Day 01: Vientiane Arrival
When you arrive, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your luxury hotel in the center of the city for check-in. After getting settled-in and taking a short rest, there will be a short orientation tour of the city. Vientiane is developing, but still retains a laid-back feeling to it. You can look around the city, see the variety of architectural styles, and then watch the sun set over the Mekong River. In the evening there will be a welcome dinner at a deluxe restaurant.
Overnight is in Vientiane hotel.

Dinner included.

Day 02: Vientiane City Tour - Phonsavan (Domestic Flight)
After breakfast in the hotel, we go to Talat Sao (Morning Market), Vientiane's main market where you can shop for a variety of Lao handicrafts and souvenirs, including hand-woven textiles, silks, silver & gold jewelry, carvings, and rattan products. Then we have a tour of the city, including the Patuxay Monument, or Victory Gate and the beautiful and revered That Luang Stupa. Then you get ready to go to the airport for the short flight to Phonsavan. When you arrive, you are transferred to your hotel for check-in. Then we head to the incredible Plain of Jars. You explore the three main archaeological sites where hundreds of the large stone jars lay scattered on the open grassy plateau. The origin and the purpose of these jars is still debated. We also visit the old capital of Xieng Khouang Provence (now Moung Khoun) which was almost completely destroyed by bombing during the Vietnam War.
Overnight is in Phonsavanh hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 03: Phonsavan - Luang Prabang
Today we take an early morning walk the morning market where ethnic hill tribe people in traditional dress come from the surrounding area to sell unusual animals, and local herbs from the forest. After breakfast, we visit a hill tribe village with an interesting culture and a colourful history, and then on to a village devastated by the bombing of the Vietnam War. Then we start on a long six or seven hour drive to Luang Prabang. On the way, we stop to visit Tham Pha Cave where hundreds of small Buddha statues were taken to protect them from Chinese Haw invasions 200 years ago. We also see several Hmong and other ethnic villages along the way. There will be plenty of opportunities for photographs at these villages. We continue our uphill drive, climbing higher into the mountains, and we enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the forests. We stop for a break at Sala Phoukhoun, at the junction of the main road to Luang Prabang and then continue our journey through the mountains to Luang Prabang.
Overnight is in Luang Prabang hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 04: Luang Prabang Tour - Mount Phousi
After breakfast, we take a tour of Luang Prabang. First, we visit the National Museum that was once the royal palace. Here you learn about the history of Laos, and Lao leaders and fighters from ancient times to the recent revolutionary period. Next we visit the city's oldest temple, Wat Visoun, and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong Temple, typical of the architectural style of Luang Prabang temples. After lunch, we drive to the village of Ban Xanghai, famous for producing the traditional Lao alcoholic drink made from rice. You see the distillation process, and even sample the product. Then we climb the steps to the top of Mount Phousi where there is a stupa, and see a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area. That night we explore Night Market Street, where you can find bargains on local handicrafts.
Overnight is in Luang Prabang hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 05: Luang Prabang - Khuang Si Waterfall
If you get up early enough, you can see the daily morning procession of monks along Sisavangvong Road with residents lining the road waiting to make offerings of food. After breakfast, we take a short drive to the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong and see the weavers creating intricate patterns on their looms. We also visit Ban Xiang Lek Village where & lsquo; sa' paper is made, and make brief stops at two more ethnic minority villages, Ban Na Oune, a Hmong village and Ban Tha Pane, a Khmu village. We then continue to the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfall in the green forest of a National Biodiversity Conservation Area. You can swim in the cool and clear pools, and walk around and enjoy the forest scenery. We return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon, and visit Wat Siphouthabath where the footprints of Buddha can be seen.
Overnight is in Luang Prabang hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 06: Luang Prabang - Pakbeng (Cruise)
Breakfast in the hotel, then the boat to Pakbeng leaves Luang Prabang pier for a cruise up the Mekong River. The cruise upstream provides beautiful views of the countryside. Along the way, we stop at Pak-Ou village at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers for a visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Cave with a thousand Buddha statues. Then back on board, you enjoy a buffet lunch while watching rural life along the Mekong River glide by. There will also be stops to visit riverside ethnic villages. Arrival in Pakbeng is before sunset, and you check in to the Luang Say Lodge. Dinner is served on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River.
Overnight is in Pakbeng Lodge.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 07: Pakbeng - Houai Xai (Cruise)
After a delicious breakfast at the resort, we take a walk around Pakbeng, and visit the local market where people from surrounding ethnic villages come to exchange their goods. Then we board the cruise boat to continue the cruise up the Mekong River. En route there will be stops at villages to see how the people live along the river. A buffet lunch will be served on board, and you can relax for the rest of the cruise and enjoy the bucolic views until we reach our final destination of Houai Xai. When we arrive in Houai Xai, you can cross the river to Chiang Khong on the Thailand side, or you can stay overnight in Houai Xai.

Breakfast and lunch included.

This is a suggested premium itinerary. At WaytoVietnam Travel we specialize in custom tours designed to fit your needs and requirements. Please let us know the type of individual, customized tour you would like, and we can arrange it for you.