Highlights Of Laos (6 days)

• DAY 1 Arrival Upon arrival you will be met & transferred to hotel for check-in and tour briefing. Time permitting we'll take an orientation tour around the city before welcome dinner.
• DAY 2 Luang Prabang <em>Early rise to take the fantastic opportunity to watch or participate in the unique daily morning ritual, where hundreds of saffron-clad monks walk in procession collecting offerings of sticky rice from devout residents along the roadside.</em><br/><br/>After breakfast we tour the city's oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping down to the ground. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. We also visit Ban Xanghai, the village producing the wine called "Lao Lao", and Ban Phanom village of skilled hand weaving women.
• DAY 3 Luang Prabang Today we visit the ethnic minority villages at Ban Ouay, Ban Ou and Ban Thapene. Afterwards we continue to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall that offers a chance to cool off in the turquoise pools. On the way back to town we'll call at Ban Xangkhong, the village well known for jute paper production. We then challenge the steps up Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view. Take a leisurely walk through the iridescent Night Market at the foot of Mount Phosi to admire a lovely selection of handicrafts
• DAY 4 Vientiane We embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. On the way back to town we'll visit Ban Xanghai, the village producing the wine called "Lao Lao", and Ban Phanom village of skilled hand weaving women. Late afternoon/early evening, we fly to Vientiane for the night.
• DAY 5 Vientiane Begin our tour of the sleepy capital city of Laos from Wat Sisaket, the oldest standing temple in Vientiane. The temple is renowned for its remarkable fresco and many hundreds of Buddha statuette. Continue to Haw Prakeo, the former royal temple which ever housed the famous Emerald Buddha statue being worshipped in Thailand now. Pose in front of Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph called Patuxay for pictures before touring That Luang Stupa - the symbol of Laos. Afterwards there's an opportunity to delve into the daily life of the locals at the markets Talat Sao and Talat Kuadin. Afternoon we tour the Buddha Park to see hundreds of Buddha statues on a riverside meadow. Conclude the day at a café overlooking the Mekong River.
• DAY 6 Departure Transfer to the airport for your departure journey.