Vientiane Highlighs
Introduction
Avoid the chaotic city to find a peaceful, Laos is an ideal destination for those who want to find the new one. Come to Laos like back to the past to find the nostalgia, the temples are over a hundred years, the cultures which only Laos have, or the spectacular landscapes which are given by Nature Mother. Only in 5 days tour in Vientiane, you will be surprised by the real Laos, which you cannot see on the internet. What’s are you waiting for? Travel to Vientiane with us.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Vientiane Arrival
Day 2: Vientiane – Buddha Park (B)
Day 3: Vientiane Biking & Kayaking (B, L)
Day 4: Vientiane – Orchid trekking (B, L)
Day 5: Vientiane Departure (B)
Day 1: Vientiane Arrival
Welcome to Vientiane, Laos’ capital, an old French colonial trading post. This city is both abundant in French architecture as well as beautiful, ornate Buddhist temples. Even though it is the country’s largest city, it has not lost its friendly and laid back character.
Meet your guide and we drive to your hotel for check in (check in time: 14:00).
Meals: Not Included. Spend the night at your hotel in Vientiane.
Day 2: Vientiane – Buddha Park (B)
Wake up early to join in one of the highlights of Laos, Alm Giving Ceremony in the morning. Tell your tour guide if you want to take part in, and he or she will prepare food for you. You also can buy it in the store on the vendor. Back to your hotel to enjoy breakfast or you can try noodles near the market as the local.
Start today by visiting Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. Takes around 45 minutes away to drive to Buddha Park. On the way, stop and take photos of the Friendship Bridge which was built by the Australian government in 1994 which links Laos and Thailand.
Arrive at Buddha Park, the tour guide with his / her giant knowledge will help you more understand about the story behind. The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by Laos’s shaman. The concrete sculptures are bizarre but intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park.
After visiting Buddha Park, drive back to Vientiane. En route, stop at Mai Savanh to explore the traditional textiles of the Lao people, which display the high-quality silk products that one of the most souvenirs you should buy when visiting Laos. (Note: Mai Savanh is closed on Saturday & Sunday).
Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant on the road.In the afternoon, We will visit That Luang, the holiest site in Laos, which constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shining upon its towering golden spire, and becomes the symbol of Laos.
Beside That Luang, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.
Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. Continue to the Vientiane city tour to visit Wat Phra Keo, which is known as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.
Overnight in Vientiane
Noted: If you join in Alm giving ceremony, please dress suitable clothes. Don’t show your chest, your leg and your shoulders.
Day 3: Vientiane Biking & Kayaking (B, L)
Pick up at your hotel at around 09:00 AM. Today we start cycling out of the city after a short while, the city quickly turned into the countryside and we continued cycling along the Mekong River, where you can enjoy the beautiful view across the river. After a few kilometers, it’s time to turn off and head towards Ban Tongpong village. From the village, we continue along the canals sourced from the nearby Mekong River and used to irrigate nearby rice fields. As we continue cycling through close to the bustling city you will definitely feel like you are going a million miles away! Enjoy the peace and serenity as you watch locals perform their daily chores.
Continuing forward, we passed through some streaks of dirt that took us through rice fields and forests, the trail might have a bit of mud and sand along the way but really got us out of everything and will be immersed in nature. Along the way, we can see locals taking care of their rice fields. Then, we are in Tad Moun Falls, which is a famous spot during your Vientianne tour. The waterfall can actually dry out completely during the dry season, but it is still worth a visit to see the various rock formations. At the waterfall, we took the time to rest quickly and enjoy the drinking cold.
From the waterfall, we ride along the newly paved main road and very smooth but relatively quiet traffic, we will start with a little ascent from there, the rest of the bike takes We went downhill until we entered Ban Mai’s village on the banks of the Mekong River, where we made the transition from land to water as we paddled down the Mekong River back to Vientiane. However, before we get into the water, it’s time to enjoy lunch along the river, you will have a delicious lunch of sandwiches, chips, and fruit with a cold drink. After your lunch and taking some time to relax, you will donate a life jacket and kayak for the upstream journey to Vientiane. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the scenery on both sides of the river as you walk along the border between Laos and Thailand. We continue to kayak into the Mekong until returning to Vientiane, the trip ends just outside the city center next to a riverside bar, the perfect way to end the day by enjoying a cool beer beside the river. Back to the hotel in Vientiane in the late afternoon.
Day 4: Vientiane Trekking (B, L)
Good morning Vientiane, after about 2 hours drive, we will come to Ban Hatkhay village. And you also meet your local guide, the Lao orchid expert. Afterward, we started trekking to visit Ban Pha Say.
Travel on small paths and explore different types of forests: semi-evergreen forest, bamboo, accompanied by two guides and an expert on orchids. Don’t be surprised by the abundance of orchids in some places, all the rocks are covered!During the trekking, the local guide will also introduce you to many things on medicinal plants and other plant families such as Cane, Gingers, Dypterocarpes, …
At noon, enjoy a picnic lunch. Take a rest for a few minutes, the afternoon will begin with a swim at Tad Say waterfall before returning to the city.
Return to Vientiane in the late afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 5: Vientiane Departure (B)
Today is free for you to stroll around before the next trip to Laos. we hope that with 5 days in the Vientiane tour, you will have a happy moment at the beautiful land. Don’t forget to tell us your story in Vientiane.
Remarks:
1. All of our itineraries can be tailor-made to suit your requirements, allowing us to create the perfect holiday just for you. Please click on the “Tailor this trip" button and complete the requested information for us. Upon receipt, our travel consultant will customize the best value vacation for your kind consideration. Please note: Changes CAN be made to the itinerary after our initial quote, but may result in a price change also!
2. We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina in particular (Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos) hotel prices make up the major expense of your holiday. Therefore, we would like to clarify how we define these charges:
· Boutique & character hotels: from $50-$80 USD per room/ per night
· Comfort = 3 star hotels from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/ per night
· Superior = 4 star hotels from US$ 80 - US$ 110 per room/ per night
· Deluxe = 5 star hotels from US$120 - US$ 190++ per room/ per night
· High-end = Best of the best hotels fr om US$ 250++ per room/ per night
Please contact our Sales Department at info@vietnamexplorationbooking.com for detailed pricing information.
Included
- Transportation with air-conditioning in private
- Accommodation in twin/double shared room
- Boat trip as stated in above sights
- Professional local English speaking guide
- Admission fee to indicated sights
- Meals as per program (Breakfast = B, Lunch = L, Dinner = D)
- Gov’t tax and service charge
- Luggage handling and drinking water
Excluded
- Visa stamping fee on arrival
- All air tickets quoted separately
- Travel Insurance in all kinds
- Single room (quoted separately)
- Other foreign language guides
- Peak tourist season or special event rates
- Tip, drinks and other personal expenses
Cancellation by Customer
- Cancellation received before 60 days: No charge
- Cancellation received from 30 days to 59 days prior arrival date: 10% of total rate
- Cancellation received from 15 days to 29 days prior arrival date: 30% of total rate
- Cancellation received from 7 days to 14 days prior arrival date: 50% of total rate
- Cancellation received less than 7 days prior arrival date or No show: 100% of total rate
Children Policy
- The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with two adults
- For infant (<04 years old): FOC except domestic ticket cost
- 04 - 11 years old without bed: 50% adult rate
- 04 - 11 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate
- 04 - 11 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate
Service Details During The Trip
We’ll immerse you in the diverse cultures of Loas by showcasing the unique local flavors. And with the perfect balance of included sightseeing and free time, you can customize your dream vacation with the things you have always wanted to do.
- Private Local Tour Guide: You will have a fully licensed local tour guide from 'welcome' until you are farewelled at the airport. Your guide will guide, help, assist and take care of you in order to make your tour worry-free. Vietnam Exploration Booking Tours offer the best tour guides based on the features of your itinerary and the make up of the group, to maximize your tour while travelling. Having the right guide means you have the best experience.
- Private Drivers and Vehicle: Safety is the first priority for transportation. All vehicles are in good condition and are well maintained with fully licensed and experienced drivers ensuring you are in safe hands. To maximize your comfort and enjoyable experience, cold drinking water and refreshing towels are provided in the car.
- Local Flavor Meals: You don’t worry about meals; we select both restaurants and menus for you. Vietnam Exploration Booking Tours only chooses clean restaurants with pleasant environments for our guests. The menu is also carefully selected to ensure you can try different food at every meal. We will recommend and arrange local cuisine since it is part of the cultural experience while travelling. We can also recommend where to eat so you can enjoy your favourite food when not eating with the group.
- Well-Selected Hotels: Comfort and good value are our priorities when choosing hotels for our guests. We do our best to ensure good rest by the comfort of the mattress and bedding and offering rooms with a pleasant decorative style, user friendly facilities, good service and a great breakfast!
Things to Bring:
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes suitable for activities such as riding in a boat, walking, cycling and for long drives. Bring a hat/cap, sun screen, sun glasses, a swimsuit and insect repellent. The weather is normally very hot from April to October in Laos.
You should bring cash with you, preferably Lao Kip because the banking system doesn’t always function well. US Dollars are generally accepted and Euro are also sometimes accepted.
You should bring your medications with you although there are pharmacies in Laos if you do get sick.
Did we hit all the items on your travel bucket list for your holiday?
If not, don’t worry. We specialize in tailor-made tours and can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch with your personal Travel Consultant to create your personalized program.
Don't want the fun to end?
Why not combine this tour with Halong tours, Sapa tours, cambodia tours, Myanmar tours or spend a few days in the tropical paradise that is the Vietnam coast? We take care of everything from flights to transfers and accommodation so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Explore our other destinations or speak with your personal Travel Consultant for some expert advice on suitable combinations.