|
Plain of Jars The Plain of Jars in Phonsavan The 'Plain of Jars' are one of the most extraordinary attractions in northern Laos. This plain is strewn with stone bottles of unknown origin. While walking through the glowing hills, the mystery will follow you too. You'll fly from Vientiane to Phonsavan, a town located in hilly northwest Laos. Aside from a visit to the famous 'Plain of Jars', you'll also go on a short trek through the area surrounding Phonsavan. You'll visit several villages of minorities living in this area and you'll get to know their culture in a very special way. After visiting the 'Plain of Jars' you can also choose to extend your stay in Phonsavan with another night. This will give you sufficient time to visit the Tham Piu cave or the waterfalls. |
Duration | 3 days/ 2 nights | Accommodation | 2 nights in a guest house in a room with private facilities. |
Price | From $459 per person - based on 2 people | Included | Accommodation with breakfast, domestic flights, guide, lunch on day 2 |
Transportation | Aeroplane and/or local bus | Excluded | All other meals and excursions |
Day 1: Vientiane - PhonsavanToday you'll start off on the mysterious 'Plain of Jars' travel module. During the morning you'll travel to the airport on your own; you are best to take a taxi (costs approx.$25). After a short flight you'll arrive in Phonsavan, the capital of the Xieng Khouang province home to the mysterious 'Plain of Jars'. While flying above the area, we could see the devastation left by the Vietnam War clearly: the black American B-52 bombs have left enormous craters in the landscape. Throughout the years the area has regained its natural appeal. We were very impressed by the hill country; it almost seemed European at times.You'll easily be able to arrange your own transfer from the airport to the centre of Phonsavan. Around noon you'll arrive at your guest house. Leave your baggage for a bit and enjoy a fresh fruit shake before unpacking. Regroup and recharge and you'll have enough energy to visit the plain in the afternoon; it's located near the city. Let yourself get caught up in the mystery surrounding these gigantic jars. |
|
|
Day 2: Plain of JarsThere are three plains in the Phonsavan area where ancient sandstone jars are strewn. According to some experts, these giant jars were once used to store wine or rice. Others believe that the dead were once buried in them. Perhaps you might come up with your own ideas about their origin and what they were used for? You'll visit the most extraordinary site, where a giant urn weighing thousands of kilos can be found, together with a guide. According to the Laotians this jar was the victory-cup of the mythical King Jeuan, who won numerous battles in this area. Aside from this victory-cup, you'll find 250 other jars with oval or round openings and at times even with a square opening. From time to time you'll also see 'lids' with special decorations on them. However, according to archaeologists these lids were never used to shut the jars... The mystery surrounding the 'Plain of Jars' is nowhere near being solved. |
| After a local picnic lunch (included in the price of this module), you'll trek through the diverse and hilly landscape with a guide. You'll pass minority villages such as those of the Hmong, Khmu and Thai Dam. The Thai Dam tribe creates beautifully coloured hand-work which they display in front of their homes with pride. You'll see quite a bit of opium cultivation in the area you will walk through. The colourful opium flowers bloom from December until March. Along the way you'll take a break at a river, where you can rest your weary feet. At the end of the afternoon you'll arrive at the Phonsavan guest house. After all of these activities, you'll have built up quite an appetite and you'll enjoy your dinner. We really enjoyed this special BBQ: the BBQ is prepared in an old cluster bomb unit. |
|
|
Day 3: Bus Phonsavan - Luang PrabangThis morning you'll have some spare time to explore the city for one last time. You won't be able to miss the lucrative trade in war remnants. Any unexploded materials, the so-called UXO's (unexploded ordnance) serve a variety of purposes. Empty cluster bombs are used as building materials for homes (see picture) and aluminium is used in kitchen utensils. At the end of the morning you'll travel by bus, in about 9 hours, to Luang Prabang. A long trip, but the scenic views make more than up for it. At the bus station in Luang Prabang this module ends. You'll travel independently to your hotel; this is best done by taxi.If you wish, you can extend this module with one day in Phonsavan. This will give you enough time to visit the Tham Piu cave, a tunnel in the mountainside which was used as a hide out during the Vietnam War. Along the way you'll pass Baw Yai, a spa where civil servants once held meetings while taking nice hot baths. This module can also be done in reverse. In that case you'll travel by bus from Luang Prabang to Phonsavan. After visiting the 'Plain of Jars' you'll fly to the capital Vientiane. |
Laos Plain of Jars - accommodation pictures |
Click here for the quote request form |
