Thailand & Laos Discovery Trip

Sample itinerary

12 Days A$2920 *

Including international flights to/from Australia

Bangkok, Bridge over the River Kwai, Burma Railway, Hell Fire Pass, Ayutthaya ancient ruins, Chang Mai, Mekong, Luang Prabang, Hmong hill tribes, Plain of Jars, Vientiane

The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring neatly temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. Neatly positioned next to its influential neighbour lies the kingdom of Laos, by contrast, one of the very least visited countries in the region yet also possessing natural beauty and a unique ambience complemented by a unique culture.

Together these countries provide for a unique travel experience for students of southeast Asian history and culture and will be of particular interest to those interested in the turbulent World War 2 history that touched much of this area. Despite repeat attempts by foreigners to dominate these two countries, both have preserved their rich Buddhist culture and remain the easiest and amongst the most beautiful countries in which to travel.

Your group leader

Your group leader is probably the person who most influences the success of your trip. Thus Tailor Made Vietnam chooses to employ professionals who have lead groups of people throughout all areas of Southeast Asia for several years. They speak fluent English and another Asian language so you can communicate with the people you meet. Your group leader will also provide you with insights into the country and will guide and assist you constantly ensuring your trip is safe and successful.

Itinerary

Day 1 Bangkok Arriving early today, we settle in to our comfortable hotel in the bustling and colourful city of Bangkok. We take a tuk tuk ride to explore the sites, sounds and smells of this famous Asian city, the epitome of the modern, steaming Asian metropolis, contrasted with its ancient history. Today we will pay our respects to the royal family of Thailand by visiting the Grand Palace, with its many spectacular temples. These glorious buildings were once the seat of monarchical power, and were built as a city in itself. Learning of the exploits of the modern King, our local guide will tell you just why Thailand maintains one of the world’s strongest and most respected monarchies. Today we shall also visit to Wot Po - a Buddhist temple with a giant reclining Buddha, 46 metres in length. Thailand boasts the strongest Buddhist following in the world, with each male traditionally expected to serve at least 3 weeks of his life to becoming a Buddhist monk, even today. In the afternoon there will be ample time for independent exploration in the central area near our hotel in the heart of this vast Southeast Asian city.

Day 2 Kanchanaburi After breakfast we take to the canals of Bangkok- known as the Venice of Asia. We board a long boat and explore the watery canals to witness the everyday life of Thai locals by the river. Life along the canals, or klongs, as they are called, is totally different from the hustle and bustle of the nearby modern city. For lunch as we stop at a colourful riverside market to taste the variety of special fruits Thailand offers, including the popular mangosteen, and the unusual smelling Durian. After lunch we will board our air-conditioned bus to the town of Kanchanaburi, a few hours north of Bangkok. This town is the site of the infamous Japanese prison base that held captured Australian & allied troops during World War 2. Between 1942-44 the POW’s were ordered to build a 415 km railway to Myanmar (formerly Burma) through some of the most ruggered jungle terrain in the world. Arriving late afternoon, we will have time to visit the POW (Prisoner of War) built "Bridge over the River Kwai", popularised by the Hollywood movie of the same name. We will have a great opportunity to view the bridge as we journey by jet boating up the river, where we can still see the bullet holes on the pylons from the allied attacks in 1945.

Day 3 Hell Fire Pass Memorial/Erawan National Park Today we will have the chance to reflect on the lives of prisoners of war (POW’s) who lived in this area during World War 2, where an astounding 16,000 Australian & Allied POW’s died whilst constructing the Japanese initiated Thai - Burma railway. We will visit a former POW campsite, a reconstructed POW hut turned into a museum, and the major POW cemetery, where many of the former POW’s are buried. In the afternoon we will board the infamous ‘Death Railway’ train for a 3-hour train journey along the railway tracks built by the POWs. Nearby we journey to visit Hell Fire Pass memorial, where POWs were forced to dig a gorge through solid rock. In the afternoon we will take time out to relax and spend time swimming at beautiful Erawan Waterfalls National Park before arriving at our centrally located hotel and dinner at a fine local restaurant.

Day 4 Ayutthaya /overnight train This morning we will take a bus to the ancient former Thai capital of Ayutthaya, where 33 Thailand kings resided over the once all conquering Asian nation. Thailand was known as Siam until the late 18th century when the Burmese soldiers sacked the city resulting in the capital being moved to Bangkok. Today we will learn from our expert guide, as we tour the ruins, of Thailand’s proud heritage and their resisting of colonization, as all of the rest of Asia fell into the hands of the British, Dutch, and French control. It was said Thailand was spared foreign control largely as a result of Ayutthaya’s gracefulness and civilised lifestyle, when courting western guests. After a brief rest, we board the overnight train bound for the Thailand northern city, Chiang Mai. We enjoy dinner tonight on board the train before our seats are turned into bunk beds for sleeping.

Day 5 Chang Mai We arrive in Chiang Mai early, known in Thai as the region of Lana Thai, meaning land of a thousand elephants. We will have time to relax in our comfortable hotel before visiting the ancient mountain top temple of the Golden Elephant - Wot Doi Su Tep, perched high on a mountain and witness the harmonious chanting of colourfully robed, Buddhist monks. On our return journey we will visit the Chang Mai Zoo, known for its eco-friendly enclosures, and home of many of Asia’s exotic creatures, including the magnificent Gibbon monkeys. No cages here - only a river moat that separates you from the special monkeys. At night we visit the famous and atmospheric night markets of Chang Mai where all manner of textiles, watches and handicrafts can be bought for a bargain.

Day 6 Chang Mai Today we will visit the fascinating Hill Tribe Museum, where we learn of the many different and colourful types of hill tribes in Thailand, including the differences between the Aka, Lamu and Karen. We then head out to the villages of the Karen hill tribe people, where we will learn of their unique customs and rituals. The Karen religion is not Buddhism but animism where the spirits of their ancestors defines all living things and the seasons. No trip to Thailand would be complete without learning the secrets of the traditional Thai curry. This evening our expert chef will teach us all we need to know to impress our friends and colleagues back home, with some hands-on spicy cooking lessons.

Day 7 Chang Kong In the morning we take the air-conditioned bus up to the northern border town of Chang Kong, witnessing the richness of Thailand rural life passing picturesque postcard like scenery en route. Thailand has become the world’s largest exporter of rice next to the US, owning to a climate and that allows Thai farmers to grow three crops per year. We arrive in Chang Kong a small town set on the river bank of the magnificent Mekong River, one of the longest and most powerful rivers in the world, beginning in Tibet and flowing through five countries - China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. We stay overnight in a wonderful guesthouse with a huge veranda overlooking this legendary river and enjoy authentic Thai hospitality.

Day 8 Luang Prabang After completing immigration formalities at the Thai – Laotian border, we will make our morning crossing into Laos by chanting of colourfully robed, Buddhist monks. Beautiful French influenced architecture will greet us on arrival in Laos contrasting significantly with that of Thailand. After changing our Thai Baht for Laotian Kip (Laotian currency), we will board a fast boat bound for the charming city of Luang Prabang. The view of life on the river banks varies from quiet, peaceful jungle scenery to thriving small villages with curious children, men growing tobacco, and buffalo’s drinking at waters edge. We stop for lunch in the small and rustic town of Pak Beng, where will first experience the Laotian favourite dish, sticky rice. We will also visit a small hill tribe village populated by the Hmong. We will reach our destination by mid afternoon and check into our hotel before setting out to explore Luang Prabang town and its several unique temples and sites.

Day 9 Luang Prabang Owing to its historical and intricate architecture, Luang Prabang has been listed as a World Heritage site and is the perfect setting in which to take in the beauty of Laotian culture in a setting of several colourful temples inhabited by orange robed novices and senior monks alike. The Laotian kings ruled Laos from Luang Prabang for several hundred years until the Communist Party of Laos took over control in 1972 after which the Laotian king and his family were exiled to a remote part of the country. Whilst in Luang Prabang we will visit a traditional Laotian village and have the opportunity to mingle with the school children and learn about Laotian lifestyles and the children’s educational aspirations. In the afternoon there will be a chance to relax and swim at a refreshing waterfall as well as the chance ride elephants. Time permitting we will also visit a jungle gravesite of a well-known French Explorer Henry Mahout, the first European to be credited with discovering the Angkor Temples, who died here in 1861. Incredibly, his grave was left hidden and only rediscovered in 1990. In the afternoon we shall take a journey upriver by long boat to the cave of Pak Ou where thousands of ancient Buddha figures have been stored. Our local guide will explain to us the intricacies of the Buddhist religion and meaning of the various different Buddha images depicted here. We will return to Luang Prabang in the mid afternoon and have time to explore the bustling Hmong textile market before enjoying and participating in a Laotian Baci ceremony with community elders, where a feast is prepared and dozens of strings are tied around the wrist to appease the spirits, and is known to bring good luck to the you and the village.

Day 10 Plain of Jars After farewelling Luang Prabang, we will take a short morning flight to the country's central provinces and the town of Phonsavan – home of the ancient mystery of what is known simply as ‘The Plain of Jars’. Here we take a 4 wheel drive tour of three significant Jars sites to survey these stone artefacts, made in the same period of Stone Henge, some 3000 yrs ago, and equally as mysterious. Anthropologists are still in disagreement as to the exact origins and builders of these strange features. Some are as big as a small bus, and weigh several tonnes. This town has the dubious distinction of being the most bombed town in the world at one stage during the Vietnam War. Incredibly during the Vietnam War a planeload (6 tonnes) of bombs was dropped in this region, every hour, for nine years! We will also learn more about Laos’s tragic involvement in the American war due to its geographical proximity near the historic Ho Chi Minh trail.

Day 11 Vientiane We fly out to the Laotian capital of Vientiane this morning for our last day in Laos. On arrival in the mid morning will we visit That Luang shrine followed by a trip to Wa Prakeo home of the Emerald Buddha as well as stopping at the local markets and the beautiful Wat Si Saket Temple built in the 18th century. Vientiane is an ideal city for exploring by on foot and there will be ample time in the afternoon today to stroll around the city with its French-colonial buildings past robed clad novices and monks before our final nights dinner at one of the city’s numerous riverbank restaurants.

Day 12 Depart Laos Today is departure day. Your group leader will take care of your onward travel arrangements and bid you farewell.

Summary

Grading: Easy. Anyone with reasonable fitness should be able to take part. There are no real physical difficulties. You will be expected to carry your own luggage throughout the trip but only for short distances.
Accommodation: Accommodation is on a twin share basis. All hotels are clean and comfortable, with a 3-star equivalent rating. Guesthouse 1 night Soft sleeper train 1 night.
Transport: Modern air-conditioned bus, boat, plane, tuk tuk, bicycle, train.
Group size: Minimum 20, maximum 28.
Tour start date: Departs on demand

Land Tour Inclusions:

International flights (Australia - Ho Chi Minh City, Luang Prabang – Australia)
All accommodation and transport en route including 2 internal flights (Luang Prabang - Phonsavan, Phonsavan - Vientiane)
Domestic departure taxes and transfers
Tailor Made Vietnam Group Leader throughout the tour
Local English speaking guides where required
All sightseeing and entrance fees for museums, attractions and sights as described in the itinerary
All airport transfers on route
Tailor Made Vietnam Group Leader throughout the tour
Local English speaking guides where required
All sightseeing and entrance fees for museums, attractions and sights as described in the itinerary
All meals

Land Tour Exclusions

Thailand and Laotian visa
Laotian departure tax
Travel insurance

Other Costs

Also allow US$55 on route for; Thailand departure tax (US$15) Laos Visa (US$30) and Laos departure tax (US$20)

Information Evening

Approximately 2 weeks before departure Tailor Made Vietnam will hold a pre-tour information evening. At the meeting we will discuss all aspects of trip preparations. Topics include; travel insurance, airline tickets, medical issues and what to bring. A hotel list complete with phone and fax numbers will be handed out. The meeting should take around 90 minutes plus time for questions. You will be informed of the exact date/time/meeting place by email/phone in late November. This meeting is in addition to any initial teacher meetings required when Tailor Made Vietnam will send a representative to your school to discuss trip arrangements.

Require Further Information?

If you have any queries or require further information regarding this tour please feel free to contact Tailor Made Vietnam at any time.

* Price based on 20 paying student with 2 complimentary trips for teachers. Including international airfare from Australia, cheaper from else where in Southeast Asia. Please note prices are subject to currency fluctuations and charges until paid in full.