Magical Laos

							Magical Laos Trip Notes
Highlights
• • • • Mysterious Plain of Jars Imperial city of Luang Prabang Explore the islands of the Mekong River cave of Hinboun

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Factfile
At Imaginative Traveller we always aim to provide accurate information for our travellers. Unfortunately information such as the price of optional activities is occasionally subject to change, and this means that we are constantly revising our trip dossiers. In order to ensure that you have the most up to date information for your trip we suggest that you check the trip dossier for your tour around one month before departure. Code: STMA Style: Traveller Maximum group size: 15 Staffing: Fully escorted by Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader, services of local guides Transport: Private air-conditioned minibus/coach, pick-up trucks, boats, flights Accommodation: 14 nights tourist class hotels. Activities: Optional bike riding, village walks, elephant riding, boat trip on the Mekong Meals: As per itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner). On days where meals are not included please allow US$12 per day. Entrance fees: Included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary. Tipping: To avoid embarrassment and save you money all tours operate a tipping kitty. Please allow US$12-20 per week of the tour for this. This does not include a tip for the tour leader. This is entirely at your own discretion but if you are happy with their services we would recommend an amount of US$3 per person per day. For comparability, all prices in this dossier are quoted in one currency. We use the US Dollar since that is familiar to most. However, once on tour you will need to pay for all goods and services in the local currency (with the exception of the local payment which must be paid in US Dollars in good condition, unmarked notes). See your Country Dossier for details of exchange rates. Local Payment There is a local payment of US$230 for 2009 departures. This must be paid to the Tour Leader in cash in US Dollars on Day 1 of the tour. As this tour starts on a Saturday when all banks are closed and there is now an ATM in Vientiane but it doesn't always work, we recommend that you bring the cash for your local payment with you. It may be possible to arrange a credit card advance at a major hotel but the charges would be substantial. Country Dossiers and Pre-Departure Information This Trip Dossier is designed to be read in conjunction with our Laos Country Dossier and Pre-Departure Information. Pre-Departure Information is available in sections online or as a booklet from your booking agent. (Please note those who book online will not be sent a Pre-Departure Booklet and will need to download it). It is essential that you read this dossier, the Laos Country Dossier and the Pre-Departure Information in full before you travel. Arrivals For details of arrival transfers or making your own way to the tour meeting point, please refer to the Laos Country Dossier and your Pre-Departure Information. We recommend that you book your own ticket for the flight between Bangkok and Vientiane from the Thai Airways website (http://www.thaiairways.com) which you can pay for by credit card. Free Arrival Transfer Arrival transfers are included for all clients arriving in Vientiane on Day 1 or before Day 1 if extra accommodation is booked with The Imaginative Traveller. If you have booked your flights separately from your tour please ensure that you inform your tour booking agent of your flight details at least one month before departure to avoid payment

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of an administration fee. Tour Briefing Once all the members of your group have arrived your tour leader will organise an introductory briefing (usually after breakfast on Day 2). This meeting will give you an overview of all the exciting things you will be seeing during your tour and include lots of practical information on how to get the most of your time in Thailand and Laos. You will need to bring with you your passport, all tour vouchers and a copy of your insurance policy to this briefing so that your tour leader can obtain important details that are essential to the running of the tour. Important Note: it is a condition of joining our tours that you are in possession of a comprehensive travel insurance policy. If you do not have a policy you will be required to purchase one from your tour leader in order to join the tour. Hotel meeting Points Start Point: Hotel Lao 53/9 Heng Boon Road Vientiane, Lao Phone: (856) 21 219280 End Point: Sd Avenue Hotel 42 Boromrat-Chonnani Road Bangbamru Bangplad Bangkok 10700 Phone: (66) 2 4340400

Hotel meeting Points
Start Point:
Hotel Lao 53/9 Heng Boon Road Vientiane, Lao VIENTIANE Phone: (856) 21 219280

End Point:
SD Avenue Hotel 42 Boromrat-Chonnani Road Bangbamru Bangplad Bangkok 10700 Phone: (66) 2 4340400

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Itinerary
DAY 1 - VIENTIANE
Arrive and check into your hotel. No meals. Vientiane We begin our trip in the sleepy capital city of Laos. Until recently, only the main roads were paved and traffic lights unheard of and even now it remains tranquil compared with other capital cities. Here the only traffic jam you’re ever likely to encounter is when kids stream out of school on their bicycles. The way to spend your time is by eating delicious food - French, Indian or Lao and drinking local Beer Lao in one of Vientiane's many restaurants overlooking the chocolate coloured Mekong. The cultural sites in Vientiane which can't be missed include the Phra That Luang - Laos's national symbol and one of its most sacred sites. You also can't miss Wat Sisaket Vientiane's oldest wat and home to 6840 Buddhas, and lastly Patuxai, the Lao version of the Arc de Triomphe. It is known locally as “The Vertical Runway” so named because the funds used to build it were supplied by the west to build a runway during the 1960s. Water Coolers for Schools Responsible travel means helping the local communities with what they really need. Water Coolers for Schools is designed to help the 80% of the population that does not have access to clean fresh water. With enough donations you group can buy a water cooler from Vientiane City and later in your tour deliver it to a much deserving school. It will be a great opportunity to interact with the local people whilst giving them the one thing they need the most – access to water.

DAY 2 - LUANG PRABANG
Guided tour of the highlights of Vietiane, Laos' capital city. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, the cultural, historical and religious centre of this amazing country. (BD) Luang Prabang Luang Prabang is the home of the Lao monarchy and is now a World Heritage Site with dozens of beautiful wats to visit. Here you can watch monks walk silently down the street and receive alms from the local people. The town itself has made few concessions to the modern world - rush hour here is when the street is full of bicycles. Luang Prabang is also a fantastic place to rest, eat good food and make friends with ancient H’mong women in the local market. The highlights of the town include 500-year-old wats such as Wat Xieng Thong, the magnificent Royal Palace and Pak Ou Caves, an ancient Buddhist cave temple. Approx 1 1/2 hour flight

DAY 3 - LUANG PRABANG
Guided tour around Luang Prabang’s most impressive sites. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore – hire a bike or wander the leafy streets, stopping at golden temples to chat with the monks. (B)

DAY 4 - LUANG PRABANG
A full free day to further explore the area. There are many lovely walks with an abundance of temples and scenic waterfalls. Visit the Pak Ou Caves (US$25), or the Kwang Si waterfall (US$15). (B)

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DAY 5 - PLAIN OF JARS
Today we drive to the mysterious Plain of Jars. These huge jars are made from a stone not found in the area and no-one knows where they come from. (BD) Plain of Jars PDJ, as it is known by the older French-speaking locals, is an amazing plain which has thousands of mysterious stone jars, some weighing as much as 6 tonnes. The experts don’t seem to be able to agree on where these come from or what they were used for; some say they were huge funerary urns while others believe they were used to store necessities such as rice wine. In recent times the plain was the site of heavy fighting between H’mong warriors and the Communist Pathet Lao in what is known as America’s secret war during the 1960s. You’ll find it fascinating as you explore the area and maybe even come up with your own theory. Approx 6 hours drive

DAY 6 - PLAIN OF JARS
Guided tour of the plain. Rest of the day is free for you to explore. (B)

DAY 7 - VANG VIENG
Drive to the beautiful riverside hamlet of Vang Vieng, situated in the heart of stunning limestone karst scenery. You’ll have time to hire a bicycle, explore on foot or float down the river on an inner-tube. (BD) Vang Vieng Vang Vieng is a small town next to the Nam Song river surrounded by jagged limestone karsts. The town is a traveller’s haven, with good food, many places to hire bikes to explore the countryside and local caves. Along the way to the caves, you will pass through villages where local children will be playing in streams, and where the villagers weave material for sale in local markets and will be only too happy to invite you into their homes. You can also enjoy riding an inner-tube down the river and shoot the gentle rapids of the Nam Song. When you have had enough physical activity you can sit and watch the sunset over the lake and mountains. Approx 6 hours drive

DAY 8 - VIENTIANE
A relaxing start to the day followed by a drive back to Vientiane. (B) Approx 3-4 hours drive

DAY 9 - HINBOUN
Laos is one of the most forested countries on earth - today we drive deep into the forest to Hinboun, site of an amazing 7 kilometre long cave which the river flows through. (B) Approx 8 hours drive

DAY 10 - HINBOUN
Today we explore the amazing cave by boat. Plenty of time back at Sala Hinboun to relax to the sounds of the forest. (B)

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Hinboun Set amidst the Limestone Karst of the Khammoune Range the Nam Hinboun flows by sleepy hamlets and through the 7km long Kong Lor cave with stupa-like rock formations. As you cruise along the river watch children playing on the banks, women washing clothes and watering gardens and water buffalos lazing in the morning sun. You will then enjoy a truly unique experience whilst your boat driver skilfully navigates through the cave itself.

DAY 11 - CHAMPASAK
We leave our deep forest hideaway and travel south to Champasak, a small village on the Mekong located next to the wonderful ancient ruins of the Khmer temple at Wat Phu. (B) Approx 7-8 hours drive

DAY 12 - DON KHONG ISLAND
We drive to the south of the country but first visit the ancient and beautiful Khmer ruins of Wat Phu. We then continue to the island of Don Khong, situated in the middle of the Mekong where the river can widen to as much as 14 kilometres before cascading down brilliant waterfalls into neighbouring Cambodia. (B) Approx 10 hours driving time

DAY 13 - DON KHONG
Morning boat trip to Somphamit waterfalls and a chance to catch a glimpse of the Irrawaddy Dolphins. (BD)

DAY 14 - UBON RATCHATANI
Drive back into Thailand via Kiet Gong village where we take an elephant ride up to the hilltop ruins of Phu Asso. In the evening we board a flight back to Bangkok. (B) Approx 6 hours driving time. 1 1/2 hour flight

DAY 15 - BANGKOK
Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

Supplementary Information
Be a Responsible Traveller At Imaginative Traveller we want to ensure that our travellers are fully informed of the ways in which our tours comply with our Responsible Travel Policy. Many elements of our tours are intended to make you a more responsible traveller, as well as being practical and of course great fun! On our Magical Laos tour, groups have the opportunity to explore on foot, by bicycle, by elephant, or even by floating down the river on an inner-tube. All these methods of transport help to minimise pollution, and provide a great chance to get closer to local life. In addition to this travellers to Laos can become involved with one of our responsible travel projects, supporting the Water Filters for Schools initiative set up by Imaginative Traveller and our local agent to provide clean, cool drinking water for local children. Hotel Meeting Point UK travellers & those booking over the Internet:

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Details of the meeting point hotel will be printed on the tour vouchers you will receive one month prior to departure. Overseas travellers: Your local agent will provide vouchers with details of your meeting point hotel. A complete list of all meeting point hotels can also be found on our website. As meeting point hotels may be subject to change we recommend you check the details online one month prior to departure. Visas You will need to obtain the following visas for this tour. Contact your travel agent for current prices: Available on arrival * Thailand single entry (Most nationalities can obtain a free Thai visa valid for 30 days on arrival.) Required in Advance * Laos single entry (Note: This can often be obtained on arrival at the border but regulations change frequently. For more information please see the Laos Country Dossier). If the visa application form requires a contact address in the destination, please give either your meeting point hotel or the address of our local contact (which you will find in the Laos Country Dossier). It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. The Imaginative Traveller cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation. Border Taxes Thailand * Entry by air - nil * Exit by land - nil * Exit by air - 700 baht (US$20). This is usually included in the cost of your ticket. Laos There are no entry or exit taxes in Laos when travelling by land. Special Luggage Requirements The Pre-Departure Information includes an extensive luggage checklist. On Adventurer tours it is very important that you do not bring too much luggage as you will find it extremely difficult to get on/off buses and trains etc and there is a fair amount of walking to/from hotels. You are also likely to encounter many cobbled streets and dirt roads so luggage on wheels is unsuitable. There are no special requirements for this tour. Availability of helmets Protective helmets of a reliable standard are not available locally and as a result we are unfortunately not able to supply these. If you intend to take part in activities such as bike, horse, donkey or camel rides, and would like to

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wear a helmet, you should therefore consider bringing one with you. Entrance Fees Entrance fees are included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary. Thailand and Laos also have a wealth of other historical sights and museums which you may wish to visit. If you intend visiting a wide range of different sights you should allow up to approx. US$12 for this. Fitness None of the activities featured in this trip require special training or skills, just a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to participate. If you are in any doubt contact your doctor for advice. Transport Road Transport We use privately chartered air-conditioned minibuses or coaches for most of our road journeys. At times we may use private taxis or public buses. There is a no smoking policy on all our tour buses – however there are tea and toilet breaks every couple of hours or so. The only exception to the smoking policy is the driver. Major roads in Laos are generally good but we do travel through some more remote areas where you will need to be prepared for a less smooth ride and a few more potholes. This tour does include days with a large amount of bus travel on winding roads. Those who suffer from motion sickness should be aware that they might find these journeys arduous, and may wish to consider bringing appropriate medication. Flights Depending on availability we may use either Thai Airways or Bangkok Airways. Air travel is very simple and easy in Thailand and all rural airports are modern and well designed. Both airlines have a great safety record and use modern aircraft, generally Airbus, ATR or 737 aircraft. The flights we use are short, generally an hour in duration and light refreshments are served in-flight. Thai Airways is part of Star Alliance and points for your flight can be awarded to your card if you present it when the tour leader checks you in. You can book online at http://www.thaiairways.com

General information
Price includes: * Staffing as shown in the 'Factfinder' * Accommodation, meals, transportation, and sightseeing excursions as per itinerary. * Transfer to hotel on arrival. * Entrance fees for all sites listed as part of the itinerary Price does not include: * Visa costs * Border Taxes * Drinks, tips, laundry and other items of a personal nature. * International flights * Departure transfers * Meals other than those listed Are You Ready To Go?

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Before you travel it is essential that you read ALL of the following documents which you can download from our website or obtain from your booking agent: * Trip Dossier (this document) * Laos Country Dossier * Thailand Country Dossier * Pre-Departure Information The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and The Imaginative Traveller.

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