GORGEOUS CHINA & LAOS

USD$3,790.00

The Thailand to China part of this trip takes in some amazing history, different cultures including minorities and you will taste cuisine that rivals any other. Our reputation for travelling at a relaxed pace amid great scenery comes to a peak in Yunnan Province with one of the world's largest and most beautiful gorges.

Heading onto Laos means two more not so touristy destinations in southern Yunnan before arriving in timeless Laos. Firstly a Baktrax destination before the world heritage listed city of Luang Prabang. Then more sensational scenery precedes the slowest capital city in all S.E. Asia, Vientiane. All this travel is done in a sea of green jungle vistas and where time means the bus departs soon.

What time? Soon! Lastly head back to Thailand for a visit to one of the most unusual temples on the planet before an overnight train back to S.E. Asia's busiest capital.

NO LOCAL PAYMENT REQUIRED ON ARRIVAL

GROUP SIZE: Minimum one, Maximum eight.

Guaranteed to depart.

English speaking tour coordinator.

VISITING:
BANGKOK - THE RIVER KWAI - KUNMING (China) - DALI - LIJIANG - WALNUT GARDEN amid TIGER LEAPING GORGE - JINGHONG - MENGLA - UDOMXAI (Laos) - LUANG PRABANG - VANG VIENG - VIENTIANE - NONG KHAI (Thailand).

ACCOMMODATION:
Three star hotels, (7 nights).
One to two star guest houses and hotels, (8 nights).
Basic guest house, (2 nights).
Simple guest house, (9 nights).
Overnight sleeper train, (1 night).

TRANSPORT:
Plane, bus, boat, train, taxi.

DAY TRIPS:
River Kwai, (full day).
Kunming region, (full day).
Dali region, (full day).
Dali chair lift ride, (half day).
Unguided Mekong river boat trip to a cave and local villages, (half day).
Sala Kaew Su temple, (two to three hours).

ENTRY FEES:
All included when part of the itinerary.

MEALS:
44 meals included.

B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner.

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: BANGKOK - Your trip officially starts when you check into your Bangkok accommodation. A welcoming dinner will be had in the evening. D.

DAY 2: BANGKOK - A full days tour with a local operator to the bridge on the River Kwai with other attractions en route. B. L. D.

DAY 3: KUNMING - A short international flight from Bangkok to Kunming (China). B. D.

DAY 4: KUNMING - A full days tour of the Kunming region which will include the Western Hills and Golden Temple amongst other interesting places. B. L. D.

DAY 5: DALI - A morning bus trip will see you in the old city of Dali. This is the beginning of some great shopping opportunities. B. D.

DAY 6: DALI - A full day with a local operator visiting some minority villages and markets as well as a boat trip on the picturesque Erhai Lake. B. L. D.

DAY 7: LIJIANG - A short morning bus trip will see you in another travellers favourite town of heritage listed Old Lijiang with its narrow maze of cobble stoned streets and canals. Enjoy getting lost when you wander not far from your central guest house. Minority peoples and shopping opportunities everywhere. B.

DAY 8: WALNUT GARDEN - A local bus will deliver you to another fantastic highlight of this trip, Walnut Garden. Your guest house on one side of the Yangtze River sits half way up Tiger Leaping Gorge at 2,000 metres. On the other side of the Yangtze is a massive wall of rock reaching almost 4,000 metres. Even higher snow capped peaks complete the backdrop. B. D.

DAY 9: WALNUT GARDEN - Maybe a casual stroll around one of the biggest gorges in the world or just relax at the guest house with a meal and a beer as you stare in awe at this inspirational destination. Simply sensational! B. D.

DAY 10: LIJIANG - Return to Lijiang for any last minute shopping and an overnight stay. B.

DAY 11: DALI - Return to Dali for an overnight stay. In the afternoon a chair lift with great views will take you up to visit a hill side monastery. B.

DAY 12: KUNMING - Return to Kunming for the night. B. D.

DAY 13: JINGHONG - Transfer to the airport this morning for the short domestic flight to Jinghong . B.

Day 14:JINGHONG - A free day in Jinghong. Possibly a massage or some shopping in a modern Chinese department store. B.

DAY 15:MENGLA - A morning bus ride sees you nearing Laos with your last two nights in China in Mengla . B.

DAY 16: MENGLA - A free day in Mengla to relax by the pool or get out to explore and sample some food at a Sichuan style restaurant. B.

DAY 17: UDOMXAI - Firstly by bus to the Chinese border immigration checkpoint followed by a "taxi" across no-man's land to check in with Laos immigration. And lastly another bus to the northern Laos city of Udomxai. B. D.

DAY 18: UDOMXAI - A free day to explore laid back Udomxai. Maybe the local market or try some new food as well as your first chance to try a fabulous Beer Lao. After dinner the energetic may like to walk up to a hilltop temple with some fireflies along the way to entertain you. B.

DAY 19: LUANG PRABANG - Travel by bus to the wonderful Unesco World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. B. D.

DAY 20: LUANG PRABANG - A half day unguided trip today includes a boat trip on the mighty Mekong river to visit a majestic but eerie cave and some local villages also. In the evening you may like to have dinner and a beerlao beside this mighty waterway. B.

DAY 21: VANG VIENG - Today you will see some of the loveliest scenery in all South East Asia as you approach Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng itself is surrounded by spectacular limestone karsts and after arriving at your local guest house you can sit down and relax with the sunset. B. D.

DAY 22: VIENTIANE - A short drive today sees you in what surely must be South East Asia's sleepiest capital city. Without any sign of hustle or bustle beside the Mekong lies Vientiane. B. D.

DAY 23: VIENTIANE - A free day to explore this sleepy hollow. Don’t miss the morning market, museum, cultural centre and some of South East Asia’s most beautiful temples. In the evening you can enjoy another Beerlao beside the Mekong, with the spectacular sunset over thailand, for a perfect way to make a final toast to Langurous Laos. B.

Day 24: NONG KHAI - Across the friendship bridge today for two nights on the Thai side of the Mekong in Nong Khai. B.

Day 25: NONG KHAI - A short trip out of town today to the Hindu - Buddhist inspired temple of Sala Kaew Su where a multitude of weird and wonderful statues have been created by a renowned local monk. The rest of the day is enjoyed at your leisure. B. D.

Day 26: OVERNIGHT TRAIN - A last browse at the markets along the river or a chance to buy some famous Thai silk at the classy village weavers handicraft store. In the afternoon you will transfer to the railway station for the overnight sleeper train to Bangkok. B.

Day 27: BANGKOK - Arrive a.m. in Bangkok for a final night. The rest of the day is free. A farewell dinner will be had in the evening. D.

Day 28 - Your tour is officially over after you check out of your hotel. An airport transfer is included also. B.

TOUR DATES:
2009: Jan 3; Mar 7; April 4; May 2; June 6; July 4; Oct 3; Nov 7; Dec 5.

2010; Jan 9; Feb -; Mar 13; Apr 10; May 8; June 12; Jul 10; Aug 14; Sep 11; Oct 9; Nov 13; Dec 11.

Any other dates on application. (Minimum two people).

PRICES:
P/P, LAND ONLY. (Includes o/w flight Bangkok to Kunming & o/w flight Kunming to Jinghong).
USD$3,790.00.
Singe Suppliment: USD$650.00