Laos, a country of majestic beauty, spectacular scenery and stunning landscapes, where the meandering Mekong winds its way south towards the Delta. Step into the tranquility of a world dominated by Buddhism as we journey through Laos on this unforgettable trip. From the capital Vientiane, with its wide boulevards and setting on the banks of the Mekong, we fly to Pakse, and from there explore the islands of Si pan don, where we hope to spot the freshwater dolphins that reside there. We visit Vang Vieng, before spending time in and around the World Heritage city, and former royal capital, Luang Prabang, set in the northern mountains. Here the monks in their saffron robes carrying black umbrellas to shade themselves are a familiar sight, and it is here that you can witness the early morning alms ritual. A tour of Laos would not be complete without taking a slow boat along the Mekong, where we encounter some of the many minority tribes living in the fertile valleys, and visit the famous Pak Ou Caves. Laos is a land of natural beauty and many surprises.

Vientiane.  After breakfast there will be a tour of Vientiane. Although it is a capital city, Vientiane has a feel of a small provincial town. The wide boulevards are almost devoid of traffic, and with its many temples, the city retains the feel of another age. Our tour includes visits to the major temples of Wats Sisaket, Prakeo, and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the countrys most important monument. We will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum and the main market. The Patuxai Victory Monument resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. But close up you will see that its ornamentation is typically Lao in style. It was built in the 1960s to commemorate the Lao people who died in pre-Revolutionary wars. In the evening, you can enjoy an evening stroll along the banks of the Mekong River. (B)

Khong Island - Bankhone - Pakse.  By boat we’ll explore the 4000 islands area (Si pan don). Here, the Mekong river is at its widest. During the rainy season it is up to 12 km across. When the waters recede, many small islands emerge. It is from this phenomenon that the region takes its name. From the far distance you can hear the unmistakable roar of the Khone Phapheng and Li Phi falls, which we will visit today. Nearby the falls live some hundred Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins. Ban Hang Khon is one of the rare places on earth to spot these endangered mammals. Also see the old locomotive, railway and colonial bridge built by the French to avoid navigating on the rapids and waterfalls that abound on this section of the Mekong. Afterwards we drive to Pakse. (B)

Vang Vieng - Free Day.  Today is free at leisure in Vang Vieng. There are several options to choose from including kayaking, caving and inner tubing. (B)

Luang Prabang. This morning you may want to wake up early and participate in a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander through the town blessing local people who give them offerings (mostly sticky rice).

Luang Prabang is best known for its beautiful scenery and high numbers of ancient temples. This former capital has a rich variety of architecture from the old facades of French colonial homes to the glittering temple rooftops. We embark on a tour of this enthralling town, visiting Wats Xieng Thong, and the Golden City Monastery. Dating back to the 16th century, this splendid temple is considered to be the finest in Laos. We also visit the fine temples of Wats Mai, Vixoun, and That Luang. Later in the day we adjourn to the Phousi Holy Hill to enjoy the panoramic views of the town and its temples as the sun goes down. (B)

Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves. Today we take a trip to the Pac Ou caves, known as the caves of one thousand Buddhas. The caves are actually on two different levels in the limestone cliff - the upper and lower caves, and both are full of images of the Buddha in all sizes and of all sorts. Entry to the lower cave is by a flight of steps and there is enough daylight for you to view the images. You need a flashlight to take a good look at the higher cave. On the way we have a short visit to Ban Xang Hai to learn about the traditional process of making local sticky rice alcohol, called "Lao Lao".

We will have a picnic lunch before returning to Luang Prabang.

We then continue to Ban Phanom and Ban Xang Khong, traditional weaving villages, where you will be able to appreciate the skill and design of the craftspeople in making these intricate clothes and hangings.

Around 4 or 4:30pm, back in Luang Prabang, the monks in Wat Ho Siang begin to beat the drum and clang the cymbals high in the drum tower. The acoustics are incredible! For those who have an appreciation of foreign instruments it is certainly not to be missed. (B,L)

Villa Chitdara

Khounsua Road

Ban Vat Nong

Luang Prabang

Laos

Tel: +856 71 254949 

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx  for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Asia trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides visa information. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Certain visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

Laos: Approval is required for visas to Laos and this should be applied for at least 5 working days prior to departure. It is now also possible to collect visas on arrival at Vientiane International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport and the Friendship Bridge between Laos and Thailand without prior authorization.

Please note that regulations and costs change frequently so it is advisable to check the current rules.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel.  Kumuka cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Asia, but we do recommend you are covered for *diphtheria & TB, hepatitis A, *hepatitis B, *malaria, typhoid, polio and tetanus.

NB* A Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from infected areas. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

You may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information. Please consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Asia.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.
- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.
- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$15-30 per day for personal expenses, souvenirs, evening out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

US dollars cash is more widely accepted than pounds sterling.

US dollars cash are needed to pay for visas on borders.

Carry most of your money in Traveller’s cheques - small denominations are preferable.

It is often a good idea to have a small amount of the currency of the country you are visiting prior to arrival. This will cover you for any initial expenses at or from the airport.

Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open on Saturday morning.  In the main cities travellers’ cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux, but this can be very difficult in small towns

Some Hotels will also change money.

There are no automated teller machines (ATMs) in Laos.

How much should I take?

• Please bring lightweight walking shoes or sandals, and a day sac. Pack essentially for hot conditions: days are hot and humid. Lightweight rain gear is essential at all times.
• Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to ONE main suitcase or frameless backpack and one day bag. Your main bag must not weigh more than 20 kg’s.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe. Dress discretely, especially if you are visiting religious sites. For women this means skirts or long pants with T-shirt. For men, this means long shorts or trousers with a T-shirt. Always take your shoes off when entering temples or any religious site.

Care should be taken to respect the conventions of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other religious and ethnic groups, particularly in respect of clothing and footwear.

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Lao food is traditionally eaten with sticky rice, with the fingers.  In the countryside, people will all eat family style, sitting on the floor, sharing a few dishes. Traditional Lao food is dry, spicy and very delicious. The food eaten in Laos is influenced by its neighbours and the colonial French. 

Laap, a traditional  Lao food is made from chopped meat, chicken or duck. The finely chopped meat, spices and broth are mixed with uncooked rice grains that have been dry fried, and crushed. Laap is eaten with a plate of raw vegetables and sticky rice.

Tam Mak Houng is a spicey salad made from sliced raw papaya, garlic, chile, peanuts, sugar, fermented fish sauce and lime juice.

Som moo is fermented pork sausage, found in many forms.  The sausage is made from raw pork - sometimes lean, sometimes pork skin.   Som moo may be eaten raw or cooked. A mixture of som moo, tam mak koung and laap make a popular Lao lunchtime meal.

Barbequed som moo, served Vietnamese style is popular in Laos.  Known as Naem Nuang, it is served with transparent rice paper, thin noodles and lots of herbs, vegetables, lettuce and a sauce.  You take all the ingredients, and prepare your own spring roll.

Foe (pronounced 'fur')  is the name for noodle soup, which can be found everywhere in Laos. It is similar in style to the Chinese noodle soup found all over Asia.

In Luang Prabang, they make a delicious salad made from watercress.

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each tour. It will always be clean, comfortable and of a very high standard. All accommodation is in comfortable tourist class accommodation. Depending on the tour, this ranges from overnight sleeper train or cruise boat through to delightful lodges and excellent hotels (generally 3 star or above).

If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. If you would like to book accommodation to stay additional nights after the tour ends, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable.

In most of the hotels in Asia you may be required to deposit your passport at Reception. This is a perfectly normal practice and nothing to be concerned about. Just make sure that you retrieve it when you check out of the hotel.

Kumuka endeavors to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Whereas, Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka can not be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third party.

Your tour leader will be able to organise any optional excursions on your behalf.  All activities are undertaken at passenger’s own risk.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

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