Laos — South East Asia — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

SOUTH EAST ASIA THAILAND * LAOS Spirit of Laos 19 DAYS HOTELS LAND OF SMILES Ref LA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA After an initial exploration of Thailand, we cross into Laos, where we move through the length and breadth of the country. Stepping back in time, we seek out ancient jungle temples, travel the Mekong by longboat, and seek out remote tribal villages. Amongst the Hilltribes Leaving Bangkok behind, we fly to the northern Thai hill town of Chiang Rai, before crossing to Ban Houei Sai in Laos. A stunning bus journey through thick jungle leads us to Luang Namtha; from here we set out by road and on foot into the stamping ground of the local hill tribes. We come across Iko, Kamu, Lamet, Van and Yuan communities most of whom are isolated, self-sufficient and often governed by customs and rituals that appear timeless. Luang Prabang & Plain of Jars Continuing by motorised craft, we visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves, before disembarking at the atmospheric mountain town of Luang Prabang, on the banks of the Mekong. Here we admire the treasures and architectural intricacies of the Royal Palace and temples. Even just wandering around its dreamy streets, you'll enjoy the Shangri-La ambience of Luang Prabang its tranquility and mysticism all the more tangible in the outlying villages, where animism is still widely practised. We also ponder over the archaeological puzzle of the colossal 2000year-old stone jars, scattered over a remote grassy plateau. THAILAND Rafting in Umphang/Ian McKelvey Active Thailand! TREKKING GRADE B Ref OT JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 16 DAYS HOTELS/CAMPING/LODGE/VILLAGE HOUSES THAILAND'S WILD SIDE Active Thailand! Ref OT L AOS NAN LAMPANG Walk and cycle to Hmong & Yao villages VILLAGE HOUSE Rural village life Den Chai outlying region is celebrated for its teak forests, fertile slopes and fast-running rivers. These valleys are also home to several hill tribes, and as we walk and take to bicycles through their lands and villages, we meet people from the Hmong and Yao groups. Village Life We spend two nights as guests in a village near Nan, staying with families in their homes. This is a unique opportunity to share in their daily routine and, depending on the season, you may help to plant or harvest rice or cook, perhaps visit the temple, or even help in the village school. Nothing is pre-arranged, we simply slot into the life of our host family on that particular day. Umphang Jungle Adventure After Lampang (where we have a chance to visit the nearby elephant sanctuary), we drive via Mae Sot, from where an exceptionally scenic road takes us to Umphang. Barely on the map, this hamlet is the starting point of our jungle adventure. For the next four days, here in the homelands of the Karen, we'll travel through far-flung and lush landscapes by raft, on foot and by elephant and camp beneath the jungle canopy. At times the rafting is quite gentle; at other times exhilarating, across white-water rapids. Our guides will take us along jungle paths to the seven-tiered Thi Lor Su Waterfall, reputedy the most beautiful in South East Asia. Finally, we return to Mae Sot to freshen up and to prepare ourselves for the culture shock of flying back to Bangkok! Royal Palace, Luang Prabang/P. Copland Adventures in Southern Laos After exploring the sleepy capital, Vientiane, we fly south to Pakse, where we rejoin the Mekong. By longboat we reach Muang Khong, the picturesque hub of an inland delta that fans out, creating thousands of habitable islands. Many are occupied with thatched-roof settlements, suspended on stilts, and as we glide through the fishing villages, we discover rural life along this vital waterway. We also visit the Wat Phu Khmer temple complex (5th-6th century), ride elephants and swim in a rock pool below the Tad Lo Falls. Finally, we return to Pakse and retrace our steps to the capital of Thailand. THAILAND MAE SOT Burmese border market Umphang 4-day jungle adventure C ha o Ph ya ra Rafting Forest trails Waterfalls Elephant safari M YA N M A R Temples Emerald Buddha Grand Palace 300 Spirit of Laos Ref LA Walk to tribal villages VIETNAM BANGKOK km 0 Gulf of Thailand LUANG NAMTHA Nong Khiaw BAN HOUEI SAI LUANG PRABANG Chiang Rai Wats Boat trip Pak Ou Caves Plain of Jars FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Bangkok. 2 Arrive Bangkok. 3 Fly Chiang Rai; drive Chiang Khong; boat across Mekong river to Ban Houei Sai (Laos). 4 Drive to Luang Namtha. 5 In Luang Namtha; drive and optional walks to tribal villages. 6 Drive to Nong Khiaw. 7 Boat via Pak Ou caves to Luang Prabang. 8 In Luang Prabang; visit Wats. 9 Trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls; PM optional bike ride. 10 Drive Phonsavan. 11 In Phonsavan; visit Plain of Jars. 12 Fly Vientiane. 13 In Vientiane; sightseeing. 14 Fly Pakse; drive to Wat Phu, boat on Mekong to Muang Khong. 15 In Muang Khong; visit Don Khon island. 16 Drive Khiang Nkong village, elephant ride; continue to Tad Lo. 17 In Tad Lo; fly Bangkok. 18 Fly London. 19 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 13nts hotel, 3nts guesthouse; 16 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Charter boat/Ferry/On foot/Elephant ride/Flights as itinerary. Comment: An in-depth insight into this little visited, stunning country. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, driver(s), boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. An adventurous trip through some of the most remote and inspiring corners of Thailand including Nan province in the far north and Umphang region on the Myanmar border. We camp in the jungle, ride elephants and white-water raft down untamed rivers. We also visit the most beautiful waterfall in South East Asia and stay with families in far-flung tribal villages. North to Nan Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, we head north to the town of Nan a tranquil outpost immersed in the natural beauty of the surrounding province. Home to an array of ancient wats (temples), the PHONSAVAN Visit tribal villages VIENTIANE Laos capital That Luang Stupa City tour Me ko LAOS ng Waterfalls THAILAND Ubon Ratchathani Wat Phu TAD LO Pakse Khiang Nkong MUANG KHONG Mekong Islands boat trip FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Bangkok. 2 Arrive Bangkok; optional klong trip. 3 AM city tour; overnight train Den Chai. 4 Arrive Den Chai; drive Nan, cycle ride through villages. 5 Walk through nearby Yao and Hmong villages; drive village homestays. 6 In village; join in everyday life. 7 Drive Lampang; optional excursion to elephant sanctuary. 8 Drive Umphang via Mae Sot. 9 Raft down Mae Klong river. 10 Walk to Thi Lor Su Waterfall and on to Kotha village. 11 Elephant safari to Palatha Village; raft to Thi Lor Lay Waterfall. 12 Walk towards Sepala Village. 13 Walk to Sepala village; drive Mae Sot. 14 AM in Mae Sot; fly Bangkok. 15 Fly London. 16 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 5nts hotel, 1nt lodge, 3nts village house, 3nts camping, 1nt sleeper train; 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Overnight train/Foot/Bicycle/ Elephant/Raft/Flight. Comment: An active adventure that includes several moderate jungle treks (3-7 hours per day), white-water rafting, cycling and elephant riding! Both trekking and rafting are an integral part of the trip and cannot be opted out of. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver, boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. BANGKOK CAMBODIA km 0 300 Gulf of Thailand Friendly shop keeper/Danny Gee Elephant riding/Claire Breakspear Trek length and gradients 600m 500m 400m 300m 200m 100m 0m Day 5 8km Nan Village Nan Village/ Lampang/Umphang/Forestry Camp Kotha Village Thi Lor Lay Sepala Village Rest Days Days 6 to 9 Day 10 12km Day 11 8km Day 12 10km Day 13 10km Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement 179

South East Asia contd… Laos