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New & Improved Version! WITH MANY MORE MEALS, AND EXTRAS!!!
Here’s a tour for the intrepid traveler, touring the hinterlands of remote Northeastern Thailand during festival time, then on to the mountainous hermit country of Laos. Well off the beaten path, we explored this exciting region last year during Awk Phansaa or Buddhist Lent, and the colourful spectacle of Nakhorn Phanom’s fireboats is not to be missed, nor the architectural beauty of Lunag Prabang, a designated Unesco heritage city. Truly, these are some of our favorite destinations. We still maintain our high standards for hotel lodging, but you will have more time for independent exploration, and meals are included only where noted, plus  daily breakfast. |
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As an OPTIONAL EXTENSION, fly to Angkor Wat in Cambodia! On your return journey from Laos to Bangkok, continue on to the magnificent ruins of Khmer civilization. Ask us how..... CLICK HERE... |
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• Optional Bangkok market tour & coooking class! For those arriving early, join us on Sunday morning, Oct. 16, at Aw Taw Kaw market for an introduction to Thailand's vegetables and fruits, followed by cooking class of central Thai dishes. Includes Lunch! US$65.00 |
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| Sunday 16 October |
O/N Bangkok |
| If flying into Bangkok today, you will be met personally by our representative, then whisked to the 5-star Sofitel Central Plaza hotel for a VIP welcome and presented with a traditional floral gift. In the evening, we’ve now included a get-acquainted group dinner with Robert and Morrison. After a long flight, you will enjoy the convenience of this location, including its numerous top quality restaurants, and cheap and plentiful meals at the nearby shopping mall. Our hotel is connected directly to a shopping mall and department store, plus links by subway into town. The Sofitel Central Plaza also offers free shuttles to the nearby sky train station, as well as to the centre of Bangkok. Although not included, you may wish to indulge in a traditional 2-hour Thai massage either at the hotel, or even a relaxing reflexology foot massage. |
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| Monday 17 October |
O/N Nakhorn Phamon |
We depart early this morning, flying directly to the Thai-Lao border. First stop is Sakorn Nakorn for lunch and the wax candle procession. En route, visit ancient Khmer sites, and in the evening have a delicious shrimp dinner at a local prawn farm near the border town of Nakhorn Phamon. (We’ve only covered the price of the shrimp tonight, but the guide can easily help order additional dishes.) Our reservations tonight are the best in town (3 ½-4 star), and right on the river for spectacular views. The town center and Mekong riverfront are a sea of celebration this evening, so venture on your own after dinner.
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| Tuesday 18 October |
O/N Nakhorn Phamon |
Get ready for an extravaganza. The day is free to explore around town in festival mode. Be sure to take in an early lunch (not included), so you don’t miss the local parade of huge wax effigies and floats through the downtown streets. In the evening the true highlight: a river front dinner with reserved seating, viewing the spectacular billboard-sized incandescent floating murals. (Dinner and select beverages included.) It is a truly awe-inspiring sight. Afterwards, walk to the nearby town center for further celebrations. Note: crowd numbers tonight severely limit transport options. Our guide will pick you up at the hotel, then drop you off a few blocks from the dinner, escorting you to the viewing platform and dinner. As local transport is cheap and plentiful, make your own way back to the hotel.
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| Wednesday 19 October |
O/N Vientiane |
Today’s drive along the Mekong river on the Lao-Thai border is gloriously bucolic, after which we cross the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai into Laos. We depart early this morning, hopefully enabling us to arrive in Vientiane, in time for the afternoon boat races along the Mekong. (For lunch, we’ll grab a quick hawker snack in Nong Khai.) After check in, we’ve arranged a special dinner of traditional Lao foods, plus entertainment (included). |
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| Thursday 20 October |
O/N Vientiane |
Vientiane is surprisingly small, yet charming. Today we ecort you first to the market – there’s some great buys of locally woven silk -- then visit the golden dome of Wat That Luang, the country’s most important unifying symbol. Lunch is at a charming river-front restaurant (included), then stroll on your own through the quiet streets of the city, and tempt yourself in the best antique and craft shops. In the evening, we’ll give you a list of preferred restaurants in town, or sit back and enjoy the hotel’s fine dining. (Our hotel provides complimentary shuttle transport.) One of the city’s most popular clubs is directly below your hotel.
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| Friday 21 October |
O/N Luang Prabang |
Fly today to the former imperial capital of Luang Prabang. This 600-year-old city on the banks of the Mekong and Khan rivers is a visual feast, with some 32 temples within the area. You will quickly understand why it deserves the World Heritage title from Unesco and considered both Asia’s best-preserved ancient city, and “the jewel of Southeast Asia .“ We’ve secured lodgings at Luang Prabang’s leading hotel, where we’ll have lunch (included), then escort you to the city’s pre-eminent wats, plus a general introduction to the town, including locations of the night market and to the town’s best silversmith. In the evening, we’ve included a bai sii Buddhist blessing ceremony in a typical Lao’s home, after which we now include a dinner introducing you to the royal cuisine of Luang Prabang. |
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| Saturday 22 October |
O/N Luang Prabang |
This morning, we’ve arranged an escorted tour of the local markets, shopping for our cooking demonstration and light lunch. Our chef has kindly agreed to prepare some Lao specialities: jeo, lap and sticky rice, plus samples of royal lao dishes. From 5-10 p.m. the main road from the post office down to Villa Santi is alive with night market vendors. On most evenings, there is also an early evening dance performance at the royal palace (not included). We’ll also give you a print out of our favorite Luang Prabang restaurants and shopping – most within easy walking distance to the hotel. |
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| Sunday 23 October |
O/N Luang Prabang |
Today’s escorted activities on the river start at the cavernous limestone cave Wat tham xieng maem. We then journey to the magnificient Pak Ou caves, about 25 km/16 miles up river. These caves, overlooking the confluence of thte Mekong and Ou rivers, were declared a holy spot by King Setthathirat in the 16th century, and since then locals have placed thousands of Buddha images within its caverns. There are two primary caves here, with a rest stop in the middle. (The second cave is a real climb, so you may prefer to rest here throughout.) Lunch today is served on board -- a simple snack of French baguette sandwiches, or the local variant known as kkao chi pate, patseo (rissole) and fruit. Nearby is a paper-craft village, and “Whiskey Village” where the townsfolk are renowned for their potent lao kokam rice wine and spirit. It is reputed to be the best in Southewsast Asia, and we can personally attest that it’s delicious on ice with a slice of lime, or blended with banana liqueur. The evening is free. |
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| Monday 24 October |
O/N Luang Prabang |
We’ve set aside today for your personal exploration. If you like, we can also arrange a private cooking class, or paper making workshop (not included). Be sure to visit the royal palace early in the day, however, as it is often closed after lunch. Luang Prabang’s compact size allows for easy independent touring, while the lifestyle and traffic here are so laid back, this is one of the few Asian cities where we would risk renting a bike. Shop for textiles along the road, or buy silver at one of the town’s many silversmiths. For the willing and hearty, ascend the steep climb atop Phousi Hill at sunset. As this is your final night in Laos, we’ve included a gala dinner of Lao delights. |
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| Tuesday 25 October |
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It’s a daily chore for monks to rise before dawn, walking single file along the streets accepting food offerings. In Luang Prabang, this activitiy is an event, and while the food parcels may be scanty, it is a visual feast not to be missed.
Well recommended, but only for the early bird! After saying goodbye to Laos, we include air passage back to Bangkok via Siem Reap, connecting to your flight home. Or extend your visit to to include Cambodia, as we have prepared some great 3 and 4 day packages CLICK HERE. We can arrange additional nights at the Bangkok Sofitel Central Hotel, along with transfers. Please contact us for options. |
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 Airline Information: European and Australian flights ex Asia depart throughout the day and evening, but North American carriers usually have dawn departures. Consequently, when returning home via Bangkok, you may require an additional night here, as your flight from Laos arrives too late for connecting onward to America. For those with dawn departures requiring additional nights in Bangkok, we can arrange complimentary room service breakfasts along with your wake up call. (This is only available prior to 6 a.m.) Let us know your flight details, so we can include transfers from and to the airport.
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Visas: You will require a Laos visa, available through your local embasssy or consulate, although visa on demand is avaiable at the border. If stopping in Cambodia you will also require a visa, again available at the border. Americans, Australians and most Europeans do not require a visa for travel to Thailand for stays of less than 30 days. |
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