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Buddah’s Garden
Discovering Laos
November 12 – 17, 2010
THE BEAUTY DEEP WITHIN ASIA
Laos has a rich history stretching back 10,000 years. At its height,
it ruled over present day Laos and much of neighboring northern Thailand.
It is a laid-back country with a unique spin on the Southeast Asia
experience. Here Buddhism permeates every facet of life, change comes
slowly, and cities bed down early. The perfect place to break from
a hyperactive travel agenda, this land of mountain, mists and untamed
natural beauty tempts with unrivalled peace and serenity.
Laos is a landlocked country bordered
to the north by China, to the east by Vietnam, to the south by Cambodia,
and to the west by Thailand
and Myanmar. Apart from the Mekong River plains, the country is mountainous,
particularly in the north, and is densely forested in places. This
is one of the few Communist countries left in the world, which until
1988 did not even allow access to foreign tourists. The country has
now opened up, but it remains relatively isolated and undeveloped.
Its capital, Vientiane, is more like a big village than a crowded Asian
hub and life throughout the country is slow-paced. Visitors are well
rewarded with luscious landscapes, friendly people and unique glimpses
of a country hardly changed for over a century.
On this Laos portion of our grand Southeast
Asian adventure, you will commence touring in the UNESCO World Heritage
Site of Luang Prabang. If you take the optional
pre-tour to the Plain of Jars, you may just include another, as
that destination is on UNESCO’s list to become a World Heritage
Site in the future. Join us for this brief, but fascinating stroll
through the land known as “Buddah’s
Garden” – Laos!
Those who have more time available, and who want a more in-depth introduction
to Laos, will want to arrive early to visit the enigmatic “Plain
of Jars.” Click the link above to read the complete details.
ITINERARY
Friday, November 12, 2010
Depart USA
Depart your home city today on an international overnight flight to
Laos. When doing a search for airfare, use the airport code for Luang
Prabang, which is LPQ. You will most likely fly to Bangkok and connect
to a flight on either Laos Airlines, Thai Airways, or Bangkok Airways.
Our travel partners in Asia can assist you with booking your flight
from Bangkok to Laos. Click
here to see recommended flights.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Arrival in Luang Prabang
You will be met upon arrival in Luang Prabang, and transferred from
the airport to our hotel. We meet in the hotel bar this evening for
cocktails before proceeding to our welcome dinner. Overnight in Luang
Prabang. (Dinner included)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sightseeing in
Luang Prabang
Today, explore the charming UNESCO World Heritage Site of
Luang Prabang, a small, dream-like town set between the Mekong and Nam
Khan Rivers in a beautiful
mountain
setting. Although the capitol moved elsewhere, the city retained its monarchical
power for hundreds of years, from the 14th century until 1975 when the
country’s
reign of kings finally ended. We spend the day exploring the temples and
sites in what is called one of the last Shangri-La’s of Southeast
Asia.
We commence at Wat Visoun, the oldest living temple
in Luang Prabang, dating back to 1513. It contains a collection of antique wooden
Buddhas. Visit nearby Wat Aham before continuing to Wat Xieng Thong, the crowning
jewel of all the monasteries and temples in the city. Its many ornate buildings
feature exquisite mosaic and gold-stenciled murals.
A stroll down the main street passes many important
temples, and we visit several more before arriving at the Royal Palace. It is
now the National Museum, but this turn-of-the-century royal residence has been
preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here, and provides unique
insights into the history of Laos. Touring concludes at Wat Mai, the former residence
of the Supreme Patriarch of Lao Buddhism until that position moved to Vientiane.
Overnight
in
Luang
Prabang. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Monday, November 15,
2010
Mekong Cruise to Tham Pak Ou Caves / Fly to Vientiane
We board a boat this morning to cruise down the Mekong River to the
steep limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. Here
we explore the extraordinary Tham Pak Ou Caves, filled with Buddha
images of every style and material imaginable. On the return journey,
stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai,
a local village famous for the production of lao lao, the local rice
wine whisky. In the afternoon, we transfer to the local airport
for
our short
flight to Vientiane. We transfer to our hotel for overnight in Vientiane. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Tuesday,
November 16, 2010
Sightseeing in Vientiane
The capital city of Laos, Vientiane still feels like a sleepy city
with relaxed charm, tree-lined boulevards, interesting wats and colorful
markets. Tour the main highlights of the city, including That Luang,
a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps the most important
national
monument in Laos; Ho Pha Keo, the former royal temple,
is now a museum with beautiful examples of Buddhist sculpture; Wat
Si Saket, Wat Si Muang, and Patuxai, a monumental arch inspired by
the
Arc de Triomphe, but executed with Lao motifs. End your day at the
Talaat Sao, or the “morning
market” (actually open all day), the best place to buy traditional
Lao fabrics. Overnight
in Vientiane. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Departure /
On to Burma
This introductory tour of Laos concludes officially after breakfast
this morning. Those who are going home today can book flights departing
Vientiane at any convenient time. The airport code is VTE. Those continuing
on the Toto Tours Burma adventure will transfer to the airport for
a midday flight to Yangon, Myanmar. The cost of this flight is not
included, and the itinerary has not yet been finalized. The price will
be added to your invoice prior to the final payment due date. The Burma
main tour begins tonight. (Breakfast)
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