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Itinerary
for Laos Cambodia and the Golden Triangle |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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| 15.03.12 |
Australia -
Singapore
Depart Sydney at 9.25am on SQ 212, arriving in Singapore at 2.30pm.
Depart Brisbane at 2.40pm on SQ236, arriving in Singapore at 8.35pm.
Depart Melbourne at 11.00am on SQ238, arriving in Singapore at 3.45pm.
You will be met and transferred to the Peninsular Excelsior hotel or
similar in
central Singapore for a one night stay.
Accommodation: Peninsular Excelsior Hotel or similar. |
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16.03.12
(L)
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Singapore - Chiang
Mai
Transfer to Singapore airport departing at 8.50am on MI 702, arriving
in Chiang Mai at 10.45am. You will be met at the airport by your Thai
guide and you will have a tour of Chiang Mai's famous handicraft
factories and have lunch before checking into the Centara Duangatwan
Hotel, situated in the centre of Chiang Mai's famous night market.
Accommodation: Centara Duangatwan Hotel. |
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17.03.12
(B,L)
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Chiang Mai
This morning we drive out to the rural areas to visit the Queen Sirikit
Botanical Gardens. This is followed by a visit to an orchid nursery
where we have lunch. After this we visit Chiang Mai's famous mountain
top temple with spectacular views back over Chiang Mai. |
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18.03.12
(B,L) |
Chiang Mai -
Chiang Rai
Breakfast at hotel. Today we head north for a beautiful scenic drive to
Chiang Rai, our first stop is at an elephant camp to a display of the
elephants at work. Here you can have the option of having a short
elephant ride in the jungle. (Cost not included).
We next travel through the main hill-tribe area of Thailand and stop
and visit an Aka village. This is followed by a visit to a large hot
spring. We then proceed to Chinag Rai, staying at the Rimcock Resort
Hotel on the banks of the river with extensive and beautiful grounds.
Accommodation: The Rimcock Resort Hotel. |
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19.03.12
(B,L) |
Chiang Rai
This morning we visit the Queen Mother's beautiful gardens outside of
Chiang Rai. This is followed by a visit to Wat Rong Khun. This white
temple is unlike any of the other temples in Thailand. It is a modern
masterpiece built by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a popular artist who
dedicated 10 years of his life to this grand project, in the name of
Buddha. It is a modern project built almost entirely out of white
materials and decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass that make
it glitter, especially during the night. |
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20.03.12
(B,L)
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Chiang
Rai - HoueiSay - Pakbeng
This morning early departure from our Chiang Rai Hotel for a beautiful
drive through the Golden Triangle area to the Mekong River, which we
cross by boat to enter Laos. After completing border formalities, you
board the Private Traditional
Slow Boat ready for the trip downriver. Serene, timeless Laos is one of
Asia's most unvisited, unchanged countries. Bisecting and
bordered by the Mekong River, omnipresent symbol
of Indochina, Laos today is an amalgam of cultural influences;
Theravada Buddhism, animism, France and the socialist ideal. It is a
peaceful place, and the legendary hospitality, resilience and
friendliness of the Lao people is much in evidence. Laos is Old Asia
preserved. As you journey downriver you will stop at a Khmu tribal
village. (Please note the access to this village
is by foot and there is climbing on uneven surfaces involved. It
may not be suitable for everyone). En route lunch on board,
continue to sail down stream the Mekong River to Pakbeng, arrive
Pakbeng by late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in
Pakbeng. |
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21.03.12
(B,L)
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Pakbeng
- Luang Prabang
After enjoying breakfast in the hotel overlooking the Mekong, we
continue our river journey downstream, you will pass areas of unspoilt
forest with little villages along the river banks and perhaps the odd
elephant or two with his mahout. You visit a fishing village and rice
wine making village with an opportunity to sample some local
specialty. A delicious lunch is again served on board, and upon
nearing Luang Prabang we also stop to visit the famous Pak-Ou caves
with their thousands of Buddha statues. You arrive in Luang Prabang
around sunset and transfer to your hotel.
This evening you can visit the night bazaar market and take a stroll
around this enchanting little town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang |
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22.03.12
(B,L)
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Luang
Prabang - City Tours
Today you will enjoy a guided tour exploring this charming city that is
today a UNESCO world heritage site. Luang Prabang is idyllically
situated
where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers converge, surrounded by mountains.
From 1353 until1545 it was the capital of Lane Xang before power was
transferred to Vientiane. Despite the move Luang Prabang remained the
seat of monarchical power, and when the kingdom broke up in 1694, one
of the deceased king's grandsons established a rival kingdom to those
in Vientiane and Champassak. Though weakened, the Luang Prabang royalty
endured until 1975, when after the reign of 63 kings it was formally
dissolved. You spend the day exploring the temple and sites in what is
called one of the last Shangri-La's of Southeast Asia. Your city tour
takes in some of this history, visiting Wat Xiang Thong, the most
important Buddhist monastery in the country, Wat Khili and Wat Mai.
Lunch is at a local restaurant.
Later we visit the former Royal Palace, now a National Museum where you
will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as
Buddha and spectacular artifacts including the Pra Bang, a large holy
image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa
Ngum. At sunset we climb the nearby temple-topped hill of Phousi where
you will catch a lovely view out over the town and the river. Optional;
you may request a Lao traditional
dance show performance this evening.
Overnight Luang Prabang. |
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23.03.12
(B,L)
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Luang
Prabang - Khouangsi Waterfalls
As an early morning option you may want to rise early and participate
in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with
their black alms bowls being given offerings from the local people,
from there you will visit the morning Dala Market where you will see
such diverse products as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter
among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also
known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit the pottery
villages of Ban Chane, Ban Xom and Ban Thapene and the weaving villages
of Ban Phanom on the way to the most beautiful waterfall in Luang
Prabang, Khouangsi. Here you can go for a dip in the pools or walk
along the forest paths surrounding the waterfall. Lunch at local
restaurant
By late afternoon we return to Luang Prabang
Overnight in Luang Prabang. |
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24.03.12
(B,L)
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Luang
Prabang - Vientiane
Breakfast at hotel this morning enjoy some free time at leisure until
transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane by QV102 at 1.10pm,
arriving at 1.50pm. On arrival at the Vientiane Capital, you will be
met
and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a
charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai,
Chinese, Vietnamese, French and American influences. After a short
rest, we start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the
Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha
statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously
housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao's national
precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure That Luang Stupa,
you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing
Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triump.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Vientiane. |
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25.03.12
(B,L)
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Vientiane
- Nam Ngum Lake
Breakfast at hotel, After breakfast we head out of the city, we make
our way to Nam Ngum by 70kms south of Vientiane, the Num Ngum Dam is a
huge reservoir created by damming the Nam Ngum River, with stopover at
Ban Keun, which is famous for its traditional salt extraction. Arrival
at the dam at noon, picnic lunch by the lake. In the afternoon we
embark on a local slow boat to explore Nam Ngum reservoir and some
beautiful islets and lifestyle of fish man people.Afterward drive back
to Vientiane by the national road No. 14th north, along the way we
visit Phone Hong district, the local market at KM52 and other
traditional villages. Arrive Vientiane later afternoon.
Overnight in Vientiane |
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26.03.12
(B,D)
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Vientiane
- Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel, then early transfer to Vientiane airport for flight
QV512 at 6.30am Arrive Siem Reap international airport at 9.25am, meet
your English speaking guide and then transfer to your hotel. In the
morning, visit Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures and Srah
Srang ('The Royal Baths'), undoubtedly used in the past for ritual
bathing. Then visit Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool
and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake. Visit Preah
Khan temple, built by King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, Like Ta
Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors.
Unlike Ta Prohm, however, Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of
preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even
improve this situation.
In the afternoon drive to Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded
as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer art. Stop at a local
village to visit families who are producing palm sugar, Visit Banteay
Samre, one of the most complete complexes at Angkor due to restoration
using the method of 'anastylosis'. The name Samre refers to an ethnic
group of mountain people, who inhabited the region at the base of Phnom
Kulen and were probably related to the Khmers. No inscriptions have
been found for this temple, but the style of most of the architecture
is of the classic art of the middle period similar to Angkor Wat. The
proportions of Banteay Samre are splendid. A unique feature is an
interior moat with laterite paving, which filled with water must
have given an ethereal atmosphere to the temple. Sunset at Pre Rup.
Accommodation: Somadevi Angkor Hotel or similar. |
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27.03.12
(B,D)
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Siem
Reap
In the morning, visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting
the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom
(12th century), Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with
over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), Baphuon (recently re-opened
after years of restoration), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the
Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon,
visit Ta Prohm, one of the area's most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has
been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of
its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other
monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle,
looking very much the way most of the Angkor temples appeared
when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Then visit the
most famous
of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple
complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial
Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the
Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art
historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and
architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolise Meru's five peaks -
the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and
the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Sunset at Angkor Wat.
Accommodation: Somadevi Angkor Hotel or similar. |
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28.03.12
(B,D)
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Siem
Reap
Visit a floating village, take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on
the Tonie Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in
Asia. Visit Senteurs D'Angkor and experience the authentic scents and
tastes of Cambodia through a range of traditional handmade products
that help create jobs and incomes for impoverished rural communities.
Delicatessen delights include spices, traditional teas, highland
coffees and local rice liquors. These are also medical balms and
natural massage oils as well as perfumed candles and incense.
In the afternoon visit "Les Artisans d'Angkor - Chantiers Ecoles", this
centre is working with young artisans; the team creates, produce and
market a unique collection of ornamental sculpture, lacquer ware, silk
weaving and silk painting. The company promotes fair, sustainable
development in order to provide benefits to the rural communities. Time
at leisure at the local market. Dinner with Apsara Dance Show at local
restaurant.
Accommodation: Somadevi Angkor Hotel or similar.
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29.03.12
(B,D)
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Siem
Reap - Phnom Penh
After breakfast depart overland with driver only to Kompong Thom and
Phnom Penh. Arrive Phnom Penh, check into the hotel. Afternoon at
leisure.
Accommodation: Juliana Hotel or similar. |
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30.03.12
(B)
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Phnom
Penh
Visit the notorious Tuol Sleng Museum. In 1975 Tuol Svay Prey High
School was taken over by Pol Pot's security forces and turned into a
prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest
such centre of detention and torture in the country. More than 17,000
people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeung Ek
to be executed; detainees who died during torture were buried in mass
graves in the prison ground. The museum displays include room after
room of these photographs of men, women and children covering the walls
from floor to ceiling; virtually all the people pictured were later
killed. Continue to the nearby national Museum. Built in 1917 it is an
exceptional example of traditional architecture and is exclusively
devoted to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures. Hundreds
of pieces are housed here including both pre and post Angkorian pieces.
Visit the Central Market, another landmark of the city of Phnom Penh.
In the afternoon visit the Russian Market (Psah Tuol Thom Pong), a
lively outdoor market where you will find antiquities, silver and gold
jewellery, gems, silk, kramas, stone and wood carvings, as well as
T-Shirts, CDs and other souvenirs. Enjoy a joint Sunset Cruise on the
Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers.
Accommodation: Juliana Hotel or similar. |
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31.03.12
(B,L)
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Phnom
Penh - Singapore
Visit the Independence Monument and Wat Langka, one of Phnom Penh's
five original Wats (pagodas), founded in 1422. First established as a
sanctuary for the Holy Writings and a meeting place for Cambodian and
Sri Lankan monks, the Wat was named in honour of these meetings. Wat
Langka was used as a storehouse by the Khmer Rouge, so it escaped total
destruction. Now fully renovated, this temple still plays an important
place in Cambodian Buddhism.
Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of
the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the
Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which
is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. The treasures include a solid gold
Buddha encrusted and weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th century
emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. End your visit of the charming
capital with a visit to the city's namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in
1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by
the river.
Transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport. Depart Phnom Penh at
6.10pm on MI607, arriving in Singapore at 9.10pm.
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01.04.12
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Melbourne passengers depart Singapore
at 12.45am on SQ237, arriving in Melbourne at 11.10am.
Brisbane passengers depart Singapore at 12.10am on SQ255, arriving in
Brisbane at 10.00am.
Sydney passengers depart Singapore at 12.45am on SQ231, arriving in
Sydney at 11.35am. |