Vietnam Laos Adventures

Laos is the least populated of the Indochinese countries. The landscape is dominated by mountains, jungles and of course the Mekong River, which runs for 1800km along the western border of the country. A devoutly Buddhist nation, Laos has opened up to provide travellers with an opportunity to experience the diversity, tradition and natural beauty of the country. This trip offers adventurous travellers a great opportunity to discover the combined beauty of northern Vietnam and northern Laos.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Day 2: City tour of Hanoi
Day 3: Kayaking Halong Bay
Day 4: Kayaking Halong Bay
Day 5: Back to Hanoi
Day 6: Trekking & home stay Mai Chau
Day 7: Trekking & home stay Mai Chau
Day 8: Cross border to Laos/drive to Xam Nua
Day 9: Drive to Xieng Khoang
Day 10: Visit Plain of Jars/drive to Luong Prabang
Day 11: In Luong Prabang
Day 12: Biking and river kayking in Luong Prabang
Day 13: Drive to Vang Vieng
Day 14: Biking & caving in Vang Vieng
Day 15: Drive to Vientiane
Day 16: In Vientiane
Day 17: Departure

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Arrive in Noi Bai Airport. Meet ATV guide at the airport and transfer to our hotel in downtown Hanoi. Welcome drink and tour briefing in the afternoon (If you come in the afternoon, the tour briefing will be done at dinner time)
In the evening, enjoy a special Water Puppet show and have welcome dinner with local delights. Overnight Hanoi.
Summary
Transfer:  45 mins by AC vehicle
Meals:   Welcome drink & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: City tour of Hanoi

After breakfast in the hotel you will take an interesting guided city tour of Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh complex (the mausoleum, the house & garden and the museum) and One Pillar Pagoda, a unique ancient architecture. After here we move to Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam’s first university, dates back to 1070. Its peaceful gardens and pavilions ofer a relaxing respite from Hanoi’s busy streets. Lunch in local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a relaxing cyclo tour in the ancient part of Hanoi. Walking down some small and lively street to see busy local market then join locals for green tea or coffee in local café. Free time for shopping. Overnight in Hanoi
“Cyclo" is three wheeled rickshaws, operated by pedal-power, with a seat attached to the front.
Summary
Sightseeing:    Full day city tour
Meals:    Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:   Hotel in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay at 8.30am.
On the way we will have a short break for refreshment at a handicraft centre. Upon arrival in Halong City we board a wooden boat for a fine seafood lunch and a short cruise to Thien Cung Cave. After a short exploration of the cave we start our kayaking time paddling through an amazing area of limestone islets. We will pass a floating village to reach Luon Cave, which is a tunnel thrusting through a mountain. Paddling through the tunnel to explore a beautiful secluded lagoon. We will meet the mortherboat, a junk in Chinese style, in front of the cave. Aboard the junk for dinner and overnight.
Summary
Transfer Hanoi – Halong:  3.5 hrs
Kayaking:    2.5 hrs/caml sea
Meals:    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:   Twin shared cabin

Day 4: Kayaking Halong Bay
After breakfast we start paddling to Van Chai Floating village and then continue paddling to Dark Cave. Tide permitting, we explore this amazing cave by kayak. The cave is a 200m long, dark tunnel thrusting through a limestone mountain. The tunnel is the only entry to a secluded and beautiful lagoon. Lunch on support boat in front of the cave. After lunch we paddle to Ba Trai Dao Lagoon, along a stunning and fairly rough sea channel, to explore its beautiful beaches. Continue paddling to Lan Ha Bay, which is smaller than Halong bay but much more interesting with lots of secluded beaches. Cruise back to Halong Bay for dinner and overnight on motherboat
Summary
Activity:   Kyaking 6 - 7hr/calm sea
Meals:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:  Twin shared cabin

Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Breakfast on the junk and enjoy the sundeck of the junk while she navigates amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay to get back to Halong City. Lunch on the junk before reach Halong Harbor for a drive back to Hanoi. On the way back to Hanoi we will have a stop in Dong Trieu Town for refreshment and visiting to a ceramic factory. Overnight in Hanoi.
Summary
Transfer Halong – Hanoi:  3.5 hrs with AC vehicle
Meals:     Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Hotel in Hanoi

Day 6: Hanoi – Mai Chau

Pick up at your hotel at 8 am and leave Hanoi for Mai Chau, the beautiful gate way to the mountainous area of northern Vietnam. On the way we will have a short stop for refreshment.
Upon arrival in Mai Chau we will pick up our local guide and continue driving to Xa Linh Village, where we will have our lunch in a H’mong house before setting off on a beautiful trekking in the afternoon. After lunch we will begin our trek on the village’s road and then walk on dirt path used by the locals. After 40nims we will reach Tra Day Village, home to a small community of Black H’mong minority people. From the Tra Day village we trek on rocky path to Hang Kia, a small and scenic village which is home to a group of Flower H’mong minority people. Tonight we will stay overnight with a H’mong family.
Summary
Transfer Hanoi – Mai Chau:  4.5 hrs
Trekking:    3 hrs/dirt & rocky path/easy climb
Meal:     Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:   Home-stay

Day 7: Trekking Mai Chau
After breakfast in the house we will say goodbye to the family and begin an exciting trekking day. Right after the village we will walk on jungle trail for one hour. The trail could be a bit wet due to the dense trees that keep sunlight away. After that we descend the hill passing farm and terraces. The scenery is stunning with mountains, terraces and expansive valley. During the trek we will some breaks for snack, rest, and photographing. After crossing a small river we reach a village of White Thai minority group, where we have lunch in a local house. After lunch, you may wish to have a short nap in the house. In the remainder of the day we will walk on village road to reach Buoc Village, a beautiful village of White Thai minority people. The road runs zigzag along the valley and through lots of scenic village. Tonight we will have dinner and stay overnight with a Thai family.
Summary
Trekking:   5.30 hrs/long descent on dirt path
Meals:    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:  Home-stay

Day 8: Mai Chau – Xam Nua (Laos)
After breakfast we say goodbye to the hosts and take a short walk to the pick-up point where we start driving west to Laos. Lunch on the way before arriving at the border. Crossing the border we will meet our Laotian guide and will be transferred to Vieng Xai to visit some big caves, which were used as bomb shelter for Lao Army leaders during American War. Continue to Xam Nua, where we spend the night in a small hotel.
Summary
Transfer Mai Chau – Xam Nua (Laos): 6 hrs  
Sightseeing:     Explore historical caves
Meals:       Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:     Hotel in Xam Nua
 
Day 9: Xam Nua – Xieng Khoang
This morning we head to Xieng Khoang, the capital of Phonsavan Province. The drive is long (6 hrs) but interesting as we drive through a mountainous area with stunning mountains, dense forest, winding rivers and rice terraces. Lunch will be in small local restaurant en route. Upon arrival in Xieng Khoang, we check in hotel and relax until dinner. If there is time, we can take a stroll around the town.
Summary
Transfer Xam Nua – Xieng Khoang:  6 hrs  
Meals:       Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:     Hotel in Xam Nua

Day 10: Xieng Khoang – Luong Prabang
After breakfast in hotel we take a short drive to the Plain of Jars, where we will see some hundreds of stone jar of different sizes laying on the fields. These stone jars date back from some thousand year ago and no one know what they were made for. From here we drive further west to Luong Prabang. Lunch will be served in local restaurant en route. We will arrive in Luong Prabang around 4.30 or 5 pm. After hotel check-in we can walk to the evening market.
Summary
Transfer Xieng Khoang – Luong Prabang: 6 hrs  
Sightseeing:     Plain of Jars
Meals:       Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:     Hotel in Luong Prabang

Day 11: Luong Prabang by bike
Luong Prabang is a charming ancient town, which was recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO thank to its outstanding historical and cultural value. Today we take our time to explore some of most important monasteries in town and the royal palace as well as the museum. A special afternoon tour brings us to some more remote places and markets. We learn about the history of Luang Phabang as well as about the kings family and their former life…
Summary  
Sightseeing:     Full day city tour by bike
Meals:       Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:     Hotel in Luong Prabang

Day 12: Elephant riding and river kayaking in Luong Prabang
Leave the town after breakfast we will proceed to the Elephant Camp about 15 km out of town and in the middle of a green surrounding. After crossing the small river we will be introduced to asian elephants and go out for a scenic ride. Enjoy the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 1,5 hr ride. Make our way through forests and along the Nam Khan river up to the waterfalls of Tad Sae. (in dry season we ride a village trail) After a visit and lunch break we will be instructed for the soft 4-hr kayaking back into town. Some easy rapids are along the way down to Luang Phabang and of course wonderful nature and great views.
Summary  
Elephant ride:     1,5 hr
Kayking:     4 hr/easy paddling
Meals:       Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:     Hotel in Luong Prabang

Day 13: Luong Prabang – Vang Vieng
Another day through mountains and valleys and down to the small town of Vang Vieng which welcomes us with amazing limestone mountains laying along Song River and great outdoor activities. Lunch will be in local restaurant en route. Arrive in Vang Vieng in the afternoon. After hotel check-in we can take a stroll around the town or take a swim in Song River.
Summary  
Transfer Luong Prabang – Vang Vieng: 4 hrs
Meals:       Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:     Hotel in Vang Vieng

Day 14: Caving and kayaking in Vang Vieng
Today we discover the nature beauty of Vang Vieng. We will be transferred shortly to the Khmu village of Viengsamay about 10 km north of Vang Vieng. From here we paddle down stream the Song River. On the way we stop to explore some stunning caves, take a short trek and visit to the Organic Farm, where mulberry tea and a variety of fruit wines are produced. Back to Vang Vieng Town around 4.30 pm.
Summary  
Kayaking:    5 hrs/easy paddling
Trekking:    2 hrs   
Meals:      Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:    Hotel in Vang Vieng

Day 15: Vang Vieng – Vientiane
A short transfer brings us into the capital of Laos, Vientiane. Still a small town it is the centre of politics and education. Many temples and monasteries invite for sightseeing as well as the national monument. In the afternoon we have free time to explore the town or just hang out on the bank of the magic Mekong which lies right in front of the city.
Summary  
Transfer Vang Vieng – Viantiane :  3 hrs
Meals:       Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:     Hotel in Vientiane

Day 16: Vientiane
The city tour of Vientiane shows us the most exciting and interesting sights of this small and charming capital. Our sightseeing start with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the Buddha museum where more than ten thousand Buddha statues in the niches can be seen. Continue to Pathu Xay or Victory Gate ( Arc de Triumph ) was first built in1958 . Moving on to That Luang, the national symbol and recognized throughout the world. This biggest stupa is also a gathering  place for national Buddhism ceremony.
After lunch in local restaurant we drive to Centre Market and have free time to shop around or get back to hotel.
Summary  
Sightseeing:     Full day city tour
Meals:       Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:     Hotel in Vientiane

Day 17: Departure
Relax until we are transferred to airport for flight home. Trip concludes
Summary  
Transfer airport:  15 mins
Meals:     Breakfast