|  |
Mysterious Indochina 10 days
Siem Reap - Angkor Wat - Angkor Thom - Phnom Penh
- Vientiane - Luang Prabang - Xieng Khuang
|
 |
| Day 1 - Siem Reap |
• Arrival in Siem
Reap
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Angkor
• Visit Angkor Wat
ANGKOR WAT: a temple dedicated to the Hindu god
Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and
1150. It was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world
famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the
longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along
the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.
In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city
of Angkor a World Heritage Site.
• Visit temple for sunset
Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the
upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.
• Overnight in Siem Reap.
|
|
 |
|
| Day 2 - Siem Reap |
• Sightseeing in Angkor
• Visit Angkor Thom
ANGKOR THOM: a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometers)
built by King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1201. The
city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100
meters wide. In the center of the walled city are the city’s
most important monuments including Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace
of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas
with Royal Enclosure.
BAYON: Jayavarman VII's temple mountain that stands at
the center of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of
Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow corridors, steep flights
of stairs and an amazing collection of towers decorated with
over 200 smiling faces.
BAPHUON: the pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount
Meru and marks the center of the city that was here before Angkor
Thom.
PHIMEANAKAS: near the center of what was once the royal
palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means ‘Celestial
Palace’, though today there is not much left to indicate
its former splendour.
FORMER ROYAL PALACE: nothing remains today except two
pools that were used by royalty for washing.
TERRACE OF ELEPHANTS: this terrace was used for viewing
public ceremonies and was a base for the King’s grand audience
hall. The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the
retaining walls.
TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING: North of the Terrace of Elephants
is a platform named ‘Terrace of the Leper King’. On
the platform is a nude statue – one of Angkor’s mysteries.
• Visit Ta Prohm
TA PROHM: one of the most popular attractions of
Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks
very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared
when European explorers first stumbled across them.
• Visit Banteay Srei Temple
BANTEAY SREI: built in the late 10th century, it
is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple is square with
entrances on the east and west. Of main interest are the three
central towers which are decorated with male and female divinities
and beautiful filigree relief work.
Overnight in Siem Reap. |
|
|
|
| Day 3 - Siem Reap |
• Sightseeing in Angkor
• Visit Banteay Kdei Temple
BANTEAY KDEI: a massive Buddhist temple dating from the
second half of the 12th century. It is surrounded by four concentric
walls, the outer walls measuring 500 by 700 meters.
• Visit Sras Srang
SRAS SRANG: a basin opposite of Banteay Kdei measuring
800 by 400 metres with a tiny island in the middle where only
the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple.
• Visit Pre Rup Temple
PRE RUP: built by Rajendravarman II (ruled 944 to 968),
it consists of a pyramid shaped temple with the upper-most of
the three tiers carrying five square shrines arranged as a quincunx.
The name means ‘turning the body’ and refers to the
traditional method of cremation.
• Visit Ta Keo
TA KEO: built by Jayavarman V who ruled from 968 to 1001),
it was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone
and was dedicated to Shiva. The summit of the central tower
is 50 meters high and is surrounded by four lower towers.
• Visit Preah Khan
PREAH KHAN: a temple built by King Jayavarman VII with
towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle
setting. Preah Khan covers a very large area but the temple
itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by
800 meters.
• Visit Neak Pean Temple
NEAK PEAN: built by King Jayavarman VII (ruled 1181 to
1201), it is a Buddhist temple consisting of a square pool with
four smaller square pools arranged on each axis. In the centre
of the large central pool is a circular island encircled by
two nagas with intertwined tails.
• Overnight in Siem Reap. |
|
|
|
| Day 4 - Siem Reap - Phnom Penh |
• Transfer
• Flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
Cambodia's capital sits at the confluence of the Mekong,
Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. Considered the loveliest of the
French-built cities of Indochina, it was founded as a small
monastery in 1372 by a rich Khmer woman called Penh after she
found four Buddha statues in a tree trunk on the banks of the
Mekong. She set up the monastery on a nearby hill or "phnom"
in Cambodian.
WAT PHNOM: a temple and location of the first pagoda
on this site built in 1372 by Penh to house the four Buddha
statues found on the banks of the Mekong. It is the only hill
(27 meters) in the capital.
ROYAL PALACE AND SILVER PAGODA: the royal palace stands
on the site of the former citadel, Bantey Kev (built in 1813).
Visitors are not allowed in some portions of the grounds, as
the palace is the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoni.
The silver pagoda is often called the Pagoda of the Emerald
Buddha or Wat Preah Kaeo after the statue housed there. The
wooden temple was originally built by King Norodom in 1892 and
inside, its floor is comprised of more than 5000 silver blocks
which together weigh nearly 6 tons.
NATIONAL MUSEUM: designed by a French archeologist and
painter, George Groslier, in Khmer style in 1920 to exhibit
works previously scattered throughout the country. It contains
a collection of Khmer art including the beautiful 6th century
bronze statue of Vishnu.
TUOL SLENG MUSEUM (Museum of Genocide): formerly the
Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975 it became the Khmer Rouge's
main torture and interrogation center. It was known as Security
Prison 21, or just S-21.
CENTRAL MARKET or RUSSIAN MARKET: Visit one of Phnom
Penh's two great markets. The Central Market is located in a
distinctive domed Art Deco building, and is filled with jewelry,
fabrics and all types of souvenirs. The Russian Market is a
sprawling labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and
DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry and more. Both are fascinating
places to browse.
• Overnight in Phnom Penh. |
|
|
|
| Day 5 - Phnom Penh - Vientiane |
• Excursion to the Killing Fields
THE KILLING FIELDS OF CHOEUNG EK: people tortured in
the S-21 prison (a former school taken over in 1975 by the Khmer
Rouge and turned into a torture chamber) were brought here to
be executed. Many mass graves were found in this area.
• Transfer
• Flight from Phnom Penh to Vientiane.
• Arrival in Vientiane
• Transfer
• Overnight in Vientiane. |
|
|
|
| Day 6 - Vientiane - Luang Prabang |
• Transfer
• Flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang
Kingdom, is famous for its historic temples and beautiful setting
surrounded by mountains. In 1995 it was designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
WAT XIENG THONG: built in 1560 and situated on the banks
of the Mekong River, it is the most beautiful monastery in Luang
Prabang and shows the typical Lao art style with old religious
artifacts and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art.
WAT WISUNALAT (Vat Visoun): built in 1513 during the
reign of Chao Wisunalat, it is the oldest operating temple in
Luang Prabang with a collection of gilded wooden Buddhas from
the 15th and 16th centuries. WAT MAI: constructed in 1821 during
the reign of King Manthatourath, it was once the residence of
Phra Sangkharaj (the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy).
WAT THAT LUANG: the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred
inside the large central stupa, which was erected in 1910. The
inside of the huge sim dating back to 1820 contains a few Luang
Prabang Buddhas and other artifacts.
WAT SAEN: Thai style wat built in 1718 and restored in
1957. The abbot Ajannn Khamjan who was ordained here in 1940
is one of the most revered monks in Luang Prabang and perhaps
in all of Laos.
• Overnight in Luang Prabang.
|
|
|
|
| Day 7 - Luang Prabang |
• Excursion by boat to the Pak Ou Caves
PAK OU CAVES: this are two caves (Tham Thing – lower
cave and Tham Phum) located in the steep rock cliff at the confluence
of the Mekong River and Ou River. They are full of Buddha images
of varying styles, ages and sizes.
BAN XANG HAI: located near the Pak Ou Caves, this village
was once a 'Jar-Maker Village' and nowadays the community fill
the jars (which come from elsewhere) with láo-láo,
the local rice whisky.
• Overnight in Luang Prabang.
|
|
|
|
| Day 8 - Luang Prabang - Xieng Khuang |
• By vehicle from
Luang Prabang to Xieng Khuang
A slow journey along mountain roads with stunning views of the
forested mountains, lush valleys and karst formations.
• Sightseeing in the Plain of Jars and Muang Khoun
PLAIN OF JARS: large area extending around Phonsavanh
from the south-west to the north-east where huge jars (up to
1000kg each) of unknown origin are scattered about in at least
a dozen groupings. It is one of the most intriguing sights in
Laos.
MUANG KHOUN: The ancient capital that was founded by
Chao Noi Muang and was a stronghold for the Xieng Khouang royal
family was destroyed during the Indochina War. The town was
rebuilt after 1975 with rows of wooden Lao houses and a market
area. It has an impressive location as it is surrounded by mountains.
• Overnight in Xieng Khuang. |
|
|
|
| Day 9 - Xieng Khuang - Vientiane |
• Visit
the local market
• Visit this lively open-air local market.
Transfer
• Flight from Xieng Khuang to Vientiane.
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Vientiane
The capital city and seat of government sits in a bend
of the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains. Vientiane
(pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city
with interesting wats and lively markets.
HO PHA KEO: the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy
built in 1565 by King Setthathirat and now converted into a
museum containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures
found in Laos.
WAT SI SAKET: constructed in 1818 by King Anouvong in
the early Bangkok style, small niches are carved into its interior
walls, containing more than 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddha
images.
PATUXAI: a large monument in the style of the Arc de
Triomphe in Paris, the huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang
has a stairway that leads to the top levels of the monument,
providing a good view of the city.
PHA THAT LUANG (Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa):
built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, it is the most
important national monument in Laos, a symbol of both the Buddhist
religion and Lao sovereignty.
• Overnight in Vientiane.
|
|
|
|
| Day 10 - Vientiane |
| • Transfer to the
airport for departure flight to the next destination. |
|
| USD p.p | 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3-6 Pax | SGL S/C | Booking |
| Var A | 2,280 | 1,470 | 1,300 | 170 |  |
| Var B | 2,510 | 1,590 | 1,420 | 280 | |
| Var C | 3,120 | 1,910 | 1,750 | 570 | |
All prices are per person in USD, based on twin-sharing in double rooms in the default hotel for the listed category.
Above prices are subject to US$14/Person airport tax for all international flights out of Vietnam from 1 November 2006 which will be calculated as a seperate service on top of the international airfares in all quotations and invoices.
* Meal plan: ABF.
** Reduction for 3rd pax in triple room A:$30; Var. B:$76; Var. C:$153
*** Child reduction (sharing bed of parents): under 2 years FOC; under 12 years -30%.
NOTE: The itinerary can slightly change according to the season, local conditions, climate, flight schedules and room availability.
|
| Hotel | Var A | Var B | Var C |
|---|
| Siem Reap | Monica Angkor Hotel
Standard | Princess Angkor Hotel
Superior | Royal Angkor Resort
Superior room | | Phnom Penh | New York Hotel
Standard
Princess Hotel Phnom Penh
Standard | The Juliana Hotel
Superior
Monorom Holiday Villa
Standard | Inter Continental Hotel
Deluxe | | Vientiane | B & P Hotel
STD room | Vansana Hotel
Standard | Don Chan Palace
Classic Room | | Luang Prabang | Ancient Luang Prabang Hotel
Standard | Le Parasol Blanc Hotel
STD room | The Grand Luang Prabang Hotel & Resort
Deluxe |
We will confirm one of the hotels mentioned above according to the selected category. Please note that compulsory gala dinners and peak season surcharges may apply during peak periods surrounding the public holidays of Christmas and New Year - these surcharges will be confirmed at the time of booking.
Included in the price:
Accommodation and meals as described (please note that some hotels provide only CBF).
All transfers within the journey, including pick-up at airport.
Domestic airfares as states in the itinerary in economy class.
All entrance fees.
English, French or German speaking guides (other languages available upon request).
Not included in the price:
Visa fees.
Airport taxes.
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, souvenirs.
|
|
Combination Indochina Packages
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
