| TOURS CONTENTS |

LANNA AND LANG XANG KINGDOMS (Thailand/Laos) - 8 Days / 7 Nights

CODE: EX.R-ERTLXK
ARRIVE CHIAN MAI (L)
Arrive in Chiang Mai. Transfer to hotel. Visit Wat Pra Singh and temples in Chiang Mai. Afternoon visit Doi Suthep.

CHIANG MAI - THA THON (B, L)
Leave Chiang Mai for Chiang Dao elephant camp. See elephants at work show. Experience bamboo rafting on the Ping River and elephant riding. After lunch visit Palaung hilltribe village including short trek. Continue to spend night in Tha Thon.

THA THON - MAE CHAN / CHIANG RAI (B, L)
After breakfast, start your interesting and picturesque boat-trip down the rapids of the Mae Kok river from Pha Tai Pier, making stops at a Lahu hilltribe villages and Karen Hilltribe village of Baan Ruam Mitr. Continue to resort in Chiang Rai / Mae Chan.

MAE CHAN / CHIANG MAI - CHIANG SAEN (B, L, D)
After breakfast, start your full day excursion to the Yao and Akha hilltribe villages. Visit Doi Mae Salong. Drive on to Mae Sai, the farthermost northern border between Thailand and Burma. Local lunch is served. Drive on to the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos convene, then to Chiang Saen (A.D. 1260) on the steep banks of the Mae Khong river, opposite to Laos. Witness some magnificent, ancient ruins and temples. Return to hotel for overnight accommodation and dinner.

CHIANG SAEN - LAOS (B, L, D)
Early morning transfer to Chainag Khong to cross into Laos. Help with border formalities and boat into Laos included. Arrive at the Kamu Lodge in the late afternoon by the Naga Boat. After a welcome drink, installation at your tent. The Kamu Lodge features 20 canvas tents covered by a thatched roof in harmony with the surrounding nature and adapted to the local style. Each tent is decorated with bamboo and wooden furniture items and has an attached private bathroom with shower and toilet and solar-powered warm water and electricity. With only wilderness surrounding the lodge except for a neighboring village, this exclusive and ecological experience in a traditional and simple setting is what we invite you to discover. Travel back to the beginnings of the 20th century when people came to Indochina to explore and discover. Dinner and overnight at the Kamu Lodge.

KAMU LODGE - PAK OU CAVES - LUANG PRABANG (B, L)
After breakfast, relaxing at leisure you will be able to participate in and learn about the following activities:
  • rice planting and harvesting
  • gold panning in the Mekong
  • forest walks in search of medicinal plants
  • trekking into the forest to a waterfall
  • traditional fishing techniques in the Mekong
  • village visits and encounters

Lunch at the Kamu Lodge. After lunch, board the boat to Luang Prabang with a stop at the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. They range in size from a few centimetres to the size of a man. On arrival transfer to your hotel. At the end of the afternoon climb the steps to Mount Phousi in the center of Laung Prabang for a view in the town and its surrounding countryside. Stop at the evening Hmong market where you will find some ethnic products before returning to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

LUANG PRABANG - KRUANG SI - LUANG PRABANG (B)
Optional: For early-risers (05:30am) there is a very special dawn visit to witness the long lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, depart for an excursion to the Kuang Si waterfall, Southwest of Luang Prabang. The waterfall is set in a lush landscape, with clear pools at its feet. Swimming is possible (bring swimwear and towels). With proper shoes you can also reach the top of the waterfall on a steep sidetrack (can be slippery!) Return to Luang Prabang. In the afternoon, visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Continue to Vat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs and Vat Visun, entirely rebuilt after being destroyed in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Vat Visun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit it takes its name from. Finish the morning with the visit of the most photographed temple: Vat Xieng Thong. We will also visit Wat Aham where we can find the altar of the 2 genius of Luang Prabang. Overnight at the hotel.

DEPART LUANG PRABANG (B)
After breakfast, visit a village of weavers at Xiang Khong or Ban Phanom and stop at Wat Phon Pao, a retreat outside Luang Prabang. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok.


TOUR INCLUSION OF:
  • Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel.
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast.
  • English or French speaking local guides.
  • Land transportation by air-conditioned vehicles with driver.
  • Boat trip if mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees for mentioned visits in the itinerary.
  • Meals mentioned in the itinerary as (B) is breakfast, (L) is Lunch, (D) is Dinner.
TOUR EXCLUSION OF:
  • Airport departure taxes and surcharges.
  • Visa stamping fee.
  • Personal expenses as telephone, laundry, etc.
  • Others meals are not mentioned in the "inclusion of" above.
OPTIONAL:
  • Add-on international airfare from interior U.S. cities.
  • Add-on other flights if mentioned in the "exclusion of".
  • Travel Insurance.

 

1820 West 3600 South, Suite #C
Salt Lake City, UT 84119 - U.S.A.
Tel: (801) 973-4163 - Fax: (801) 973-2545
E-mail: tours@vietlinktravel.com