Sample Itinerary
DAY 1 : DEPART USA
EN ROUTE
Depart on your flight to Bangkok.
DAY 2 : ARRIVE BANGKOK
HOTEL SUVARNBHUMI
Arrive Bangkok. Walking transfer to your hotel.
DAY 3 : BANGKOK / VIENTIANE
SETTHA PALACE
Morning flight to Vientiane, capital of Laos. After lunch over the Mekong, visit Vat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, Vat Prakeo, Vat Simuang, That Luang and Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe, the Patouxai Monument. Tour the villa of textile specialist Carol Cassidy. (B,L)
DAY 4 : VIENTIANE / LUANG PRABANG
LA RESIDENCE PHOU VAO
Fly to Luang Prabang, the old sovereign capital set high in the mountain valleys of the Mekong. A UNESCO world heritage site, Luang Prabang is one of the overlooked treasures of Indochina. The town is small and peaceful. There is little traffic on the dusty Luang Prabang roads and monks in orange robes carry umbrellas to shade the sun. The former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, Vat Xieng Thong, Vat Sen, Vat Visun and Mount Phousi, with panoramic views over the city, are highlights. Continue to Ban Phanom, known for cotton and silk handwoven textiles. (B,L)
DAYS 5-6 : LUANG PRABANG
LA RESIDENCE PHOU VAO
Today take a boat trip on the mighty Mekong River to visit 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 inches to the size of a human. After a picnic lunch, visit a village where rice wine is produced and Ban Phanom, where Lao textiles are woven on ancient wooden looms. (B,L)
DAY 7 : LUANG PRABANG / PHONSAVAN
AUBERGE DE PLAIN DE JARRES
Fly to Xieng Khouang and continue to Phonsavan. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 : PHONSAVAN / VIENTAINE
SETTHA PALACE
The Plain of Jars is one of Asia’s most unusual sites. Hundreds of stone jars, some weighing up to one ton, are scattered over the fields. Thought to be over 2,000 years old, the jars’ origins are a mystery. Study the main site of jars as well as others in the Phasay District and at Salato Mountain. (B,L,D)
DAY 9 : VIENTIANE / PHNOM PENH
LE ROYAL HOTEL
Morning visit to the central market for excellent shopping. Fly to Phnom Penh, once considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, and still replete with colonial charm. (B,L)
DAY 10 : PHNOM PENH / SIEM REAP
GRAND HOTEL D’ANGKOR
Morning visit to the National Museum, Silver Pagoda & Royal Palace and Wat Phnom before departing to Siem Reap, the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, and the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. (B,L,D)
DAY 11 : SIEM REAP
GRAND HOTEL D’ANGKOR
Today visit the famous temple complex at Angkor Wat, the cultural home of the Khmer people and one of the great wonders of the ancient world. This vast network of wats dating back to the 7th century is the center of some of the most important structures, statues, and carvings produced in the name of the Buddhist and Hindu religions. The temple is dedicated to the god Vishnu, of whom the Emperor was considered a reincarnation. Tour the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King and Preah Khan, a Buddhist temple built by King Jayavarman VII. (B,L,D)
DAY 12 : SIEM REAP
GRAND HOTEL D’ANGKOR
Rise early for sunrise over the immense temple complex of Angkor Wat. Travel to glorious Banteay Srei, a 10th century monument in pink sandstone dedicated to Shiva. Its perfectly proportioned decoration and detail with exquisite sculptures, lintels, and friezes make it the most aesthetically beautiful temple of all. Almost every surface is a masterpiece of superb detail. In the afternoon visit the Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei and haunting Ta Phrom. Unlike most other monuments, Ta Prohm has been left the way it was originally found – the ancient structure is still gripped by massive strangler fig and banyan tree roots, giving you the feeling of discovering the archeological treasure for the first time. Sunset at Phnom Bakheng. (B,L,D)
DAY 13 : SIEM REAP / BANGKOK
HOTEL SUVARNBHUMI
Morning at leisure prior to your flight to Bangkok. (B)
DAY 14 : BANGKOK / USA
EN ROUTE
Depart on your return flight home. (B)
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