Vive Vientiane

Vientiane is a sleepy town on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. As you stroll through the tree-lined, slightly disorderly streets, it'll be hard to believe that you're walking through the country's capital. Vientiane feels more like a large village without the hustle and bustle of a large capital city. Travel to Vientiane and have a look at its beautiful colonial buildings and temples, remnants of France's power over Indochina at the end of the 19th century.

This easygoing starter pack will take some of the hassle out of your first days in Laos and will leave you with enough energy to enjoy Vientiane. We'll take care of your airport pick-up and we'll arrange your accommodation for the first 2 nights. You'll stay at a comfortable hotel with a swimming pool, perfect for a refreshing swim.

Duration:	3 days - 2 nights Offered daily	Accommodation:	Charming, centrally located Vientiane hotel. Comfort Level 3 (see accommodation)
Price:	From $89 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Included:	Airport transfer to your Vientiane hotel, accommodation with breakfast
Transport:	Air conditioned car	Excluded:	All other meals and excursions

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane

On arrival at Vientiane airport, you'll be greeted by a driver who will take you to your accommodation. If you travel by nighttrain from Bangkok, you'll be picked up at the border. Your cosy guest house is located in the centre of Vientiane, near the Mekong River, the morning market, and the loveliest restaurants that Vientiane has to offer. The courtyard of the guest house is a great place to wake up slowly in the morning and enjoy your breakfast (breakfast is included).

Vientiane has a number of interesting attractions worth visiting. For instance, you could climb the Patuxai, which resembles the Arc de Triomphe, for an amazing view over the city and the Mekong River. Just outside of the city you'll find the impressive 'Wat Phra Keo' and 'Wat Sisaket' temples. The most important temple complex is 'Pha Tat Luang'. This gold leaf covered temple is the symbol of Buddhist Laos. The morning market is the perfect place to purchase beautifully woven carpets and clothing. The antique stores in the city centre sell reasonably priced opium pipes as well as Laotian silver.

Have a chat with a monk

Day 2: Vientiane

Today, you'll have plenty of time to see all of the attractions in Vientiane. Personally, we chose to rent bicycles as cycling is an easy and fun way to explore the city. You can ride through the tree-lined streets at your own pace and continue along the Mekong River banks where all kinds of interesting fruit are grown. You wont need to worry about lunch - every street corner has a small bakery where you can pick up a fresh French baguette. Before you know it, you'll sink into the laid back Laos feeling. If you're interested in Buddhism, visit a temple where you're certain to learn more about the role Buddhism plays in the daily life of Laotians. Start up a conversation with a monk - they are very open to meeting visitors.

You can also enjoy a visit to Buddha Park, 'Wat Xieng Khuan', about 25 kilometres outside the city. The park is filled with giant Hindu and Buddhist statues carved in stone. At the end of the day, you can have a drink at one of the many terraces along the Mekong. This is a great place to enjoy one of the spectacular sunsets in the area.

Day 3: Vientiane - End of module.

Your Laos Starter Pack ends after breakfast this morning. Be prepared for an early start - you're likely to be woken by the local rooster. However, this is actually the beginning of most Laotians day, bright and early at sunrise. If you would like to go for a walk before breakfast, head on over to the local market and have a look at the many souvenirs.

After our Starter Pack, you'll continue with your Laos adventure. A logical next step would be to travel north to Luang Prabang. We can arrange a domestic flight for you or, if you have enough time, you can travel by land to Luang Prabang via our Laid-back Laos travel module. This is a really relaxing area for active and adventurous travellers alike.

Laos accommodation pictures

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