Highlight Laos & Thailand (private)
( 7 Days / 6 Nights )

         

 

A true visit of the two countries; Laos & Thailand. Starting from Luang Prabang, UNESCO’s World Heritage city, you travel by the LuangSay cruise on the Mekong River until Houeisay. There you cross the border to Thailand where you’ll experience the live of hill tribes, Thai culture and a cruise on the Mekhala on the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok.

 

 

Departure: * 01 November 2007 to 30 April 2007 and 1 - 31 October 2007 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
* 01 May 2007 to 30 September 2007 every Wednesday and Saturday.
* 01 - 30 June 2007, no operation!

 

: PROGRAM :
DAY 1 : LUANGSAY CRUISE: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU – PAK BENG (L, D)
* LuangSay boat leaves Luang Prabang pier at 07:30 hrs for a cruise up the Mekong to Pakbeng. A continental breakfast is served while the boat is cruising to Pak Ou Village, at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you will visit the Tam Ting “Caves of a Thousand Buddha’s”. Have a buffet lunch on board then stop at a hilltribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production. Arrive at Pak Beng around sunset and check in at LuangSay Lodge. Dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Mekong River.
DAY 2 : PAK BENG - HOUEISAY (LAOS) - CHIANG KHONG (THAILAND) - CHIANG RAI (B, L, D)
* Breakfast at the lodge. At 08:00 hrs, board the LuangSay Boat for the second leg of the cruise. Observe the rural life along the Mekong with a stop en route at the village of Yao. Lunch on board. Continue on the river to Houeisay and arrive around 16h00 hrs. Check out at Laotian Immigration and cross the river by shuttle boat to Chiang Khong. Arrive at Chiang Khong Immigration point (Thai border) and transfer to Chiang Rai via Chiang Saen. Arrive at Chiang Rai and check -in. Dinner and overnight at Dusit Island Resort (superior room) or Rimkok Resort (superior room).
DAY 3 : CHIANG RAI - LISU LODGE (B, L, D)
* After breakfast at the resort, depart for the Hill tribe Museum (opened daily). Then, proceed to Mae Salong, visit minorities’ people: Yao at a Chinese refugee village Kuomintang. Also stop to visit Akha Lor Cha village. After the visit, continue via Thaton to Fang for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit a Chiang Dao cave and local market of Mae Malai. Then, continue by road to the Lisu Lodge.

* Arrive at the Lisu Lodge. Traditional welcome drink will be served. Time at leisure until Thai Dinner with traditional Lisu dance show. Overnight at the Lisu Lodge.
DAY 4 : LISU LODGE - CHIANG MAI (B, L, D)
* After breakfast at Lisu Lodge,

* Our Lisu ‘guide’ from the village will take you for a walk through the village; start from Ton Lung temple to view the herbal garden then continue to visit the Lisu village families with a stop for a cup of tea and a traditional medicine at the shaman’s house.

* Afterwards visit to the cultural centre or so called the ‘museum’ created by the villagers. Inside you will find a display of typical items from the Lisu as well as the Akha tribes.

* Leave Lisu Lodge, onto visit an elephant-working site and ride an elephant at Aummarin Jungle Raft (1 hour ride). Then, depart for Chiang Mai and have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and Sankampaeng handicraft village and factories. Check in at hotel in Chiang Mai.Free at leisure before your transfer for Kantoke dinner and folk dances. Overnight at Sheraton Chiang Mai (superior room) or Amari Rincome (superior room) or Imperial Mae Ping (superior room).
DAY 5 : CHIANG MAI – SUKHOTHAI - PHITSANULOK (B, L, D)
* Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart for Sukhothai, visit Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai in Lampoon en route.
* Upon arrival, visit Sri Satchanalai Historical Park.
* After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Sukhothai Historical Park.
* Then, proceed to Phitsanulok, visit Mr. Thawee’s Folklore Museum (closed on Monday) and the famous Wat Mahathat.
* Dinner and overnight at Amarin Lagoon hotel (run-of-house room).
DAY 6 : PHITSANULOK - MEKHALA (CRUISE DOWN) (B, L, D)
* Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and depart for Sukhothai, visit Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai in Lampoon en route. Upon arrival, visit Sri Satchanalai Historical Park. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Sukhothai Historical Park. Then, proceed to Phitsanuloke, visit Mr. Thawee’s Folklore Museum (closed on Monday) and the famous Wat Mahathat. Dinner and overnight at Amarin Lagoon hotel (run-of-house room).
DAY 7 : MEKHALA - BANGKOK (B)
* Breakfast on board while cruising down the river to Bangkok passing spectacular views of the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn. Arrive at Mekhala pier in the late morning and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok (or) to Bangkok Airport for further destinations. End of services.

 

LuangSay Package (Join-in on LuangSay Boat / Day 1-2)
Tour Code: GTL 02

Net rates per person in US Dollar

VALIDITY

 Join-In Single Supplement
01 Nov ’06 – 31 Oct ’07 327 62
01 May ’07 – 31 Sep ’07 228 56
01 – 31 Oct ’07 344 65

* Minimum 2 persons travelling together *

 
Tour Code: GTL 02 – Thailand Portion (Day 2-7)

Net rates per person in THB

HOTEL

 2
Pax		 3 - 6
Pax		 7 - 14
Pax		 15 - 19
Pax		 SGL SUP
Chiang Rai Chiang Mai
Dusit Island Resort
(superior room)		 Sheraton Chiang Mai
(superior room)		 36,000 32,450 27,200 25,400 6,800
Rimkok Resort
(superior room)		 Amari Rincome
(superior room)		 34,100 30,600 25,500 23,800 5,150
Rimkok Resort
(superior room)		 Imperial Mae Ping
(superior room)		 33,750 30,200 25,150 23,350 4,850

* Minimum 2 persons travelling together

 

Supplement surcharge in Thai Baht for hotel’s room (per room per night for high and peak season)

HOTEL

Period

Single

Twin
Dusit Island Resort 01 Nov. 06 – 31 Mar. 07 788 788
Sheraton Chiang Mai 01 Jan. 07 – 30 Apr. 07 247 247
Amari Rincome 24 Dec. 06 – 05 Jan. 07 1,740 1,740
Imperial Mae Ping 20 Dec. 06 – 03 Jan. 07 635 635

 

Supplement surcharge in Thai Baht on Mekhala Cruise (per room per night for high and peak season)

Period

Single

Twin
01 Nov. 06 – 30 Apr. 07 2,250 4,300

 

Supplement surcharge in Thai Baht for compulsory dinner per person per meal

Period

Single

Twin
Dusit Island Resort 31 Dec. 06 4,900
Amari Rincome 24 Dec. 06 3,350
31 Dec. 06 3,650
Rimkok Resort 24 Dec. 06 450
31 Dec. 06 2,100
Imperial Mae Ping 31 Dec. 06 2,800

 
PRICES INCLUDE:
  • Join LuangSay cruise 2 days/ 1night program inclusive of accommodation at LuangSay lodge with meals throughout program (no guide on board, only assistance of cruise’ staff during cruise program)
  • Mekhala cruise 2 days/ 1 night program inclusive of in double berth air-conditioned cabin with meals throughout program and tours in Ayutthaya.
  • Accommodation based on sharing twin-bedded room in air-conditioned room EXCEPT at Lisu Lodge and LuangSay Lodge where non air-conditioned room with electric fan is provided.
  • Transfer and tours with admission fee by air-conditioned vehicle – car (capacity 2 persons) / minivan (capacity 6 persons) with local English speaking guide (Thailand portion only).
  • All services as mentioned in the program.
  • All meals as mentioned in the program.
PRICE EXCLUDES:
  • Airfares and airport taxes
  • Hotel’s early check-in, late check-out, high season surcharge as well as compulsory dinner
  • Laos Visa fees at Luang Prabang
  • Immigration fees in Houeisay
  • Tips/ insurance/ personal expenses
  • Other services not mentioned in the program
REMARK:
  • There are only 19 rooms on Luangsay Lodge
  • Mekhala cruise is equipped with accommodation in double berth cabin, no twin bed available.
  • Gratuity : Thailand portion only
    -- One tour leader is granted free of charge on half twin-bedded room for every 15 full paying persons (16th persons) with a maximum group size of 36+2 paying persons.
    -- Single supplement is required in case tour leader occupies single room
  • Service of LuangSay Cruise (join-in) is Charge in US Dollar and subject to VAT (currently 7% VAT).
Note: we reserve the right to revise summer tariffs starting May 01, 2007 depending on the evolution of the fuel price.

 

How to Apply Laos Visa :

Lao visa issued overseas
▪ It’s possible to get a visa before departure. Passengers have to pay the visa fees directly to the Lao Consulate abroad. (Please check with your Consulate/Embassy regarding the conditions.)

Lao visa on Arrival
 ▪ It’s also possible to obtain a visa on arrival at following border points:
    - Wattay International Airport in Vientiane
    - Luang Prabang Airport
    - The Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai
    - Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai/ Houeisay Immigration in Northern Laos
    - Piboon Mungsaharn / Chongmek in Southern Laos
    - Mookdaharn / Suvannakhet
   Cost is at USD 30 per person and 3 photos per person are required.

Lao visa issued in Bangkok
 ▪ It is also possible for a person to get the Lao visa stamped in Bangkok without letter of approval. The Lao Embassy in Bangkok needs 2 full working days for visa arrangement. The Cost is US$ 50 per person (subject to nationality).

For bookings email to tour@sawadee.com