Journey Down the Laos Mekong

Journey Down the Laos Mekong 9 Days

From $2180 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

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Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong
Journey Down the Laos Mekong

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
Experts
Operator
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 9 Days
Comfort: Moderate%
Language: English
Rating: 80.0%
Trip ID: 59134
Start Location: Bangkok Yai, Thailand
End Location: Ban Sithan Nua, Laos

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Primary Activities: Historical Sites
Other Activities: Waterfalls, Religious and Spiritual Sites, Urban Exploration, boating, Local Culture

Follow the Mekong River and uncover the secrets of Laos. From the bustle of Bangkok, we find a quieter South East Asia in the north of Thailand and an even more tranquil one still when we cross into Laos. Saffron-cloaked monks on alms rounds in the streets of Luang Prabang reminds one of traditions that have gone on unchanged for centuries. The regal temples, with spires pointing towards the heavens, extols the glories of Theravada Buddhism. The mysterious Plain of Jars exemplifies the remoteness of some of Laos' key attractions. Meanwhile the Mekong River threads its way through the counry, supporting communities that include its laid-back capital, Vientiane, which still maintains an ambiance that borrows from both ancient Lao traditions and colonial French influences.

Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok: Arrive in Bangkok where you are transferred to the comfortable and centrally located Royal Benja Hotel. A pre-trip briefing is held in the evening, to meet the other members of your group and discuss the trip itinerary. Please check for a Welcome Notice on the Peregrine noticeboard located near the hotel lifts which will provide your tour leader's name and the exact time and location of your Welcome Meeting. Until this meeting we encourage you to get out and discover the delights that Bangkok has to offer, including trying some of Thailand’s famous cuisine. After the group meeting in the evening we may adjourn to a nearby restaurant and enjoy a meal together (this is optional and at your own expense). The rest of the evening is free - perhaps a quiet drink or a visit to the bustling night markets of Bangkok.
Day 2: Bangkok - Chiang Rai: We enjoy a city tour of Bangkok. This city tour is all done on the different forms of public transport available to the citizens of Bangkok (Skytrain and river ferry) to give you a true taste of life in this busy and varied city. We visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), a must for first-time travellers to Bangkok. We also visit Wat Po, home of the famous Reclining Buddha. (When visiting temples and palaces in Thailand, please dress conservatively in order to respect the local culture). We then transfer to the airport and fly up to the northern city of Chiang Rai. Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 3: Huay Xai - Pakbeng: Today is a very early start as we need to leave Chiang Rai before dawn and travel approximately 2½ hours to Chiang Khong. After completing border formalities we take a small boat across the Mekong River to Huay Xai, our first stop in Laos. For centuries Huay Xai was a disembarkation point for Yunnanese caravans led by the Chinese Muslims on their way to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, in ancient Siam. Today it is a hustling ferry town on the banks of the Mekong River. We transfer to the boat pier, where we board our slow boat for the trip down the Mekong River. The pace is very relaxed - a perfect way to observe the local lifestyle close up. We arrive in the evening in Pakbeng; a colourful village situated at the junction of the Mekong River and the smaller Beng River, hence the town’s name ‘Pak’ meaning ‘mouth’ in Lao. Hmong and tribal Thais are frequently seen on the main street of Pakbeng, and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicrafts. We spend the night in a simple hostel. Please be warned that the accommodation standard is very basic, but also bear in mind that you are travelling in a remote area. Please have an open mind and come with an adventurous spirit! Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 4: Luang Prabang: We continue on our private slow boat on our journey down the Mekong River, gaining more insights into local rural life along the way. Just before arriving at Luang Prabang we stop at Pak Ou (meaning ‘mouth of the Ou River’), where the famous Tam Ting Cave houses thousands of Buddha images of various shapes and sizes, all brought there by devoted villagers. We also stop at the village of Ban Sang Hai, where they make the potent local rice-wine. Our travel time will vary greatly, depending on the water levels, but we hope to arrive in Luang Prabang in the early evening. This beautiful town, with its gleaming temple roofs, fading French architecture and stunning mountain backdrop, has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’. Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 5: Luang Prabang: In the morning we have the option to rise early to view the procession of monks on their daily outing collecting alms, a practice that dates back centuries. The people of the town wait out the front of their houses with food for the monks to collect and take back to the temple. It is done early as the monks cannot eat anything after midday. By giving food to a monk you ‘het bon’ or make merit, which should augur well for your next life! Following breakfast we visit the major temples, including the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, which nestles at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan Rivers, and Wat Wisunalat, which is the oldest temple in the city. After our tour we enjoy the chance to walk around the local shops, which are well known for their hand-weaving and other interesting artefacts. Here is a chance for the shoppers to try their hand at bargaining. We visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, an interesting structure that dates from the early years of the 20th Century and combines traditional Lao architecture with French colonial influence. The collection of treasures and artefacts reflects the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign, who was deposed in 1975. In the afternoon we embark on another highlight of our stay - a 29 kilometres journey south of town to visit the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls. In the evening in Luang Prabang we are free to make further discoveries including walking around the popular Night Bazaar. Another great optional activity is to sample a traditional Lao massage and herbal sauna. Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 6: Phonsavan: In the mid-morning we take with us our spirit of adventure and travel on our private bus to remote Xieng Khuang Province, an area that was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. The high altitude means that the weather will be relatively cool. We visit the province’s old capital of Muang Khun that was largely destroyed in the bombing raids, as well as the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe who have an interesting local culture and a colourful history. The Hmong people wear distinctive costumes and live at high altitudes. We spend the night in a basic hotel in the small town of Phonsavan, which is the province’s current capital. Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 7: Phonsavan - Vientiane: In the morning we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. It is said that these jars are over 2000 years old, but there is no reliable way of dating them and archaeologists are still mystified as to their original purpose (opinions vary from burial urns to rice whisky vats). We are then transferred to the airport to catch our flight to Vientiane - the capital of Laos. Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 8: Vientiane: City tour acquaints us with the major sights of the capital. We visit the imposing Patuxai monument (also known as the Anousavari, which translates as ‘Victory’ in Lao - hence the name Victory monument), which is Vientiane's version of the Arc de Triomphe and dominates the city's main thoroughfare. It has also been nicknamed the ‘Vertical Runway’, which refers to the fact that it was built in the 1960s from funds the US Government had given to the Lao Government for the expressed purpose of extending the runway at the airport! Wat Si Saket is the oldest temple in the city, while the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image before it was taken by the Siamese in the late 18th Century. We visit both temples and the most famous structure in Laos, the That Luang stupa. A drink in a riverside bar watching the glorious sunset over the Mekong River is the perfect way to finish our day. Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 9: Vientiane: The tour ends after breakfast. A transfer to the airport is not included; however, your tour leader will be on hand to advise you as to the options available. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local tour leaders in both countries, and local guides at some sites.
Local flights: Bangkok to Chiang Rai and Phonsavan to Vientiane.
Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Bangkok - the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Temple of the Reclining Buddha; thousands of Buddha images in Tam Ting Cave; Ban Sang Hai village; Luang Prabang - the procession of monks, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Wisunalat and the National Museum at the former Royal Palace; Kuang Si Waterfalls; Muang Khun; Plain of Jars; Vientiane - Patuxai Monument, Wat Si Saket, Wat Prakeo and That Luang Stupa.
‘Slow’ boat cruises down the Mekong River to Pakbeng village and to Luang Prabang.
A night in a simple hostel in Pakbeng village - home to tribal Thais, and a night in a basic hotel in Phonsavan - home to the Hmong hill tribe.
Free time to explore Luang Prabang.
Arrival transfer.

Trip Excludes

International flights
Airport departure taxes
Visas
Insurance
Other meals
Any optional tours and activities during free time
Tips
Items of a personal nature

Trip ID#: 59134

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Reviews (1)

Posted on 10/1/2011 11:00:00 PM

If like me you have been contemplating a group trip for some time JUST DO IT! It is a great way to meet like minded travellers & an all round fantastic experience. Take as little luggage as possible. Most of the hotels had fast, reliable inexpensive laundry service. The basic accommodation is all part of the fun.
- Overall Rating
  80%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  80%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  90%

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