GLIMPSE OF LAOS ( 4 Days / 3Nights)

GLIMPSE OF LAOS ( 4 Days / 3Nights)

This laid back city is unlike any other Asian capital. Development has been slow and the pace of life is even slower. Vientiane has managed to maintain its peaceful charm where other regional capitals have sold their soul. There is not a lot to see in terms of actual sights - you can see almost the entire city on foot in a day. It is well worth it if only to witness the relaxed atmosphere.

DAY 1. ARRIVAL - VIENTIANE

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos. After a short rest, an orientation walk of Lao Capital is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture. We observe the sunset by the Mekong Riverside until the late evening and experience the city lifestyle of the local Lao people.

Overnight in Vientiane

DAY 2. VIENTIANE – LUANG PRABANG (B/…/…)

AM: After breakfast, we start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. From there, we visit the central market known as the ‘Morning Market’ which is a great place for browsing antiques, handmade textiles and gifts.

PM: We spend the rest of this day touring the Lao capital, visiting the National Museum (close Tuesday) former name Revolutionary Museum, which exhibits artifacts, photos and legends of Laos’s history fighters and leaders from the ancient times to the new revolution period. We then board our short flight to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Asia. On arrival, we transfer you to hotel. After a short rest, we stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded sputa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient and once royal city and the Mekong River.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 3. LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVE (B/…/…)

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of impressive sputa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On our way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belonged to a royal family patronage nearby Sackarine Caves. We cross to city and take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 4. LUANG PRABANG – DEPATURE (B/…/…)

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. This is a real highlight of the tour prior to saying goodbye to this charming city. Following breakfast, we visit The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. After we visit the silver smith’s and Fine Arts School and the Central Market, which is not to be missed. We then say farewell and depart this ancient city.

Tour Class	All prices are valid for 01 October 2011 to 30 April 2012 Tour price in USD net per person in group of						Surcharge If require
Hotel Categories	2	3-6	7-11	12-15	16-19	20 up	Single	Meals
Standard=3 stars	522	433	388	338	329	323	96	101
First Class=4stars	564	476	432	382	373	367	140	124
Superior=4stars+	597	509	466	416	409	401	162	146

Tour Class	High Season 01 Jul to 31 Oct, 2011 & 01 to 22 Dec, 2011 & 01 Mar to 30 Apr, 2012 Tour price in USD net per person in group of							Surcharge If require
Hotel Categories	2	3-6		7-11	12-15	16-19	20 up	Single	Meals
Deluxe=5 stars	931	843	816		766	759	752	520	170

Tour Class	Peak Season 01-30 Nov, 2011 & 23 Dec, 2011 to 29 Feb, 2012 Tour price in USD net per person in group of						Surcharge If require
Hotel Categories	2	3-6	7-11	12-15	16-19	20 up	Single	Meals
Deluxe=5 stars	1080	991	971	921	914	906	675	170

Supplement meal surcharge for Christmas & New Year eve:

- 4 star/4 star plus category: USD 40.00/pax

- 5 star category: USD 150.00/pax

INCLUSIVE OF ABOVE PRICES:

v Private transportation in private air-conditioned

v Accommodation in twin shared

v Domestic air ticket with airport tax

v Private boat trip as stated in above sights

v English speaking guide

v Admission fee to indicated sights

v Meals: daily breakfast at hotel

v Government tax and service charge

v Luggage handling

v 2 bottles of drinking water per day during the tour

v 2 cold tower per day during the tour

EXCLUSIVE OF ABOVE PRICES:

v Visa stamping fee

v Int’l air tickets to / from Laos

v Travel Insurance in all kinds

v Meals: lunch or dinner where not stated

v Single room (quoted separately)

v Tip, drinks, personal expenses and others

ACCOMMODATION

STANDARD HOTEL

VIENTIANE = Lao Orchid Hotel (Standard Room)

LUANG PRABANG = Manoluck Hotel (Standard Room)

FIRST CLASS HOTEL

VIENTIANE = Novotel Hotel (Standard Room)

LUANG PRABANG = Villa Santi Hotel (Deluxe Room)

SUPERIOR HOTEL

VIENTIANE = Green park Hotel (Classic Room)

LUANG PRABANG = Grand Luang Prabang Hotel (Deluxe Room)

DELUXE HOTEL

VIENTIANE = Settha Palace Hotel (Deluxe Room)

LUANG PRABANG = La Residence Phouvao Hotel (Garden View Room)