Laos & : Temples & Treasures

Group Tour | Arts & culture

13 Days & 10 Nights

Lead-in price: £3,695 Current prices from: £3,695

Begin in serene Luang Prabang in , filled with glittering temples. Cruise on the Mekong river to sacred caves before flying to Vientiane. End the tour with a stay in to marvel at the mystical 12th-century temple complex of Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.

Highlights

 Private curator talk at the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, Luang Prabang  Special private visit to silkweaver Carol Cassidy’s Lao Textiles Gallery  Traditional Laotian welcome ceremony  Three full days at Angkor to explore the many temples & lesser-known sites  Leisurely Mekong river cruise  Small group size - 10 people (max 18)  Stay in 4-star accommodation

Go Travel To, 31 Regent Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 7AF Tel 01983 716727 Email: [email protected] Independent Travel Agents – ABTA P7214

Accommodation

Green Park Boutique Hotel, Vientiane

The Green Park Boutique Hotel is situated next to Nong Chanh Park in the heart of Vientiane and only a few minutes from the city's tourist attractions and shopping district. The 34 contemporary guest rooms are furnished using traditional Lao materials with a private balcony or terrace overlooking the swimming pool or the lush tropical garden. The hotel also has a spa and a restaurant with an open-air terrace and...

HanumanAlaya, Siem Reap

Go Travel To, 31 Regent Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 7AF Tel 01983 716727 Email: [email protected] Independent Travel Agents – ABTA P7214

The HanumanAlaya is a boutique hotel surrounded by lush gardens featuring 13 beautifully furnished rooms finished with wood, silk and local handicrafts. Facilities include a swimming pool, a spa and 2 restaurants that serve Khmer specialities as well as international...

Santi Resort & Spa, Luang Prabang

Santi Resort & Spa is situated only 6 km from the World Heritage Site where the original Villa Santi Hotel is located. The resort sits in 10 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, surrounded by mountains and natural streams. There are has 48 guest rooms, 1 suite and 3 regent villas, all elegantly decorated in traditional Royal Lao theme with rosewood furnishings and Lao silk textiles. The Torseng restaurant offers authentic Royal Lao cuisine and international dishes. Facilities include a lounge bar and an outdoor swimming...

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Luang Prabang, Laos, via Bangkok

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Luang Prabang via Bangkok with Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways. (N)

Day 2: Luang Prabang

Arrive and transfer to the Villa Santi Resort Hotel (or similar) for 4 nights. Luang Prabang, a world heritage site with 35 golden temples, is the best-preserved town in south-east Asia. Afternoon at leisure. Evening introductory lecture and welcome dinner. (D)

Go Travel To, 31 Regent Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 7AF Tel 01983 716727 Email: [email protected] Independent Travel Agents – ABTA P7214

Day 3: Luang Prabang

Temple tour, including Wat Visoun, Wat Mai and Wat Xieng Thong. Along the way see other temples, fine secular architecture and French colonial buildings. Afternoon visit to the National Museum, formerly the royal palace, with fascinating collections of objects, paintings and costumes. In the evening, see Heritage House, a perfect example of Luang Prabang’s secular buildings, and enjoy a traditional baci welcome ceremony and Lao dance performance at the historic Puang Champa Cultural House. (B)

Day 4: Pak Ou

Today, cruise on the Mekong river to the Pak Ou caves, filled with Buddha images. Have lunch in a wooden cottage overlooking the river before visiting a picturesque village to see silk weaving, sericulture and mulberry paper production. Late afternoon at leisure, with a chance to visit Mount Phousi at sunset followed by a visit to a night market, or listen to a Gavarak storytelling accompanied by traditional music. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Luang Prabang

Morning visit to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre for a special private tour, introduced by the centre’s director. Special private visit to a historic teakwood home furnished with antiques (subject to confirmation). Afternoon at leisure or visit other temples, study murals and iconography or visit The Living Land Company, an inspiring community farm. (B)

Day 6: Fly to Vientiane

Optional visit to Vipassana Meditation Centre to learn meditation skills from the monks and talk to them about their lives. Fly to Vientiane and transfer to Green Park Boutique Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights. Visit Patuxai Monument and That Luang, the national symbol of Laos. (B)

Day 7: Vientiane

Visit Wat Sisaket and Wat Phra Keo, as well as a special private visit with silkweaver Carol Cassidy at Lao Textiles Gallery. Optional afternoon visit to a private textile museum (subject to confirmation). (B)

Day 8: Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia

Fly to Siem Reap and stay 4 nights at the HanumanAlaya Hotel (or similar). On arrival transfer to the hotel where an afternoon introductory lecture will be held. (B, D)

Day 9: Angkor temples

Morning visit to the early temples, the oldest group of temples, including , and . Afternoon visit to . Stay until sunset to admire the bas-reliefs of the Hindu epics. (B) to admire the bas-reliefs of the Hindu epics. (B)

Go Travel To, 31 Regent Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 7AF Tel 01983 716727 Email: [email protected] Independent Travel Agents – ABTA P7214

Day 10: Angkor temples

Morning at Angkor Wat. Afternoon visit to , the temple, and Terrace of the Leper King. (B)

Day 11: Angkor temples

Morning visit to , followed by Banteay Samre. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursions to less-visited temples. Exclusive farewell dinner with authentic Khmer cuisine and traditional dance performance at the historic Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor (or similar). (B, D)

Day 12: Fly to London, via Bangkok

Day at leisure. Optional visits to the Angkor National Museum and further temples or local markets. Late afternoon transfer to Siem Reap airport. Fly to London, via Bangkok, with Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways. (B)

Day 13: London

Early morning arrival into London. (N)

Meal Basis

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information

Arts & Culture tours

A collection of expert accompanied tours focusing on creativity in its many forms. All tours are open to everyone.

Expert-led tour

This tour is fully escorted throughout by the lecturer, as well as experienced local guides.

Superior tour

Typically based in 4- and 5-star accommodation.

Accessibility

This tour involves some long walks over uneven ground and therefore requires a good level of fitness.

Go Travel To, 31 Regent Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 7AF Tel 01983 716727 Email: [email protected] Independent Travel Agents – ABTA P7214

Expert lecturer

Denise Heywood is an author, lecturer, journalist and photographer who worked in Cambodia for three years. Her books include Ancient Luang Prabang & Laos and Cambodian Dance: Celebration of the Gods. A lecturer for the National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies (Nadfas), Art Fund and School of Oriental and African Studies (Soas), she has lectured worldwide on Asian art and culture.

Private visits

Please note that there are many private visits on this tour, but their exclusive and personal nature means they are subject to confirmation nearer the time of departure. If any do have to be re- arranged, please be assured that we will seek alternatives of equal interest.

Single supplement

From £685pp.

Private & tailor-made travel

This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Just Call 01983 716727 for more details

What’s Included

• 4-star accommodation

• Twin / double rooms for single use

• Flexible - extensions & flight upgrades available

• Small group size - 10 people (max 18)

• International & internal flights

• Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles

• Experienced local tour manager

• 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners

• Welcome and farewell group dinners

• Guided sightseeing & entrance fees

Go Travel To, 31 Regent Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 7AF Tel 01983 716727 Email: [email protected] Independent Travel Agents – ABTA P7214

Dates & Prices

Dates Price Single

15-Nov-2019 for 12 Nights Standard Flight Included £3695 £4690

Go Travel To, 31 Regent Street, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 7AF Tel 01983 716727 Email: [email protected] Independent Travel Agents – ABTA P7214