Overland Laos to Northwest Vietnam - 14 Days from Laos visited: Luong Prabang - Xiengkhuang - Vieng Xay - Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien - Muong Lay - Sapa - Halong - Hanoi
Day 1: Arrive Luang Prabang – Half Day City Tour
On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Time permitting; your half day city tour begins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We also have time to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 2: Luang Prabang - Big Brother Mouse - Ban Khia Luang - Pak Ou Caves (B)
The day starts with a visit to the Big Brother Mouse shop to select some books for the village visit. We then head north by car along route 13, before taking a unpaved road to Ban Khia Luang village. We then have ample time to visit the school, play with the kids and watch them enjoy their new books. We also take some time to explore the rest of the village, where you can see weaving and visit the local temple. We stop for lunch at the village, which can either be a western picnic lunch, or traditional Lao food such as sticky rice, laap and fresh vegetables cooked by the villagers. After lunch we say good bye to the village and drive to Ban Khoklin, which takes us through some beautiful scenery of mountains and paddy fields. At Ban Khoklin we then board a private boat down the Nam Ou River for 30 minutes to Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims and continue down the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang, arriving back there by late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 3: Luang Prabang - Khuang Si Waterfall and Ban Chan (B)
Today we cross the Mekong River by boat, to the picturesque village of Ban Chan, a pottery village. We then visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. This then takes us to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 4: Luang Prabang - Xiengkhuang (B)
Today, we make the days drive through wonderful natural scenery to Xiengkhuang. The journey will give you plenty of opportunities for photos and visiting hill tribe villages. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. Overnight in Xiengkhuang.
Day 5: Xieng Khuang - Vieng Xay (B)
Continue the trip to Vieng Xay- The former Pathet Lao (PL) revolutionary headquarters of Vieng Xai sit in a striking valley of fertile hills and limestone cliffs riddled with caves, several of which were used to shelter PL officers during the Second Indochina War. The town is famous for the caves in which the stoic officers and some 23, 000 people found shelter, but Vieng Xai itself is unbearably pretty. Manmade lakes spot the landscape and wildflowers explode in crimson and yellow to join the emerald and karst backdrop. The beauty of the terrain somehow underscores the decimation it suffered during the American bombing campaign. Overnight in Vieng Xay.
Day 6: Vieng Xay - Mai Chau (B)
Beautiful ride on the village road and picturesque mountains to Na Neo border gate, continue to Mai Chau which is the heart of a beautiful valley that is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. The modern village is an unappealing sprawl, but as you emerge on the rice fields and rural living it is transformed into a real paradise. It’s a stunning area, and most people here are ethnic White Thai who are very friendly. Tonight, we stay in the homestay, this evening, enjoy the traditional musice and dance.
Day 7: Mai Chau - Son La (B)
After breakfast, we drive to Son La, a stop in Moc Chau with hundreds of giant grass farm for cows, You will know why this is the biggest milk centre in Vietnam, continue driving to Son La and enjoy the view of the Northern mountains, arrive in Son La at noon, check in hotel before visit “Son La prison" in the French war. Walk around the town and overnight in Son La.
Day 8: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (B)
Drive to DBP. Visit very primitive village of the Black Thai village on the way that you can see the very basic conditions of life. Continue to biggest daily hilltribe market in Thuan Chau, see different ethnic groups, local fruits, food, but it will be much more beautiful experience when reaching amazing Pha Din Pass, time for photos. Continue our drive to Dien Bien. Overnight in Hotel
Day 9: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau (B)
Morning visit of the museum and sites of Dien Bien Phu. Drive to Lai Chau, Visit a village of the Black Dao People, if lucky, you will see an art of hair make-up of the old ladies on the way. Tonight, we stay in Muong Lay, a very lovely town by “Black River”. Overnight Lan Anh Hotel.
Day 10: Lai Chau - Sapa (B)
Drive to Sa Pa, during your way, you will see many different ethnic villages of the Lao, Lu, Black Dao, Tien Dao, Day, Red H’mong before driving up to the highest pass in Vietnam - Hoang Lien Son. Stop over at “Heaven Gate” for a wonderful view down to amazing valley and Fanxipang - the highest mount in Vietnam (Roof of Vietnam). You also visit “Silver Waterfall” - the nicest one in the area before getting to your hotel in Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 11: Lao Chai - Tavan (B)
After Breakfast, we trek to Lao Chai village of the Black H’Mong people, it is your time to enjoy the overall pictures of the village among terraces and mountains. Visit the H'mong living in wooden and bamboo houses, learn how they dye their cloth and make wonderful hand-made embroideries. You will cross an suppension bridge over the MuongHoa Stream, Lovely picnic Lunch can be arranged by this Stream( in summer, you can have nice swim). Contiue to Tavan village and get picked up back to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 12: Sapa - Lao Cai (B)
Free at leisure until we transfer you to the train station in Lao Cai for boarding the night train to
Day 13:
Pick up at the train station in the early morning and drive to
Overnight on board.
Day 14: Ha Long -
Get up early to catch the sunrise on the bay and relax with a cup of hot coffee or tea. We depart for a visit to the splendid Sung Sot grotto and a quick glimpse of a nearby fishing village. Enjoy another seafood lunch on board while cruising back through Halong bay to the pier. Transfer to Hanoi. Check in on arrival. Overnight in
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As indicated: (A/C= Air-conditioning, O/N= Overnight, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Tariff for this trip: The tariff may differentiate according to number of participants and the high or low seasons in Vietnam. Please contact our travel consultant for the price of this trip.
Price Inclusive:
- Train Lao Cai - Hanoi
- One night boat in Halong
- All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
- English speaking guide on day tour
- Meals as mentioned
- Entrance fees as indicated.
- 2 bottles of mineral water daily during tour only
- Tips
- Drinks
- Personal Expenses
- Insurance
