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Laos |
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Dear Travellers! After more than 2 years of preparation time we finally did it! What a challenge: A 20 days' journey into Laos, the forgotten country in South East Asia. As one of the poorest countries in the world, with a population of only 5 million, it slowly opened its gates to foreign travellers after the turmoil of the 'Secret War'. |
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The country of the Million Elephants does not offer splendid sightseeing such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the thousands of Pagodas in Bagan, or the glamorous metropolis of Bangkok or Hongkong. BUT - it has a treasure, which is unique in South East Asia: The peaceful nature of country and people, who are told to lean themselves back in order to hear the rice growing... |
 Lunch at a Thai Dam (Black Tai) house at Ban Mouang (Xieng Khouang province) |
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LAOS - FOR MORE THAN 10 DAYS? IMPOSSIBLE! |
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 Children near Mekong River (Luang Prabang province) |
Before I visited Laos the first time, I thought that it was not possible to plan for more than 14 days per trip, as the normal standard programs offered tours between 5 and 8 days. In one of my four study trips I met a group of international tour operators, also on a study tour, but they needed only 5 days to "check it out" and get the "right feeling" for the country. |
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Due to my many encounters with the population, the chiefs of the hill tribes, various help organizations and expats living in Laos, I was able not only to get a better feeling for Laos but also a deeper insight to behind the scenes. |
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I DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING! |
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Arriving from the Thai-Laotian border, you will start your journey with a breathtaking river cruise, sailing downstream on the busy Mekong and passing ethnic minority villages along the untamable river, which will not only bring you back to far-away times, but also to Luang Prabang. |
 Holy caves of Pak Ou (Luang Prabang province) |
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Puppet show performed by Ban Xieng Thong School (Luang Prabang) |
Nestled on the banks of the mighty Mekong River and surrounded by mountains, Luang Prabang is regarded as one of Asia's most beautiful and enchanting cities. While taking in the special feel of this unique town by wandering around the decaying temples and French colonial villas you get a deep sense of the country's proud history. |
 "Striped" Hmong children (Plain of Jars/Xieng Khouang province) |
 Archaeological site at the Plain of Jars (Lat Sene, Xieng Khouang province) |
A morning flight will bring you to the Plain of Jars - a man-made mystery. No one can fully explain why several hundred stone jars varying in size from 500 kilos to 5 tons are scattered across this high, remote plain. There is a disagreement on everything, beginning from their age to their uses. They are up to 2,000 years old and their suggested uses include being rice canisters or burial sarcophags! |
You will then continue by road to Samnuea. Scenic landscape and remote ethnic villages will let the days pass by - but the caves of Vien Xail will remind us how vulnerable peace and beauty is... The new runway in Samnuea will allow us this time to fly directly to Vientiane. Although the smallest capital in the world, it seems to wake up from its "hundred years sleep". Its "Arch of Triumph", temples, busy local shops and colourful little art galleries which flank some of the main streets, give the capital an exotic mix of "East meets West". |
 Our friends at Samneua: Mr. Khampanh and his wife, playing the "Khene" (traditional Laotian flute) |
 Entrance to the subterranean part of the Hine Boune River near Kong Lo (Khammouane province) |
Now the journey continues to the south of Laos. Khammouane province - one of the most beautiful scenic landscapes - offers pure nature: The limestone forest, dividing Laos from Vietnam, a mixed densed rain forest housing many species of plants and wild life. In its rivers swim hundreds of different species of fish. |
 "Green" Hmong children at Ban Houey Lam Phene (Oudomxay province) |
In Savannakhet, a transit town, not only the little Dinosaur Museum but old colonial houses, smiling kids, holy temples, a lively market and lots of fresh air, waterfalls and minorities villages will expect you. This time we will also add Attapeu to our program, a a remote place at the Boloven Plateau. The finale of this exiting journey will be a 3 days cruise within the '4,000 Islands'. |
 Limestone peaks at Phone Gneng (Khammouane province) |
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There are said to be 4,000 islands of the Mekong in a short stretch at Siphandone. Done Khone is just one of them and the stuff of legends... A legend says that a long time ago thousands, even a million elephants killed during a battle up-stream floated down the Mekong River and were backed at these waterfalls, named since as 'Lee Phee'. One of these elephants was not dead. He was saved by Phra Khu Khee Horm, a holy man who, after healing the animal, sent him to Khong Island. The pachyderm was given the name of Sithan, which became Sithandone, now Siphandone. |
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Mrs. Grest and our Laotian tour guide, Mr. Khamsouk, on the Wat Phu Boat |
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Pulling our boats at the entrance of the subterranean part of the Hine Boune River |
 Mekong River at Pakbeng |
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Interested? Just contact us and don't forget to ask for our detailed itinerary! |
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MYANMAR TRAVEL LTD. Pansodan Office Tower, 3rd Floor Room 3A, 189/195 Pansodan Street Kyauktada Township, Yangon, Myanmar Tel.: (+951) 204-046 Tel & Fax: (+951) 391-015 E-mail: info@myanmartravel.net |
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