Lao New Year in Luang Prabang

Day 1	Arrive Vientiane, transfer to domestic airport for connecting flight to Luang Prabang. Afternoon tour of main temples, i.e Vat Aham, Phousy Hill and Vat Mai mostly built in the 13th-16th century.
Day 2	From 7-11am the New Year fair will take place in Luang Prabang. Take part by walking along the street to buy various offerings including Zodiac flags. In the afternoon, see the crowded festival taking place on the sand beach by the Mekong river. Watch as the locals build votive mounds of sand, giving life to birds and fishe. Take part in the dancing and singing and water throwing on the beach until sunset.
Day 3	Take a traditional boat upstream on the Mekong river to visit the famous Pak Ou cave. See the Ban Xanghai rice distillery on the way. Visit Tam Ting, the Buddah cave. After lunch participate in the New Year procession where masks of ancestors are taken out of their wooden boxes at Wat Aham. The procession makes its way up to Wat Xienghong, the former royal pagoda, led by mask wearers. The procession also includes the Queen of New Year (Miss Luang Prabang), rows of young girls dressed in traditional costume, monks and older people on pick-up trucks. Watch as dancers and musicians close the procession.
Day 4	Morning visit to the former King's palace to see the ceremony of invitation of Prabang, the most revered Buddah image of the country to be placed at Wat Mai for paying homage. Followed by a visit to the market, after which we transfer back to the airport to return to Vientiane. In the afternoon, we continue to see the activities of the Lao New Year at temples in Vientiane.
Day 5	Morning visit to That Luang stupa, weaving village, Ban Nong Bousthong and shopping centre. Transfer to airport or friendship bringe for departure.

That Luang festival in Vientiane
6 Days / 5 Nights
tour starts November 18, 2002

Day 1	Arrive in Vientiane, transfer to hotel. After lunch, afternoon city tour to visit the National Cultural Ehtnic Park, Friendship Bridge and Buddah Park.
Day 2	Morning visit to Vat Sisaket, Hophrakeo, Patousay and the morning market. In the afternoon we see the procession of Phasat Pheung (the bee castles), which starts from Vat Nong Bone, in the compound of That Luang stupa. The procession includes different groups of pilgrims, local people wearing traditional styles of various ethnic groups. Explore the different handicraft stalls of the That Luang fair.
Day 3	Early morning start to view the big alm-giving (TAK BAT) at the compound of sacred That Luang stupa attended by thousands of Monks from different provinces. After breakfast transfer to Luang Prabang. Afternoon tour to visit Vat Vixoun, Vat Aham and on to Phousy hill to view the sunset over the city.
Day 4	Morning visit to the most beautiful temple, Vat Xiengthong. Take a traditional boat upstream on the Mekong river to visit the famous Pak Ou cave. See the Ban Xanghai rice distillery on the way. Visit Tam Ting, the Buddah cave. Picnic lunch at bamboo cottage on the beautiful scenic river at the confluence between the mekong and Ou rivers. Return to Luang Prabang and transfer by car to visit the very well known weaving village of Ban Phanom.
Day 5	Morning visit to the former King's palace, now the National Museum. After, visit the central market and a silver smith's. Transfer to airport for departure to Vientiane and if time permits, short visit of the Vientiane area.
Day 6	Morning visit to Ban Nong Bouathong and the handicraft centre. Transfer to airport for departure.

Included in the tour:	Transfers and tours as program specified with English/French (or specified) speaking local guide. Hotel accommodation in twin sharing room. Meals: fullboard. Domestic airtickets and baggage handling. Entrance fees to temples and touristic sites visited. Service charges and tax.
Not included in the tour:	Airtickets to / from Laos. Airport departure tax. Anything else not mentioned above.

Diethelm Travel Laos Co., Ltd.
Namphu Square (PO Box 2657)
Setthathirat Road, Vientiane, Lao PDR

Tel: + 856 21 213 833, 215 920, 215 128
Fax: 216 294, 217 151

Diethelm Travel
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Thailand
Tel: + 66 2 255 9151 - 70
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