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Itinerary
for Laos, North Vietnam, Golden Triangle Tour - August 2010
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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| 04.08.10 |
Depart Brisbane at 2.20pm on TG 474,
arriving in Bangkok at 8.40pm.
Depart Sydney at 3.30pm on TG 458, arriving in Bangkok at 9.55pm.
Depart Melbourne at 4.05pm on TG 466, arriving in Bangkok at 10.35pm.
All passengers will be transferred to a hotel in the airport area for
an overnight stay.
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05.08.10
(L) |
Bangkok - Chiang Mai
Transfer back to Bangkok airport departing at 7.50am on TG 102,
arriving in Chiang Mai at 9.10am.
There will be an inspection of Chiang Mai's famous handicraft village,
where you will see the manufacturing of Thai jewellery, paper
umbrellas, Thai silk, woodcarving and furniture etc. After lunch you
will be transferred to the hotel in the middle of
Chiang Mai's famous night market for a two night stay.
Accommodation: Centara Duangatwan Hotel. |
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06.08.10
(B/L) |
Chiang Mai
Today we drive out to the rural areas to see a wonderful display of
elephants at work. We then visit an outstanding orchid nursery where we
have lunch.
Afternoon is at leisure in Chiang Mai.
Accommodation: Centara Duangatwan Hotel. |
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07.08.10
(B/L) |
Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we head north for a beautiful scenic
drive to Chiang Rai. We 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: Rimkok Resort Hotel. |
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08.08.10
(B) |
Chiang Rai
This morning we visit the Queen Mother's lovely gardens. 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 his grand project, in the name of Buddha. It is a modern
project almost entirely out of white materials and decorated with small
pieces of mirrored glass that make it glitter, especially during the
night. The afternoon is free to enjoy the facilities at our lovely
resort hotel.
Accommodation: Rimkok Resort Hotel. |
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09.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Chiang Rai - HoueiSay - Pakbeng
This morning is an 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.
Your private boat leaves Huay Xay pier at 9.00am for a cruise down the
Mekong to Pakbeng. En route one stop is made to observe rural life
along the Mekong and visit minority ethnic groups; then you have a
buffet lunch on board. Arrive in Pakbeng before sunset and check in at
your hotel. |
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10.08.10
(B/L) |
Pakbent - Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang
Full breakfast at hotel. Optional walk to Pakbeng market, where people
from the surrounding minority villages exchange their goods. At 8.30am
you board the boat for the second leg of the cruise. A short stop to
discover a Hmong village before having a buffet lunch on board.
Continue to Pak-Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, and then
visit Pak Ou Caves "Cave of a thousand Buddha's". On the way to Luang
Prabang a brief stop is made to observe the traditional process of
manufacturing local rice alcohol. Arrive in Luang Prabang before sunset. |
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11.08.10
(B/L) |
Luang Prabang
After breakfast you have a full day city tour with a visit to the Royal
Palace museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then
enjoy a short guided tour seeing the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene
and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the
ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We also visit
the impressive Stupa of Wat Visoun and the Shrine of Wat Aham. |
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12.08.10
(B/L) |
Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to
participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks
collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful
residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only
Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there you will
visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse
offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the
chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for
its traditional handicrafts and today you will visit local village of
Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Quay and Ban Thapene. Time
permitting you may also wish to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi
Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk
along the forest paths. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon
and continue to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village and then
return to the city by late evening. |
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13.08.10
(B/L) |
Luang Prabang - Xiengkhuang
Today we make the drive through wonderful natural scenery to
Xiengkhuang. The journey will give you plenty of opportunities for
photos and visiting hill tribe villages. Upon arrival, we transfer out
to visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site
where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau. |
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14.08.10
(B/L) |
Xieng Khuang - Plain of Jars and Muang Khoun
This morning we have time to visit the interesting Central Market in
Phonsavan, visit the MAG exhibition and Site 2 of the Plain of Jars
before taking a short scenic trek to Site 3 via a Tai Dam and Lao Leum
village. Following lunch we have a half day morning tour seeing the old
capital of Muang Khoun and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong
hill tribe and Tai Dam people. |
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15.08.10
(B/L) |
Xiengkhuang - Sam Neua
A long drive today starting early this morning along some fairly rough
roads, but the journey is broken up by stops at nearby Hmong villages
and to admire the breathtaking scenery. We also have time to visit
Hintang. here we visit the mysterious menhirs (standing stone). No one
is quite sure who built them or why, perhaps burial sites or markers of
some sort. We arrive in Sam Neua early evening. |
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16.08.10
(B/L) |
Sam Neua - Viengxai - Sam Neua
Today after an early breakfast we visit a number of local weaving
villages, we continue onto the famous Vieng Xai Caves. This is where
the Pathet Lao leaders lived during the "Secret War". After enjoying
numerous caves we head back to our Sam Nua accommodation for the night. |
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17.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Sam Neua - Na Meo Border Gate - Mai Chau
This morning we drive to the Vietnam border of Nao Meo. After
Vietnamese immigration and customs you take an interesting drive
through the areas and natural reserves which not many tourists have
been through. Arrive in Mai Chau and area of white Thai.
Tonight the group will stay overnight at a family's house (which is
called the Long House) in the village, a basic accommodation, the
family provides mattress, sheet, pillow and blanket, though some people
prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Bottled water will be
supplied for the journey in this part of Vietnam.
Dinner at the house followed by a traditional Thai minority music show.
Accommodation: Family Home Stay (Thai Long House) |
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18.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Mai Chau - Dien Bien Phu
Leave Mai Chau for Dien Bien Phu, a long driving journey today. On the
way we'll meet several groups of Thai, Muong, Tay, Nung ethnic
minorities in their traditional clothes. Spectacular views along the
way, arrive in Dien Bien Phu late afternoon, the centre of Thai people
in North West of Vietnam. Lunch is on the way and dinner is at a local
restaurant in Dien Bien Phu.
Accommodation: Him Lam Hotel or similar. |
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19.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau
In the morning you will see A Hill, the main battlefield in 1954, where
the French were defeated by Vietn Minh; Dien Bien Phu War Museum and
the shelter of the French commanding general in Dien Bien Phu. We leave
Dien Bien Phu for Lai Chau, lunch on the way. After lunch the road
weaves its way northwards through the picturesque and steadily more
spectacular Na River Valley, past more ethnic villages of White Thai,
Kho Mu, La Hu and later Red and White H'Mong minorities. You arrive in
Lai Chau late afternoon. Dinner is at the hotel.
Accommodation: Muong Thanh Hotel. |
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20.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Lai Chau - Sapa
After breakfast you depart from Lai Chau town for Sapa along the most
spectacular scenery on the way leading to Sapa. Stop at Tam Duong to
see a local market. Leaving Tam Duong area, the National Road 4D,
climbs steadily, affording spectacular views of the surrounding hills.
Once over the summit the road begins its descent towards the town of
Binh Lu, and immediately you will begin to see grops of Black Dao
people, whose villages are located in the surrounding hills. Stop over
at Silver Waterfall on the way. Arrive in Sapa then check into the
hotel. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you take a 4 km
drive to the rim of a deep valley. Along the road you'll see H'Mong,
Dzay and Dzao minority people dressed in their traditional costumes and
spectacular view of rice terracing and pine forests.
A two hour walking tour around Ta Van and Lao Chai, home to all three
minorities. Observe their daily lives for a rare glimpse into their
culture and costumes.
Accommodation: Chau Long Hotel (Mountain View). |
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21.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Sapa
In the morning we visit Cat Cat, a village of Black Dzao and enjoy a
traditional music show of the local ethnic minorities then Ta Phin, a
village of Red Dzao. Lunch is at a local restaurant. The rest of the
day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Chau Long Hotel (Mountain View). |
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22.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Sapa - Bac Ha - Hanoi
Leave Sapa for Bac Ha Sunday Market, the market held every Sunday for
Ethnic minorities, at the Bac Ha market you'll see the gathering of
thousands of people of H'Mong, Phu La, Dao Tien and Tay ethnic
minorities wearing their colourful traditional costumes. It is a riot
of colour and fun. After lunch enjoy a music show performed by Tay
ethnic minorities. After the show driving to Lao Cai.
in Lao Cai we have a chance to see and take pictures the border gate
between Vietnam and China. Dinner at a local restaurant before boarding
TSC train to Hanoi.
Accommodation: TSC Train. |
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23.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Hanoi - Halong Bay
Arrive Hanoi early morning then take a 3 hour drive to Halong Bay.
Breakfast is at the hotel.
A six hour cruise including a visit to a beautiful cave and an
opportunity for a swim. Seafood lunch on board.
Halong Bay is listed as a world heritage, an area of outstanding
beauty. "Dragon descending on the sea", as it is known in Vietnamese,
picturesque Halong Bay has around 1,969 limestone islets rising from
the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.
Dinner is at the hotel.
Accommodation: Saigon Halong Hotel (Ocean view room). |
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24.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Halong Bay - Hanoi
Leave Halong Bay and drive back to Hanoi, arriving early afternoon.
In the afternoon you take a one hour interesting cyclo tour around the
French and Old Quarter of Hanoi, then visit the Ethnology Museum.
Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Galaxy Hotel. |
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25.08.10
(B/L/D) |
Hanoi
Today you have a full day city tour visiting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum,
Museum, Residence, One Pillar Pagoda. Lunch is at Koto. After lunch
visit to The Temple of Literature built in the 11th century known as
Vietnam's first university.
In the evening enjoy the water puppet show, the unique traditional art
of the Vietnamese from the 11th century. Farewell dinner at a nice
local restaurant.
Accommodation: Galaxy Hotel. |
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26.08.10
(B) |
Hanoi - Bangkok - Sydney & Brisbane
The day is at leisure with check out at 5.00pm. You will be
transferred to Hanoi International Airport departing at 8.45pm on TG
565, arriving in Bangkok at 10.35pm.
Sydney passengers depart Bangkok at 11.59pm on TG 457, arriving in
Sydney at 12 noon (27.08.10).
Brisbane passengers depart Hanoi at 11.59pm on TG 473, arriving in
Brisbane at 12.05pm (27.08.10). |
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| 27.08.10 |
Bangkok - Melbourne
Melbourne passengers depart Bangkok at 12.15am on TG 465, arriving in
Melbourne at 1.25pm. |