IN4-LA4D: TREKKING IN XIENG KHOUANG
4 days/3 nights

Laos is the forgotten corner of Indochina that until now has escaped the notice of world tourism. Much of the country is mountainous areas, jungle covered and occupied by a large variety of colorful minorities. There is huge potential for interesting trekking, though very little has been done up to this point in time. In Xieng Khouang, which is so far known by its plain of jars story, eco-tourism is still in the developing stages. For instance the total number of trekkers to this destination is very few.

Day1. Phonesavanh - Arrival
Meet upon arrival at Phonesavanh airport and transfer to your hotel in Phonesavanh, the new capital city of Xieng Khouang Province. Remainder of the day at leisure.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 2. Phonesavanh - Ban Tachok - Ban Keokaola
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure by private vehicle (car or van) from Phonesavanh at 7:00 AM, to the village of Ban Thachok. Upon arrival at this Hmong minority village, the car will see you off and the trek will start from here, but first visit a Hmong house surrounded by its strange fence of standing, exploded ordinance. Commence the trekking at 8:00 AM along the grade 2+ - 3+ trails to the village of Ban Namkha, a Khmu minority village of approximately 30 families. This tribe belongs to the Mon-Khmer ethnic group who are the original in-habitants of the Indochina peninsula, locally called Lao Kang, which means the middle Laos. This village practices swidden agriculture and use the surrounding forests for hunting and trapping animals as well as gathering plants. After a short visit to this village, the trail travels along the river and then climbs up steadily through the slashed and burnt hills and the mixed jungle of varying ages for about two hours. Your local guide will point out many interesting things, such as cardamom, rattan and medicinal plants. Slash and burn is a cultivation rotation, where the method consists of cutting, drying and burning the natural vegetation in order to create a rice field in the forested and mountainous area.
Continue trekking for approximately two hours under the canopy, until we reach the highest, mysterious and famous jar site at Ban Pakao. Our experienced guide will show you the complete and incomplete ancient jars, which are scattered through-out the forest. There are more than 300 jars located at this fascinating and remote site.
Lunch at a nearby, Hmong minority village.
Continue to walk for another three hours to Ban Keokaola where we subsequently have dinner and overnight here.

Day 3. Ban Keokaola - Hot Springs
After breakfast, we start our second day trek from Ban Keokaola village to Ban Nakhou, a Khmu minority village, passing by two Hmong villages located in the remote high-lands area. Continue and visit Ban Mouang Thear, a Taidam (Black Tai) minority village, where they specialize in weaving cloth and bamboo.
After lunch, we trek for a further three hours to reach Ban Namthoune, a Hmong Hamlet for a little break. Our private car will pick you up there after a long full journey of new, unexplored nature and we will arrive at the hot springs in the late afternoon. Check-in at the Hot Springs Resort and enjoy a bath in the hot mineral spring water, in the comfort of your room. Dinner and accommodation at the Hot Springs Resort.

Day 4. Hot Springs - Phonesavanh - Departure
Breakfast at the resort, visit the hot spring, and then travel by car to visit Tampaew. This martyr and historical cave is where over 300 villagers went into hiding, after being completely bombed out during the war.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Return to Phonesavanh and visit the Plain of Jars, site no. #1, a large area extending around Phonesavanh where several hundred huge jars of unknown origin are scattered about in over a dozen groupings. Several theories have been advanced as to the functions of the jars (burial urns, wine fermenters, rice storage), but there is no evidence confirming one theory over the other. However, in the 1930s, French archeologists found ashes, stone axes, bronze ornaments and ceramics, which may have been offerings to the dead. When the Plain of Jars is listed by UNESCO and cleared from remaining UXOs, further archeological investigation may bring a clue to all the unanswered questions.
Visit the Laos Sericulture Company at their silk farm and training center, featuring Mulberries, silk and tea.
Transfer to Phonesavanh airport for departure flight to Vientiane (flight not included in the package price).

PACKAGE PRICE: Tour cost per person (in USD)

TRIP INCLUDES

• Transfer and tour by air-conditioned car / minivan / coach with English speaking local guide, entrance fees, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

• Accommodation in twin shared rooms with private bathroom (except at village home stay)

• Service charges, room tax and baggage handling.

Description of service in detail

TRIP EXCLUDES :

• Flights

• Laotian visa fee upon arrival (US $30 per person + two photos)

• Airport tax upon departure (International: US $10 per person / Domestic: US $0.50 per person)

• All other meals not mentioned above, drinks, tips and other personal expenditures such as telephone, laundry, and personal travel insurance.
  

REMARKS:

• As indicated: (A/C= Air-conditioning, O/N= Overnight, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

• Rates are subjected to changed without prior notice

ACCOMMODATION:

Brief introduce about tourist sites ( click to see)

Photo gallery ( click to see)

All's for your satisfaction!