Xam Neua - Luang Prabang

Xam Neua province in the north east of Laos receives very few tourists so you will be welcomed with open arms. Here is where the Pathet Lao had their stronghold and survived the American bombs by living underground in caves.

It is home to many ethnic minorities as is your next point of call; Xieng Khouang famous for the Plain of Jars. Your journey will continue south through the most incredible mountain scenery to the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang – a treasure trove of riches. From here you continue south for the present day capital of Vientiane.

Day 1 : Arrive in Nameo at the Lao-Vietnamese Border

After your arrival in Nameo at the Vietnamese border it takes about two and a half hours to ViengXay District to visit the President’s cave. The ViengXay caves are not only beautiful, but are also of historic significance since during the war, the successful Pathet Lao (the current government), lived and worked in them to avoid being bombed.

Here is the house of Prince Soupanouvong, which was built at the mouth of his cave in 1975 once the bombing had ceased, and the Pathet Lao had won the war. We then drive for about an hour to Xam Neua district where we overnight.

Day 2 : Around Xam Neua and onto Xieng Khouang

In the morning before breakfast we will visit the morning market, where there are many different hill tribe people come in from the country to sell vegetables, wild animals and local Lao food. We will then go to the Lue weaving village of Tai Deng.

Next it’s a drive to Xieng Khouang with stops along the road to visit various hill tribe villages, the Stone Park, the hot springs in Moung Kham and the American bombed city of Khum Bome. Overnight in Xieng Khouang. (B, L)

Day 3 : Tour Xieng Khouang City

First breakfast, followed by a from the hotel to the morning market in Phonsavan where , a variety of different local food items and wild animals are on sale. Watch hill tribe people making noodles from rice.

This is followed by a trip to the three main sites, where there are clusters of ancient stone vessels believed to have been used as funerary urns. No one knows where the source of the stone or how it got to its final resting place, but the jars are thought to be between 1,500 - 2,000 years old.

Next is a visit to the ancient capital of this war-torn province. This was once a beautiful and lively French colonial town not unlike Luang Prabang, but years of war have turned it into a shell. We will visit the only house remaining from this period, and a beautiful Wat That - Wat BanPear which demonstrates the devastation caused by the bombing. Overnight in Xieng Khouang. (B, L)

Day 4 : By road to Luang Prabang

After breakfast we heading out of this small town to Luang Prabang, on the way, we drop into Thampra - the site of the more than 200 year old Buddha images – and also visit a variety of Hmong and other minority villages along the road. The villagers are nice, friendly and welcome your visit.

After a photo stop, we continue driving up hill, enjoying the splendid natural mountain scenery, the forest and the landscape. After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, at the junction with the main Vientiane-Luang Prabang road. The journey will take us through the mountains to Luang Prabang and to our hotel for the overnight stay in Luang Prabang. (B, L)

Day 5 : Tour the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang

The day starts with a visit to the National Museum – once the Royal Palace – but now giving a picture of the various leaders and fighters famous in Lao history, from long ago and up to the present new revolutionary period. After this enjoy a sightseeing tour of two magnificent temples: Wat Visoun and Wat Xienthong - the city’s oldest temple and one of the best examples of Luang Prabang’s classical architecture.

After lunch we take a boat upstream on the Mekong River to Tam Ting Cave with its thousand Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes. Along the way, we will stop at Ban Xanghai, a village famous for distilling Lao traditional rice whisky. Watch the process and taste the product.

There will also be visits to the two Lao-Loum villages of Ban Chan and Ban Xiengmene. And at night we will explore Night Market Street, where you will be able to find lovely handicrafts made by our local people. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6 : Visit Khuang Si Waterfall and see the Footprints of the Buddha

You may like to get up early to see the morning procession of monks along Sisavangvong Road lined with the local people waiting to make their offerings of food. Then after breakfast we take a short drive to Ban Xangkhong - a weaving village and to Ban XiangLek – a village producing “sa” paper.

Then it’s a long drive to Kuang Si Waterfall set in the lush green surroundings of one of the National Conservation Areas. En route, there are stops to visit the small villages of Ban Na Oune, a Hmong village, and Ban Tha Pane, a Khmu minority village. Then it’s back to Luang Prabang by the late afternoon

The day will end with a visit to see the footprints of the Buddha at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B, L)

Day 7 : Fly to Vientiane

After breakfast, a visit to the central market - the best place to buy presents for your friends and relatives.

Then you will have time for your own exploration of the town before your transfer to the airport.