural capital of Luang Prabang. ► Discover hidden charms of the capital Look beyond the modern buildings and busy streets of Vientiane to discover the charms of this spiritual and historic city. ► Explore the tranquil south of Laos Step back in time with a visit to southern Laos, a land deeply rooted in tradition and blessed with pristine natural landscapes.
DAY 1 - LUANG PRABANG – ARRIVAL
► Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang (4 km): 15 min
Upon arrival to Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in. After checking in, enjoy free time at leisure at the hotel or exploring the town independently.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 2 - LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES (B, L)
► Luang Prabang – Pak Ou caves by boat: 2 hours
After breakfast, start the city tour at Wat Xieng Thong, the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang. Afterwards, board a private longtail boat for the Mekong River cruise to the famous Pak Ou Caves. Locally called Tam Ting, the caves are filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues, coming in a wide range of sizes.
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Wat Xieng Thong - Luang Prabang, Laos
During the boat ride, take note of the fishermen and villagers going about their daily life on the river. For many, the Mekong plays an integral role in daily life and represents one of the only means of transportation and commerce.
After visiting the caves, cruise back to Luang Prabang. If time permits, stop at Ban Xang Hay, a village specialising in making rice wine. Once back in Luang Prabang, enjoy lunch at one of the town’s most celebrated restaurants: Tamarind (Closed on Sundays).
Begin an afternoon tour exploring the enchanting World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang. The tour starts at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, and continues on to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. Next is Wat Sensoukarahm, built in 1718 boasting a dazzling golden façade.
Continue to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre. This museum is dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities, displaying traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts (Note: closed on Monday).
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 3 - LUANG PRABANG – ALMS GIVING & KUANG SI WATERFALLS (B, L)
► Luang Prabang – Kuang Si (32 km): 1 hour
For early-risers (05:30) there is a very special dawn visit to witness the monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Lao people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, followed by Wat Aham and Wat That, where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa.
Continue then with a drive through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings or explore the surrounding dense jungle on foot. For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where beautiful views await.
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Kuang Si waterfalls - Luang Prabang, Laos
These waterfalls cascade down a multilevel limestone formation creating a series of turquoise blue pools perfect for swimming on a hot day (if swimming, please dress modestly).
Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls.
On the route back, make an optional visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary, housing 23 Asiatic Bears which were rescued from poaching. Additionally, make a stop at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park where beautiful gardens are filled with hundreds of butterflies.
Make it back to the city in time to climb the 328 steps of Mount Phousi. At the summit, enjoy a beautiful sunset and panoramic views of the city below. After descending, there is a chance to explore the nearby evening hill tribe market before returning to the hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
DAY 4 - LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE – BUDDHA PARK (B)
► Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang (4 km): 15 min Vientiane – Vientiane Airport (4 km): 15 min
After breakfast, transport will be provided to the airport for the flight to the capital.
Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport out of town for the morning tour, starting at Buddha Park. The drive takes around 45 minutes, along a road which serves as an important link between the Lao capital and Thailand.
Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around the park. Also known as Xieng Khuang, 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 Lao shaman.
After visiting Buddha Park, start the drive back to Vientiane. En route, stop at the Lao Disabled Women Development Center. This center aims to bring knowledge and skills to disabled women so that they can become self-sufficient, confident members of the community. Speak with the women working here and observe their skills at creating handicrafts such as handmade paper.
Return to the city around lunch time and check in to the hotel (the room may not be ready until 14:00).
The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Vientiane. We recommend ending the day along the riverside promenade sampling snacks, picking up some unique souvenirs or just soaking in the local scene.
Overnight in Vientiane.
DAY 5 - VIENTIANE – FULL DAY CITY TOUR (B, L)
► Spend a day exploring the charming capital city of Vientiane.
The guide will provide a pickup around 09:00, heading first to the serene Wat Sisaket, one of the most beautiful temples in the capital. Continue to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, a religious museum displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Nearby is the Presidential Palace - a reflection of the colonial past of Vientiane.
Next make a visit to Wat Simuang, the most popular and venerated temple in Vientiane, considered as the guardian of the spirit of the city. Just nearby is the ‘Black Stupa’ of That Dam, a structure was once covered with a layer of gold which was stolen by the Thais during their invasion in 1828. From here, travel on to nearby Pangkham Street and Nam Phou Fountain where tradition and modernity coexist.
Enjoy a delicious lao-style lunch at Lao Kitchen.
After lunch visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.
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That Luang temple - Vientiena, Laos
Continue onwards to the holiest site in Laos, the 16th century temple of That Luang. Next is a visit to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where it is possible to climb to the peak offering panoramic views of the city.
Overnight in Vientiane.
DAY 6 - VIENTIANE – PAKSE – WAT PHOU – CHAMPASAK (B, L)
► Vientiane – Vientiane Airport (4 km): 15 min Pakse Airport – Pakse (3 km): 10 min Pakse – Wat Phou (30 km): 1 hour
After breakfast, transport will be provided to the airport for the flight to Pakse.
Upon arrival, the guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to Pakse for lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch, drive 1 hour to Wat Phou. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos.
The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level is focused on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary. The temple served as the most important economic and political center of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.
Transfer to the nearby hotel in Champasak and check in before enjoying a beautiful sunset on the Mekong River.
Overnight in Champasak.
DAY 7 - CHAMPASAK – 4000 ISLANDS (B, L)
► Champasak – Ban Nakasan: 2 hours
Depart at 08:00 for a full day exploring the area known locally as Siphandon (‘4000 Islands’). In this beautiful area, the Mekong River reaches 14 kilometers wide and houses thousands of small islands.
Travel first by car (about 2 hours) to the village of Ban Nakasang. From here, take a local boat to the peaceful island of Done Khone, home to small villages and plantations. It’s recommended to explore the area either by bicycle or tuk tuk.
Biking to Don Khone - the peaceful island of Laos
Begin the experience with a short boat trip, which provides the unique opportunity to spot the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin. Next, pay a visit to the impressive Lippi falls, on the west of Don Khone very close to the Cambodian border.
Afterwards, experience the remnants of French colonial rule with a visit to the existing railway and bridge built to span the islands’ waterfalls. While exploring the area, take note of the laid back atmosphere and local way of living that has changed very little over the years.
Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.
Return to the mainland by boat and then return to the hotel by car, arriving back in time for sunset.
Overnight in Champasak
DAY 8 - CHAMPASAK – PAKSE DEPARTURE (B)
► Champasak – Pakse Airport (35 km): 1 hour
After breakfast, transport will be provided back to Pakse.
INCLUSIONS:
º Hotel accommodation in shared twin/double room with daily breakfast.
º Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
º Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles.
º English speaking local guide (for other languages supplements apply)
º All entrance fees as indicated in itinerary.
º Travel insurance
EXCLUSIONS:
º International and domestic flights (quoted separately).
º Meals other than mentioned above.
º Camera/video entrance fees.
º Personal expenses
º Tips, visa
º Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
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In these Terms & Conditions, The word “Company” refers to Vietour Travel. “Customer” means you and the Customer ‘s means your, the person who agrees to buy the tour and/or any person on whose behalf you agree to purchase the package tours, day trips, flights, car rental and other travel services provided by Vietour Travel.
1/ Prices
All rates shown on the website for tours, flights, train tickets, hotels and car rental are quoted in US dollars. Our team updates the rates according to the season and subject to availability. There will be special promotions during certain months of the year. Our sale consultants will advise The Customer of these promotions (if any) at the time of your request.
2/ Booking services with Vietour Travel
Bookings can be made to our office by email: hcns@vietourtravels.com or by call +84 98 373 0882. We will reply to your enquiry within 12hours. The booking will be processed as soon as we have received The Customer‘s confirmation and payment deposit as per instructions.
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We require a payment deposit of 25% for package tours, day trips, cruises, car rental and other travel services to secure your booking.
Notes: We require full payment for all flights, train tickets, invitation letters (for visa approval at the airport) and hotel reservations in order to issue pre-paid vouchers for your services.
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Notes: In the meantime, we also accept payment by Western Union, Credit Card Authorization or through our Paypal account. Our clients will be informed of the most convenient payment method by our sales consultants to save time and money.
5/ Vouchers
Vietour Travel will issue the official vouchers and invoices to you as soon as the booked trip is confirmed and payment is completed. A service voucher will be sent by email / fax or regular mail depending on your wishes.
6/ Refund of Unused Services
No refunds or exchanges can be made in respect of accommodation, meals, sightseeing tours, transport or any other services which are included in the Tour price but not utilized by the Tour member.
7/ Changes made by The Customer
In case The Customer has to change the confirmed itinerary for certain reasons, we are happy to assist subject to the following fees and conditions:
♦ Domestic airfare: Minimum US$20/person plus the airlines fee.
♦ International airfare: Minimum US$30/person plus the airlines fee
♦ Domestic land arrangement: Minimum 40/person plus the supplier’s fee.
♦ International land arrangement: Minimum US$40/person plus supplier’s fee.
Where travel documents and tickets have been issued, your changes can be only made subject to the availability of the airlines and the supplier’s conditions at that time. Kindly be advised that you may not be allowed to change the outbound date of departure on most discounted airfares. Please note, most discounted domestic airfares and air reservations for groups do not allow changes to be made to the date of departure for any pre-booked flights. Accommodation and cruises cannot be changed and revised within 2 working days prior to departure.
8/ Changes made by the Suppliers/Vietour Travel
Regrettably, amendments may sometimes be necessary and errors occasionally happen. We reserve the right to make changes or correct errors at any time both before and after our confirmation. Flight timings, aircraft types and routings, train schedules and cruises are subject to change for operational and technical reasons. If changes need to be made to your itinerary, we will inform you as soon as it is reasonably possible.
9/ Cancellation made by The Customer
For certain reasons, if The Customer has to cancel his booked tour/travel services with Vietour Travel, we will obviously be sorry not to be able to serve you and will accept the cancellation subject to the cancellation fees and conditions as listed below:
♦ More than 45 days prior to your departure day: No charge
♦ Between 30 and 44 days prior: deposit is forfeited
♦ Between 11 and 20 days prior: 30% of the tour price is charged
♦ Between 6 and 10 days prior: 50% of the tour price is charged
♦ 5 days prior: 100% of tour price is charged
10/ Force Majeure
If as a consequence of “Force Majeure” (as defined below), Vietour Travel is obliged to curtail, alter, extend or cancel the Tour, you shall not be at liberty to maintain a claim for compensation or otherwise for any loss arising as a consequence of said curtailment, alteration, extension or cancellation of the Tour.
“Force Majeur” means Acts of God, natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, fire or other destruction of any vessel, craft or vehicle to be used in connection with a holiday, destruction or damage to holiday accommodation, riots, acts of war, civil commotion, exercise of legislative or government action, municipal or military or other authority, strikes, industrial action, requisition of equipment, mechanical breakdown, shortage of fuel, insolvency or default of any carrier or service connected with the Tour, fraud perpetrated against Vietour Travel.
11/ Travel Documentations
All Customers must be in possession of a valid passport and necessary visas or permits at the commencement of travel. All such documentations are the sole responsibility of the client. Your travel advisor may assist you in applying for the necessary travel documentation upon request Vietour Travel accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the failure of clients to obtain appropriate documentation.
12/ Insurance
Since our package tours, day trips and other travel services DO NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL INSURANCE you are required to obtain your own full travel insurance. It is your responsibility to read your insurance policy before you travel and ensure that the insurance scheme provides you with the requisite level of cover.
13/ Luggage Allowance
In accordance with the regulations of Vietnam Airlines, the free baggage allowance within Vietnam is 20 kg for economy class and 40 kg for business class, plus limited carry-on luggage. Excess baggage charges are the sole responsibility of the client. Regulations within Vietnam specify that all suitcases must have a locking device attached. Failure to follow this regulation may result in refusal by airport staff to load suitcases onto the aircraft.
14/ Liability
Vietour Travel is not responsible for any loss, injury or damage sustained by Customers. Additional expenses incurred due to delays, accidents, natural disaster, political actions and unrest must be borne by Customers.
15/ Complaints
If you have a problem during your trip, it is a legal requirement that you bring it to the attention of the relevant suppliers (e.g. hotelier or airline) as soon as possible. We hope that any complaint which you may have can be handled amicably and efficiently. Our Operations staff are empowered to deal with complaints on the spot. However, where a complaint is not dealt with to the Customers’ satisfaction, Vietour Travel management can be reached at any time. You can contact our General Director by email at hcns@vietourtravels.com or on our Customer Hotline: +84 983 730 882 (24/7) for a quick response.
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