Post-Tour for 62nd AIEST Conference in 2012 Day 1 Thursday 30th August THU 30th Aug 2012 Khon Kaen-Vientiane In early morning transfer from your hotel in Khon Kaen by van to Vientiane, the capital of Laos since 1563. Vientiane’s major attractions are the serene Buddhist monasteries that dominate the center of town. The city has kept its timeless charm with tree-lined avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture. In the afternoon visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the sole survivor of an invasion in 1828. Vat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha images. Nearby is Ho Phra Keo, once the royal temple of Lao monarchy. Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo has been used as a museum since 1970 and 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’s Wat Phra Keo. 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 That Luang Stupa. King Setthathirath built this great sacred stupa in 1566. Its central structure is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus. The original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Dinner at local restaurant and accommodation at Mercure Hotel or similar in Vientiane. Meals included: Lunch, Dinner Day 2 Friday 31st August FRI 31st Aug 2012 Vientiane-Luang Prabang Breakfast at the hotel. This morning visit Morning Market and nearby Ethnic Handicraft Market. The Morning Market (Talaat Sao) is known for its superior silk weaving, metal work and woodcarving. Lunch at local Restaurant. Then visit to Laos National Museum (closed on public holidays), one of the only museums in Vientiane documenting both the history of Laos and the history of war. The museum comprises a central statue hall, surrounded by exhibition rooms with dioramas and displays which trace the great man’s life and career in the context of the Lao revolutionary history. After touring the museum visitors can proceed to the Former President Kaysone Phomvihane’s house, historical area located approximately one kilometer from the museum, where the former President's living and working quarters from 1975-1978 may be viewed. Transfer to Vientiane airport to take Lao Airline flight QV 103 (Laos Airlines) from Vientiane at 16.30 to Luang Prabang. Arrival at Luang Prabang at 17.25. The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang, is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia. Magical and charming, it has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage City. Dinner and accommodation at the Chang Heritage hotel or similar in Luang Prabang. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 3 Saturday 1st September SAT 1st Sep 2012 Luang Prabang Breakfast at hotel. This morning, visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That Makmo, stylistically more Srilankalese than Lao. Then walk to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Visit the former King’s Palace, now known as National Museum displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family: photos, musical equipment and gifts received from foreign countries.Lunch at 3 Nagas restaurant, specialized in Lao cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center which exhibits on seven ethnic minority groups in northern Laos. Inside shows clothing, handicrafts, household tools and religious items. There is also a shop selling handicrafts from ethnic minority villages, and a nice café with some books that tourists can read there. Continue to visit Vat Mai, built in 1796, famous for the five – tiered roof of its wooden sim built in the standard of Luang Prabang style. Climb Vat Phousi hill for an outstanding view over the city. Later, you will experience the Baci ceremony at heritage house. The Baci is not a Buddhist religious ceremony, it predates the arrival of Buddhism in Lao PDR. It is a unique way of expressing goodwill. The Baci is sincere in its simplicity, warm in its blessings and generous in its gifts. It is an all – purpose ceremony of welcome or farewell of new year, marriage, greeting the newborn, honoring achievements, giving thanks for recovery from illness, etc. Dinner with show at Roots and Leaves Restaurant. Accommodation at The Chang Heritage hotel or similar in Luang Prabang. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 4 Sunday 2nd September SUN 2nd Sep 2012 Luang Prabang-Bangkok Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for the departure flight QV633 (Laos Airlines) to Bangkok. Arrive at Bangkok on 9.10 a.m. then transfer to your hotel in Bangkok. Meals included: Breakfast Tour price: 26,500 Baht/Person (2 people/1 room) EURO 650.-- (01/03/2012) 30,500 Baht/Person (1 person/1 room) EURO 750.—(01/03/2012) Optional : On the later Bangkok Airways flight there will be an extra charge 4,500 Baht/Person (PG 942 departs from Luang Prabang 12.10 and arrive at Bangkok 14.15) **The prices in THB are accurate at the date published (01/03/2012), but we reserve the right to change any of prices for time to time. We will be able to tell you the up-to-date price before confirming your booking END OF July 2012 .** Price includes - 3 nights accommodation in standard level - 9 meals - Transportation (Van) in private air-conditioned - Admission fee to indicated sights - Travel insurance - Air tickets in economy class (Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Bangkok by Laos Airlines) - AIEST tour manager - English speaking guide, AIEST Tour Management Price excludes - Personal expenses and others not stated - Visa fee Laos Reservation - Reservation deadline is 31st July 2012 Payment - Full settlement should be received no later than 31st July 2012. Payment should be made by cash transfer Cancellations All cancellation must be informed in writing by e-mail. Cancellations will be subject to the following charges: Cancellations by 31st July 2012: No charge Cancellations by 15th August 2012: 10,000 Baht charge Cancellations by 20th August 2012: 20,000 Baht charge Document who do need visa (Please bring to our staff at tour counter by 27th August 2012) - Two recent photographs with size 4x6 mm. - A passport must have at least six months remaining validity Document for who do not need visa (Please bring to our staff at tour counter by 27th August 2012) - Copy of passport - A passport must have at least six months remaining validity Visa Fee (Ordinary Passport) Country Visa fee ( in Baht ) Country Visa fee ( in Baht ) Albania 800 Latvia 800 Armenia 800 Lithuania 800 Azerbaijan 800 Luxembourg Visa Exemption 15 days Austria 1.400 Malaysia Visa Exemption 30 days Africa 1.200 Mongolia Visa Exemption 30 days Afghanistan 1.600 Middle East 1.200 Australia 1.200 Myanmar 720 Bulgaria 800 Macao 1.000 Belarus 800 Norway 1.400 Belgium 1.400 Netherlands 1.400 Bhutan 1.200 Nepal 1.600 Brunei Visa Exemption 30 days New Zealand 1.200 Cuba 800 Philippine Visa Exemption 30 days Czech Republic 800 Poland 800 Canada 1.680 Portugal 1.400 Central America 1.200 Pakistan 1.600 China 600 Russia Visa Exemption 15 days Cambodia Visa Exemption 30 days Romania 800 Denmark 1.400 R. Korea Visa Exemption 15 days D.P.R. of Korea Visa Exemption 30 days Slovakia 800 Estonia 800 Sweden 1.240 France 1.200 Spain 1.400 Germany 1.200 Switzerland Visa Exemption 15 days Georgia 800 South America 1.200 Greece 1.400 Sri Lanka 1.600 Hungary 800 Singapore 400 Hong Kong 1.000 Taiwan 1.000 Ireland 1.400 Thailand Visa Exemption 30 days India 1.600 Turkmenistan 800 Italy 1.400 Tajikistan 800 Indonesia Visa Exemption 30 days Turkey 1.400 Israel 1.200 Ukraine 800 Japan Visa Exemption 30 days United Kingdom 1.400 Kyrgyzstan 800 U.S.A 1.400 Kazakhstan 800 Vietnam Visa Exemption 30 days Yugoslavia 800 Visa Exemption (Diplomatic and Official Passport) Country Day of Exemption Cuba 30 days China 30 days Russia 30 days India 30 days Hungary 30 days Poland 30 days Timor 30 days Czech Republic 30 days Peru 90 days Mercure Hotel, Vientiane The Chang Heritage Hotel, Luang Prabang .