GIBBON EXPERIENCE   

Day 1: Vientiane

Meals: None

On arrival in Vientiane International Airport (own flight – Please advise), meet your guide and driver for a private transfer to your hotel in Vientiane. Rest of day is free at your own leisure.

Overnight at Usouk Hotel, Superior room

 

Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Namtha – Huay Xay

Meals: B

Spend time at leisure in Vientiane until time to transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang.

Fly Vientiane to Luang Namtha 

On arrival in Luang Namtha, meet your driver for transfer to Hauy Xay (No guide approximately 4 hours) Stop along the way at Vieng Phoukha to stretch your legs and enjoy scenic views.

On Arrival Huay Xay in the late afternoon, check in at your hotel for overnight

Overnight at Thaveesinh Hotel, Standard room

 

Day 3: Gibbon Experience

Meals: B L D

After breakfast, meet your driver for transfer to Gibbon Experience office in Huay Xay, then transfer to the starting point for the Gibbon Experience.

Road access is one hour only and initial walk takes one and a half hour for good trekkers aged from 12 to 50 years old. A series of very long zip-lines then fly you from mountain to mountain to the heart of the Nam Kan National Park and to the most giant tree living now in the Lao PDR. However, only one gibbon family lives in that area so your chances to meet gibbons are low in this program featuring more zip lines and less wildlife.

Overnight in a tree house

 

Day 4: Gibbon Experience – Huay Xay

Meals: B L

Enjoy some time in the canopy this morning, before making your way back through the forest to waiting transport to Houey Xay for an overnight at your familiar hotel

Overnight at Thaveesinh Hotel, Standard room

 

Day 5: Huay Xay – Pak Beng

Meals: B L 

After breakfast, check out and transfer by tuk tuk to the pier, take a private slow boat to Pak Beng.

On Arrival in Pak Beng transfer on foot to hotel.

Overnight at Duang Paseurt Hotel, Standard room

 

Day 6: Pak Beng - Luang Prabang

Meals: B L

After breakfast, continue your journey by slow boat to Luang Prabang via visit Pak Ou caves.

Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. Transfer to hotel.

Overnight at Le Sen Boutique Hotel, Deluxe room

 

Day 7: Luang Prabang

Meals: B

After breakfast meet your guide and driver start the day with a visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, a museum dedicated to the ethnic minorities of Laos. (Note: closed on Mondays)

Then drive into the peaceful countryside, stopping to explore several villages along the way. We will see a Hmong, a Khmu, and a Lowland Lao village and can compare their different life styles, traditions and religions.

The Lowland Lao of Ban Sa-aat live on the banks of the Mekong and its tributaries and in the cities. They speak Lao, which is closely related to the Thai spoken in Thailand.

Ban Pano is home to Khmu people, who were the original inhabitants of Northern Laos. They are animists and speak a language belonging to the Austro-Asiatic group of languages.

In Ban Long Lao, you will see Hmong and Khmu people live peaceful side by side. The Hmong settlers were the most recent to come to Laos. They built their villages on the mountain tops and practice shifting cultivation of corn and other crops.

In Ban Pano and Ban Long Lao, local guides from these villages will show you around. You will have the chance to get to see houses from inside, traditional dresses and explanations about different craft productions or other common work routines. The villagers are grateful for this additional income and they are proud to welcome visitors from far away!

Continue on to the Kuang Si Waterfall. At the falls, crystal water cascades into idyllic turquoise pools. Bring a bathing suit if you would like to swim! Also take time to visit the nearby Sunbear Refuge to learn more about the poaching of these endangered creatures.

Overnight at Le Sen Boutique Hotel, Deluxe room

 

Day 8: Luang Prabang – Pakse – Champasak

Meals: B L

Spend time at leisure in Luang Prabang until time to transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse.

Fly Luang Prabang to Pakse 

On arrival in Pakse, meet your guide and driver for transfer to Champasak, also visit the temple complex Wat Phou. The old Wat (temple), situated in a beautiful area, was part of the Khmer Empire which Angkor Wat (Cambodia) was once the capital. The temple served as a resting place for pilgrims on their way to Angkor Wat. It is a tough walk over difficult stairs to the upper part of the temple, but you will be rewarded with a beautiful view over the surrounding area. Now UNESCO protects the site from further decay. The entrance fee to Wat Phou is included in your fare. Later afternoon arrival.

Overnight at The River Resort, Pond/Garden Villa

 

Day 9: Luang Prabang – Pakse – 4000 Islands

Meals: B L

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver for transfer to 4000 islands, also visit Phou Asa, the mysterious mountain temple, where there is an option for an elephant ride, then dirve to Ban Nakasng a small fishibg Village and take a ferry boat to Done Khone.

On arrival in Done Khone transfer one own for check in at your hotel.

Overnight at Seng Aloun Guesthouse, Deluxe room

 

Day 10: 4000 Island

Meals: B

Today after breakfast enjoy a trip to Li Phi Falls, which were major obstacles that thwarted the French in their efforts to open the Mekong River to navigation. Here also live some 50-100 Irrawaddy (freshwater) dolphins. If lucky, you'll have the chance to see them!  See the small gauge railway and Colonial Bridge built by the French to circumnavigate the falls. Then return to the island to spend the afternoon at leisure or exploring the island on your own.

Overnight at Seng Aloun Guesthouse, Deluxe room

 

Day 11: 4000 Island - Pakse - Onward

Meals: B

This morning, return to the mainland and visit Khonephapheng Falls, the largest in Asia! Continue north to Paks Airport for your flight onward

 

 

Price per person sharing subject to change and availability

 

 

INCLUDING:

- All transfers and transport as per program per AC Mini-van

- All accommodation as per program (based on double/twin sharing room)

- Service of English speaking station guides per itinerary

- All meals as mentioned (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)

- All entrance fees on tour

- Boat trip

 

NOT INCLUDING:

- Air tickets both domestic and international

- Insurance

- Personal expenses

- All drinks

- Visa fees and/or visa authorization

- Tips

- Other expenses not mentioned on the itinerary

- Any compulsory and peak season surcharge (normally New Year periods)