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Day
1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL and VISIT
Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and check-in
at the hotel.
The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang, is
perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia.
Magical and charming, it has preserved its long-standing reputation
as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery
and sense of timelessness. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang
as a World Heritage City. Visit with private guide and car, Vat
Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa,Vat Makmo,
more Srilankalese style than Lao. Then walk to the nearby Vat
Aham, which is one of the city's major tutelary shrines,
dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors).
Climb Vat Phousi hill for an outstanding view over the
city. Continue to visit Vat Mai, built in 1796, famous
for the five - tiered roof of its wooden sim built in the standard
of Luang Prabang style. Sunset at Vat Siphouthabath located
along the Mekong River. Overnight accommodation at the MUANGLUANG
hotel.
Day 2: LUANGPRABANG-
PAK OU -LUANGPRABANG
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Vat Xieng Thong, considered
as the most beautiful temple. The sim of the Vat represents the
classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep
low to the ground. In the compound stand several small chapels
housing bronze Buddha images, which were displayed in Paris in
1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal Funeral Chapel. Inside
are an impressive 12-meter high funeral chariot and various funeral
urns of each Royal Family's member. The gilt panel on the exterior
of the chapel depicts a semi-erotic episode from Ramayana. Then
board a traditional riverboat for a trip upstream the
Mekong River to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou housing
thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha. Return to Luang
Prabang .Departure by road to the Khuang Xi Waterfalls
(30 kms, approx. 1 hour drive). The waterfalls tumble over multi
- tiered limestone formations into cool, clear pools ideal for
swimming and relaxing. On the way to the waterfalls, visit
the Khmu minority village of Ban Thapaene for a glimpse into
their lifestyle. Accommodation at the MUANGLUANG hotel.
Day 3:
LUANGPRABANG- VIENTIANE
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the National Museum (former
King's Palace) displaying a collection of personal artifacts
of the Royal Family: photos, musical equipment and gifts received
from foreign countries. Visit local market/ Transfer to
the airport for flight to Vientiane. Meet upon arrival
at Vientiane Wattay airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Vientiane's major attractions are the serene Buddhist monasteries
that dominate the center of town. The city has kept its timeless
charm with tree-lined avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint
French architecture.
Visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane.
Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the sole survivor of an invasion
in 1828. Vat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha
images. Nearby is Ho Phra Keo, once the royal temple of
Lao monarchy. Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo has been used as a museum
since 1970 and contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures
and artifacts in the country. The main structure originally housed
the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok's Wat Phra
Keo. One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patousay,
the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958,
its architecture is inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris.
Another famous Vientiane landmark is the that Luang Stupa.
King Setthathirath built this great sacred stupa in 1566. Its
central structure is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines
of an elongated lotus. The original stupa was said to contain
relics of Lord Buddha. Acommodation at the NOVOTEL hotel 3 star
superior.
Day 4 / VENTIANE
- PAKSE - TADLO and tribal villages
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning transfer to airport for
flight Vientiane -Pakse (flight time: 1:10 minutes) .Arrive
Pakse , check in at hotel .
Visit Tad Phasouam, then continue by car to Tadlo,
located on the northern edge of the Boloven Plateau. Tatlo
is touted as an eco-friendly resort near the Xeset Waterfall.
Short visit the Katou village of Ban Houeihoun. This minority
is a very primitive population that earns their livelihood from
forest products. In this village, one thing worth pointing out
is that the women do not use handlooms for weaving as in other
parts of the country. Visit Alack and Nge tribal villages
, Kaleum on the way to Thateng. Afternoon,visit villages
of minority (tribal) Souey,Ta Oy at Tadlo. Accommodation
at TADLO LODGE
Day 5 / TADLO
- PAKSE
Breakfast at the hotel .Return to Pakse via Paksong. The
Boloven Plateau, formed by ancient volcano, is famous for its
coffee and tea plantations. The plateau has a number of tribal
villages, some of them still practicing Stone Age culture. They
use extremely primitive agriculture tools and conduct frequent
spiritual ceremonies. Short stop for coffee or tea at the village
garden. Visit TadFane waterfall . Afternoon arrival in
Pakse. Visit Vat Luang, the most beautifull temple in
Pakse. Visit local market.. Accommodation at Hotel.
Day 6 / PAKSE
- CHAMPASSAK - CRUISE on MEKONG - KHONG Island
Breakfast at the hotel. Board a local long-tail riverboat
and cruise down the Mekong River, heading south towards the
former royal capital of Champassak. Arrival in Champassak and
check-in at the hotel. Visit the pre-Angkorian Vat Phou
Temple (6th-13th centuries). Vat Phou Temple lies on a hillside
and offers spectacular views on the surrounding plains and on
the Mekong River. Hindu Khmer probably chose the site because
of the spring that flows from near the top of the hill. Historians
say that Phu Pasak was in fact sacred to the pre-Angkorian Kingdom
of Chenla (6th century) and may have been the site of human sacrifices.
Vat Phou Temple was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO
in 2002.Continue by car to Ban Khiet Ngong village and take an
elephant ride to reach the enigmatic Phu Asa temple,
which lies amidst the dense jungle. Visit Bane Done Khone
by boat
Arrive in Khong Island, transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Khong Island, blessed with lush tropical vegetation, serene monasteries
and lovely fishing villages, offers a unique opportunity to experience
the peaceful Lao way of life.. Acommodation at SOUKSAN HOTEL
(medium category).
DAY 7 / KHONG
Island , CRUISE - VISITS
Breakfast at the hotel.Cruise along the backwaters to
explore Siphandone and visit the surrounding islands of Done
Ket and Done Som for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle
of the fishermen. Continue to Done Khone Island. Visit Done
Khone Island and hike along its ancient railway built by
the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids when
transporting goods from Cambodia. Continue to Sumphamith Waterfall.
In the dry season, the Irrawaddy Dolphins, one of the
world's rarest large mammal species, congregate at the base of
the rapids to hunt the fish that survive in the deep pools. Spend
a relaxing hour watching these extremely shy and endangered freshwater
dolphins. Acommodation at SOUKSAN HOTEL (medium category).
Day 8 / KHONG-
VEUNKHAM - CAMBODIA - STUNG STREN - KRATIE
Breakfast at the hotel. 7:30 Transfer to Veunkham immigration
checkpoint (border crossing to Cambodia). En route, stop at the
magnificent Khone Phapheng Waterfall, the largest cascade
along the Mekong River. A fault line caused the cascade, which
is 6 km wide at this point, and the astonishing force of the
water has cut dramatic gorges through the brittle bedrock. Transfer
to Veunkham immigration checkpoint (border crossing to Cambodia).
Your Cambodian Guide is waiting you at the border and transfer
by private boat to Stung Stren and Kratie. Overnight in simple
Guest house in Kratie (air conditionned and attach bath room)
Day 9 / KRATIE
Kratie its a little colonial town. Visit of an interesting market
and around the town with guide and private car. Beautifull
typical landscapes In evening we go at 10 Km on the Mekong bank
and go by little boat for try to see big Irrawadi Dolphins
on the Mekong.
Day 10 / KRATIE
- KOMPONG CHAM
Depart morning with guide from Kratie by boat (ferry) to Kompong
Cham. At Kompong Cham a private car is waiting you. Kompong
Cham is a colonial style town. Visit of Vat Knokor temple
(12th centyry) and visit of Hevea forest in Chupp and
a Latex factory (latex is not made in June July August)
Day 11 / KOMPONG
CHAM - KOMPONG THOM - SAMBOR PREI KUK- SIEM REAP (Angkor)
Departure with guide and private vehicle for Kompong Thom
and discovery of Sambor Prei Kuk's temples, certainly
the most beautiful examples of the art Pré-Angkorien of
the VIIth century, after visit departure to Siem Reap
about (4 hours drive) to arrive in Siem Reap, near Angkor.
Day 12 : SIEM
REAP (ANGKOR)
This morning we will visit the ancient Khmer civilization site
of Hariharalaya (preangkorian), which flourished in the late
9th and early 10th Centuries. These are the earliest temples
in the Angkor area and are referred as the Roluos group.
The three Roluos temples are Bakong Temple Mountain with
wonderful carvings on the false doors and lintels, the funerary
temple of Preah Ko, Lolei Temple with the Roluos
group's most exquisite carvings and inscriptions. Then we will
visit some temples, Kleangs, Prah Pithu, la Porte de la Victoire,
Thommanon, Chau Say Thevauda. End afternnon we go to Phnom
Bakhend temple to watch the sunset on Angkor Wat and
others temples.
Day 13 : ANGKOR.
Morning you will visit with your prived professional guide, the
"Great City" of Angkor Thom, visits include
the famous Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal
Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants
and the Terrace of the Leper King. Afternoon dedicated to
visit the most famous and magnificent Angkor Vat temple.
This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century
and covers an area of about 210 hectares.With many galleries
with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full
of water, carved low-reliefs about Ramayana Story and day-to-day
life at the time of Angkor's construction.
Day 14 : ANGKOR.
Morning visit of a selection of temples, including the Royal
City of Preah Khan with impressive sculptures, Neak
Pean built on a small circular island, Ta Som, East Mebon,
Preah Rup.
Afternoon we will continue our visits by Thommanon temple
, Ta keo , one of Angkor's great temple mountains, Ta
Prohm with a part of the jungle, Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang
a Royal bathing place, Prasat Kravan with unique brick
sculptures. We will visit Les Chantiers Ecole, a handicraft
center located in the center of Siem Reap. Les Chantiers Ecole
was founded in 1992 and its aim is to revive that ancient Khmer
art. This organization gives young people the opportunity to
learn the art of stone, wood carving, and silk weaving .
Day 15 : BANTEAY
SREI/KOBAL SPIEN
Morning we will visit the enchanting Banteay Srei. It
appears that the temple was designed to leave no space undecorated,
and the fine carvings in pink sandstone are unique. We will continue
after by car to a little chain of hills. After one hour, we will
arrive in a place near Kbal Spien and continue our journey
on foot, following a white sand path which heads up into the
jungle. This very pleasant walk takes us through the beautiful
forest. Please note that there are several narrow and steep passages
on the way. After approximately 40 minutes walk, we will hear
the sound of a waterfall. We will discover that the riverbed
and the rocks around us are covered with carvings representing
the gods of the Brahma religion dating back as far as the 11th
century, its the "thousand Lingas Rivers". The water
runs over the sculptures of Vishnu, Lakshmi, Hanuman, Rama and
many Lingas, which were carved in stone in the past to sanctify
the water and to thank the gods for their gift. After this visit,
we will go to Banteay Samre, with elaborate architecture
and exceptional carvings, and we will visit of a local village.
and visit of Baray Oriental sites, built by Rajendravarman :
Banteay Kdey, Pré Rup, Preasat Khleang, Mébon
Oriental. When we return , visit of an actual Pagodae-Monastry,
where youngs Monks are studiyng..
Day 16: TONLE
SAP LAKE / ANGKOR
This morning we will enjoy a boat ride (private boat and
guide) on the Tonle Sap lake. This is the largest permanent
fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap
River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's
"floating village" with floatting schools, floatting
police station, etc. It is same as a big village floatting on
the lake, and the "village" move from place to place
following water levels and curant.
afternoon, (depending of your departure time by plane) we will
visit Siem Reap central market and the Silk Farm in Puok,
established by a French NGO to revive Cambodia's beautiful
silk production. We can see every step of silk production. Transfer
to Siem Reap Airport.2 hours before your departure with international
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