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| Laos And Cambodia Interlink |
Arrive in Siem Reap and transfer to your hotel. Start exploring the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom Its 50-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further visit the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, and Leper King Terrace and Royal Place area. Afternoon, visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat– one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 2: Siem Reap
Morning enjoy a private tour of the Angkor Conservation, where thousands of Khmer statues and bas reliefs are stored, hidden from the general public and safe from art thieves. Continue the exploration with a visit to mystical Ta Prohm where its original structure, embraced by overgrown roots of giant fig trees, have been preserved by archaeologists as an example of what the entire Angkor complex may have looked like when it was first rediscovered. Afternoon, enjoy a drive to the rural outskirt 35km from the town and visit to Banteay Srei, the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture. This is a small temple but its carvings are so impressive.
Overnight in Siem Reap (B)
Day 3: Siem Reap/Vientiane (Air)
(* Note: Flight from Vientiane to Siem Reap is operated on certain days of the week à Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
Morning, transfer to the airport for direct flight to Vientiane*, the sleepy capital of Laos. Meet on arrival at Wattay airport, you are welcomed to Vientiane, the city of the moon – an ancient city, situated on the bend on the left bank of the Mekong as the largest city and the capital of Laos. Upon arrival, meet with your guide and transfer to hotel, then embark on a sightseeing trip of the city’s major historic sites, including:
religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 with its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues;
Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane;
That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa, containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land mark of Vientiane.
Overnight in Vientiane (B)
Day 4: Vientiane/Luang Prabang (Air)
We transfer to the airport for a brief morning flight to the mountain kingdom of Luang Prabang, the ancient first capital of Lane Xang kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and today the World Heritage City. Upon arrival, meet with your guide and onward visit this sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit:
National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, gifts received from foreign dignitaries;
Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple, which more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture;
Optional visit to Phousi Hill climbing up 328 steps to the summit of Phousi Hill that dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang providing the finest panoramic view in the whole city
Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)
Day 5: Pak Ou Caves
Optional early wake-up call, to participate with local people giving food to hundreds of Buddhist monks returning from morning prayers. Return to hotel for breakfast. Then travel on a long-tailed boat for a few hours on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height. En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore and bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Lunch at local restaurant on the bank of the Mekong River. Return to Luang Prabang by the same boat; continue by car to visit Ban Xangkhong, the village well-known for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes. Transfer back to town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (B, L)
Day 6: Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
End of services (B)
