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THE HERITAGE TRAIL
12 DAYS 11 NIGHTS
ONLY DURING DRY SEASON (Oct/Apr)

Day1) Arrive Luang Prabang
Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day2) Luang Prabang – full day city tour
You can discuss with your guide for an optional early morning start (5.30am) to witness and partake in the daily morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’ or giving alms to the monks.  This is a unique ritual still followed by the locals in Luang Prabang.  We can also visit the local fresh market to see how the locals shop, before returning to your hotel for breakfast.
Duration: 2 hours
After breakfast we visit the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history and features a guided audio tour.  We then begin our temple tour taking in some the cities most beautiful structures, including the country’s most historic and enchanting temple Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style, as well as the unique Wat Mai, with its five tiered roof and Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape. 
In the afternoon we visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a great insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos.  We then visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek.  Our final stop of the day is a climb Mt Phousi, which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day3) Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfall
After breakfast, we visit the local Phosi Market, this is the place where all the locals shop and your guide will show and explain to you the diverse offerings on display. We also stop at Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving process will be explained.
We then drive out of the town where you have the option of stopping to visit Khmu, Hmong and Lao Loum villages, representing the main ethnic groups of Laos. This then takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails.   Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre, that does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear.  We then return to Luang Prabang by lunchtime.
Tips: bring a towel with you if you’d like to swim at the waterfall
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day4) Luang Prabang – Phonsavan
We start early this morning, around 8am for the drive to Xiengkhuang, famous for the ‘Plain of Jars’.  The road follows a twisty mountain route, and we make our first stop at Houi Hei, which offers great views of the surrounding mountains.  We then continue Ban Kiu Kam Pone, a Khmu village to explore, before arriving in Phou Khoun for lunch.
We continue on the road into Xiengkhuang province, reaching our highest altitude of the day 1500m above sea level, just after Phou Khoun.  We have time to make a stop at Ban Son Boom, a Hmong village.  Our final stops of the day are a reminder that this region played a major part during the Vietnam War – as we visit a hidden Buddha Cave, that served as an army hospital during the war   and our final stop of the day, is an optional stop to visit an old Russian tank.  We arrive at your hotel by early evening.
Duration: 9 hours
Drive time: 7 hours
Overnight in Phonsavan

Day5) Phonsavan – Plain of Jars Tour
This morning we visit the Mines Action Group (or MAG) office to learn about the important work they do in clearing land mines and unexploded ordnance in the area. 
We then drive out to the picturesque Jar Site 2, and begin a 1 hour trek along the ridge to Jar Site 3, consisting over around 150 jars located on top of a hill, offering great views.  In the afternoon we visit Jar Site 1, the largest site, containing over 300 jars, before returning to your hotel by late afternoon.
Overnight in Phonsavan

Day6) Phonsavan – Sam Neua by road
We begin our long drive today starting early this morning along some fairly rough roads, but the journey is broken up with stops at Hmong and Khmu villages, as well as time to admire the breathtaking scenery with a series of photo stops.  Following lunch we visit Hintang. Here we can see the mysterious menhirs (standing stones).  No one is quite sure who built them or why, perhaps burial sites or markers of some sort.  We also stop at Ban Sa Levy, a Tai Phong weaving village.  We arrive in Sam Neua early evening.
Duration: 9 hours
Drive time: 8 hours
Overnight in Sam Neua

Day7) Sam Neua – Vieng Xai Caves
We begin the day with an optional short walk around Sam Neua town, including a visit to a weaving house showroom,  this area is highly regarded for its weaving products, particularly the traditional Lao skirt or ‘Sin’.   We also take a walk along the river to visit the local wet market.  We then set off on the short 45 minutes drive to Vieng Xai Caves.
This is where the Pathet Lao leaders lived during the “Secret War’.   We start our fascinating audio tour, that includes a visit to the Kaysone Phomvihane  (the leader of the Lao communist movement) Cave, and the Prince Soupanouvong  (the ‘Red Prince’) Cave.  We finish with the Artillery Cave that offers stunning views, over the surrounding countryside.  In the afternoon, we take an easy walk to some of the little visited caves and an opportunity to take in the beautiful limestone karst scenery.  We return to Sam Neua by late afternoon.
Overnight in Sam Neua

Day8) Sam Neua – Vieng Thong by road
After breakfast, we travel by road to Vieng Thong, taking in the spectacular mountain scenery en route.  We arrive in Vieng Thong by mid afternoon, where you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Duration: 6 hours
Drive time: 4 ½ hours
Overnight in Vieng Thong

Day9) Vieng Thong – Night Safari in Nam Et National Park (day1)
This morning we travel by vehicle to the village of Ban Son Koua.  Here we board a long tail boat and cruise for 1 ½ hours on the Nam Nern River to the park headquarters where you will enjoy a lunch prepared by the villagers, and learn about conservation and management from the park staff.
At mid afternoon we depart for the night safari, stopping along the way at a salt lick, where your local guide, a skilled hunter and tracker, identifies animal tracks.  After sunset, relax around a campfire, enjoy a BBQ dinner.  A couple of hours after dark we float down the river quietly while your local guide looks for wildlife by torchlight.  Approximately 2 hours later we arrive back at the park headquarters.  Your accommodation for the night is in traditional Lao style huts in the forest.
Overnight in Nam Et National Park

Day10) Vieng Thong – Night Safari in Nam Et NP (day2) – Nong Khiaw
Before breakfast we rise early to explore the jungle where local guides will teach you about medicinal plants and explain the history of the area.  After breakfast we take the boat back to Ban Son Koua, making a stop at a prime sport for bird watching.
After lunch we continue by vehicle to Nong Khiaw, passing through breathtaking scenery along the way.  We arrive in Nong Khiaw by early evening.
Drive time: 5 hours
Overnight in Nong Khiaw

Day11) Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang by boat
This morning we begin our leisurely cruise up to Nong Khiaw, enjoying the lush green forests and rural landscapes. Along the way we stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two caves set in a limestone cliff facing the Mekong River crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. We continue our trip up the river, admiring the amazing limestone karst scenery en route.  A picnic lunch is served on the banks of the river amidst the beautiful surrounds.  We reach Nong Khiaw by late afternoon, and you will be transferred to your hotel, where you have the rest of the day at leisure to relax and unwind.
Duration: 8 hours
Boat time: 6 hours
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day12) Luang Prabang – departure
Today breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy your free time at leisure until your guide and private car pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

END OF SERVICES

 Tour price per person in US$
Price valid from 01-Oct-11 to 30-Apr-2012

Supplement for Spanish speaking guide: 506 USD for group

Hotels or similar

The accomodations in Sam Neua, Vieng Thong, Nong Khiaw and in the National Park are very simple and basic accomodations.

For any of your needs we are ready to do our best!