Laos and North Vietnam Explorer - Departure on Friday

Jour 1: Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang (Lunch)
Transfer to the hotel. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Visit Luang Prabang, the ancient royal capital located in a valley on the middle course of the Mekong and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The numerous temples give the town a sense of mysticism and spirituality that is felt by every visitor. We visit Wat Visoun, Wat Sené and Wat Xieng Thong. In the late afternoon, we climb to Wat Chom Si, at the top of the Phu Si hill, to wait for the sunset and enjoy the beautiful view. Return to the hotel.

Jour 2: Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang (Breakfast, Lunch)
Early departure by boat to visit the caves of Pak Ou, located about one hour upriver. The first stop is in a village where, among various interesting traditional activities, the lao-lao (national liquor) is distilled. We continue upriver until we reach the famous caves of Pak Ou. The caves are high in a vertical cliff and a long wooden stairway leads to the entrance. The inside is filled with thousands of Buddha images, from various times, offered by the people. Lunch in a typical restaurant. On the way back we moor on the right bank of the Mekong, in front of Luang Prabang, for a short walk to the village of Ban Xangkong Sa, famous for its paper processing workshops and its ancient temples. Return to Luang Prabang to visit the handicrafts market that opens on the main street in front of the gates of the ancient Royal Palace in the evening. Return to the hotel.

Jour 3: Hanoi

Luang Prabang - Vientiane - Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch)
Half-day visit ‘Alms & National Museum’ For those who are interested is possible to wake up before and go to admire the famous monk, Alms- every morning ‘since always’ 200 monks together with their chief Khamjan, walk around the city and receive the alms from the worships. Back to the hotel for breakfast. Visit of National Museum built in 1904 to be the Royal Palace, which nowadays shows a rich collection of items of all kinds belonging to the Royal Family, especially il Phra Bang, a Statue in gold, tall 83 centimeters that follows the tradition of the symbol of Lane Xang reign since XIII century. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Vientiane.
Half-day visit to the temple- Visit the main temple: Patuxai, "Victory Gate" the gigantic Arch which commemorates the independence, called Anusawaree by the locals. Proceed then with the visit to the most sacred place of all Laos, The Luang huge stupa, which is said to contain the reliquary of Buddha, the tradition believes that has been taken in Laos during the III century before Christ. In the heart of the city, there is the ancient Vat Si Sa Ket which contains more than two thousand images of Buddha, is believed that these images protect the Vat from the terrible destruction made by the Siamese military in 1828. On the other side of the road, we find the Ho Pra Kheo, Museum of religious art, characterized by the many bronze Buddha statues. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Transfer to the airport. [VTE / HAN flight paid by the operator]. Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to the hotel.

Jour 4:

Hanoi (Breakfast)
Morning free. Join program … after lunch.