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Luxury EscapadesPrivateJourneyHighlightsCeladon Kiln Site Study and Conservation Centerat Ban Ko Noi. Continue driving to Chiang Maivia Lampang, with a stop at Phra That LampangLuang. Check into your hotel. Chedi / MandarinDhara Dhevi / Four Seasons - 2 nights (B)Day 5: Chiang MaiEarly this morning, enjoy a 30-minute trishawride to the covered market. Purchase food,sweets and flowers as offerings and continue toWat Ket by trishaw. Make the offerings to themonks and receive their blessing. Afternoondrive to the mountain temple of Wat PrathatDoi Suthep. Climb the Naga staircase to visit theexquisite golden pagoda. Continue on a driveup the mountain by ‘songtaew’ (converted pickuptruck) to the Chang Khien Coffee ResearchProject and savour a cup of the local ‘arabica’coffee. Afterwards, visit the white Hmong villageof Chang Khien where the inhabitants still weartheir traditional hill tribe clothes and practice aculture that dates back 500 years. (B)Day 6: To Luang PrabangToday you will fly to Luang Prabang, the crownjewel of Laos and perhaps the best-preservedtraditional city in Southeast Asia. Magical andcharming, Luang Prabang has preserved its longstandingreputation as a stronghold of Lao culturewith its splendid natural scenery and sense oftimelessness. Transfer to your hotel. La ResidencePhou Vao Hotel (Mountain Pool View) - 3 nights (B)Day 7: Luang PrabangAfter breakfast, proceed on a guided city tour bytuk-tuk (rickshaw). Visit the former Royal Palace(closed on Tuesday), now the National Museum.Continue on foot to Wat Mai, a temple renownedfor its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm,which features a dazzling golden facade. Finishthe morning tour with a visit to the beautiful WatXieng Thong.Following lunch, enjoy a guided tuk-tuk ride tothe electric powered bike station. After a shortbriefing, spend the rest of the day touring thewww.coxandkings.commajestic town of Luang Prabang by electric bike,a fun and eco-friendly way to explore! Begin witha short ride to the Traditional Art & EthnologyCenter (closed on Mondays). Continue tothe Elephant Asia Show, an outdoor museumfocused on elephant preservation. Continue ontothe Phosy Market where you can treat your tastebuds to some exotic local fruits.Finally, it is time to return your bikes to thestation before heading to the Phou Vao for yourcooking class. Led by Chef Mr. Chantanong fromLa Résidence Phou Vao, it is a fun, hands-onexperience to learn the techniques used to createthe local cuisine. Enjoy a delicious dinner whichyou have helped prepare. Participants will alsoreceive a book of Lao recipes and a certificatefrom the chef. (B, D)Day 8: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves – LuangPrabangOption: Early risers can participate in a veryspecial dawn visit to watch the monks gather fortheir morning alms. As the sun begins to rise,long lines of orange-robed monks leave theirpagodas and walk barefoot down the streets,collecting offerings from local residents.This morning, board the Nava Mekong traditionalriver boat for a leisurely cruise of the mysticalMekong River. Cruise upstream and disembark tovisit the famous Pak Ou caves at the confluenceof the Mekong and Nam Ou River. The caves,nestled in a limestone cliff, are filled withhundreds of sacred centuries-old, gold-lacqueredBuddha statues. At lunchtime, the boat docks atthe foot of the limestone cliffs. Early afternoon,cruise back to Luang Prabang.This afternoon, participate in the Baci, a unique,traditional Lao ceremony. Cotton threads aretied around the participants’ wrist while theyreceive individual blessings. Continue to climbthe 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi toenjoy panoramic views of the city. Visit theevening hill tribe market and enjoy dinner at alocal restaurant. (B, L, D)• Visit Wat Po, Temple of theReclining Buddha and ornateGrand Palace in Bangkok• Explore Thailand’s originalcapital, Sukhothai• Experience a Trishaw Ridein Chiang Mai• Tour Luang Prabang bytuk-tuk and electric bike• Cruise the mystical MekongRiver and the emeraldwaters of Halong Bay• Enjoy a private baci(welcome) ceremony inLuang Prabang• Boat excursion on thePerfume River• Visit the amazing complexof underground tunnelsat Cu Chi• Tour the enchantingtemples of Angkor WatOptionals• A unique dawn visit towatch the monks collectingalms in Luang Prabang• Visit to the waterpuppetry village in theRed River Delta• Discover the garden housesof Hué or visit Sinh village• Half-day visit to Tra QueVegetable Village in Hoi An• Visit Truc Mai House for amusical performanceNote: Please contact your tourconsultant for further details.Asia & Pacific 2011 I 55