Discover why the small quaint town of Luang Prabang in Lao is accredited by UNESCO as the world heritage site. There is an opportunity to stroll a vibrant local market and take a boat along the Mekong River to marvel at the holy caves of Pak Ou. Then, fly to the historic city of Siem Reap where the spectacular Angkor Wat is located. An expedition to learn about the rise and fall of this great Khmer kingdom. The city is home to several 11th century temple ruins which exhibit architectural masterpieces of Khmer arts such as intricate mural carvings, pink sandstone temples and sculptures.

Destination:	Luang Prabang, Laos
Activity:	Arts & Culture, Boat travel, Historic sites / Temple visits
Price:	start from $1,468 per person
Duration:	7 Days / 6 Nights

Tour Rates* (Price/Person) in U.S. Dollars
Period	Single	Double	Triple	Group 4-6	Single Supplement
Deluxe Package
1 Apr 2011 – 30 Sep 2011	Please Contact us	-	-	-	-
Superior Package
1 Jan 2010 – 31 Apr 2010	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Rates include 7% VAT tax and 10% hotel service charge. Major credit cards accepted. No extra charge, no minimum

Note: Booking should be made at least 7 days in advance. The Triple rates are based on a twin sharing room with an extra bed for the third person.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Luang Prabang

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, transfer to the hotel for check-in. Free at leisure.

Overnight at your selected hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 2 Luang Prabang (Breakfast)

Option: Alms offering at early morning along the street.

Morning tour: Old city tour with a visit to Wat Vixoune, known as the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang with a collection of gilded wooden Buddha’s from 15th and 16th centuries. Then proceed to That Makmo – the watermelon shape stupa -  to watch Buddha statues in different postures. After that, continue to Wat Xieng Thong, which represents the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple with its multi-tiered roofs sweeping low to the ground.

Afternoon tour: Visit the National museum. Once the royal palace of Lao Kings, the musuem now exhibits portraits of Lao monarchy, old furniture and mural paintings. Within the museum compound  is Wat Mai. This elegant five tiered roof building has exquisite carved veranda and houses a tall standing Buddha statue. Then climb up Phousy Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. Return to hotel

Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 3 Luang Prabang - Pak Ou - Luang Prabang (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark at the local pier of Luang Prabang on a traditional boat. You will cruise upstream on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, where hundreds of Buddha images in various styles, ages and sizes are enshrined. En route stop at Thin Hong, a picturesque village, to get a glimpse of daily life of local  people. Visit Tham Ting and Tham Phoum Caves. Stop at Ban Xang Hai village. This village was once a “Jar-maker village” but today the community fills the jars that are bought elsewhere with the local rice whisky called ‘Lao Lao’. Lunch at a local restaurant

On the way back, visit Kwangsi Waterfall. Located in the forest near Luang Prabang city, this wide multi-tiered waterfall tumbles over limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools.  It is a perfect place for relaxation. Arrive at Luang Prabang, drop in at the old city or take a short tour at the Hmong market, if time permit.

Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 4 Luang Prabang - Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Siem Reap. Arrive Siem Reap airport. Transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. Then proceed to the hotel, After a brief rest at the hotel, take an excursion to visit Roluos temple Complex, consisting of Preah Ko Tower, Lolei Tower and the mountain temple of Bakong. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat and watch sunset at Phnom Bakeng Hill. Dinner with Khmer dance show.

Overnight at your selected hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 5 Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest fresh water lake in Southeast Asia. Please note that the dry season in Cambodia begins in March and ends in June. During that time, the water level in the lake may be so low that it is not pleasant to cruise around. However, you may discuss with our guide for alternative places to visit. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, proceed to the South Gate of Angkor Thom to visit Bayon, Baphuon and Elephant and Leper King Terrace. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 6 Siem Reap (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel. Then, a morning tour to visit Kbal Spean. Lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm and Banteay Samre. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 7 Siem Reap – Bangkok (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som and Mebon Oriental. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your return flight.

Price Includes:

• Accommodation based on  twin sharing with daily breakfasts.
• All transfers and land transportation in private vehicles.
• Local English speaking guides
• Air ticket: Luang Prabang – Siemreap – USD 240/person/way (Fare is subject to change).
• Entrances fees and sightseeing as indicated
• Meals at local restaurants as mentioned in the program

Hotels used the in the Package:

• Superior Package: Villa Santi Hotel or Villa Santi Resort in Luang Prabang. Tara Angkor Hotel or similar hotels in Siem Reap
• Deluxe Package: Maison Souvannaphoum in Luang Prabang. Angkor Village Hotel or Angkor Village Resort in Siem Reap

Price Excludes:

• Airport taxes (Luang Prabang : USD 12/person, Siemreap :USD 25/ person) ** Subject to change without prior notice.
• International ticket between Luang Prabang and Siem Reap.
• Air ticket:  Luang Prabang-Siemreap – USD 240.00/person/way (Subject to change).
• Drinks,  personal expenses and meals not mentioned in the program.
  Laos, Cambodia Visa.

Visa Information:

• Laos: Visa is required to enter Laos. The visa can be obtained upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport with visa fees at USD 30.-/person and a passport valid more than 6 months after arriving in Siem Reap, two photos of 2″ and 2 completed application forms.
• Cambodia: Visas are required to enter Cambodia. This can be obtained upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport and Siem Reap International Airport  for USD 20 and 1 passport sized photo per person.  Please note that the photo for Angkor Temple pass can be taken at the entrance.

About the Package

Laos
Laos is a strange place. It is a sleepy and curiously pleasant country with inhabitants among the friendliest people on earth. But it wasn’t always so. Bordering Thailand across the Mekhong River in the west, Myanmar and China in the north, Vietnam to the east, and Cambodia to the south, it is a miracle this former French colony wasn’t carved up as spoils to the ambitions of its powerful neighbours long ago. But it has survived somehow, in spite of having the dubious distinction of being the most bombed country per capita in history during U.S. carpet bombings of the Vietnam War.

Luang Prabag, the second City
When Fa Ngum founded the Lan Xang kingdom in 1353, he named his capital Muang Sawa. Later, when he received a Sri Lankan Buddha image (Phra Bang) from the Khmers, he renamed the capital Luang Phrabang. Vientiane became the new capital in 1545. Now, as Laos’ second biggest city, Luang Phrabang remains a sleepy town still awaiting modernity. The ethnic mix is Laos, Mien, Hmong and various other Thai tribes. The architecture is assorted, with northern Laos temples and French colonial buildings standing among humbler private dwellings: mountains surround the area, giving an isolated feel.

Temple Finery
Interesting temples: The classic Wat Xieng Thong (1560) is the city’s finest temple. It features some unique Buddha effigies and a beautiful tree of life mosaic. Stunning gold relief adorns the doors of Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham (1797). Wat Wisunalat (1513) is Luang Phrabang’s oldest, continually used temple. Burned by Chinese Ho bandits in 1887, it was rebuilt in 1898.The main stupa of Wat That Luang (1818) holds the ashes of King Sisavang Vong. Local lore dates the site to the 3rd century BC.

Siem Reap, Cambodia
Visitors are amazed at the scale of Angkor City. The complex covers around 400 square kilometers and comprises over 100 monuments and edifices of temples, sculptures, statues and incomparable bas-relief that have withstood the ravages of time. At the fall of the Empire, the jungle reclaimed the decaying ruins until being rediscovered in 1861.

Angkor Wat
Perhaps the most famous temple of Angkor complex is Angkor Wat. The temple complex built under the reigns of Suryavarman II (1113 – 1150) presents several architectural masterpieces of ancient Khmers. The compound of Angkor Wat covers almost a square mile and is surrounded by a huge moat 180 meter wide. On this tour, our guide will elaborate on the designstructures.

Bayon
The eeriness and mystery that looms over Angkor Thom is enhanced even more by the hazy appearance of Bayon with its carved heads of Jayavaraman VII (accredited for constructing the city) jutting from the top of the building. Each of the 54 towers surrounding the edifice depict smiling faces of the king portrayed as Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara (Buddha), which may appear somewhat ominous to modern eyes.

Incomparable carvings of Rolous Temples
Twelve Kilometers from Siem Reap in another ancient capital of Angkor named Rolous. The city was built in the late ninth century and considered the origin of the Khmer’s art. The remaining structures consists of Preah Ko Towers, Rolei towers and a mountain temple of Bakong, which are still in remarkable condition. The sandstone buildings are intricately decorated with deities in niches and lintels. However, the most complex decoration is presented on the false doors and windows, pillars, doorframes and lintels that are elaborately carved in various figures of Hindu Gods, monsters, guardians and angels. These pieces of art are a testament to Khmers’ artistic ingenuity.

Tonle Sap Lake; the artery of the country
This Southeast Asia’s largest lake has been of significant to the Khmers lifeline for centuries. The great lake joins the Mekong river at Phanom Penh and flow into the South China Sea. Apart from being the vital source of foods, it serves as the biggest channel of communication and transportation for modern Khmers. Many floating fisherman villages sprawl the great lake which portray the traditional life style of the natives. and history of the vast pyramid temples and their surrounding.