CHARISMA VOYAGE

TRIPS OF DREAMS 2007/08

DELIGHTFUL LAOS & CAMBODIA

11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS

 

CHIANG RAI -  CHIANG KHONG - HOUEYSAI - PAKBENG - LUANG PRABANG - VIENTIANE - SIEM REAP - PHNOM PENH - BANGKOK

 

DEPARTURE ( Ex-Chiang Rai ) :  every Monday and Thursday

 

Day 1 :  Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Houeysai - cruise to Pakbeng  (L+D)

Early transfer from Chiang Rai Hotel to Chiang Khong, board the river boat, cruise down river to Pakbeng. En route stop is made to observe the rural life of the river tribes along the Mekong.  Buffet lunch served on board.  Dinner and overnight at Luangsay Lodge or Pakbeng Lodge in Pakbeng.

 

Day 2 :  Pakbeng -  cruise to Luang Prabang (B+L+D)

Continue the second leg of the cruise. A stop is made to visit a hill tribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whisky production.  Buffet lunch served on board.  Continue to Pak Ou Village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River to visit Tham Ting “Caves of a thousand Buddhas”. Upon arrival at Laung Prabang Pier, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Luang Prabang 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 Laos. This evening, we dine Laotien stylein traditional restaurant while being entertained by dances and music.  O/N in Luang Prabang

 

Day 3 :   Luang Prabang (B+L)

A guided tour of the city’s oldest temple, Wat Xienthong, the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, the impressive stupa at Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.  Later on, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi, visit the sacred gilded stupa and enjoy a beautiful sunset view over the city and river.  We also explore the Street Nigh Bazaar for collective souvenirs of handmade textile and hill tribe products.

O/N in Luang Prabang.

 

Day 4 :  Luang Prabang (B+L)

This morning, we visit the Phousi Market for dried buffalo skin, local tea, vegetables hill tribe weaving products.  We also visit local village of Lao ethnics Ban Thapene, khmu Village, then drive to visit the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfall to splash around in the pool and walk along the forest paths.  In the afternoon, we visit Ban Phnomm - a hand weaving  village, Ban Shangkhong - a paper making village, then to the Silver Smith village before ending the day.  O/N in Luang Prabang.

 

Day 5 :  Luang Prabang - Vientiane (B)

Free morning to wander around town on your own.  Transfer to Luang Prabang airport, fly Luang Prabang / Vientiane by QV…. (Lao Airlines) for a short flight to Vientiane.  Transfer on arrival to your hotel.  Rest of the day at leisure.  O/N in Vientiane.

 

Day 6 :  Vientiane (B+L)

Visit the religious museum of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have survived the Siamese war in 1828 with Its cloister contains more than 8,000 Buddha statues, Wat Ho Prakeo - the former home-temple of the sacred “Emerlald Buddha” statue.  We also visit the famous That Luang Stupa, the symbol of the Laotian nation and Patouxay - the “Arc de Triumph”.  This afternoon, we drive to the outskirts of Vientiane along the bank of the Mekong River to visit the Buddha Park of Xieng Khuan, containing hundreds of statues of Hindu divinities and Buddhas.  We also visi the Thai-Lao “Friendship Brdige” and enjoy sun set on bank of the Mekong River.  O/N in Vientiane.

 

Day 7 :  Vientiane -  Siem Reap  (B)

Early transfer to Vientiane Wattay Airport, fly from Vientiane to Siem Reap via QV 512 (06h00 / 08h30).  Transfer on arrival to your hotel.  This afternoon, WE VIST Artisan D’Angkor and the Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake, then enjoy sun set at Bakheng Mountain Temple.  O/N in Siem Reap.

 

Day 8 :  Siem Reap  (B+L)

Today, we visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Royal Enclosure Phimeanakas, Elephants Terrace, Terrace of Leper King,and Tapromh Temple.  Afternoon visit to the Angkor Wat complex, a world heritage site.  O/N in Siem Reap.

 

Day 9 :  Siem Reap - Phnpom Penh  (B+L)

Visit Banteay Srey and Banteay Samre.  Later on, visit East Mebon, Pre Rup, Banteay Kdei, Sras Srang and Prasat Kravan, then transfer to Siem Reap airport, fly Siem Reap / Phnom Penh via ..…  Transfer on arrival to your hotel.  O/N in Phnom Penh.

 

Day 10 :  Phnom Penh  (B+L)

Visit the Independent Monument, National Museum, Royal Palaceand the Silver Pagoda, and Wat Phnom.  Visit the “killing field’ of Choeung Ek and do some shopping at Toul Tom Pong Market (Russian Market).  O/N in Phnopm Penh.

 

Day 11 :  Phnom Penh - Bangkok  (B)

Free at leisure until transfer time to Phnom Penh airport, depart via PG …. For Bangkok.

 

PACKAGE INCLUDES :

All transfers and transportation, Mekong River Cruise, hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast, other meals where specified (B= breakfast / L= lunch / D= dinner), , visits & sightseeing with entrance fees where applicable, service of English speaking guide.  Other foreign language speaking guide subject to availability and extra charge.

 

EXCLUDED : Visa fee, insurance, tips to driver/guide, phone calls, laundry, drinks, other expense of personal nature

 

OPTIONAL AIR FARE :  (Price on request)

 

Luang Prabang / Vientiane / Siem Reap / Phnom Penh / Bangkok.

by combined Lao Airlines (QV). and Bangkok Airways (PG)

 

EXTENSION …… LAOS / CAMBODIA

YOUR HOTELS

Angkor Palace Resort

Somadevi Angkor

Inter Continental

Sunway Hotel

Mekong River Cruise

Luangsay Lodge