Exploring Laos and Northern Thailand:
With a Trekking & Hill Tribes Focus

Jan. 16- Feb. 1, 2012

The neighboring Buddhist countries, Thailand and Laos, also share a wealth of ancient sites, lush locales abounding with tropical flora and fauna, national parks sheltering endangered species, stunning traditional and French Colonial architecture all packaged with Asian graciousness. In this unique blend of temples, touring, arts and crafts, enhanced by nature visits to remote Hill Tribes you will have an experience few travelers have encountered.

This trip has been designed to offer a view of lifestyles very different from our own. How long they will continue in this “age of information” is any ones guess. If you are a seasoned traveler willing to undergo some hardships and forgo some creature comforts you will have a unique experience indeed. Those fit enough to accompany the treks will be rewarded with stunning nature walks as well as numerous village visits. The weather is perfect for trekking during this time of year, with temperatures averaging 72 degrees in the daytime and sometimes dipping to the lower 60’s at night.
The history of Northern Thailand is dominated by the Lanna kingdom, which was founded in 1259 and remained an independent force until the 16th century. We will visit Chiang Mai, with its wonderful Hill tribe museum and lively Night Market, before visiting the Hill tribes in the area: Akha have the largest population of any hill tribe in the region. Originating from Tibet and Southern China, they dwell on high grounds around 1,200 meters above sea-level. Within their villages they build a Spirit Gateway to protect them from evil spirits.

Lahu are also from Southern China and live in high areas. They are known as hunters and planters. Hmong from southern China are located on high land. They raise livestock and grow rice, corn, tobacco and cabbage. They are also known for their embroidery and silver. Lisu from southern China and Tibet are renowned for their colorful dress and also build their dwellings on high poles. They harvest rice and corn and their men are skilled in hunting.

The highlights of our visit to Laos, besides the gentle and friendly Laotian people, are the visits to the unique hill tribes. The indigenous people that populate Laos (as well as parts of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam) migrated from China about 200 years ago to avoid wars. Tribal dress, customs, and architecture differentiate each group, and cultural conservatism and lack of exposure to the outside world have preserved a unique alternative way to life.

Another delightful aspect of the village visits are photographing the colorful costumes of the locals, and the jewelry, weavings and embroideries we will observe villagers creating which you are encouraged to purchase, as they are poor and deserve support.

Past groups have commented on the well-paced itinerary , which contrasts city with rural hill tribe treks and visits. Everyone has commented on the fabulous climate, fresh and delicious Laotian food (similar to Thai cuisine's, but less spicy) the incredible values to be had in arts and crafts, the gentle smiles of the local people. The charming, tranquil, yet cosmopolitan town of Luang Prabang is a special favorite, with its small parks, clean and comfortable streets, numerous markets, fascinating alleyways and back roads.
Laos had the misfortune to be the most bombed country in the planet, thanks to US aggression during the Vietnam war. The equivalent of 2 million tons of bombs dropped every 8 minutes for 9 years resulted in one person killed or maimed every 2 days. Although the country is poor, the infrastructure is in place, and the local people and government welcome tourism. The crumbling old French colonial mansions of Vientiane & especially the sparkling Luang Prabang are being rebuilt, and the stunning Buddhist temples are alive with incense & prayers.

Pakse is the old royal capital of the Champassak province and gateway for exploring southern Laos. The town of Pakse boasts a lively market as well as the Falls of Alam and its dam. Located 46 Km south of Pakse are the Khmer temple ruins of Wat Phou dating to the 6th century. The temple was built in layers along the slope of an adjacent mountain and was an important religious site from the 6th-13th centuries. At the southwestern tip of Laos is Khone PahPheng falls & Done Khong Island, the largest of 4000 islands that appear after dry season.

Champassak is a small town in southern Laos, on the west bank of the Mekong River about 40 km south of Pakse. The town was once the seat of the Kingdom of Champassak, an independent Lao state which was abolished by the French in 1945 when they created the Kingdom of Laos, but the last King of Champassak had his palace in Pakse. Today the town is very small, consisting mostly of guesthouses along the riverbank, catering to tourists visiting the Wat Phu temple ruins, and important temple in the 6th century, some 10 km away. thousands of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims come here for the full-moon festival every February.

Across the Mekong to the south south is Khong Island and the waterfalls. We visit the paradise area of 4000 Islands and the waterfall. Visit Ban Khone, the waterfall Li Phi and the waterfall Khon Pha Pheng the biggest in Asia, and located next to the border Laos/Cambodia.

Itinerary

Mon. Jan. 16: Transit Depart from Country of Origin.

Tues. Jan. 17: Chiang Mai (B) Arrive in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, where we are met and transferred to our hotel. On arrival, transfer to Yangcome Village Boutique Hotel. In the evening wander through the Old Quarter with many lovely temples, restaurants, and the famed market.

Wed. Jan. 18: Chiang Mai: (B) Breakfast at hotel then depart to visit Chiang Mai National Museum and Hill Tribe museum with lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, return to hotel. Evening tour of Night Bazaar.

Thur. Jan. 19: Chiang Mai/ Lahu Outpost (B,L, D) Breakfast at hotel. Pick up by 4W drive vehicle and then take a 1.5 hours drive to the area of Pha Mieng. Walk through orchards and down a steep jungle path to the waterfall and pool of Pha Mieng. Enjoy a nice swim in a large pool. Then, walk around 15 minutes to Lahu village and continue along jungle trails to the remote village of Hmong Pha Mieng (1.5hrs) to meet the inhabitants of this small hill tribe in the jungle. Picnic lunch is served under the trees. In the afternoon, walk to the top of the mountain (1.5hrs) where the Red Lahu village of Pha Daeng is located. Enjoy a cup of Chinese tea with a village family and then walk along a mountain ridge to the Lahu village of Kup Kap (1 hr). The view from this village is spectacular when looking southward to the valley below or westward to the mountain peaks stretching towards Burma. Experience the friendly attention of the curious Lahu villagers. Dinner and overnight at Lahu Outpost.

Fri. Jan. 20: Lahu Outpost/ Lisu Lodge (B,L, D) After breakfast at Lahu Outpost, walk for 1 hour downhill to Huay Satarn Waterfall. Then a one hour walk along the stream and nature trail to Mae Tang Elephant Camp for a 1 hour elephant ride. A picnic lunch will be served by the river. After lunch, enjoy mellow rafting tour down the river for 45 min. (grade 1 to 2) to the pretty Thai village of Muang Gurt. Then take a short drive by 4wd to the Akha village of Huay Pong where a cup of tea will be served while having a chat with the village Shaman. Afterwards continue downhill for another 30 minutes to the award winning Lisu Lodge. Arrive at Lisu Lodge in the late afternoon (welcome drink is served on arrival) and observe hill tribe activities of Lisu people such as embroidering and organic gardening. In the evening, enjoy dinner with Lisu music and dance by Lisu banjo players and village children. Overnight at Lisu Lodge.

Sat. Jan. 21: Lisu Lodge/ - Khum Lanna (B,L,D) Enjoy breakfast at Lisu Lodge and take a guided tour of the village with one of the Lisu villagers and with the translation of your guide. See the shrine that guards the village spirit and other aspects of Lisu culture. Then, cycling for 16kms through the teak plantation to visit Hmong Village and return to Lisu Lodge for lunch. If you are not a biker, have a leisurely morning at the lodge, and learn the fine art of fruit and vegetable sculpture. In the afternoon, visit a Palong Hill tribe, a more primitive village before starting 2 hour’s trek from a Karen to a Lahu village. Continue by 4 WD on road to Khûm Lanna. Here, enjoy your choice of activities around the house including a short Thai cooking lesson. Dinner and overnight at Khûm Lanna. (including a massage after dinner).

Sun. Jan. 22: Khum Lanna / Chiang Mai: (B, L) After breakfast at Khûm Lanna, cycling for 16kms through the teak plantation to visit Hmong Village and return to Lisu Lodge for lunch. After lunch transfer back to hotel in Chiang Mai for overnight. at Yangcome Village / Superior Room

Mon. Jan. 23: Chiang Mai /Laos Luang Prabang (B,L) Breakfast at hotel before transfer to Chiang Mai airport for flight to Luang Prabang Laos. After checking into our hotel, a walking tour down the Mekong riverside, by the local market, and finally visiting the Wat Xieng Thong, built by the local king in 1560 and considered the most beautiful in Luang Prabang. Evening meal at one of Luang Prabang’s famed restaurants.

Tues. Jan. 24: Luang Prabang: (B) Morning excursion by boat up the Mekong river, one of the most beautiful in Laos. At its juncture at the Pak Ou river we’ll visit the Tamting holy cave, housing thousands of Buddha's brought by devotees. Following this, we continue on to Ban Shanghai distillation village, where they produce alcohol from sticky rice. Return to Luang Prabang for lunch by the Mekong River. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening free to explore Luang Prabang and the Night Market.

Wed. Jan. 25: Luang Prabang: (B, D)This morning we visit several important local temples: Wat Visoun, a temple for the Vietnamese migrants, and Wat Ahman, where giant puppets representing the ancestors of the local people (Grandmother and Grandfather). Afternoon free. Evening meal in the home of a local family, noted for their excellent cooking, and a traditional Baci ceremony to wish you luck and happiness in the coming year.

Thur. Jan. 26: Luang Prabang /Pakse/Champassak (B) Pick up at the hotel and transfer to airport for flight to Pakse. Meet upon arrival at Pakse airport and transfer to the pier. Board a local long-tail riverboat and cruise down the Mekong River, heading south towards the former royal capital of Champassak. Arrival in Champassak and check-in at the hotel. Visit the pre-Angkorian Vat Phou Temple (6th-13th centuries). Vat Phou Temple lies on a hillside and offers spectacular views on the surrounding plains and on the Mekong River. Hindu Khmer probably chose the site because of the spring that flows from near the top of the hill. Vat Phou Temple was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2002. Overnight at hotel.

Fri. Jan 27: Champassak/Ban Khiat Ngong (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the Suay minority village of Ban Khiat Ngong. The Suay men are traditionally engaged in elephant training, especially for the timber trade. Ban Khiat Ngong village has a community project offering basic but comfortable accommodation in the 240,000 square kilometer Xe Pien National Biodiversity Conservation Area, which consists of a combination of wetlands and highland primary rain forest. This day, explore the highlands and take an elephant ride tHrough the primitive jungle to visit the enigmatic ruins of Phou Asa Temple. Return to Ban Khiat Ngong village, located in the wetland area. At sunset, short walk to reach the Ban Khiat Ngong pond and see myriad's of birds flying back to their nests. Dinner and accommodation at the guest house.

Sat. Jan. 28: Ban Khiat Ngong (B) Breakfast at the guesthouse. Day trekking through the wetlands to observe the amazing diversity of the fauna and flora. The area is home to rare species of birds such as Blyths Kingfishers, Crested Warblers, White Shouldered Ibis, Painted Storks and White Breasted Waterhen. Most of these birds being migratory, the best traveling period lasts from October to March. Dinner and accommodation at the guest house.

Sun. Jan. 29: Ban Khiat Ngong /Khong island (B) Breakfast at the guesthouse. Drive to Ban Hatsaykhoune and take a ferry to cross the Mekong River towards Khong Island, located in the scenic Siphandone region (Four Thousand Islands). Khong Island, with its lovely fishing villages, its serene monasteries and its lush vegetation offers a unique opportunity to experience the peaceful Lao way of life. Lunch at local restaurant. Take a bike-ride to explore Khong Island. Visit Vat Hangkhong, considered as the oldest temple on the island, Ban Huay village and continue to Muang Sene to enjoy the sunset over the Mekong River. Overnight at the hotel.

Mon. Jan. 30: Khong island (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Cruise along the backwaters to explore Siphandone. During the rainy season, the Mekong River reaches a breadth of 14 kms, the river’s widest reach along its 4,350 km journey from the Tibetan Plateau towards the South China Sea; when the river recedes, it leaves behind thousands of islands and islets. Visit the surrounding islands of Done Ket and Done Som for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the fishermen. Continue to Done Khone Island. Lunch at local restaurant in Ban Khone. Visit Done Khone Island and hike along its ancient railway built by the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids when transporting goods from Cambodia. Continue to Sumphamith Waterfall. In the dry season when we visit, the Irrawaddy Dolphins, one of the world’s rarest large mammal species, congregate at the base of the rapids to hunt the fish that survive in the deep pools. Spend a relaxing hour watching these extremely shy and endangered freshwater dolphins. Return by boat to Khong Island. Overnight at the hotel.

Tues. Jan. 31: Khong island/Khone Phapheng /Pakse (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Board a local long-tail riverboat to reach the fishing village of Ban Phiengdy and continue by car to the magnificent Khone Phapheng Waterfall, the largest cascade along the Mekong River. A fault line caused the cascade, which is 6 km wide at this point, and the astonishing force of the water has cut dramatic gorges through the brittle bedrock. Lunch at local restaurant. Drive back to Pakse and drop off at the hotel.

Wed. Feb. 1: Transit 11:45 AM Depart Pakse making connections to Bangkok, or enjoy our 5 day, four night package to Siem Reape and Angkor Wat.

Cost: $4,697.00 based on two people sharing a twin or double-bedded room. Single supplement available $542.00.. Limit 12 participants. Please be aware the prices may fluctuate due to a rise in fuel costs or a change in the rate of exchange. Ground only deduct $1800.00.

Deposits/ Penalties: A $350.00 refundable deposit reserves trip space. A penalty fee of $75.00 will be charged for all cancellations received in writing up to 45 days before departure, after which 50% of tour cost will be charged. After tickets have been issued airline penalties will occur as well. No refunds will be made one week before departure. Final payments are due 60 days prior to departure.

Trip leader: Madé Surya BS. While a graduate student in Economics at Udayana University in Bali, founded the Mountain Climbing Club, now boasting about 200 members. He has been organizing and leading study tours for 25 years and has assisted scholars and film crews in Exploring Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Greece and Italy. He has previously led many active tours, and remains a favorite guide and friend to former clients.

Airline Options: Participants may depart and return at any time. Participants are urged to sign up early and make plans regarding dates, as we are traveling during High Season. Call Wendy Simon at Pacific Harbor Travel, Santa Cruz :1-800-435-9463 for special needs or further details.

Terms and Conditions: In case of unexpected situations, the tour leader reserves the right to cancel or postpone any event. Festivals and special events will be incorporated into the itinerary as optional excursions. Any one who leaves the tour at any time FOR ANY REASON is on their own. There will be no refunds for missed tour activities and no substitutions.

Accommodations: Are based on double occupancy. We stay in clean, comfortable locally-owned hotels with private baths and verandah. In more remote areas we stay in simple Guest Cottages. Some have swimming pools. In all rural cases we are booking on a "best available" basis, and in towns at 3 & 4 star hotels.

Medical: This trip is not extremely rigorous, but it is physically demanding and we travel to some areas where medical facilities are virtually nonexistent. We do pack a first aid kit, but do not guarantee the services of a doctor. Neither ourselves nor our organization assumes liability regarding provisions of medical care. Participants are urged to check their insurance coverage to be sure it is adequate. You must be in good general health; it is vital that persons with medical problems make them known to us well before departure. The trip leader has the right to disqualify any member from the group at any time if considered medically necessary or to avoid endangering the group, or if the participant in question is physically unfit for the rigors of the trip. Trip members should have a personal supply of medications which they may need. At this time no inoculations are required to enter Laos or Cambodia, so it is up to you and your doctor.

Responsibility of Trip Members: Luggage must be kept to 44 lb. each maximum allowed by domestic flights. Trip members are held responsible for being in sufficient good health to undertake the trip. Trip members are responsible for preparing for the trip by studying the itinerary and pre-departure information packets sent by Danu Enterprise and for bringing the appropriate clothing and equipment as advised.

Additional Options: We are also offering a four night visit to Angkor Wat in neighboring Cambodia . Contact us for further information.

Call toll free 888-476-0543 or email for further information.
Contact Danu Enterprises today and escape the ordinary!

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