Northern Highlands of Vietnam and Laos

9 days visiting

• Hanoi
• Mai Chau
• Sam Neua
• Nong Khiaw
• Luang Prabang

From $1887 AUD pp (2 pax)

Day 1 Hanoi
Arrival in Hanoi
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, your guide will present you with a welcome packet including all necessary documentation and vouchers and all contact information of your guide and local offices.
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle
– Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2 Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel )
Sightseeing in Hanoi
There’s no arguing – Hanoi has to be the coolest city in Vietnam. And no, we’re not just referring to the climate. This chaotic, colourful, motorbike-clogged, 1,000-year-old city is a delicious mix of East and West. Hanoi clings on tightly to its heritage – the Temple of Literature is one of the oldest landmarks. More recent history can be seen in Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, while the man himself, lies embalmed in an austere mausoleum. There’s picturesque lakes and parks, as well as museums and prominent colonial buildings. Let’s jump right in and experience it all. We’ll even go green and explore the Old Quarter by electric buggy. Today’s Highlights: Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, Hoan Kiem Lake, Old Quarter by electric buggy – Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3 Hanoi – Mai Chau (Breakfast: Hotel )
By vehicle from Hanoi to Mai Chau with visits to minority village and Muong museum en route
Travel to Hoa Binh and Mai Chau provinces, the start of the northwest highlands and home to many different ethnic minorities. Stop at the traditional village of Giang Mo where wooden stilt houses are nestled among rice paddies with a backdrop of picturesque hills. Visit the Muong Museum and then continue along scenic roads to Mai Chau province.
Sightseeing in Mai Chau (including Van, Lac & Pomcoong)
A world away from the bustle of the towns and cities, the minority villages in the stunning Mai Chau Valley are friendly and quiet. They’re home to the White Thai, whose women are masterful weavers. We’ll visit several of these villages to see traditional stilt houses surrounded by rice fields, rivers and streams. Today’s Highlights: Mai Chau, Poom Coong, Lac and Van Mai village – Overnight in Mai Chau

Day 4 Mai Chau – Nam Soi – Sam Neua (Breakfast: Hotel )
By vehicle from Mai Chau to Na Meo (Vietnam/Laos border)
By vehicle from Nam Soi (Lao/Vietnamese border) to Sam Neua with a visit to Vieng Xai (excluding audio tour)
Travel past stunning karst formations and picturesque fields to Vieng Xai. The karst mountains are riddled with over 100 caves that the Pathet Lao used as their headquarters during the war. They were used for many purposes such as living spaces, artillery storage and hospitals. Explore some of the most important caves. In the afternoon, explore more of the natural beauty of this area on foot or by car, with possibilities to stop at some local villages – Overnight in Sam Neua

Day 5 Sam Neua – Nong Khiaw (Breakfast: Hotel )
By vehicle from Sam Neua to Nong Khiaw with sightseeing at Tad Saleui Waterfall and Muang Hiem hot springs
Today, we go west. Along the way, we’ll stop at a waterfall and then dip our feet in hot springs where the water can reach temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius. Today’s Highlights: Tad Saleui Waterfall, Muang Hiem Hot Spring – Overnight in Nong Khiaw

Day 6 Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang (Breakfast: Hotel )
Excursion by boat to Muang Ngoi
Relax on the boat as we cruise along the river to laidback Muang Ngoi, surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs. Inside the rock face is Tham Kang Cave, used by the locals as a bomb shelter during the Vietnam War. Today’s Highlights: Boat to Muang Ngoi, Tham Kang Cave
By vehicle from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang with sightseeing at the Tham Pak Ou Caves
During our journey to Luang Prabang we’ll find time to get spiritual. After a local ferry ride across the river, we’ll follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims up to the Pak Ou Caves. These ancient limestone caves are crammed full of thousands of Buddha statues, many broken and crumbling, covered in dust and cobwebs. Today’s Highlights: Ferry from Ban Pak Ou Village to Tham Pak Ou Cave – Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 7 Luang Prabang (Breakfast: Hotel )
Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
In the charming UNESCO-protected town of Luang Prabang, golden Buddha images adorn gilded temples with sweeping roofs, while saffron-clad monks drift silently by. We’ll stroll through the town stopping at some of the many temples. One of the most photographed sights is the unique pink mosaic of the tree of life at Wat Xieng Thong. In the 16th century Wat Visoun, we will find a beautiful collection of antique wooden Buddhas. In the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace, we’ll see the royal family’s private quarters
preserved just as they were when the family were forced to leave. The Hor Phrabang contains the palace’s most prized art including the Phrabang itself, a beautiful Buddha image. Throughout the tour we’ll see many other temples including Wat Sibounheuang, Wat Si Moungkhoun, Wat Sop, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and Wat Aham.
Visit Mount Phousi for sunset
Climb 328 steps starting from the entrance on the opposite side of National Museum, or 410 steps on the other side of Khan River to the small temples atop Phou Si. The hill is 150m high and sits in the middle of the town, offering beautiful views over the temples and river – Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 8 Luang Prabang (Breakfast: Hotel )
Excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls
Pack your swimsuit for a unique swimming experience at the spectacular Kuang Si Falls. Water tumbles over limestone rocks into numerous turquoise pools that are used as natural swimming holes. It’s refreshingly chilly and impossible to resist! On the way back to Luang Prabang stop for a walk around a local village. Today’s highlights: Kuang Si Waterfall, local village (Ban Ou or Ban Na Ouane)
Visit the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong
Visit Ban Xang Khong, a village near Luang Prabang well known for its traditional handwoven cotton and silk, as well as production of the local sa (mulberry) paper – Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 9 Luang Prabang (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer by air conditioned vehicle