FROM LUANG PRABANG
TO THOUSAND BUDDHAS
  

Length

6 DAYS

Type of tour

CULTURE/NATURE

Type of service

PRIVATE

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TRIP OVERVIEW

  The Luang Prabang to the Thousand Buddhas tour is a 6-day itinerary that combines the classic visits to Luang Prabang and Vientiane with the natural and cultural experience of exploring the ‘Plain of Jars‘, the archaeological site still subject to research to understand the meaning and origin of hundreds of large jars scattered on the plateau for about 2000 years.

Visit Luang Prabang, ‘City of the Golden Buddha‘, the legendary capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom, located on the peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam rivers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

Admire the beauty of the Kuang Si waterfalls and cruise the Mekong River to discover the Pak Ou Caves, or the Thousand Buddha Caves, an important place of worship and pilgrimage for centuries.

Explore the 16th-century ruins of Muong Khoune and visit Vientiane, the Laotian capital, which is home to buildings with unique architecture that mixes French colonial style with Buddhist temples such as the Pha That Luang temple, a national symbol.

This sample itinerary starts in Luang Prabang and ends in Vientiane. It can be customised to suit your travel needs as well as combined with other routes.

From Luang Prabang to Thousand Buddhas - map © In Asia Travel

DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

Length : 6D 5N
From : LUANG PRABANG
To : VIENTIANE
Destinations : Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, Vientiane

ITINERARY

01. ARRIVE IN LUANG PRABANG

Mount Phusi © Gabriele Stoia - In Asia TravelMount Phusi

Welcome meeting by our staff on your arrival in Luang Prabang, the legendary capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom located on the peninsula at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam rivers, and transfer to the hotel.

We then begin our walking tour of the most important monuments.

We visit Wat Visoun, built in 1513, Wat Aham, or ‘Monastery of the Blossoming Heart‘, built at the beginning of the 19th century as a place of meditation and a meeting place between animist and Buddhist cultures, and the Wat Mai, ‘New Monastery‘, built at the end of the 18th century, one of the most complex and picturesque temples in the city, richly decorated and easily distinguishable by its unique five-level roof.

Late in the afternoon we climb Mount Phousi to visit the sacred golden stupa and admire the beautiful city skyline and a romantic sunset over the Mekong.

A walk to the Night Market on Luang Prabang’s main street in the evening is definitely worthwhile, as you can meet local traders selling handicrafts from the area’s ethnic minorities.

Included : Private pick up from the airport, guide, tickets, private transportation and hotel

02. THOUSAND BUDDHAS CAVE - KUANG SI

Thousand Buddhas at Pak Ou caves - Private tours In Asia TravelThousand Buddhas at Pak Ou caves

At 5:30am we witness the Tak Bak ceremony, the monks’ quest, an ancient Asian Buddhist religious tradition practiced with constancy only in Luang Prabang. Every morning, for the past 2,500 years, hundreds of monks walk barefoot from their temples to the centre of the city. Forming a long line, they slowly walk through the streets to collect alms, especially ‘sticky rice’, donated by the faithful, who wait silently on the pavements, in exchange for prayers and blessings.

Once finished, we return to the hotel for breakfast. We then continue our tour of the most important attractions.

We visit the Wat Sene Souk Haram temple, or ‘Temple of 100,000 Treasures‘, built in 1718 using 100,000 stones extracted from the Mekong River, and Wat Xieng Thong, or ‘Monastery of the Golden City‘, founded in 1560, one of the most important in Luang Prabang, known for the grace and elegance of its architecture.

Afterwards we head to the pier and embark on a river cruise to Pak Ou Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves. Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Ou rivers, they are one of the must-see sights on a trip to Laos.

The sanctuary consists of two large limestone caves: Tham Ting, the lower cavity, which can be reached by climbing the 30-step staircase, and Tham Theung, the upper cavity, which can be reached by climbing the 70-step staircase.

The Pak Ou caves have been an important place of worship for many centuries for the faithful, who offer a Buddha image as a gift when they make a pilgrimage there. As a result of this tradition, today both cavities house thousands of statues of Buddha of different sizes, from a few centimeters to about 2 meters, in different styles and spiritual positions (mudras), from meditation to ascent to nirvana.

During the cruise we admire the typical Laotian rural landscape and the local lifestyle. We stop for a short visit to the village of Ban Xang Hai, known for the production of “Lao Lao”, the famous rice whiskey, and to the village of Ban Pahnom, known for traditional textile production.

We then continue to the outskirts of Luang Prabang to the incredible Kuang Si waterfalls. Along the way we visit some villages inhabited by ethnic minorities. Once at the falls, there is plenty of free time for a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters, to explore the trails that lead into the forest, or simply to relax surrounded by this beautiful natural setting.

On the way back to Luang Prabang we visit the villages of Ban Xang Kong known for its ancient textile tradition and the production of paper from mulberry bark. We end the day with a beautiful sunset from the top of the Wat Phabath temple.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, boat, tickets and private transportation 

03. XIENG KHOUANG - MUANG KHOUNE

Plain of JarsPlain of Jars

After breakfast we head to the National Museum: formerly the Royal Palace, it now houses an important collection of valuables including statues of Buddha and many other objects donated by visiting dignitaries to the court of Luang Prabang.

Next, we travel to Xieng Khoang, the province heavily affected by the American bombardment during the Second Indochina War (Vietnam War).

The path is very enchanting and reflects the authenticity of Lao landscapes. It is unusual to come across other tourists in this area as it is still off the beaten track. The transfer is slightly long and includes a few stops to admire and take pictures of the scenery.

Upon arrival we carry on with a tour of the Muang Khoune archaeological site, capital of the Tai Muang Phoan autonomous principality in the 16th century, which was heavily damaged by the American bombardment. 

We visit the ruins of Wat Phia Wat, the temple built in the 16th century, still a place of worship and pilgrimage. Next, we visit the ruins of Wat Tha Foune temple, built in the 14th century in ‘Ayutthaya style’ with its typical bell shape.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

04. XIENG KHOUANG - VIENTIANE

Plain of jarsPlain of Jars

After breakfast we visit the Plain of Jars, the large archaeological site with hundreds of large jars scattered over the plateau.

Archaeologists claim that the jars are around 2,000 years old, although no concrete explanation has yet been found as to what they were used for, whether they were burial urns or were merely used to store the popular rice wine.

Afterwards, transfer to the airport in time for your domestic flight to Vientiane, the Laotian capital, which is home to buildings with fascinating architecture that mixes French colonial and Buddhist temple styles.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

05. VIENTIANE

That Luang Stupa © Gabriele Stoia - In Asia TravelThat Luang Stupa

After breakfast we visit the most significant landmarks such as Wat Si Saket, known for its thousands images of Buddha that, according to local belief, protected the temple during the Siamese invasion of 1828.

We continue to Wat Ho Prakeo, built in 1865 to house the famous Emerald Buddha, and to That Luang Stupa, considered the most important monument in Laos. The latter, according to local belief, houses a relic of the Buddha brought over in the 3rd century BC.

We conclude our visits to Vientiane at the Patuxai, or ‘Laotian Gate of Triumph‘ the monument dedicated to the fallen of all wars.

Afternoon transfer to Wat Xieng Khouan, also known as ‘Buddha Park‘. In 1958 the Buddhist-Hinduist cleric Boun Léua created numerous sculptures inspired by the Buddhist and Hindu religions, with the aim of ‘uniting’ the two beliefs through a work of art.

The 40-metre-long statue of the reclining Buddha and the large hollow sculpture in the shape of a head, which provides access to an upper level with a beautiful view of the park, symbolising the passage from hell to heaven, are particularly noteworthy.

Afterwards we get back to the city in time for the spectacular sunset over the Mekong River.

Included : Hotel, breakfast, tour guide, tickets and private transportation 

06. VIENTIANE DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight.

Included : Breakfast, private transportation to airport

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