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Prices for -
Laos Cultural Adventure
Laos Explorer
This tour commences from Chiang Mai and
includes highlights of the beautiful Laos remote regions. Participants can
book this after the ex-Bangkok programs such as Thailand Trekking or North
Thailand packages to make a complete exploratory of the region.
Day1, Chiang Mai – Golden Triangle -
Chiang Kong (-/-/-)
Morning departure from Chiang Mai to visit
the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.
Afterward transfer to Chiang Khong, a small quiet border town.
Day 2, Chiang Khong - Ban Huay Sai -
Pak Beng (B/L/-)
Take the early morning ferry at
approximately 08.00 across the Mekong River to Ban Huay Sai where clients
will be met by our local representative. Embark on a full-day boat
trip down the Mekong River to Pak Beng, visiting a along the way a
Hmong Village of Ban Houilam Pen and Lao Lum Khmu
village of Ban Pak Tha that is mixed with Khamu tribe.
Day 3, Pak Beng - Oudomxai
(B/L/-)
Morning drive along unpaved road to Oudomxai
through small hillside villages and beautiful undulating terrain. En route
stop to witness the way of living of the Hmong, Khmu, Black Tai and Lu
ethnic minority people.
Day 4, Oudomxay - Nong Khiaw
(B/L/-)
Morning visit the local market
where people of various ethnics including the Akha, Tai Dam, Khmu and Hmong
gathering and friendly selling their products. Then set off the journey to
Nong Khiaw.
Day 5, Nong Khiaw - Pak Ou - Luang Prabang
(B/L/-)
Board morning cruise down
along beautiful Nam Ou River, stop for a visit to the holy
Pak Ou caves, where thousands of gold lacquered
Buddha statues of various sizes are displayed . Then to Ban Xang Hai
famous for the production of the villagers’ local rice wine. Arrive Luang
Prabang in the late afternoon.
Day 6, Luang Prabang
(B/-/-)
Full day to explore the UNESCO World
Heritage town including the magnificent Wat XiengThong with
its roofs sweeping low to the ground - represents the classical architecture
of Luang Prabang temple, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun,
the shrine of Wat Aham, and Phousi hill for a
beautiful sunset view of the tranquil city and the Mekong river.
Day 7, Luang Prabang - Khun Si Waterfall
(B/L/-)
Morning visit the National Museum,
at the former Royal Palace, that display lovely collections of
the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the period
of the early kings through the last sovereign, plus the lively central
market. Afterwards take a short drive to Khung Si Waterfall.
The water thumbing over multi tiered limestone formations into the cool and
clear pool is ideal for anyone seeking an enjoyable nature.
Day 8, Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang
(B/L/-)
Early morning drive to XiengKhouang, 262Km.
passing through beautiful mountainous scenery and the minority ethnic
villages along the way.
XiengKhouang was dewastated by Americain
bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival we visit the Plain of Jars
No.1 at Phonsavanh. The impressive archeological site where the hundred of
the large stone Jars are littered all over the plateau. Overnight Phonsavanh..
Day 9, Xieng Khouang – Vientiane
(B/L/-)
Heading out of town along scenic route
passes through Ban Thachok, villages of many hill tribe people to
Muang Kham. Visit the Caves of Marty (Tham Piu).
Return to Phonesavanh for own flight to Vientiane.
Day 10, Vientiane
(B/-/-)
Visit the sacred Wat Sisaket, Wat Pra
Keo, the famous Prathat Luang Stupa, and the
Patouxai Monument, known as Arc de Triumph.
Day 11, Vientiane - Departure
(B/-/-)
After breakfast, transfer to airport or
Friendship Bridge for next destination
Participants may at this point either
commence a tour of Northeast Thailand or return directly to Bangkok by
overnight train.
Termination of the tour.
Departure day:
Daily departure, year round.
Services included in the
tour price:
-
Hotel accommodation throughout the tour is
based on 2 persons in twin-bedded room.
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Meals as specified in the program.
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Surface transport, transfers and sightseeing
by air-conditioned car, minibus or coach.
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Sightseeing and excursions as detailed.
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Admission fees where applicable.
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The services of local English- or
French-speaking guides.
Services not included
in the price:
List of preferred hotel:
First class:
-
Pak Beng Pak Beng Lodge
(standard class)
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Oudomxai Sing Thong (Tourist
class)
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Nong Kiaw Guest House (Tourist
class)
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Luang Prabang Villa Santi
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Xieng Khuang Phou Phadeng hotel or
Phou Chan Hotel (Tourist class)
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Vientiane Lao plaza or Novotel
Tourist class
Laos Visa & Airport Tax Information
Passport & Visa:
All visitors are required to have a valid
passport while travelling in Laos.
Visas can be obtained through Lao Embassies
and Consulates abroad.
In addition, Visas can also be obtained on
arrival at the following border check-points: Wattay International Airport
(Vientiane), Luang Prabang International Airport, Pakse International
Airport, Friendship Bridge in Vientiane, Vang Tao in Champassak, Boten in
Luang Namtha, Houai Xay in Bokeo, Nam Phao in Borikhamxay, Thakhek in
Khammouane, Dan Savanh and Dene Savanh in Savannakhet.
Tourists are required to have a valid
passport, 1 passport size photo and US$ 30 for application fee
(The validity of the passport
must be at least 6 months).
Most foreign tourists can stay for 15 days
using a visa on arrival or for 30 days with visa issued at a Lao embassy.
The Department of Immigration in Vientiane will only extend tourist visas
for one day. It is sometimes possible to get an extension for an additional
15 days by submitting an application through a tour agency. Foreigners who
overstay in Laos risk arrest and are fined US$5 for each day they overstay.
A tourist visa is usually issued for a
single entry to be used within three months from the date of issue for a
period not exceeding 30 days. The visa may be extended in Laos for a
further 15 days.
A business visa is usually issued for a
single entry within three months from the date of issue for a period of stay
not exceeding 30 days. The visa may be extended in Laos for a further 30
days.
A multi-entry business visa can only be
issued after a joint-venture business has been established. Higher consular
fees apply.
Airport tax:
International Airport tax - 10
USD.
Domestic Airport tax - 10.000
Kips. (Approximately 1 US$)
No arrivals – departure tax
for those who arrive – depart by land and already have visa. However there
might be some overtime fee for those who depart during week-end.
Please be aware that the above
information is only guideline and subject to change without prior notice.
General Information
The official national currency is the Kip,
with notes in dominations of 20,000 10,000 5,000 2,000 1,000 and 500.
Exchange Rate:
All tourists are advised to exchange their
national currency into Kip before usage in banks and their official branches
at airports, markets and major hotels. In addition, two major foreign
currencies (US dollar and Thai baht) are accepted in Laos in airports, at
travel agents, major hotels and guest houses at an exchange rate of 10 500
Kip for 1 US dollar and 250 Kip for 1 Thai baht.
Euro is not acceptable for
local use (the current rate 1 EURO = 11.330 Kips
Clothing:
Light-weight washable cotton or cotton-blend
clothes are suitable.
A sweater is needed for cooler months
(December and January) especially in the mountainous areas.
General Advice:
Avoid drinking water from the tap. Purified
bottle water is available everywhere in the shops.
Utilities Voltage:
Lao PDR uses 220V AC circuit.
Country and Vientiane’s Area Code:
856 21
Business Hours:
Banks: 8:30 – 16:00 (Mon-Fri), 8:30 –
12:00 (Sat)
Office: 8:00 – 16:00 (Mon-Fri)
Shops: 7:00 – 19:00 (Mon-Sun)
Credit Cards:
Major credit cards such as Master and VISA
credit cards are accepted at many travel agents, hotels, guesthouses,
restaurants and shops. A small transaction fee will be charged. A few
retailers accept American Express Credit cards are not commonly accepted
outside Vientiane.
Tipping:
Tips are increasingly becoming more
customary.
Health Requirement:
Visitors are advised to consult a physician
as to
what vaccinations
are
necessary before coming to Laos as rabies,
typhoid, hepatitis and other diseases have been reported. Less serious is
the risk of food poisoning, common among travellers who are not used to
local bacteria. Please take sensible precautions - always wash your hands
before eating and after using the toilet. Do not eat in places where hygiene
standards are suspect.
Please be aware that the above information is only
guideline and subject to change without prior notice.
Prices for -
Laos Cultural Adventure
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