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Itinerary for Laos, Cambodia & the Golden Triangle Tour - March |
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| Note: |
Meals are included in the itinerary as B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner |
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29.03.09
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Australia - Singapore
Depart Brisbane at 9.30am on SQ 256, arriving in Singapore at 3.30pm.
Depart Melbourne at 11.20am on SQ 238, arriving in Singapore at 4.15pm.
Depart Sydney at 12.30pm on SQ 232, arriving in Singapore at 5.45pm.
You will be met and transferred to the Peninsular/Excelsior Hotel in
central Singapore for a two night stay. While in Singapore the
following are included:
*50% discount on the la carte food menu (food only) at the designated food outlet in the passenger's hotel
*Airport-hotel-airport transfers on seat-in-coach basis.
*Free unlimited rides on SIA Hop-on tourist bus.
*Free admission to 6 attraction; Sentosa Island Resort, National Orchid
Garden, Singapore River Cruise, Jurong Bird Park, The Singapore Zoo,
Malay Heritage Centre.
*Discounts on shopping, dining, sightseeing tours and attractions as listed in SIA Boarding Pass Privileges program.
Accommodation: Peninsular/Excelsior Hotel |
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31.03.09
(L)
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Singapore - Chiang Mai
Transfer to Singapore airport departing at 8.20am on MI 702, arriving
in Chiang Mai at 10.25am. you will be met at the airport by your Thai
Tour Guide and you will have a tour of Chiang Mai's famous handicraft
factories and have lunch before checking in to the Centara Duangatwan
Hotel, situated in the centre of Chiang Mai's famous night market.
Accommodation: Centara Duangatwan Hotel |
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01.04.09
(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 Chiang Rai, staying at The Rimkok Resort
Hotel on the bank of the river with extensive and beautiful grounds.
Accommodation: The Rimkok Resort
Hotel |
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02.04.09
(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 of 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.
Accommodation: The Rimkok Resort
Hotel |
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03.04.09
(B/L/D)
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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. This once-powerful kingdom known as Lane Xang
(Million Elephants) was founded in the 14th century with the help of
the Khmers, and it went on to become one of the largest kingdoms in
South-east Asia until its demise in the late 19th century. Bisected 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
down river you will stop at some tribal villages such as the Hmong, Yao
and Khmu. En route lunch on board, continue to sail down stream the
Mekong River to Pakbeng, arrive Pakbeng by late afternoon.
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04.04.09
(B/L/D) |
Pakbeng - Luang Prabang
Breakfast at hotel. At 8.00am we are heading sail
downriver, you will pass areas of un-spoilt forest with little villages
along the river banks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his
mahout. You visit a fishing village and a rice wine making village and
perhaps even taste some of the infamous beverage known as Lao wine. You
also visit the 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 take a stroll around this enchanting little town. En
route lunch on board, arrive in Luang Prabang by late evening 4.30pm
and transfer to your hotel.
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05.04.09
(B/L/D) |
Luang Prabang - City Tours
Breakfast at hotel. We are exploring this charming city of
UNESCO world heritage site The Luang Prabang is a small, dream-like
town on the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, in a beautiful mountain
setting. From 1353 until 1545 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 temples and
sites in what is called one of the last Shangri-La's of South-east Asia.
You will visit Wat Xiang Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery
in the country, Wat Khili and Wat Mai. Later, 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 artefacts
including the Pra Bang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th
century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum. At sunset climb the nearby
temple-topped hill of Phousi where you will catch a lovely view out
over the town and the river. Lunch in local restaurant. Dinner at local
restaurant.
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06.04.09
(B/L/D) |
Luang Prabang - Khouangsi Waterfall
Breakfast at hotel. Optional: This morning 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, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. From there you will visit
the morning Dala Market where you will see such diverse offerings as
dried buffalo skin, local tea and salt pepper 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 village of Ban
Phanom and continue your destination at the most beautiful fall in
Luang Prabang with compound by prosperous unspoiled forest and drive to
the wish of beautiful Khuangsi waterfall where you can splash around in
the pools or walk along the forest paths. Late afternoon return to
Luang Prabang. Lunch in local restaurant. |
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07.04.09
(B) |
Luang Prabang - Free Day
Breakfast at the hotel and the rest of the day is free for personal discovery. |
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08.04.09
(B/L/D) |
Luang Prabang - Vientiane-City Tour
Breakfast at hotel. This morning enjoy some free time at
leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane by QV102 at
12.40pm, arriving at 1.20pm. 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. En route to Lao's
national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of 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 Local Restaurant. Dinner at Kaulao Restaurant. |
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09.04.09
(B/D) |
Vientiane
Breakfast at
hotel. After breakfast we head out of the city, we make our way to Nam
Ngum by 70km 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 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.13th north, along the way; we visit Phone Hong
district, the local market at KM 52 and other traditional villages.
Arrive in Vientiane later afternoon. Picnic lunch at the lake. |
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10.04.09
(B/D) |
Vientiane-Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel, then early transfer to Vientiane Airport, departing
on flight QV 512 at 6.30am. Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport at
9.00am, meet English speaking guide and then transfer to hotel to check
in. Free time at leisure. Lunch own arrangements.
In the afternoon visit the famous Angkor Wat Temple and sunset view from the top of Phnom Bahkeng Hill. Western Dinner at Hotel.
Accommodation: Apsara Holiday Boutique Hotel. |
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11.04.09
(B/D) |
Siem Reap
Before breakfast we have a hot-air balloon ride to see the spectacular sights of sunrise over Angkor Wat.
Breakfast at hotel. At 8.30am we take an Elephants
Ride from the South Gate of Angkor Thom to Bayon Temple and then start
to visit
Bayon, Baphuon, Phimean Akas, Elephants and Leper King Terraces. Lunch
own arrangement. This afternoon visit Ta Prohm and Preah Khan Temple. Buffet dinner at city restaurant with
Cambodian
Dance show.
Accommodation: Apsara Holiday-Boutique Hotel |
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12.04.09
(B/D) |
Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel. Today visit Banteay Srey Temple and
Banteay Samre Temples. Lunch own arrangement. This afternoon visit Tonle Sap Lake and
Floating village. Enjoy a foot massage for 1 hour in the city. Western dinner
at hotel.
Accommodation: Apsara Holiday-Boutique Hotel. |
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13.04.09
(B/D) |
Siem Reap-Phnom Penh
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Phnom Penh
with
local guide and visit an interesting village. Lunch own
arrangement. This afternoon drive to Phnom Penh. After check in at the
hotel enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River for an hour.
Tonight will be a Western style dinner at Tonle Basac restaurant in the
city.
Accommodation: Juliana Hotel. |
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14.04.09
(B) |
Phnom Penh - Singapore
Breakfast at hotel. Today visit the Royal Palace, Silver
Pagoda, National Museum and Sleung Museum. Lunch own arrangement. This
afternoon visit Weaving Village at Kean Svay, Wat Phnom.
Transfer to Phnom Penh Airpot. Depart Phnom Penh at 6.10pm on MI 607, arriving in Singapore
at 9.10pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Singapore at 11.35pm on SQ 237, arriving in Melbourne at 8.45am the next morning (15.04.09 ).
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| 15.04.09 |
Brisbane passengers depart Singapore at 12.10am on SQ 255, arriving in Brisbane at 9.50am.
Sydney passengers depart Singapore at 12.30am on SQ 231, arriving in Sydney at 9.55am.
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Note:
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Airport
taxes and levies at present total an additional amount of approximately
$470. We have no control over this price and it is subject to change. |