November 8-17, 2008
Follows Vietnam Tour. Join after Vietnam tour or by itself.

Day 1 Fly from Saigon to Siem Reap. - VN 823 1540-1640.. Transfer to hotel De la Paix.
Or From Bangkok if not coming from Vietnam tour.

Sunset PHNOM BAKHENG: temple ruin on a hill which provides one of the best views of Angkor Wat, especially at sunset. Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.

Day 2 Sightseeing Angkor Temples

ANGKOR THOM: a fortified Royal City (10 square kilometers) built by King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1201. The city has five monumental gates and is encircled by a moat 100 meters wide. In the center of the walled city are the city’s most important monuments including Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimeanakas with Royal Enclosure.

BAYON: Jayavarman VII's temple mountain that stands at the center of Angkor Thom. It is one of the most popular of Angkor's monuments and a place of narrow corridors, steep flights of stairs and an amazing collection of towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces.

BAPHUON: the pyramid shape represents the mythical Mount Meru and marks the center of the city that was here before Angkor Thom.

PHIMEANAKAS: near the center of what was once the royal palace within Angkor Thom. Phimeanakas means ‘Celestial Palace’, though today there is not much left to indicate its former splendour.

FORMER ROYAL PALACE: nothing remains today except two pools that were used by royalty for washing.

TERRACE OF ELEPHANTS: this terrace was used for viewing public ceremonies and was a base for the King’s grand audience hall. The famous lines of elephants are at either end of the retaining walls.

TERRACE OF THE LEPER KING: North of the Terrace of Elephants is a platform named ‘Terrace of the Leper King’. On the platform is a nude statue – one of Angkor’s mysteries.

PHNOM BAKHENG: temple ruin on a hill which provides one of the best views of Angkor Wat, especially at sunset. Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.
Day 3 Siem Reap - Sightseeing Angkor Temples + Boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake, Overnight hotel De la Paix

ANGKOR WAT: a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150. It was constructed over a period of 30 years and is world famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. In 1992 the UNESCO declared the monument and the whole city of Angkor a World Heritage Site. TA PROHM: one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

BANTEAY SREI: built in the late 10th century, it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The temple is square with entrances on the east and west. Of main interest are the three central towers which are decorated with male and female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work.

PREAH KHAN: a temple built by King Jayavarman VII with towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting. Preah Khan covers a very large area but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by 800 meters.

Journey up the Tonle Sap River (links theTonle Sap Lake to the Mekong River) and onto the Tonle Sap Lake.
TONLE SAP (Great Lake): takes up much of the centre of Cambodia and changes in size depending on the season. During the dry season in February it shrinks to a tenth of its original size and is then one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. The boat trip explores the lake’s fishing villages including CHONG KNEAS: floating village where both Khmer and Vietnamese live.

Day 4 Fly to Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh
Arrive in Cambodia's capital city of Phnom Penh, transfer to hotel. Cambodia's capital sits at the confluence of the Mekong, Bassac and Tonle Sap rivers. Considered the loveliest of the French-built cities of Indochina, it was founded as a small monastery in 1372 by a rich Khmer woman called Penh, after she found four Buddha statues in a tree trunk on the banks of the Mekong. She set up the monastery on a nearby hill or "phnom" in Cambodian. At one time it was a bustling commercial hub during the French occupation and today has re-established itself as the political and financial center of the country. Its’ rich historical past can be traced to the Khmer and French influence evident in the ornate Khmer-style temples and the grand colonial buildings.

Visit to Wat Phnom and Russian Market.

WAT PHNOM: temple and location of the first pagoda built in 1372 by Penh, a wealthy Khmer woman, to house the four Buddha statues she found on the banks of the Mekong. It is the only hill (27m) in the capital.

CENTRAL MARKET or RUSSIAN MARKET: Visit one of Phnom Penh's two great markets. The Central Market is located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, and is filled with jewelry, fabrics and all types of souvenirs. The Russian Market, also known as Tuol Tompong Market, is a sprawling labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, local crafts, antiques and furniture, jewelry and more. This market includes a large number of food stalls. Both are fascinating places to browse.

Day 5 Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
ROYAL PALACE AND SILVER PAGODA: the royal palace stands on the site of the former citadel, Bantey Kev (built in 1813). Visitors are not allowed to some portions of the grounds, as the palace is the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoni. The silver pagoda is often called the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Preah Kaeo after the statue housed there. The wooden temple was originally built by King Norodom in 1892 and inside, its floor is comprised of more than 5000 silver blocks which together weigh nearly 6 tons.

NATIONAL MUSEUM: designed by a French archeologist and painter, George Groslier, in Khmer style in 1920 to exhibit works previously scattered throughout the country. It contains a collection of Khmer art including the beautiful 6th century bronze statue of Vishnu.

Afternoon fly to Vientiane. - Arrival in Vientiane - Transfer to hotel - Overnight in Vientiane

Day 6 Sightseeing in Vientiane
The capital city and seat of government sits in a bend of the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains. Vientiane (pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city with interesting wats and lively markets.

HO PHA KEO: the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy built in 1565 by King Setthathirat and now converted into a museum containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures found in Laos.

WAT SI SAKET: constructed in 1818 by King Anouvong in the early Bangkok style. Small niches carved in its interior walls contain more than 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddha images.

PHA THAT LUANG (Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa): built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, it is the most important national monument in Laos, functioning as a dual symbol of the Buddhist religion and the Lao nation.

PATUXAI: a large monument in the style of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, this huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang has a stairway that leads to the top levels of the monument, providing a good view of the city.

WAT SI MUANG: this temple is one of the most popularly used temple grounds in the city, as it contains the city pillar and acts as the home of Vientiane's guardian spirits.

TALAAT SAO: the morning market - actually open all day selling a wide range of fabrics, jewellery and electronic goods.

Day 7 Fly to Luang Prabang QV 101 dep 1120- arr 1200. - Transfer - Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom, is famous for its historic temples and beautiful setting surrounded by mountains. In 1995 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Independent afternoon to explore markets, relxax.

Day 8 Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
WAT XIENG THONG: built in 1560 and situated on the banks of the Mekong River, it is the most beautiful monastery in Luang Prabang and shows the typical Lao art style with old religious artifacts and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art.

WAT WISUNALAT (Vat Visoun): built in 1513 during the reign of Chao Wisunalat, it is the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang with a collection of gilded wooden Buddhas from the 15th and 16th centuries.WAT MAI: constructed in 1821 during the reign of King Manthatourath, it was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy).

WAT THAT LUANG: the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa, which was erected in 1910. The inside of the huge sim dating back to 1820 contains a few Luang Prabang Buddhas and other artifacts.

WAT SAEN: Thai style wat built in 1718 and restored in 1957. The abbot Ajannn Khamjan who was ordained here in 1940 is one of the most revered monks in Luang Prabang and perhaps in all of Laos.

NATIONAL MUSEUM: located on the banks of the Mekong River, it was constructed as Royal Palace between 1904 and 1909 and today houses the Royal throne of the Lan Xang Kingdom and many other pieces of regalia and religious treasures.

PHOUSI: the temples on the upper slopes of the 100m-high Phu Si were constructed recently, but it is likely that previously there were other temples on this important hill. From the top there is an excellent view of the town.

Day 9 Excursion by boat from Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Caves
PAK OU CAVES: this are two caves (Tham Thing ˆ lower cave and Tham Phum) located in the steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong River and Ou River. They are full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes.

BAN XANG HAI: located near the Pak Ou Caves, this village was once a 'Jar-Maker Village' and nowadays the community fill the jars (which come from elsewhere) with láo-láo, the local rice whisky.

Day 10 Transfer to airport. Depart Luang Prabang 320P, arr 505P BANGKOK AIR Flt #946.

Price: $2810 per person based 3- 6 people, single room supp $995
$14/Person airport tax for all international flights out of Vietnam

Includes: professional guide, daily breakfast/breakfast box when early morning flight, flight tickets Saigon - Siem Reap, Siem Reap-Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh - Vientiane, Vientiane - Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang-Bangkok, boat tickets according to itinerary, land transport in private ac vehicle, sightseeing incl. admissions fees, accommodation as mentioned or equivalent.

Not Included: international and domestic airport tax, visa fees, insurance, drinks, personal expenses.

HOTELS
Siem Reap: Hotel De La Paix, 5*deluxe room http://www.hoteldelapaixangkor.com/
Phnom Penh: Amanjaya Phnom Penh Hotel 4* Suite, river view http://www.
Vientiane: Lao Plaza Hotel 4* http://laoplazahotel.com
Luang Prabang: La Residence Phou Vao (Pansea) 5* (+) Deluxe http://www.pansea.com/eng/phou_infor.html

Accommodation in hotels is subject to availability. If the listed hotel is fully booked, alternate accommodation will be offered. All hotel ratings are according to the local accreditation authority.

The Hotel de la Paix is built like a palace around a large enclosed garden with tropical flowers and a swimming pool. Courtyard rooms have their own private gardens. There is a modern spa offering ancient therapies, two restaurants, a pool bar and a lounge bar. The five star boutique property has an Art Deco and a variety of room types.

Amanjaya Phnom Penh features 21 intimate spacious suites, with authentic Khmer style design and a unique contemporary interior, offering private balconies overlooking Mekong River and the famous Sisowath Quay, Rosewood floors, comfortable textiles and a separate shower and toilet. Located located in the heart of Phnom Penh, and within a few minutes walking distance from the Royal Palace & National Museum.

Lao Plaza Hotel is a luxury accommodation with decor strongly influenced by Lao culture complemented by rooms with every conceivable modern convenience.

La Residence Phou Vao Hotel, Luang Prabang is set amidst the gardens on the hills of Phou Vao. A few minute drive to the city centre. temples, caves and waterfalls are within easy reach. Relax by the pool with views of the quiet and friendly surroundings. Rooms are designed and decorated with rosewood and cotton. Formerly known as the Pansea Phouvao Hotel.

Hotels based on availability

(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941

November 8-17, 2008 Follows Vietnam Tour. Join after Vietnam tour or by itself.

November 8-17, 2008
Follows Vietnam Tour. Join after Vietnam tour or by itself.