4D3N North East Thailand Greet The Monkey Year Tour IN Vientiane OUT Bangkok (extension in Vientiane or BKK possible)

Transcription

1 EL SOL TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD T KKKP: 0194 Tel: Fax: D3N North East Thailand Greet The Monkey Year Tour IN Vientiane OUT Bangkok (extension in Vientiane or BKK possible) Visit Phra That Phanom, one of Thailand s holiest, enshrining the Buddha's breast bone and pilgrimage spot for those of Monkey zodiac sign. Pay respects at Wat Pa Sutthawat where the relics of highly respected arahants Ajahn Mun, Ajahn Loui and Ajahn Maha Boowa are enshrined. Christians can pray at the St. Michael Catholic Church of Sakhon Nakhon s Tha Rae Christian Community. YOU WILL ALSO VISIT: * UNESCO World Heritage Ban Chiang pre-historic site * Sakhon Nakhon's Phra That Choeng Chum stupa * Phu Pha Thoeb National Park (including famous "Camel Rock") * Mekong Indo China markets of Mukdahan and Nakhon Phanom * Ho Chi Minh's house (he stayed in Thailand for a brief time) * sight-seeing boat ride on the Mekong River at Nakhon Phanom

2 DAY 1: Vientiane arrival - Nong Khai Ban Chiang Sakon Nakhon (L/D) Depart KLIA2 on 7.40am Air Asia flight to Vientiane, Laos. Arrival 9.20am and transfer to Nong Khai town of Thailand by crossing the Mekong River using the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. Lunch in Nong Khai. Then to Ban Na Kha silk textile market village. Transfer to visit UNESCO World Heritage Ban Chiang (including entrance fees to Ban Chiang Museum). Ban Chiang is considered the most important prehistoric settlement so far discovered in South-East Asia, with the earliest evidence of farming in the region and of the manufacture and use of metals. It is noted for its attractive red painted pottery. Then transfer to Sakon Nakhon city to overnight. DAY 2: Sakon Nakhon - Mukdahan (B/L/D) At Sakon Nakhon city, visit Phra That Choeng Chum stupa (sacred religious monument of Sakon Nakhon Province that also appears on one side of the 10 satang coin), nearby Nong Han Lake park (the lake is the largest natural lake of North East Thailand) and Wat Suthawat (where the relics of Ajahn Mun and 2 of his disciples Ajahn Loui and Ajahn Maha Boowa can be viewed. Ajahn Mun is one of the most highly revered monks in Thai history. He revitalised the Thai Forest Tradition by living as closely to the way the historical Buddha lived as possible.).

3 Then visit Tha Rae s St. Michael Church. Tha Rae sub-district is home to a large community of Catholics that settled down here in Tha Rae is currently the base of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Thare and Nonseng; which covers provinces of Kalasin, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon. Around the church are a few heritage buildings of French influenced design. Then transfer to Mukdahan Province to visit Phu Pha Thoeb National Park, where you find bizarre shaped rocks, including one resembling a camel. Continue to Mukdahan town and visit the Indochina market, located along the Mekong River, with Laos opposite. Overnight in Mukdahan. DAY 3: Mukdahan - Nakhon Phanom (B/L/D) Morning, visit Mukdahan Tower, which was built in 1996 and has a height of 65m. Enjoy the view from the observation deck and the exhibits on the ethnic peoples that live in Mukdahan province.

4 Transfer to Nakhon Phanom Province. Visit Phra That Phanom, which according to legend, contains The Buddha's breast bone, therefore making it one of the most important Theravada Buddhist structures in the region. It was originally built in the 16th century by the Laotian King Setthathirath of Lanxang, but has seen undergone many rebuilds and renovations. In Thai folk Buddhism, Phra That Phanom is a popular pilgrimage destination for those born in the year of the Monkey. Then visit former House of Ho Chi Minh., located in Ban Na Chok village. Ho Chi Minh sometimes stayed here in the period when he was planning his resistance movement against the French colonialists. Arrival at Nakhon Phanom town; visit old Governor House (where King Bhumibol stayed 1 night in 1955; now it is a museum documenting the King s visit and the history of Nakhon Phanom), Old Clock Tower (built in 1960 by the local Vietnamese community), Phra That Nakhon (this principle stupa of the town is a holy place for people born on a Saturday and is believed to grant the wish of ones that are considered a respectful leader) and Saint Anna Church (originally built in 1926; this current version dates from the 1970s). Then take sight-seeing boat ride on Mekong River and visit the IndoChina market. Overnight in Nakhon Phanom.

5 DAY 4: Nakhon Phanom departure (B) Transfer to airport for 10.10am Air Asia flight to Don Muang Bangkok, arriving 11.25am. Then catch 2.55pm Air Asia flight to KLIA2, arriving 6.10pm. RATES: per person, twin share basis, according to group sizes as below, valid from FEB to OCT Surcharges may apply for festival season such as Songkran Apr (to be advised) 8 paxs: RM paxs: RM paxs: RM 1490 Single Supp.: RM 200 Rates & itinerary subject to change in FOREX rates, unforeseen surcharges, weather, local conditions, etc. INCLUSIVE: a) Airport transfers and tour excursion on private basis b) 3 star hotel accommodation c) Meals as indicated in itinerary above d) English speaking tour guide e) Entrance fees for attractions as per itinerary including Mekong boat cruise f) 2 x 500ml bottles of drinking water /person/day (except last day) EXCLUDING: a) Air ticket, airport taxes & fuel surcharges. Itinerary based on Air Asia KL- Vientiane, Nakhon Phanom-Don Muang & Don Muang-KL flights b) Travel insurance can be arranged separately c) Malaysian passport holders don t need visa to enter Laos and Thailand; other nationalities to be advised. Laos Customs Border crossing fee of 50 baht /person applies at Thai-Lao Border; please pay direct at counter. d) Tipping for guide and driver: recommended minimum 400 baht/traveller for whole tour; pay direct at end of tour. e) Expenses of personal nature such as optional activities not part of itinerary, laundry charges, room mini-bar charges, tipping for hotel/restaurant/etc. staff.