Memories of Laos

When arriving at Wattay International Airport, please take a taxi or a minibus to the center of Vientiane. It costs around LAK 50,000 by taxi and LAK 66,000 by minibus. You are recommended to check in the 3-star Ibis Vientiane Nam Phu near many landmarks, like Wat Sisakhet and Wat Haw Pha Kaew. You will reach the hotel after 15-20 minutes' drive. If time permits and you are not tired, please visit the nearby Mekong Riverside Park. Wandering on the large grass ground along the Mekong River or riding a bike through the park, you will get to know the beauty and peace of the city.

Accommodation Suggestion: Ibis Vientiane Nam Phu (3 stars)

Today you can start with a visit to the Pha That Luang. Please ride a bike for 20 minutes to get there, or take a tuktuk there in 10 minutes which costs LAK 15,000-20,000. Pha That Luang consists of one major stupa and 30 small stupas. The image of the major golden stupa there has been designed into the national emblem. You can see the top of the major stupa, covered with gold, shining and charming.

Then, walk westwards along 23 Singha Road for around 20 minutes to Patuxay Monument. Viewed from afar, it seems like Arc de Triomphe in France. When you get closer, you will find it smaller in scale and decorated with Buddhist sculptures and paintings.

Walking south along Lane Xang Avenue, you can reach the next destination, Wat Si Saket. Built in 1818, it is the oldest temple in Vientiane. Walking along the winding corridors, you can find the inside walls carved with many concave holes, and over 2,000 different-shaped silver and earthenware Buddhist statues are put in each hole.

Opposite Wat Si Saket on Rue Setthathilath Street is the Pha Kaew, which has doors of the major palaces carved in Rococo way and walls embossed with Buddhist stories. Getting into the palace, you can see many precious collections of Laos, like different-shaped golden, jade or crystal Buddha statues.

Head eastwards for 5-10 minutes to Wat Si Muang, the most prosperous temple in Vientiane. The gate of Wat Si Muang is guarded by Guardian Warriors Statues on the two sides. Inside the temple, you can see all kinds of Buddhist statues.

Afterwards, you can go westwards along Rue Settihatirath Street back to the hotel in 15 minutes.

We suggest you visit Buddha Park today. Take a tuktuk to the Central Bus Station on Lane Xang Avenue in 10 minutes and take bus no.14, or hail a tuktuk to Buddha Park directly. It costs LAK 6,000 by bus and LAK 20,000 by tuktuk. Buddha Park, also called Xieng Kuan, includes statues of Hinduism and Buddhism, like Shiva, Vishnu, Avalokiteshvara, and Sakyamuni.

After that, reverse the trip back to your hotel and then take a taxi or tuktuk to the Wattay International Airport to extend your trip to Luang Prabang by flight. After landing, please hail a minibus or tuktuk to the recommended 3-star hotel Indigo House Hotel or Thongbay Guesthouse.

Accommodation Suggestion: Indigo House Hotel or Thongbay Guesthouse (3 stars)

It is suggested that you get up early, and take a tuktuk or ride a bike to Phousi Market, the largest market in Luang Prabang. You can buy lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, necessities and clothes, as well as experience local people's life in the market.

Then, go eastwards for around 1,300 meters (1,400 yards) to Royal Palace Museum. Wandering in the museum, you can find many relics of Lanxang Kindom (1354 - 1707) on display, including the most precious treasure of Laos - Prabang Golden Buddha. Please do not wear shorts, skirts, or clothes that expose shoulders or navel to visit the museum.

Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, a few yards to the west of the Royal Palace Museum, is the largest and most splendid temple in Luang Prabang, which has decorated wooden columns and walls with golden sculptures.

Then you can take a tuktuk for around 5 minutes to Wat Visounnarath, Luang Prabang's oldest and most popular temple built in 1513. You can see a lotus-shaped Buddhist Stupa in front of the grand palace, also called Watermelon Stupa for its round shape.

After that, still take a tuktuk for around 10 minutes to the next landmark, Wat Xieng Thong, which has the typical style of Luang Prabang with a 3-layer roof in deep slope. Black walls and girders of the temple are decorated with golden reliefs.

Take a tuktuk back to the hotel when today's independent Luang Prabang tour is over.

Today you can get up at 5:00 to watch the Alms Giving Ceremony on Sisavangvong Road, which has been kept for over 500 years. Monks will walk barefoot, receiving food from disciples kneeling along the street. Visitors can also take part in this unique activity, but ladies need to keep a distance with monks.

After the ceremony, charter a car through your hotel to Kuang Si Waterfall, 30 kilometers (18 miles) away from Luang Prabang. The three tiers of the waterfall pour down and form several pools reflecting blue-green lights. You can dabble and swim in these pools.

After that, you may head for the bank of the Mekong River and take a ferry to visit villages on the other side.

We suggest you start today with Wat Xieng Muan. Please take a tuktuk to the temple in 5 minutes. It is full of fascinating sculptures of Snake God Naga. The beautiful frescoes there will tell you the story of the temple founder.

Next, make a stop by at Dara Market near Wat Xieng Muan. Many daily necessities and decorations there are waiting for you to pick up. Then, go northeast for around 15 minutes to Wat Sene. It is a Thai-style temple with gilded doors and walls, as well as exquisite golden reliefs. Walking westwards along Sakkaline Road for 10 minutes, you can then climb the Mount Phousi. It is the highest peak of Luang Prabang and you can have a bird's-eye-view of the whole town on the top. If the weather is clear, it is highly suggested you enjoy the sunset scenery at the top of the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain is the quietest market in Asia, Hmong Night Market. There are many Hmong carpets, silver products, bags, earthenware and other handicrafts on sale to satisfy your shopping needs.

After visiting, you can walk westwards along Sisavangvong Road back to the Indigo House Hotel, or take a tuktuk for 5- 10 minutes to the Thongbay Guesthouse.

Your 10 days trip from Vientiane to Luang Prabang tour will end today. Take your luggage to check out the hotel. Then, hail a taxi to the Luang Prabang Airport. Please reach the airport 2 hours in advance for your leaving flight.