Departure 2012
This escorted tour takes you on an incredible journey which begins in the hills of northern Thailand. Few people enter Laos by boat but on this remarkable tour you travel down one of the greatest rivers in the world, the Mekong, to Pakbeng, home to the Hmong and Thai Lu people. Continue onward and cruise to Luang Prabang, stopping at Pak ou Caves to see thousands of Buddha images. See the morning ceremony of robed monks collecting alms and explore fascinating temples. See the colonial influence mixed into the rich, ancient history of Laos blended with modern day. Fly to Cambodia and tour the remarkable temple ruins and complex of Angkor Wat. This multi country adventure offers you a unique way to explore Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Explore Incredible Laos is led by Teri, herself, who wishes to share one of her favorite parts of the world with you!
DAY 1- CHIANG RAI
Upon arrival in Chiang Rai, the gateway to the Golden Triangle, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The Golden Triangle is the name given to the area where Thailand meets its neighboring countries, Laos and Myanmar (Burma), and is home to some of Thailand’s most picturesque scenery and colorful hill tribes.
ACCOMMODATION 1 night
WIANG INN – Superior room
DAY 2 – CHIANG RAI/PAKBENG
This morning drive towards the border with Laos, the ‘Land of a Million Elephants.’ The drive to Chiang Khong will take you to of one of the great rivers of the world, the Mekong. Here at the border, the Mekong divides the more industrious and developed Thailand from ‘laid back’ Laos, a sparsely populated country and home to a graceful and unaffected people. After visa and immigration formalities, board your boat for a cruise down the Mekong. Take in river life and picturesque scenery as you cruise (for six to seven hours) to the rarely visited town of Pakbeng. In the late afternoon disembark and ascend the steps to your lodge in Pakbeng village. A simple market town, Pakbeng is home to Hmong and Thai Lu people and is well known for its frontier atmosphere. (Breakfast and lunch included)
ACCOMMODATION 1 night
PHETSOKXAI – Standard room
DAY 3 – PAKBENG/LUANG PRABANG
After breakfast, re-board the boat for a full day’s journey along the Mekong River towards Luang Prabang. Today’s boat trip will take you past precious verdant forest and sleepy riverside villages. You will stop at the ‘Pak Ou Caves’ with their thousands of Buddha images. Here, in a tradition that has lasted for centuries, local people add annually to a repository of Buddha statues. You will glide into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Luang Prabang and after checking in to your hotel, venture out for either local or French cuisine at one of the many fine restaurants in this delightful town. (Breakfast and lunch included)
ACCOMMODATION 3 nights
SALA PRABANG – Classic room
DAY 4 – LUANG PRABANG
Surrounded by mountainous forest and situated at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang has a tranquil, old world charm. This fascinating town was the capital of the Lane Xang (million elephants) kingdom until the mid 16th century. In colonial times it served as a provincial headquarters of the north. The legacy of the European presence here – well preserved French architecture and careful street planning – has blended delightfully with more than thirty gilded Buddhist temples to create a town rich in atmosphere and history. Begin your day with short walk to the National Museum, formerly the Royal residence. This museum is full of fine examples of Lao art and furniture and set in a building which is testament to some of the amazing architectural styles which can be found in Luang Prabang. Continue your day’s exploration of this fabled city to sample some of Luang Prabang’s most exquisite temples, including serene Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Mai. This latter temple was spared sacking by the Chinese Black Haws in the late 19th century, supposedly because of its beauty and stunning design. You shall also have the opportunity to chat with a monk at the famous Wat Mai to gain a unique insight into the intriguing Buddhist faith. In the afternoon, continue to be dazzled by the architectural beauty of Luang Prabang’s temples with a visit to Wat Pha Bhat Tai on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. Prior to entering the temple you will get the chance to interact with the local people by having a game of petanque (similar to bocce), undoubtedly the most popular recreational activity amongst the Laotian people. Following your game, enter the wat to enjoy some refreshing local Lao juices and snack foods as the sun fades away behind the enchanted surrounding mountains. (Breakfast included)
ACCOMMODATION
SALA PRABANG – Classic room
DAY 5 – LUANG PRABANG/KUANG SI FALLS
Rise early this morning and see robed Buddhist monks collecting alms, following a centuries old ritual. After breakfast, travel to Kuang Si Falls, one of the many beautiful waterfalls near Luang Prabang. On your way there, stop at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to gain a detailed insight in to the various ethnic minority groups which have been so central to the formation of present day Laos. En route to Kuang Si falls you shall also make a stop at one of the larger local markets in Luang Prabang where you can see many products produced by the various ethnic minorities and learn more about the diverse range of natural products on offer. On arrival at the waterfalls, you will have a chance to swim and relax, surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters and thick jungle vegetation. Travel back to Luang Prabang in the early afternoon to enjoy some time at leisure to soak up the ambience of one of Asia’s special towns. In the late afternoon, take part in a traditional Lao-style cooking class. Have fun while learning about typical Lao ingredients and prepare your own dinner! (Breakfast and dinner included)
ACCOMMODATION
SALA PRABANG – Classic room
DAY 6 – LUANG PRABANG/SIEM REAP
Today you will fly from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap (please ensure you have 20USD in cash and a passport photo if you are obtaining your Cambodian visa on arrival) you will be transferred to your hotel. Afternoon, visit the world’s largest sacred building and an architectural masterpiece, Angkor Wat. This monumental building took more than thirty years to build and represents Khmer civilisation at its grandest until sunset. Return to your hotel after an afternoon of fascinating discoveries. (Breakfast included)
ACCOMMODATION 2 nights
ROYAL BAY INN ANGKOR RESORT – Deluxe room
DAY 7 – TEMPLES OF ANGKOR
We begin with a pre-dawn departure (4.30 to 5.00 am depending on the time of year) from your hotel for sunrise outside Angkor Wat. Enter the great temple in darkness (please bring a torch) from the little-visited eastern side, and creep along hoary cloistered corridors past the longest stretch of bas-relief carvings in the world. Soak up the atmosphere of dawn at Angkor, from the edge of one of the ancient library pools. We then explore the interior of the great temple, spending a thorough two hours discovering the corridors, central chambers and upper terraces of this truly great temple. Your expert local guide will decipher the myriad of stories behind the bas-relief carvings, and give you an insight into life during the height of the Khmer empire. We end our touring at Angkor with breakfast outside the temple (take away, from your hotel), and a short rest. Continue the morning by driving through Angkor Thom city and visit the temple of Bayon before moving on to Preah Khan temple, a ruined but highly atmospheric mélange of tree roots and crumbling stone structures. Construction of this site was commissioned by the great ‘temple builder’ Jayavaraman VII (in honour of his father) and a visit to this smaller site makes for an interesting contrast with the more imposing Angkor Wat. Preah Khan is currently being restored by the World Monument Fund and in places is in remarkably good condition. At the end of the morning return to your hotel for lunch and a swim, and in the afternoon drive to Banteay Kdei temple, a setting for the movie ‘Lord Jim’ and currently under restoration by a Japanese university. We end the afternoon with a visit to jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm, one of the most atmospheric of all temples in Angkor and sister site of Preah Khan. Once home to 2,740 monks, Ta Prohm today looks much as it did in the early 1850s, when French explorer Henri Mouhot ‘rediscovered’ this crumbling site. At the end of the day, we catch a final sunset glimpse of Angkor Wat, then return to our hotel. Today is a long but fulfilling day which will leave you with lifetime memories of some of the most impressive monuments built by mankind. (Breakfast included)
ACCOMMODATION
ROYAL BAY INN ANGKOR RESORT – Deluxe room
DAY 8 – DEPART SIEM REAP
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (Breakfast included)
4 – 6 persons Cost from $2459
7- 9 persons Cost from $2129
Frame travel pictures 25% off
The Copper Door
