LAOS OVERVIEW PRINCIPAL OFFICES AFFILIATE OFFICES Vietnam Indonesia Saigon (HQ) - Hanoi Singapore Cambodia Phnom Penh – Siem Reap Hong Kong Laos Luang Prabang Thailand Bangkok – Chiang Mai Myanmar Yangon ABOUT TRAILS OF INDOCHINA Founded in 1999 Centrally managed to serve multi- destination inquiries to Southeast Asia Dedicated customer care team in each of our offices throughout Southeast Asia Exclusive access to local experts in arts, culture, history, culinary experiences & more As experts in tailor-made journeys, we are able to customize every aspect of your clients’ journeys OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS NORTH AMERICAN OFFICE Newport Beach, CA handles initial requests Experienced destination staff NIGHT SHIFT RESERVATIONS TEAM Real-time answers to updates on itineraries Available by toll-free phone or email COMPLETE AGENT SUPPORT Payments are processed in USD funds No credit card fees or wire transfers involved Commission Quotes are net or gross (with commission included) Commission paid when last payment clears AIRPORT FAST-TRACK SERVICE | Extra Expedited immigration process Clients met directly off the plane, accelerated through immigration protocols, and taken directly to private transfer Available in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore INTRODUCTION • Established in 1999 and is widely recognized as one of the pioneers to bring luxury and event travel to South East Asia • We operate throughout 9 destinations – Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, China & Hong Kong. • 250 staff across the region and 8 centrally managed and owned regional and international offices • Truly multi-cultural with representatives from across the globe, as well as Market Based Sales & Marketing Directors in the UK, US, Australia/New Zealand plus full language fluency for Spanish Speaking Markets • Competitive advantage lies in our bespoke and customized charter as well as a focus on the continual development of a Tailored Experiences range that is offered exclusively to our valued partners INTRODUCTION • We focus on the delivery of a truly “hand-held” experience and tailored itineraries. • Our customer care team will follow your guests throughout the region, wherever the trip may take them. • We action a strict 24 hour turn around on all enquiries. • Our Grounds Operations Teams throughout the region also ensure you are plugged into our network of contacts, products and support services. LAOS MAP HISTORY OVERVIEW • Founded as Kingdom of Lane Xang in 14th century – meaning “Land of a million elephants”. • Controlled by Siam (Thailand) in 19th century. • Colonized by French as part of Indochina. • 1970: Franco-Siamese treaty defined the border. • 1954: Independence. • Heavily affected during Vietnam war. GENERAL VIEW Main cities: Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Population: 6.9 million (2017) Buddhism is apparent everywhere. Quite undeveloped and rural. Apart from the Mekong River plains, more than 70% of the country is comprised of highlands, mountains, and plateaus. Laos has two seasons: The rainy season runs from May through October and the dry season from November to April. Currency: Kip (LAK) (1$ ~ 8,300 LAK) HIGHLIGHTS Beautiful Temples The Plain of Jars Rural Landscape Mekong River ITINERARY SUGGESTIONS • Average stay: 5 - 7 days. • Most-visited places: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Pakse and Xieng Khouang (Plain of Jars). • Included with a visit to Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam. • LUANG PRABANG – World Heritage historical site. • VIENTIANE – Sleepy river-side capital town. • XIENG KHOUANG – Site of archaeological wonder, the Plain of Jars. • PAKSE – Southern capital, colonial architecture, and gateway to Bolevan Plateau. LUANG PRABANG LUANG PRABANG • UNESCO World Heritage Site. • Center of Laos culture and Laos Buddhism. • Former royal seat of Lane Xang kingdom. • Beautiful temples alongside lovely French colonial architecture. MAP HIGHLIGHTS Wat Xieng Thong Kuang Si Falls Pak Ou Caves Night Market TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Baci Ceremony Blessing Ceremony & Alms Giving Jungle Survivor Picnic Mountain Biking to Elephant village TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Sunset cruise on Amantaka Boat Seminar & Cocktail at Ock Pop Tok Cycling Ban Som and Ban Na Rice Farming Experience TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Luang Prabang Heritage Expert Touring with Photographers Cooking class at Kuang Si Falls Private 500 candles dinner 5 STAR HOTEL AMANTAKA RESORT - Located in the centre of the picturesque Luang Prabang peninsula. • 8 Suites. • 4 Pool Suites. • 8 Khan Pool Suites. • 2 Mekong Pool Suites. • 2 Amantaka Pool Suites. 5 STAR HOTEL ROSEWOOD LUANG PRABANG - Situated within a thickly forested setting intersected by a meandering river & waterfall. - Laos traditional & French colonial style 5 STAR HOTEL BELMOND LA RESIDENCE PHOU VAO - French-influenced local cuisine. - Open-air spa beside a water lily pool. - The rooms are furnished simply and elegantly, with emphasis on local styles and materials 5 STAR HOTEL SOFITEL LUANG PRABANG - Colonial charm with contemporary elegance. - Offers natural spa therapies, gourmet dining, and a private Asian cooking school - 23 luxury suites, each with unique design features 5 STAR HOTEL THE LUANG SAY RESIDENCE - Offers a contemporary reflection of life in the French colonial era. 4 STAR HOTEL MAISON SOUVANNAPHOUM - Located in the precincts of Luang Prabang - Offers colonial-style rooms VILLA SANTI HOTEL - The epitome of style and comfort in the former royal capital. • 12 Deluxe Rooms. • 2 Junior Suites. • 6 Royal Suites. 4 STAR HOTEL 3 NAGAS - Elegant boutique hotel comprises three UNESCO World Heritage buildings more than a century old. - Room categories consists: • Superior Double • Superior Twin • Deluxe Double • Executive Suite 4 STAR HOTEL VILLA MALY - An exquisite boutique hotel, ensconced by a profusion of tropical flora. - 33 guest rooms of the Villa Maly occupy five different buildings 3 STAR HOTEL THE APSARA HOTEL - The most beautiful boutique hotels - Right in the heart of the heritage village, making it the perfect place to stay. 3 STAR HOTEL VILLA MAYDOU - Located in front of Vat Meuna, near the Nam Khan river old bridge - Natural, architectural, historical, and social environment - Tropical woods, silk and cotton, traditional embroideries, and contemporary paintings 3 STAR HOTEL VILLA DEUX REVIERES - Low rise buildings, set around a small garden - The rooms are decorated in a traditional Lao style. LUANG SAY LODGE & CRUISE LUANG SAY LODGE - Beautiful vistas looking out over the Mekong River and the mountains beyond - The traditional Laotian architecture provides accommodation of comfort and character LUANG SAY BOAT - Capacity of 40 people in comfortable seats and benches. - Stop over for one night in the Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng VIENTIANE VIENTIANE • Southeast Asia’s smallest capital city. • Located on the Mekong River. • Charming mix of Chinese style shop houses and French colonial architecture. CITY HIGHLIGHTS Buddha Park Wat Sisaket Wat Pra Keo Patoxai Arch TAILORED EXPERIENCE COLLECTION Laos Textile Studio 5 STAR HOTEL CROWNE PLAZA VIENTIANE - located within the vicinity of the city centre of Vientiane 4 STAR HOTEL SETTHA PALACE HOTEL - Located right in the city centre - Classical elegance, gracious service, and French colonial cham. 4 STAR HOTEL ANSARA HOTEL - Combines quiet sophistication with genuine functionality - décor is a subtile blend of Lao traditional and Asian contemporary designs. GREEN PARK BOUTIQUE HOTEL - Offers a high standard of accommodation, while maintaining attention to detail and generous proportions 3 STAR HOTEL SABAIDEE @ LAO HOTEL - An elegant retreat offering all the pleasures of hotel living in the heart of Vientiane. 3 STAR HOTEL SALANA BOUTIQUE HOTEL - Offers world-class accommodation in the vicinity of Mekong river and temples, XIENG KHOUANG XIENG KHOUANG • Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang: 262 km ~ 6hrs • Archaeological site. • Heavily bombed during Vietnam war. HIGHLIGHTS Beautiful Countryside Plain of Jars CHAMPASAK PAKSE 1. Logistics • Airport, daily flights to VTE and in high season to LPQ 2. Details • Small town • No real highlight in town • Gateway to Bolevan Plateau & 4000 Islands 3. Accommodation • Champasak Grand Hotel • Pakse Hotel • Résidence Sisouk CITY HIGHLIGHTS Wat Phou Don Daeng Island Bolaven Plateau Tad Fane waterfall BOLAVEN PLATEAU 1. Logistics • East of Pakse 2. Details • Many coffee plantations & Rice Fields • Natural Beauty • Many waterfalls, Tad Fane, Tad Lo • Climate, approx. 5-10°C colder than in Pakse town 3. Accommodation • Tad Fane Resort • Sinouk Coffee Resort CITY HIGHLIGHTS Important Tips • Airport Assistance Service is available only in Luang Prabang • There is no direct flight from LPQ – SGN & vv • An Arrival Tax at US$ 1.00/person and Police Registration fee at 2000Kip/person will be applied one time per person for guests arriving in Laos. • The guests’ passport details is ALWAYS required even though there is no hotel or flight booking involved. For every guided tour in Laos we need to apply for a so-called ‘telex’. We need to provide the itinerary and passport details to the Tourism Police and the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism. The Tax authority is also involved. (For every guided tour the local tour guide, who should also have a certified badge on his chest, should bring along the stamped documents. If a member of the tourism police request to see the document during a sightseeing trip and the guide fails to show the required documents it can lead to a fine of 1000