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Detailed Itinerary
Day1: Arriving into theFrench Colonial City of Vientiane, we start our photo tour shooting street scenes, structures and temples including the Victory Gate, which was inspired the Arc De Triumph in Paris; Wat Sisaket is the oldest and most atmospheric of the city temples.; Wat Phra Khao That Luang, the icon of Laos, is a large stupa rebuilt in the 20th C to an older design. We will finish the day at the newly rebuilt waterfront plaza where we can see the Mekong River at sunset.
Day 2: Drive north in 3 ½ hours to the Nam Ngum Lake. This reservoir was the result
of a hydro power plant built in the 1970s. We take a boat for a 3 hour excursion
between islands. There is a bathing place on a beach, formerly the top of a hill.
A visit to an isolated island village is the highlight of the day. The families have
lived here for 30 years after their valley was flooded. They make a living by fishing
and farming.
Day 3: We have fabulous view of sunrise over the Lake from the hotel
terraces. After breakfast we take 4 hour drive to Vang Vieng. Following lunch at
our hotel, we take a short drive to the Chang Cave. It is the most accessible of
all the caves here with a long flight of steps to the entrance and a large chamber
with lighting. Towards the end of the day we take a short level walk across a temporary
bridge to the east of the town. We walk through the rice paddies with an incredible
backdrop of vertical cliffs. We walk back along the road across a suspension bridge
for a river view of sunset.
Day4: We have an early start for the 6 hours drive through spectacular scenery to Luang Prabang. We will make a couple of photo stops to view the sensational mountains and stop at the village market of Phou Khoun. We arrive in the late afternoon, check in to our hotel and walk around the World heritage town with its attractive colonial houses and Mekong Waterfront.
Day5: Our Luang Prabang City tour starts with a walk up Phusi That Chomsi. This is a historic hill temple with stunning views of Luang Prabang Old Town, Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. We visit a selection of the most atmospheric temples to include Wat Xeng Thong and Wat Mai, they both have great atmosphere and a marvelous set of Buddha figures. Wat Xeng Thong has a huge five headed serpent chariot used for ceremonial purposes and temple buildings decorated with coloured glass.
We take an afternoon boat cruise along the Mekong River with grand mountain views,
to the Paku Caves which are under a vertical cliff face. They contain hundreds of
Buddha images which were originally hidden there during times of war. We return
to Luang Prabang via a small village which gets few tourists.
Day 6: We get up early to see the daily ritual of alms giving to hundreds of orange robed monks. We have a free morning to walk around to photograph the ancient historic town and the atmospheric Morning Market.
After Lunch we take a drive to the magnificent Kuang See Waterfalls. They are formed by calcite with many blue pools and an impressive waterfall at the head of the valley. We drive back stopping to see terraced rice fields with a backdrop of blue mountains.
In the evening we take another walk into Luang Prabang to have a look at the night markets and have our farewell meal in the historic old town.
Day 7: Following breakfast, check-
Vientiane:
This small French colonial city has Buddhist temples, a Mekong river waterfront
and the famous That Luang Stupa.
Nam Ngum Lake is a reservoir created in the 1970s it is fast becoming a tourist attraction with a few hotels on its banks and boat cruises out on the lake.
Vang Vieng:
Spectacular scenery and a haven for many outdoor activities and water
sports. It has an increasing number of resort style hotels along the Nam Song River.
Luang Prabang:
UNESCO World Heritage Town -
Highlights of this tour:
TOUR CODE
VLP08
Temples, Lakes and Mountains of Laos 8 Days 7 Nights Overland : Vientiane -
Photo Tour led by Dave Perkes