Travel Companion
The magic black tulip
Posted by: Laura on Tue Dec 11, 2012 at 06.37 AM 0 Comments | Add Comment
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http://magicblacktulip.blogspot.com/
The magic black tulip
Posted by: Laura on Tue Dec 11, 2012 at 06.37 AM 0 Comments | Add Comment
Category:
http://magicblacktulip.blogspot.com/
Astonishing Architechure 6 Days/5 Nights
Posted by: little on Fri Nov 23, 2012 at 08.15 AM 0 Comments | Add Comment
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Day 1 Arrival - Luang Prabang
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights makes it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then ascent to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and watch the glowing reflection of the setting sun on the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2. Luang Prabang – Lao Spirit adventure (B, L)
This is a full day trip combining a rafting tour out of town with some sightseeing and an exciting elephant ride to/from Tad Sae Waterfall (or alternative route in dry season). After pick up from your hotel (8:30-9:00 a.m) we proceed to the Adventure and Elephant camp located 15 km out of town in the middle of unspoiled, natural green surroundings. After crossing the small river you will be introduced to our Asian Elephants and venture on a 1hr - 1hr 30 mins enchanting journey through forests, plantations and fields. This activity programe will provide you with a breathtaking and unique experience as you make your way through forests and along the Nam Khan River up to the waterfalls of Tad Sae. (In the dry season we ride a village trail) After visiting the waterfall, lunch is served before a relaxing 30 minute rafting tour along the river back to the resort. The evening is free at your leisure. Overnight at Lao Spirit Resort.

Day 3. Sala Hin Boun - Kong Lor Cave (B)
After breakfast we head back towards Luang Prabang town to enjoy a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low representing classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to 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. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where you can sample the local produce of Lao rice wine. On our way back to Luang Prabang we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4. Luang Prabang – Pakse – Done Daeng Islands (Flight) (B)
Today we visit The National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating back from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. We also have time to visit the Central Market before we catch the flight to Pakse. On arrival at Pakse, we drive south to Done Daeng Islands. Done Daeng Islands is the largest island in the South Mekong River region known as the 4000 islands and it is one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight in Don Daeng Islands.

Day 5. Done Daeng Islands – Khong islands Surrounding - Done Daeng Islands (B)
After an early breakfast, we explore the local villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with it’s locomotive. We continue to discover the 4000 islands area by boat with a visit to the Liphi waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls that mark the Laos-Cambodia border. If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia, known as Niagara of the east. Overnight in Champassak.

Day 6. Done Daeng Islands – Dongkalor (Cambodia border) (B)
After breakfast, we transfer to Dongkalor border gate for your departure to Cambodia by land.
Unveil Mystery Laos 6 Days/5 Nights
Posted by: little on Fri Nov 23, 2012 at 08.13 AM 0 Comments | Add Comment
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Day 1 Arrival – Luang Prabang
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham andWat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the watch the setting sun as it is reflected on the Mekong River. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2. Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave – Khouangsi Waterfall (B)
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 canl see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.
AM: After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panaromic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is distilled. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, on the way we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a small village well known for its hand weaving.

PM: After lunch we continue towards Khouangsi Waterfall, en route, we visit the local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, Laoloum and Ban Thapene, and then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall. Here you can take a dip in the inviting pools or walk along the forest trails surrounding the waterfall. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Xangkhong, a village well known for silk handweaving and for traditional Saa Paper making. We return to the city by late evening to watch the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3. Luang Prabang – Xiengkhouang (B)
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and begin our days drive through beautiful mountain scenery to Xieng Khouang, a province of Laos famous for its ‘Plain of Jars’. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop off and visit the numerous villages along the way. On arrival we check in to the hotel, the evening is free at your leisure. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

Day 4. Xiengkhouang – Vientiane (B)
Following breakfast at Hotel, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site encompassing hundreds of large stone jars scattered throughout the plateau. In the afternoon there will be time to see the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and its' nearby villages which are home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people who possess an interesting local culture and a vibrant history. We then board our short flight to Vientiane. On arrival we check in to the hotel. After short rest, we will visit the Morning Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 5. Vientiane – City Tour (B)
Today, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. In the afternoon we transfer out to see Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. A spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 6. Vientiane – Departure (B)
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our departure flight.
Classic Laos 5 Days/4 Nights
Posted by: little on Fri Nov 23, 2012 at 08.11 AM 0 Comments | Add Comment
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Day 1 Arrival - Vientiane
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at you leisure to relax. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2. Vientiane – full day city tour – Luang Prabang (B)
After breakfast, we explore Vientiane capital by visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. . En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of 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 Triumph. In the afternoon we continue visiting the rest of Vientiane by foot, including Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. We pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where various goods are displayed for sale; including fresh food, household goods, souvenirs, textiles, gold, silver and antiques. We then transfer to the airport for your late afternoon flight to Luang Prabang. Here you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3. Luang Prabang – Big Brother Mouse – Ban Khia Luang – Pak Ou Caves (B)
The day starts with a visit to the Big Brother Mouse shop to select some books for the village visit. We then head north by car along route 13, before taking a unpaved road to Ban Khia Luang village. We then have ample time to visit the school, play with the kids and watch them enjoy their new books. We also take some time to explore the rest of the village, where you can see weaving and visit the local temple. We stop for lunch at the village, which can either be a western picnic lunch, or traditional Lao food such as sticky rice, laap and fresh vegetables cooked by the villagers. After lunch we say good bye to the village and drive to Ban Khoklin, which takes us through some beautiful scenery of mountains and paddy fields. At Ban Khoklin we then board a private boat down the Nam Ou river for 30 minutes to Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. and continue down the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang, arriving back there by late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4. Luang Prabang – Kuang Si Waterfalls and Ban Chan (B)
Today we cross the Mekong River by boat, to the picturesque village of Ban Chan, a pottery village. We then visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will 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, and today you will visit local villages of Laos ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. This then takes us to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 5. Luang Prabang – Departure (B)
Depending on your flight, you may have time at leisure before you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departing flight.