CAMBODIA & LAOS
Nov. 25 2014 - Dec. 04 2014
10DAY / 9 NIGHTS
Plan your trip to arrive at Siam Reap on Nov. 25. Upon your arrival at Siem Reap International, you will be greeted and welcomed by our professional guide and transfered to the hotel.
The rest of day at leisure.
Meal included: Welcome dinner at Asian Square restaurant (Two hour event includes a cocktail reception, deluxe dinner
and complimentary soft drinks, local beer and house wine).
Accommodation: Bayon Boutique hotel (Superior Room) in Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel.
This morning, visit the monumental magnificence of Angkor Thom – the last capital of the great Khmer
Empire. You will visit the sprawling Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the enchanting
Bayon. This 12th century masterpiece lies at the very centre of Angkor Thom City and is an
archaeological wonder of symmetry and grandeur. The exterior gallery walls have extensive bas-reliefs
but the main features are the towers each with 3 or 4 gently smiling faces, over 200 in total. PJ de
Beerski wrote of them “godliness in the majesty and the size, mystery in the expression.” Continue your
exploration of the Angkor Temples at Ta Prohm, the temple that has been left largely in its natural state
since its “re-discovery” by French explorers. Surrounded by jungle, its labyrinth of stone hallways is
overgrown with the roots and limbs of massive banyan trees, which envelop the stone like tentacles. It
is one of the largest temples at Angkor, dedicated in 1186. Historians have noted its mystical charm.
Return to Siem Reap: Lunch on your own account.
This afternoon, you will visit Angkor Wat, arguably the largest religious building in the world, with a
volume of stone equaling that of the Cheops pyramid in Egypt. It is unlike all the other Khmer temples in
that it faces west, and is inspired by 12th Century Hinduism. Its symmetrical towers are stylized on the
modern Cambodian flag. Conceived by Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat took an estimated 30 years to build.
It is generally believed to have been a funeral temple for the king. It has been occupied continuously by
Buddhist monks and is well preserved. Intricate bas-reliefs surround Angkor Wat on four sides. Each
tells a story but the most celebrated of these is the Churning of the Sea of Milk, which is located on the
east wing, the guide will explain the mystical tale... Enjoy sunset over there
Dinner on your own account.
Meal included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bayon Boutique hotel (Superior Room) in Siem Reap
Breakfast at hotel.
At 8:00 a.m. depart from Siem Reap to Ratanakiri via Kampong Thom, Tboung Khmum, Kratie, Stung
Treng, Ratanakiri. It will take 7 hours to drive the 610km distance plus stops for lunch on route. Upon arrival in
Ratanakiri, direct to your hotel for check in.
Dinner at local restaurant
Meal included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Terres Rouge (Standard Room) in Ratanakiri
Breakfast at hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Accommodation: Terres Rough (Standard Room) in Ratanakiri
Breakfast at hotel.
Take another full day travel from Ratanakiri to Phnom Penh via Kratie and Kampong Cham. It will take around 9 hours in 510km distance with stops for lunch and sites.
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, direct to your hotel for check in.
Dinner on your own account.
Meal included: Breakfast / Lunch
Accommodation: Villa Langka (Superior Room) in Phnom Penh
Breakfast at hotel.
This morning, visit The Royal Palace. Built in 1866 by King Norodom, the Palace is made up from a
number of structures within a pagoda-style compound one of which is The Silver Pagoda. The Silver
Pagoda takes its name from the 5,000+ silver tiles and the building itself holds a number of national
treasures perhaps most notably are a life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha decorated with 9584 diamonds,
weighing in a at 90 kg and a small 17th century Emerald Buddha made from baccarat crystal. Continue
with a visit to the National Museum, a Khmer temple inspired building that houses the world’s largest collection
of Khmer art sculptures, ceramics and bronzes from different periods of Cambodian history. Over 5000
objects are on display including Angkorian era statues, lingas and other artifacts, most notably the
legendary statue of the ‘Leper King.’ Though the emphasis is on Angkorian artifacts, there is also a good
collection of pieces from later periods, including a special exhibition of post-Angkorian Buddha figures.
Shopping at Russian Market where you could find silk and silver for souvenir.
Lunch on your own account.
This afternoon, visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and Cheung Ek during the Pol Pot regime, Toul
Sleng, formerly a high school was converted to a detention centre known as S21. After interrogation and
often torture, prisoners were transferred to ‘Killing Fields’ where they were often tortured again and
brutally killed. Continue to visit Cheung Ek. It was a Chinese Cemetery before it became the Khmer
Rouge’s best known Killing Field. The remains of almost 9,000 bodies have been excavated from mass
graves in this area. Today Cheung Ek is a Memorial site for Cambodians and visitors from all over the
world come to pay their respects for those lost. A memorial stupa has been erected and displays over 5,000
human skulls, bones and clothes of the victims. During the Khmer Rouge years, thousands of
Cambodians were tortured and imprisoned in detention centres around the country; the visit is a
profoundly moving but also depressing experience.
Transfer for dinner on Kanika Boat on Tonlé Sap River.
Meal included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Villa Langka (Superior Room) in Phnom Penh
Breakfast at hotel.
This morning, you will take a private boat to Koh Dach Island, The island is famed as an important silk
weaving center. The handicraft production is one of the most famous attractions for the tourists. The
commune of Koh Dach involves 5 villages, known as Koh Dach, Kbal Koh, Lvea, Chong Koh and Neah
village. The prominent occupation of the local villagers consists of: Planting sub-product crops such as
corn, sesame, bean and banana; planting fruit trees; manufacturing mosquito net, silk sarong, phamuong,
Hol, silk krama and running small businesses. There are three pagodas located in the commune of Koh
Duch, such as: Ampor Phal, Kra Pumpich, Sa Maki kbal koh travel.mapsofworld.com provides you on-line
description of Koh dach, Kandal.
Return to Phnom Penh and lunch at a local restaurant.
*** Check out time will be at 12h.
Transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport and board the flight to Vientiane
Sabaidii.....Welcome to Vientiane! Upon arrival to Vientiane Airport from Phnom Penh, Cambodia and after customs & immigration
formalities, you will be met by a Destination Asia local guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at own arrangements.
Airfare from Phnom Penh to Vientiane included
Accommodation: Green Park Boutique Hotel – Deluxe room www.greenparkvientiane.com
Breakfast at hotel - A.M Presentations by Conrad Swanson, G.R.I & Laos Government Representitives.
Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, enjoy half day city highlight tour.
Visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Vat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and
over 6,000 Buddha images. Nearby is Haw Phra Kaew, which contains some of
the finest Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in the country. The main structure
originally housed the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok. One
of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patousay, the victory gate also
known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc
of Triumph in Paris. Another famous Vientiane landmark is the Phra That Luang
stupa. King Sethtathirat built this great sacred stupa, considered the national symbol, in 1566. The
original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha.
Late afternoon, head out of town to visit one of Laos’ slightly stranger attractions – Xieng Khuan
Buddha Park. Built in 1958 this park on the banks of the Mekong River is the site of a large collection of
many kinds of Buddhist and Hindu Sculptures. En route take a look at the impressive Friendship Bridge.
Return to hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.
This evening, dinner at local restaurant with traditional music and dance performance.
Meal included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Green Park Boutique Hotel – Deluxe room www.greenparkvientiane.com
Breakfast at hotel. The rest of day is free and for your own arrangement.
Meal included: Breakfast
***** End of service ****
CAMBODIA Tour Price Includes:
2 nights accommodation at hotel in per above list in Siem Reap
3 nights accommodation at hotel in per above list in Ratanakiri
2 nights accommodation at hotel in per above list in Phnom Penh
Meals: as mentioned as in program
Pass to temples and Entrance Fee as mentioned as in program
All transfers and full tour program as stated
Local English Speaking guides
Private air-conditioned Vehicles
Bottle of water and cold towel in vehicle during sightseeing
LAOS Tour Price Includes:
Accommodation as specified hotel with breakfast daily
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (food only)
Transfers and included sightseeing as specified on a private basis
Service of English speaking local guides for included sightseeing and transfers
Entrance fees to all included sites visited
Service charge, room tax and baggage handling
NTA and Laos Government Tax
Bottled water provided on transport during transfers.
CAMBODIA Tour Price does NOT Include:
International airfare to/from Cambodia
Flight Phnom Penh – Vientiane (see supplement)
International departure tax US$ 25 ex REP (now included in airfare)
Cambodia Visa fee (currently cash US$ 20 with one photo passport size on arrival)
All lunches & dinners that didn’t mention
Drinks during meals
Tip to guide / driver
Items of personal expenses
LAOS Tour Prices does NOT Include:
Meals and other services than those mentioned in above inclusion
Any optional sightseeing excursions or additional visits not outlined in itinerary
Laotian visa fee
International flight and airport departure tax
Excess Baggage fees or charges levied by Airlines
Drinks, tips and other personal expenditures (e.g. telephone, laundry, souvenirs and
etc…)
Personal Travel Insurance
Tips/Gratuities to guides/drivers