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Tour :
| Laos, Cambodia & The Golden Triangle 18 Day Tour |
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| Tour Cost :
| AUD$3,785.00 per person twin share.This price includes airport taxes and levies of $385.00. |
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| Tour Departs:
| 21 April 2010 |
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| What's Included: |
This tour represents good value as the price includes all of the following:
Return air fares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane into Chiang Mai and out of Phnom Penh with Singapore Airlines, plus two other flights within South East Asia.A two day stopover in Singapore.A three day tour of the Golden Triangle area.A seven day coach, air and boat tour of Laos, including two days cruising the mighty Mekong River and three days in the wonderful world heritage town of Luang Prabang.A five day tour of Cambodia, including three days inspecting the wonderful, historic area of Angkor Wat.Good accommodation, mainly three to four star.All transport and transfers.A balloon ride over Angkor Wat.Entrance fees to many attractions.Services of local tour guides and if there are 12 or more participants there will be an Australian tour leader.
The needs of single travellers can usually be met by our supplying them with someone to twin-share with, but this is not guaranteed. If you prefer a single room, there is an extra charge of $685. |
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| Notes: |
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| Tour Itinerary: |
Note: Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner.
21.04.10 Australia - Singapore
Depart Brisbane at 9.30am on SQ256, arriving in Singapore at 3.30pm.
Depart Melbourne at 10.10am on SQ238, arriving in Singapore at 5.45pm.
Depart Sydney at 11.30am on SQ232, arriving in Singapore at 5.45pm.
You will be met and transferred to the Peninsular Excelsior hotel in central Singapore for a two night stay. While in Singapore the following are included:
50% discount on the a-la-carte menu (food only) at the designated food outlet in the passengers hotel.Airport-hotel-airport transfers on seat-in-coach basis.Free admission to 6 attractions; Sentosa Island Resort, National Orchid Garden, Singapore River Cruise, Jurong Bird Park, The Singapore Zoo, Malay Heritage Centre.Discounts on shopping, dinning, sightseeing tours and attractions as listed in SIA Boarding Pass Privileges program.
Accommodation: Peninsular Excelsior Hotel.
22.04.10 Singapore
Free day in Singapore.
23.04.10 (L) Singapore - Chiang Mai
Transfer to Singapore airport departing at 8.20am on MI 702, arriving in Chiang Mai at 10.25am. You will be met at the airport by your Thai Guide and you will have a tour of Chiang Mai's famous handicraft factories and have lunch before checking into the Centara Duangatwan Hotel, situated in the centre of Chiang Mai's famous night market.
Accommodation: Centara Duangatwan Hotel.
24.04.10 (B,L) Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
Breakfast at hotel. Today we head north for a beautiful scenic drive to Chiang Rai, our first stop is at an elephant camp to a display of the elephants at work. Here you can have the option of having a short elephant ride in the jungle. (Cost not included). We next 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 Chinag Rai, staying at the Rimcock Resort Hotel on the banks of the river with extensive and beautiful grounds.
Accommodation; The Rimcock Resort Hotel.
25.04.10 (B,L) Chiang Rai
This morning we visit the Queen Mother's beautiful gardens outside of Chiang Rai. 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 this grand project, in the name of Buddha. It is a modern project built almost entirely out of white materials and decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass that make it glitter, especially during the night.
26.04.10 (B,L,D) Chiang Rai - HoueiSay - Pakbeng
This morning early departure from our Chiang Rai Hotel for a beautiful drive thorugh the Golden Triangle area to the Mekong River, which we cross by boat to enter Laos. After completing border formalities, you board the Private Traditional Slow Boat ready for the trip downriver. Serene, timeless Loas is one of Asia's most unvisited, unchanged countries. Bisecting and bordered by the Mekong River, omnipresent symbol of Indochina, Laos today is a n amalgam of cultural influences; Theravada Buddhism, animism, France and the socialist ideal. It is a peacful place, and the legendary hospitality, resilience and friendliness of the Lao people is much in evidence. Laos is Old Asia preserved. As you journey downriver you will stop at some tribal villages such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu. En route lunch on board, continue to sail down stream the Mekong River to Pakbeng, arrive Pakbeng by late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Pakbeng.
27.04.10 (B,L) Pakbeng - Luang Prabang
After enjoying breakfast in the hotel overlooking the Mekong, we continue our river journey downstream, you will pass areas of unspoilt forest with little villages along the river banks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You visit a fishing village and rice wine making village with an opportunity to sample some local speciality. A delicious lunch is again served on board, and upon nearing Luang Prabang we also stop to visit the famous Pak-Ou caves with their thousands of Buddha statues. You arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset and transfer to your hotel. This evening you can visit the night bazaar market and take a stroll around this enchanting little town. Overnight in Luang Parbang
28.04.10 (B,L) Luang Prabang - City Tours
Today you will enjoy a guided tour exploring this charming city that is today a UNESCO world heritage site. Luang Prabang is idyically situated where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers converge, surrounded by mountains. From 1353 until1545 it was the capital of Lane Xang before power was transferred to Vientiane. Despite the move Luang Prabang remained the seat of monarchical power, and when the kingdom broke up in 1694, one of the deceased king's grandsons established a rival kingdom to those in Vientiane and Champassak. Though weakened, the Luang Prabang royalty endured until 1975, when after the reign of 63 kings it was formally dissolved. You spend the day exploring the temple and sites in what is called one of the last Shangri-La's of Southeast Asia. Your city tour takes in some of this history, visiting Wat Xiang Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country, Wat Khili and Wat Mai. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Later we visit the former Royal Palace, now a National Museum where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as Buddha and spectacular artifacts including the Pra Bang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum. At sunset we climb the nearby temple-topped hill of Phousi where you will catch a lovely view out over the town and the river. Dinner is at a local restaurant. Optional; you may request a Lao traditional dance show performance this evening. Overnight Luang Prabang.
29.04.10 (B,L) Luang Prabang - Khouangsi Waterfalls
As an early morning option you may want to rise early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black alms bowls being given offerings from the local people, from there you will visit the morning Dala Market where you will see such diverse products as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit the pottery villages of Ban Chane, Ban Xom and Ban Thapene and the weaving villages of Ban Phanom on the way to the most beautiful waterfall in Luang Prabang, Khouangsi. Here you can go for a dip in the pools or walk along the forest paths surrounding the waterfall. Lunch at local restaurant
By late afternoon we return to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
30.04.10 (B,L) Luang Prabang - Vientiane
Breakfast at hotel this morning enjoy some free time at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane by QV102 at 12.40pm, arriving at 1.20pm. On arrival at the Vietiane Capital, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vietiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French and American influences. After a short rest, we start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao's national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triump. Lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in Vientiane.
01.05.10 (B,L) Vientiane - Nam Ngum Lake
Breakfast at hotel, After breakfast we head out of the city, we make our way to Nam Ngum by 70kms south of Vientiane, the Num Ngum Dam is a huge reservoir created by damming the Nam Ngum River, with stopover at Ban Keun, which is famous for its traditional salt extraction. Arrival at the dam at noon, picnic lunch by the lake. In the afternoon we embark on a local slow boat to explore Nam Ngum reservoir and some beautiful islets and lifestyle of fish man people.Afterward drive back to Vientiane by the national road No. 14th north, along the way we visit Phone Hong district, the local market at KM52 and other traditional villages. Arrive Vientiane later afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane.
02.05.10 (B,D) Vientiane - Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel, then early transfer to Vientiane airport for flight QV512 at 6.30am Arrive Siem Reap international airport at 9.00am, meet your English speaking guide and then transfer to your hotel for check-in. Free time at leisure. In the afternoon visit the famous Angkor Wat temple and sunset views from the top of Phnom Bahkeng Hill. Western dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation; Apsara Holiday Boutique Hotel.
03.05.10 (B,D) Siem Reap
Before breakfast we have a hot-air balloon ride to see the spectacular sights of the sunrise over Angkor Wat. We then come back for breakfast at the hotel. At 8.30am we take an Elephant ride from the South Gate of Angkor Thom to Bayon Temple and then start to visit Bayon, Baphuon, Phimean Akas, Elephants and Leper King Terraces. In the afternoon visit Ta Prohm and Preah Khan Temple. Buffet dinner at a city restaurant with Cambodian dance show.
Accommodation Apsara Holiday Boutique Hotel.
04.05.10 (B,D) Siem Reap
Breakfast at the hotel. Today visit Banteay Srey Temple and Banteay Samre Temples This afternoon visit Tonle Sap Lake and floating village. Enjoy a massage for 1 hour in the city. Western dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation Apsara Holiday Boutique Hotel.
05.05.10 (B,D) Siem Reap - Phnom Penh
Breakfast to the hotel. At 8.00am you drive to Phnom Penh with a local guide and visit an interesting village. En route to see the Kompong Kdei ancient bridge, established in 12th century. This afternoon drive to Phnom Penh. Check into your hotel. Then visit Wat Phnom and a sunset cruise on the Mekong River for 1 hour. Buffet diner at Tonle basac restaurant in the city.
Accommodation: Juliana Hotel.
06.05.10 (B) Phnom Penh
Breakfast at the hotel. Today visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Natinal Museum and Weaving Village at Kean Svay district.
Accommodation; Juliana Hotel.
07.05.10 (B,L) Phnom Penh - Singapore
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon visit Toule Sleng Museum and Choeng Ek. Transfer to Phnom Pehn international airport. Depart Phnom Penh at 6.10pm on MH607, arriving in Singapore at 9.10pm.
Melbourne passengers depart Singapore at 11.35pm on SQ237, arriving in Melbourne at 8.45am the next morning.(08.05.10)
08.05.10
Brisbane passengers depart Singapore at 12.10am on SQ255, arriving in Brisbane at 9.50am.
Sydney passengers depart Singapore at 12.30am on SQ231, arriving in Sydney at 9.55am. |
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