LAOS
7 - 14 March
- UNESCO listed Luang Prabang
- Beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall
- Plain of Jars, Site 1, 2, and 3
- Beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall
- Plain of Jars, Site 1, 2, and 3
Map of our roadtrip: Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall - Luang Prabang - Plain of Jars - Luang Prabang
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Day 1
We flew SilkAir from Singapore to Luang Prabang, which took about 3 hours direct flight (SGD781for two) and arrived at Luang Prabang airport at around 1210pm local time. The first four nights, we bought a package from 'Luxury Escapes' for SGD874, and stayed in Sofitel Luang Prabang, which was the French governor house in the 16th centuries. The package includes free transfer from airport to hotel, which is only 15-20 mins drive. Upon checking in to the nice French colonial styled hotel, it was rest and relax time. We had an hour of Laos-styled massage (inclusive in the package), high tea (inclusive), and rested till 6pm before we took the free shuttle bus from hotel to the city centre (about 10 mins away). |
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Day 2
We woke up 8am and headed to the morning market with our cooking class chef to buy some fresh local ingredients. The morning market is located at the parallel road to the night market. After buying the ingredients, we went back to the hotel for breakfast before starting our cooking class from 10am - 12pm. The chef taught us to cook 3 local dishes plus 1 soup. After that, we get to enjoy our hard work at the restaurant. After lunch, we borrowed two bicycles from the hotel and ride to Phosy Market (not so interesting), and Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre for a drink by the Mekong River. From there, we rode to the historic area and visited Wat Xiengthong Temple and had dinner at the night market. |
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Day 3
After breakfast, we rented a motorbike (100,000 kip for 24-hour) and rode to Kuang Si Waterfall. The ride there is all on Tarmac road, and passes by some local villages. Took us more than an hour of slow ride to reach Kuang Si Waterfall, and we would recommend people who can ride motorbike to do this, else can just take a minivan here. We spend about 4 hours in Kuang Si Waterfall, having a lunch picnic and a dip in the lower pool here. After that, we had high tea at Carpe Diem (nice environment), and visited Vanvisa at the Falls before returning to Luang Prabang. Along the way, we stopped by at the buffaloes farm for ice-cream. In the evening, we climb up to Mount Phousi to enjoy the sunset and panoramic view of Luang Prabang. Shopping time again at the night market after that and had dinner at 3 Nagas (nice food and environment). |
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Day 4
Rest and relax day, and spend most of the time lazing in the hotel. In late afternoon, we took the bicycle and rode to the old bridge and around the historic area again before going to Dyen Sabai for early dinner (good food, nice environment with the view of Nam Khan River). We need to cross the bamboo bridge (5,000 kip per person) to get to the restaurant. After dinner, we headed back to the night market again. |
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Day 5
After breakfast and checking out from Sofitel, its time to head out to Phonsavanh to visit the Plain of Jars. We've used Northern Travel Laos for a 3D2N private tour (US$350 each) to visit the mysterious Plain of Jars in Xiangkhouang Province. Luang Pranbang-Phonsavanh Around 0800am, Meet your guide and drove about 7hours to Phonsavanh, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. En route, we stopped at Street Hmong Market at junction Phoukhoun for late lunch. Thereafter, took us about another 2-3 hours to reach Phonsavanh. First stop was Mulberry Organic Silk Farm, where we saw local nice silks. After that, we visited MAG Office, where displayed about bombing film during the Indochina War. Overnight in Phonsavang at Vansana Plain of Jars Hotel. |
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Day 6
Around 0830am after breakfast, we visited Phonsavah market to see local lives before we drive out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site 1 where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau, also visit site 2 & site 3, both similar to site 1 but smaller than site 1. Afternoon, we continued to visit the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Some stupa, former French building, temples bombed by US Army during the Indochina war still be seen there. Back to hotel at around 4pm, and overnight in Phonsavanh. |
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Day 7
After breakfast at around 9am, we make our way back to junction Phoukhoun and continue return to Luang Prabang. Along the way, we stopped by at a few local villages before arriving back in Luang Prabang. Took us slightly less than 7 hours for the journey. We stayed at The Sanctuary Hotel Luang Prabang (US$80 inclusive of breakfast), which is much nearer to the night market. We had early dinner at Utopia Bar and Restaurant, which is cosy and have nice view of the Nam Khan River. After dinner, back to the night market for last minute shopping :) |
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Day 8
Time to say goodbye to the lovely town, Luang Prabang. After breakfast, we headed to the airport (US$10 one-way from hotel) for our flight back to Singapore. |
TRIP PHOTOS - LAOS