DAY 1: XIEN KHUANG – ARRIVAL (-/-/D)
Arriving in Xieng Khuang, guests will be met by a guide and private car and transferred to the hotel for check-in.
XiengKhuang is a town that has been totally rebuilt after it was destroyed during the secret war in Laos. The town is now located 30km away from where it was originally. Today, Xieng Khuang, locally called “Phonsavan”, is the gateway to the Plain of Jars
After checking into the hotel, guests can enjoy a city tour and visit the MAG Center in the town. MAG is a humanitarian organization dedicated to clearing the remnants of conflict for the benefit of local communities worldwide. Laos is the most heavily bombed nation in the world (per capita). Free entry, open every day from 0800–2000.
Overnight in XiengKhouang.
Distance and journey time:
Phonsavan Airport – Phonsavan (3 km): 5 min
DAY 2: XIEN KHUANG – PLAIN OF JARS (B/L/D)
In the morning guests will journey through Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars.
The Plain of Jars is a huge archaeological complex littered with mysterious 2000-year-old stone jars sized from 70cm up to four meters. Their true origin remains a mystery, but it seems that they were carved into boulders. Several research missions led by the French archaeologist Madeleine Colani in the 1930s suggested that they could be old graves, but to this day they remain an enigma.
The trip will enable guests to visit the three sites and also discover some local villages where they can observe local village life. Site 1, close to the town, is settled at Thong HaiHin and is the biggest site. Site 2 is at HaiHin on PhouSalator. “Phou” in Lao means “mountain”. The tour ends at Site 3 in HaiHinLatKhai, which is the most impressive with over 150 jars. Close to this site, guests will visit Ban Xiengdi where there is a small monastery with Buddha images. The journey back passes areas that were important battlefields during the American secret war. Guests can still see bomb craters from that time today.
Attention: The Plain of Jars was heavily bombed during the war and all visitors must respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Phonsavan.
In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day trip to MuangKhoun. MuangKhoun is one area in the old provincial capital that was destroyed by the American bombs during the secret war. It is home to a unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that remain in ruins. The foundation and columns of WatPiaWat are still standing and close to this site, and there is also an old 30-meter stupa constructed in the LanXang/Lanna period.
Then return to Xieng Khuang.
Overnight in Xieng Khouang.
Distance and journey time:
Phonsavan – Plain of Jars (16 km): 20/30 min
Phonsavan – MuangKhoun (40 km): 45 min
DAY 3: XIEN KHUANG – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
After breakfast guests have free time until they are transferred to the airport for their onward flight.
Distance and journey time:
Phonsavan – Phonsavan Airport (3 km): 5 min
***********End of Laos Tour services***********
