| Laos
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Laos, is a
land-locked country located in the center of Indochina in Southeast Asia. It has common borders with China, Myanmar,
Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Like the rest of south-east Asia, the country was occupied by foreign powers,
Siam (Thailand) France. However it escaped serious damage and after the war looked forward got fully independent in 1975 . Since then , the country has
gradually recovered and today is busy building up its economy.
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can customize any Laos vacation itinerary you desire including bike trips, city stays and full country visits. In addition we offer
several tours with guaranteed departure dates which we have listed below.
Reserve your airfare or use frequent flyer miles and join us on one of our
wonderful Laotian departures. All of our packages use Superior Class hotels in
each of the cities we visit.
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| Country
Overview
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Laos,
Laos is 236.800sq.km in land area, the major part being mountainous and
forested. Geographically, the country is divided into three areas: the North, the Central and the Southern parts. The
Mekong f lows through Laos and forms the major portion of the border
with Thailand. 60% of the water entering this
major river originates in Laos. The three highest mountains are all located in Xiengkouang province, Phu Bia, Phu Xao, Phu Xamxum
(Phu is the Lao word for mountain). Lao, P.D.R. has a population of approximately 4.8 million inhabitants (1 997) comprising 68 ethnic groups, such as
Hmong, Khmu, Yao, Akha, lkor, Lu, etc ... Each tribe with its own distinctive customs. The 68 minority groups in Laos are classified into three main groups.
- Lao Theung (uplander) 34% of the population who live along the foot hills
less than 3500 feet above the sea level.
- Lao Soung (hill tribes) 9% of the population who live in mountainous areas
about 3500 feet above the sea level.
- Lao Lum (lowland Lao) 57% of the population who live in the flat areas and
along the Mekong valleys and its tributaries, mostly in the cities.
The area comprising the present day Lao PDR appears to have been populated
since Neolothic times. Recent excavation near Luang Prabang have unearthed
evidence of prehistoric occupation, including stone axes,
amulets, copper tools
and burial sites. The people who occupy the present day Laos arrived in a
series of migrations from southern China, beginning in the early centuries AD,
The first Lao Kingdom was founded in 1353 by King Fa Ngum,who united
several smaller kingdoms and established his capital at Luang
Prabang.
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Click
here for more general info for travelers to Laos.
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| Weather
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on the city name to see the weather conditions
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| Vientaine
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| Itinerary
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| Luang
Prabang Classic Tour
5 Day / 4 Night
package from Vientaine to Luang Prabang and Pak Ou Caves and back to Vientaine. Departs on Aug.
4, 18, Sept. 1, 15, 29, Oct. 13, 27, Nov. 10, 24, Dec. 8 & 22,
2000. Rates are $459pp - Single Supplement only $99.
Day 1 -
Arrival in Vientaine (airport or Mittapab Bridge when arriving from Thailand)
and transfer to the hotel. Visit Wat Sisaket, Wat Hopha Keo, Pratuxai and That
Luang. Overnight stay in Vientaine.
Day 2 - In the
morning take a flight to Luang Prabang, the former residence of the royal
family. Transfer to the hotel. Visit Wat Visun, Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Probat.
Overnight stay in Luang Prabang.
Day 3 - By
boat 2 hours upstream on the Mekong River to the famous Pak Ou Caves. return
to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. Overnight stay in Luang Prabang.
Day 4 - In the
morning visits to the National Museum (formerly the royal palace) and the
Phousi Hill, afterwards take a one hour flight back to Vientaine. The
afternoon is at your disposal for shopiing or more sight-seeing. Overnight
stay in Vientaine.
Day 5 -
Transfer to the airport.
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