Laos, Vientiane 6D/5N itinerary

I didn’t know much about Laos till last month. Last month Laos Airlines ran a contest in association with Changi Airport Singapore, wherein participants had to submit a 6 Day/5 night itinerary explaining how they’d like to spend 5 days in Laos. I chose to take part in this contest and submitted my entry. There was no need to secure votes to win the contest and winners would get a trip to Laos.

I didn’t win any prize, but in the process, I learnt a lot about Laos. Laos is a country in Asia, north of Thailand (which I recently visited), sandwiched between Vietnam and Cambodia. These countries aren’t posh and rich like the west, but have lots of stories to tell, from the world war time and beyond. Laos seems to have huge tourism potential, if supported by proper infrastructure and other support systems. I saw in Bangkok Suvarnabhoomi airport that Air Asia is now providing cheap connectivity to Laos-take flight till border city and take a bus to Laos.

I am just sharing the itinerary I’d submitted for the contest here, so that it might benefit anyone planning to visit this country.

Day 1	Tuesday
Night	Flight: Singapore – Vientiane (7.40pm – 9.05pm)
Day 2	Wednesday
Morning	6.30am: Leave for Vang Vieng for a Hot Air Balloon ride 7 am: Hot Air Balloon ride (Subject to weather conditions and operator’s discretion) 7.40am- 11:30am: Enjoy Black water tubing on Nam Song river 11.30am-1.30pm: Other adventurous activities around Vang Vieng (Kayaking, rafting etc, Lunch & Return to Vientiane
Afternoon	2 pm-4 pm: Back in Vientiane, visit Laos National Museum 4 pm:  Rent a bicycle, cycle towards Mekong River
Night	6pm: Enjoy sunset by Mekong River, cycle back to city, shopping around the hotel, dinner, rest
Day 3	Thursday
Morning	7 AM: Breakfast and leave for Airport 9 AM: Flight: Vientiane(VTE)- Luang prabang (LPQ)(QV111, 9.15AM-10.10 AM) 10.30AM Head to Haw Kham (closes at 11.30AM) 11.30 AM Climb up to Phou Si hill to get Panaromic view of the city
Afternoon	12.30 PM: Khuang Xi Waterfal. Spend the afternoon with nature, back in Luang Prabang in time for evening return flight to Vientiane
Night	6PM: Flight : Luang prabang (LPQ)- Vientiane(VTE) (QV104, 6.25PM- 7.10PM Back to hotel, Rest
Day 4	Friday
Morning	7 AM Rent a motorcycle (or join a motorcycle tour) to explore Laos country side on a motorbike 8 AM Head to Budha Park (Xiang Khouan) 25 kms from Vientiane. Enjoy scenic country side on the way 10 AM-12 pm: Head to Nam Ngum Lake, Enjoy a river cruise, lunch on floating restaurant.
Afternoon	12 pm to 6pm: Spend time exploring the nature, mild trekking or other river activities/water sports as available,
Night	6PM: Ride back to capital, Return the motorcycle, Rest
Day 5	Saturday
Morning	6 AM: Go for an early morning walk around the hotel, to understand early morning life on the streets of Vientiane. Buy a local newspaper on the way back. Back to hotel and breakfast. 9 AM: Visit Pha That Luang, Laos’ national symbol. 11 AM: Visit Wat That Luang Neua and Wat That Luang Tai temples adjacent to That Luang
Afternoon	2PM to 4PM: Visit Hophakaew Museum
Night	4 PM to 5PM Visit Black Stupa  (That Dam) in the evening 5 PM to 9PM: Shopping: Explore the malls and shopping streets of Vientiane. Buy Souvenirs.
Day 6	Sunday
Morning	8 AM: Take a walk at Chou Anouvong park, visit Presidential Palace 10 AM: Head to Wat Si Saket in a Tuk Tuk, 11 AM: back in hotel 12 PM: Checkout, Lunch and leave for airport
Afternoon	Flight: Vientiane – Singapore (3.05pm – 6.30pm)

Indiblogger and Tourism Victoria are running a similar campaign, wherein winners will get to explore Melbourne.