HIGLIGHT CAMBODIA AND LAOS 08 DAYS

Post date: Oct 31, 2011 2:40:28 AM

After lunch at local place we visit floating and fishing villages in Tonle Sap Great Lake, which one of the world’s most productive bodies of fresh water. Each year, millions of fish come to spawn in the seasonally flooded forest surrounding the lake, attracting myriad water birds as well as people, who have settled in villages along the shores and who live with the rhythms of the water. This ecosystem of extraordinary biological richness and balance between humans and nature was recently designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Back to town to visit Artisans D’Angkor (wood and stone carving) where you will discover the traditional Khmer techniques used for stone and wood carving and old market.

Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 3: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR COMPLEX (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included)

After breakfast in hotel, visit the unique brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, and continue to Ta Prohm. One of the area's most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Visit as well Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda.

Lunch at local restaurant, after your rest visit to the Preah Khan temple; built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Continue your visit to Neak Pean, a fountain (built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som, Eastern Mebon, guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation, and Pre Rup, the mountain-temple until sunset.

Dinner at local restaurant with classical dance show. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: SIEM REAP – VIENTIANE (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included)

Breakfast at hotel.

We take a flight to laidback Vientiane, the City of the Moon. Spend the afternoon visiting the major historic sites and enjoying the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the city. You see why many consider this the most welcoming capital city in the world.

Lunch at local restaurant, then enroute to Lao's national icon, the precious and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument is good ideal, which is known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. The Mekong river side is the perfect place to end the day and admire the sunset.

Dinner with traditional dance show at nice restaurant. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 5: VIENTIANE – LUANG PRABANG (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included)

Fly to the charming city of Luang Prabang. Nestled in a stunning setting amid lush mountains, this sacred city of golden temples and saffron robed monks provides endless opportunities for sightseeing.

After breakfast at hotel, we transfer to the airport for the short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia.

After check-in hotel, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as have a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local people and hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang.

Lunch and dinner at local restaurant, where we visit, to enjoy traditional culinary. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included)

Breakfast at hotel, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city's oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to another small village Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving.

Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI WATERFALL (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner included)

Breakfast at hotel.

With an optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual. You can also visit the morning Phosi Market where you can see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we have the opportunity to visit the local village of the Laotian ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, and Ban Thapene villages. After visiting the villages, we drive to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls where you may to wish cool in the inviting pools or walk along the forest paths. We return to Luang Prabang by the late evening in time for the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath.

Lunch at local place where we visit.

Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: LUANG PRABANG - DEPARTURE (Breakfast included)

After breakfast at hotel, we visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace. It displays a collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market. You will be transferred to the airport for departure flight.