Back to top

laos phonsavan

Plain of Jars

Bite-sized trip

  • Itinerary:
    Phonsavan - Plain of Jars - Phonsavan - Luang Prabang
  • Duration:
    3 days / 2 nights
  • Price:
    From £ 458.- per person (excluding flights)
Puzzle over the ancient mystery of giant stone jars scattered across hilly plains and visit an inspiring community project dedicated to educating young people in north eastern Laos. Nobody knows how, when or why the huge jars appeared, making the Plain of Jars a truly mind-boggling place. During this trip you’ll wander across the bizarre and beautiful plains on a guided tour and meet the spirited students of the Buffalo Foundation, committed to improving opportunities for young people with English classes and football coaching. It’s an eye-opening and heartwarming experience.
laos Phonsovan jars
Decorative torn edge

Day 1 – Arrival in Phonsavan

Most travellers take a flight from Vientiane to Phonsovan and, if you look out the plane window, you’ll see the huge craters left by America’s secret war on Laos. When you arrive, you’ll make your own way from the airport to your cosy guest house. In the afternoon, you can visit the MAG (Mines Advisory Group) centre, where you can find out how unexploded mines affect the lives of the local people.

Decorative torn edge

Day 2 – Plain of Jars

There are three plains in the Phonsavan area peppered with ancient sandstone jars. Some experts believe that the giant jars were used to store wine or rice, while others believe that the dead were once buried in them. At Site 1, you’ll find a giant urn weighing thousands of kilos. According to the Laotians, this jar was the victory-cup of the mythical King Jeuan. You’ll also find another 250 jars with oval or round openings and, at times you’ll also see decorated ‘lids’. Archaeologists believe that these lids were never used to shut the jars, but the mystery surrounding the plains is nowhere near being solved.

In the afternoon you’ll visit The Lone Buffalo Foundation, a community project offering young people free English courses and computer courses. It also promotes physical activities, such as football classes, encouraging English study through sport. Meeting travellers gives the students a great opportunity to practice speaking in public, so your visit will come in very handy. In turn, you’ll learn a great deal about local Laos culture.

Decorative torn edge

Day 3 – Phonsavan – Luang Prabang

This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and travel by minibus to enchanting Luang Prabang.

Decorative torn edge

Accommodation

torn-edge

Plain of Jars

This bite-sized trip can be combined well with

Bite-sized trip

Experience Luang Prabang

  • Luang Prabang
  • 4 days / 3 nights (flexible)
  • From £ 245.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
Decorative torn edge
laos tuk tuk
Bite-sized trip

From Hidden Laos to Hanoi

  • Phonsavan (Plain of Jars) - Sam Neua - Vieng Xai- Mai Chau - Hanoi
  • 4 days / 3 nights
  • From £ 475.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
Decorative torn edge
Cambodia traveller under beach sign
Bite-sized trip

Cruising the Mekong to Laos

  • Chiang Mai - Chiang Khong - Pakbeng - Luang Prabang
  • 3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
  • From £ 572.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
Decorative torn edge
Monk Thailand
Bite-sized trip

Northern Mountain Trail – Thailand to Laos

  • Chiang Rai - Luang Namtha - Luang Prabang
  • 4 days / 3 nights
  • From £ 718.- per person (excluding flights)
View bite-sized trip
Decorative torn edge
background-pattern