LAOS

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Laos is a land of mystery. It’s a land steeped in Buddhist traditions and beliefs. It’s a serene land - despite the war in Indochina in the late 20th century, and despite being surrounded (landlocked) by the powerful nations of China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. Only slightly over six million people inhabit this country of Buddhist temples, mountains and forests. The Mekong River is the center of life for most Laotians. Don’t expect the comforts and ease of travel that you’ll find in other countries of the region. Laos is new to tourism. However, the adventurous traveler has a rare opportunity to interact with delightful, spiritual people who’ve had little contact with the outside world.

At Southeast Asia Tours, we design tours for any number of people and any length of stay. The focus is always on your special interests and desires. Here are just a few samples of the kind of trip that we can design just for you.

SAMPLE ITINERARIES:

All our tours are custom-designed; if you want to make any changes to these itineraries, just let us know!

Laos packages include sightseeing and transfers per itinerary with private guide and driver. Discounts are available if you have a group of people who want to travel together. Prices below are per person, based on double occupancy.

2012 SAMPLE ITINERARIES

LAOS QUICK TRIP

Day 1 - Transfer Vientiane airport to hotel followed by a half day city tour with Wat Sisaket, Haw Phra Kaew, Putousay, Phra That Luang stupa and Talaat market. One night accommodation in Vientiane.

Day 2 - Transfer to the Vientiane airport. Arrival transfer in Luang Prabang followed by a city tour with Wat Visoun, That Makmo, National Museum, Wat Mai and Phou Sii hill. Two nights accommodations in Luang Prabang. (B, L)

Day 3 - Early morning observe hundreds of monks receiving alms. You'll have the opportunity to offer alms to the monks. Visit Wat Xieng Thong before continuing to the Pak Ou Buddha Caves by boat. You'll also visit Ban Phanom weaving village and Ban Xanghai rice wine village. (B, L)

Day 4 - Transfer to airport. (B)

2012 Prices:
From $455 - $485 Villa Chitadara + City Inn Hotel (valid through Sep. 2012)
From $550 - $590 Villa Santi Hotel + Green Park Hotel
From $790 - $1160 La Residence Phou Vao + Settha Palace

Other hotel options and combinations are available. Rates vary depending upon season.

FOCUS ON LUANG PRABANG

Day 1 - Arrival transfer in Luang Prabang. Afternoon city tour including Wat Visoun, That Makmo, Wat Mai, Wat Aham and climb Wat Phousi Hill. This evening take a guided walking tour of the night market. Three nights accommodations Luang Prabang.

Day 2 - Early morning observe hundreds of monks receiving alms. You'll have the opportunity to offer alms to the monks. Visit Wat Xieng Thong before continuing to the Pak Ou Buddha Caves by boat. You'll also visit Ban Phanom weaving village and Ban Xanghai rice wine village. (B, L)

Day 3 - Morning visit to Tad Kuang Sii Waterfalls where you can swim in the pools. Afternoon at leisure to explore Luang Prabang on your own. (B)

Day 4 - Transfer to the airport in Luang Prabang. (B)

2012 Prices:
From $380 - $425 Villa Chitadara (valid through Sep. 2012)
From $415 - $440 Sala Prabang
From $450 - 4505 Villa Santi Hotel
From $520 - $655 3 Nagas Hotel
From $510 - $780 Maison Souvannaphoum
From $755 - $890 The Luang Say Residence
From $765 - $1280 La Residence Phou Vao

Other hotel options are available. Rates vary depending upon season.

A TASTE OF LAOS

Day 1 - Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Luang Prabang. Three nights accommodations Luang Prabang.

Day 2 - Today's full day highlights walking tour includes Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun, Wat Mai, Tad Makmo Stupa, the National Museum and climbing Phou Sii Hill. (B, L)

Day 3 - Early morning observe hundreds of monks receiving alms. You'll have an opportunity to offer alms to the monks. Full day tour to Pak Ou Buddha Caves (by boat). Stop at Ban Xanghai village where Lao rice wine is produced and Ban Phanom a weaving village of Lu minority people. (B, L)

Day 4 - Morning tour to the Kuang Sii Waterfalls. Afternoon transfer to the Luang Prabang airport. Arrival transfer in Vientiane. Two nights accommodations in Vientiane. (B)

Day 5 - Full day city tour including Wat Sisaket, Haw Phra Kaew, Putousay, Phra That Luang stupa, Talaat Sao market, Xieng Khuan Buddha Park, Friendship Bridge, National Cultural Park and a weaving workshop and gallery. (B, L)

Day 6 - Transfer to the airport. (B)

2012 Prices:
From $630 - $680 Villa Chitadara + City Inn Hotel (valid through Sep. 2012)
From $795 - $860 Villa Santi Hotel + Green Park Hotel
From $1180 - $1740 La Residence Phou Vao + Settha Palace

Other hotel options and combinations are available. Rates vary depending upon season.

LAOS IN DEPTH

Day 1 - Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Luang Prabang. City tour with Wat Visoun, That Makmo, National Museum, Wat Mai and Phou Sii hill. Evening guided walking tour of the night market. Three nights accommodations Luang Prabang.

Day 2 - Early morning observe hundreds of monks receiving alms. You'll have an opportunity to offer alms to the monks. Visit Pak Ou Buddha Caves by boat, Ban Xanghai rice wine village and Ban Phanom weaving village. (B, L)

Day 3 - Morning visit to Tad Kuang Sii Waterfalls where you can swim in the pools. Afternoon at leisure to explore Luang Prabang on your own. (B)

Day 4 - Overland drive from Luang Prabang to the Plain of Jars. This afternoon visit the township and local area. Two nights accommodations in Phonsavan. (B, L)

Day 5 - Morning exploration of the Plain of Jars site and surrounding villages. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 6 - Overland drive to Vang Vieng with village stops along the way. Upon arrival explore the local cavies. One night accommodation in Vang Vieng. (B, L)

Day 7 - Overland drive to Vientiane with stops at Vang Xang cave and an ethnic minority market. Two nights accommodations in Vientiane. (B, L)

Day 8 - Full day city tour including Wat Sisaket, Haw Phra Kaew, Putousay, Phra That Luang stupa, Talaat Sao market, Xieng Khuan Buddha Park, Friendship Bridge, National Cultural Park and a weaving workshop and gallery. (B, L)

Day 9 - Transfer to the Vientiane airport. Upon arrival in Pakse you'll be met and taken on a tour oft the Bolaven Plateau, including a tea and coffee plantation. Continue to Tad Fane Waterfalls with stops at minority hill tribe villages. One night accommodation in Pakse. (B, L)

Day 10 - Visit Wat Phou temple, Kiet Ngong elephant camp and the Si Phan Don 4,000 islands area of the Mekong. Continue to Don Khong Island. One night accommodation on the island. (B, L)

Day 11 - Take a boat trip to Don Khone Island. Continue to Lii Pii Falls where you'll try to find the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins that live just below the falls near the Cambodian border. Then visit Khon Phapheng Waterfalls before returning to Pakse for a one night stay. (B, L)

Day 12 - Transfer to the Pakse airport. (B)

Prices on request.

Please note: This tour can be extended by arriving days earlier in Luang Prabang, departing days later from Vientiane and/or adding extensions to Plain of Jars, Lao Spirit Elephant Camp and/or Vang Vieng (see extension options below). Additional days can be added in southern Laos at an ecolodge.

PLAIN OF JARS EXTENSION

2 Days / 1 Night:

Day 1 - Overland drive from Luang Prabang to the Plain of Jars. This afternoon visit the township and local area. Overnight stay in Phonsavan. (L)

Day 2 - Morning exploration of the Plain of Jars site and surrounding villages. Transfer to the Xieng Khouang airport. (B, L)

3 Days / 2 Nights:

Day 1 - Overland drive from Luang Prabang to the Plain of Jars. This afternoon visit the township and local area. Overnight stay in Phonsavan. (L)

Day 2 - Explore the Plain of Jars site and surrounding villages. Overnight Phonsavan. (B, L)

Day 3 - Afternoon return drive to Luang Prabang. (B)

Prices on request.

LAO SPIRIT ELEPHANT EXTENSION

Day 1 - Travel by road from Luang Prabang to Lao Spirit Resort. From there take an elephant ride to Tad Xae Waterfalls for a picnic lunch. Return to the elephant camp by boat. Overnight Lao Spirit Resort. (L, D)

Day 2 - Late morning return to Luang Prabang. (B)

Prices on request.

VANG VIENG EXTENSION

Day 1 - Overland drive from Vientiane with village stops along the way. Exploration of caves and villages in Vang Vieng. One night accommodation in Vang Vieng. (L)

Day 2 - Mid-afternoon return to Vientiane with stop at Vang Xang cave and an ethnic minority market. Or, continue overland to Luang Prabang. (B)

Prices on request.

ADDITIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSION IN VIENTIANE

• Nam Ngum Lake with boat ride, local villages, Vang Xang and the H'mong tribal market.

2012 Price:
From $190

ADDITIONAL FULL DAY EXCURSIONS IN LUANG PRABANG

• Eco Canoe day trip to Nam Khan River and villages
• Tad Kuang Sii Waterfalls by bicycle
• Tad Xae Waterfall day trip by elephant
  

2012 Prices:
From $110 (Eco Canoe)
From $120 (Tad Kuang Sii by bicycle)
From $155 (Tad Xae by elephant)

COOKING CLASS IN LUANG PRABANG

In Luang Prabang add a Lao cooking class at Tum Tum Cheng Cooking School. The class begins with a market visit and includes lunch following the lesson. A private class can also be arranged.

Price on request.

Create a multicountry custom-designed tour by adding one of more of these countries to your Laos tour:
Cambodia
Thailand
Vietnam
Myanmar

Prices include meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner). Prices quoted are per person, based on double occupancy. Prices are approximate and are subject to change/availability at the time of confirmation. Prices are subject to holiday/high season surcharges including possible compulsory Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve gala dinners. Prices are subject to possible black-out periods. Prices are subject to currency fluctuation. Packages that include flights are subject to airfare changes. Prices in particular accommodation categories may vary greatly, depending upon the dates of travel and choice of hotel. Prices are based upon a cash discount. A visa is required to enter Laos. Visa fees are not included in the above prices.