Laos Cuisine & Culture Tour Itinerary
REF:
ASL5
VERSION:
4
| Duration: | 6 days - Luang Prabang to Luang Prabang |
| Countries Visited: | Laos |
| Age Guide: | 18-65 years |
| Max Group Size: | 12 |
| Transport: | Private Vehicle, Boat, On Foot |
| Accommodation: | Hotels (4 Nights), Village Homestay (1 Night) |
| What's Included: | 5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners - All Activities and Entrance Fees as per Itinerary - Escorted Tour - English Speaking Local Tour Leader and/or Local Guides - Luang Prabang - Silk Dyeing Class, Cooking Class - Tribal Village Homestay |
| Local Payment: | NO LOCAL PAYMENT |
| Highlights: | Laos - Luang Prabang UNESCO Town - Baci Ceremony Dance & Dinner - Ethnology Museum - Silk Dyeing Class - Mekong River - Cooking Class - Khmu Tribal Village - H'mong Tribal Homestay - Kuang Si Waterfalls - Bear Rescue Centre - Tad Pan Market |
| Optional Highlights: | No optional highlights |
| Meeting Point: | Villa Chitdara
Khounsua Road
Ban Vat Nong
Luang Prabang
Laos
Tel: +856 71 254949 |
| Introduction: | Immerse yourself into the culture and cuisine of Laos. Based mainly in the beautiful UNESCO town of Luang Prabang, this short tour combines cooking and artisan classes, with a jungle hike to a Khmu tribal village. Stay overnight in a traditional H'mong homestay, giving you an insight into the lives of the ethnic minority villagers. |
| Day 1: | Luang Prabang. The Pre Departure Meeting will be held in the hotel reception and will take place at 6pm. The meeting will give you the chance to meet your fellow travellers and Tour Guide. After the meeting you will enjoy a special Baci ceremony dance and dinner in a UNESCO preserved building. (D)
If you are arriving on Day 1 then an arrival transfer is included. Please ensure that you have provided Kumuka with your flight arrival details to enable us to organise this transfer. |
| Day 2: | Luang Prabang - Silk Dyeing Class. Luang Prabang is the jewel of Indochina, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The ancient royal city is surrounded by mountains at the junction of the Mekong and its tributary, the Khan river. In the centre of the city is Mount Phousi with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills. Luang Prabang is a city where time seems to stand still. Once occupied by the French, it has some typical French provincial architecture, which adds a foreign flavour to the street scene. Luang Prabang is principally famous for its many historic temples and as you walk around you will see the gleaming temple roofs. French influence is very strong here and you will find that reflected in the delicious food.
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.
In the late morning, travel to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, a private museum recently opened to explain about the livelihoods of Laos’ ethnic minorities. You’ll learn many interesting facts about the hill tribes of Northern Laos.
Then transfer to the Living Crafts Centre. Spend the afternoon in a stunning Mekong riverside garden. Prepare natural dyes and dye your own silk scarves. The workshop looks at silkworms, natural dyes and weaving techniques. The afternoon’s programme is interactive and full of fascinating information - a unique and entertaining opportunity to learn about silk weaving. Meet the silkworms with an introduction to silkworms and the types of silk they produce. After preparing the dye sources, dye white scarves in your chosen colours. Try weaving and spinning on the demonstration looms. Then stroll around the garden, enjoy a cocktail, and maybe nibble on some tasty fried silkworms! Watch the sun dip behind the mountains on the Mekong. (B) |
| Day 3: | Luang Prabang - Cooking Class. In the morning after breakfast, travel to the colourful and vibrant Phosy market with your chef and learn about traditional Laos ingredients. Make your guided food selections in the market, and then proceed to the cooking school where you will be taught how to cook Laotian style. The chef will explain to you the differences between South East Asian cuisines and distribute printed recipes providing you with the possibility to cook Lao food for your friends at home! Enjoy the lunch that you prepared! (B,L) |
| Day 4: | Luang Prabang - Khmu Tribal Village, H'mong Village Homestay. This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the south of Luang Prabang. We trek for about four hours through rice paddies, middle canopy and steep slopes to a Khmu Village where we have lunch. Here you wilget an insight into village life and culture.
We continue trekking to Long Lao Village where we overnight. In the evening there will be H'mong traditional dances, and we have dinner at the head man's house. (B,L,D)
Trekking: about 6-7 hours
Please note that you should take a day pack with you with only the things that you will need for the overnight homestay. Excess luggage can be left at the hotel in Luang Prabang. You will be carrying your own day pack for the trek. |
| Day 5: | Luang Prabang. After breakfast in the village there is time to explore before we set out to trek through conservation area to Kuang Si Waterfalls. The trek takes about 3 hours. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers, and down several hundred feet, into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The water has a clear blue-green tint due to the high mineral content. Enjoy a swim in the waters before lunch in front of the falls.
We continue to visit a bear rescue centre, and the market of Tad Pan Village. Here you can buy traditional souvenirs.
Then we transfer to Luang Prabang where we check into the hotel, and the remainder of the day is free at leisure. (B,L)
Trekking: about 4-5 hours. |
| Day 6: | Luang Prabang. The tour ends after breakfast. (B)
If you are flying out of Luang Prabang today then you will be transferred to the airport. Please ensure that you have provided Kumuka with your flight details |
| Finishing Hotel: | Villa Chitdara
Khounsua Road
Ban Vat Nong
Luang Prabang
Laos
Tel: +856 71 254949 |
| Please Note: | Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible.
Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.
This itinerary will be followed as closely as possible. However there may be times when it is necessary to change the route according to local conditions. There will be times travelling long hours as there will be days where we have to cover great distances. Weather patterns can change dramatically - high altitudes tend to be a lot cooler.
You are free not to participate in any of the included excursions. However, please note that there will be no refund for any excursions not taken.
Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances. |
| What's Not Included: | All optional excursions and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, drinks, visas, tipping, pre-tour and post-tour accommodation. |
| Pre Departure Meeting: | The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY of the scheduled departure date. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers.
In each departure city we have named a joining hotel from where the tour will leave. It is your responsibility to make your way to this hotel. Your Tour Leader will leave a notice at reception on the first day of departure with information as to where he/she can be contacted and you should inform him/her that you have arrived.
PLEASE ADVISE KUMUKA OR YOUR AGENT IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING.
In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the necessary travel documents, insurance and immunization certificates for the tour. It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.
All passengers MUST bring:
1. Passport.
2. Vaccination Certificate.
3. Travel Voucher.
4. Travel Insurance Policy.
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 before when you check out of the hotel. |
| Insurance: | 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. |
| Passport: | Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited. |
| Visa Requirements: | 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. |
| Departure Taxes: | Laos – Departure Taxes are generally included in airfares.
Please note that these taxes are subject to change. |
| Medical Information and Vaccination: | 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. |
| Security: |
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Do not take unnecessary valuables with you.
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A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to
carry passports, airline tickets and money.
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DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Asia, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT
BOXES. Items are left at the individuals’ risk.
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Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded
markets; you must always exercise care.
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Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.
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| Money: | 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. |
| Tiping and Bargaining: | Tipping is not expected in South East Asia, but salaries are very low and any gratuities for good service will be gratefully accepted. Bargaining is the rule in markets, when hiring vehicles and sometimes even when taking a room, but in most countries you won't need to be as forceful as you would in Thailand or Vietnam.
NOTE: In order to ensure that you receive the best service from our local guides and operators we use throughout the tour, we operate a Tip Kitty. For this we request an amount of: US$25
The tip kitty is monitored during the tour and detailed in a tip kitty report form for the tour leader to record all tipping expenses for the tour - and they will ask a passenger to sign as reference. |
| Luggage and Personal Equipment: | How much should I take?
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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.
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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.
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A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your
belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.
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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!!
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| Personal Effects: | We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour leader will advise where laundry facilities are available.
Personal Effects:
Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Torch, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes /CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.
NOTE: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are uncommon. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses. |
| Local Customs: | 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. |
| Festivals (Laos): | Laos New Year
New Year takes place in April in Laos, the hottest time of the year, which is also the start of the monsoon season in Laos when their crops grow. It is generally celebrated at full moon, or close to the full moon. and the festival lasts for 3 days. Homes and villages are cleaned, sand stupas are constructed at the temples and decorated, and Buddha images are decorated with flowers. There are many pageants, traditional music and dancing. Water features heavily in these celebrations, so if your tour coincides with the New year please be prepared to get wet! The people are very friendly and don't mean any harm, but if you are out driving or walking on the streets they are very likely to squirt you with water. The purpose is to wish a long and healthy life for themselves, but they are also wishing the same for you. |
| Books and Reading Material: | 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. |
| Climate Information: |
For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com.
Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything! |
| Time: | For detailed information see www.timezoneconverter.com or www.timeanddate.com |
| Language: | Lao or Laotian, is the official language of Laos. It is a tonal language of the Tai family, and is so closely related to the Isan language of the northeast region of Thailand that the two are often classed as one language. The writing system of Lao also closely related to the writing system used in Thai.
The Lao language can be divided into five main dialects :
Vientiane Lao, the predominant dialect due to its use in the capital (whence it gets its name), is widely understood throughout the country, and all the dialects are for the most part mutually intelligible. English, and more commonly French will be spoken in the larger cities. You might like to take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable. |
| Food: | 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. French Baguettes are found in the larger towns, served for breakfast, filled as a sandwich with pate, moo yor (a pork lunchmeat), vegetables, and chile sauce. Baguettes are also dunked into coffee for breakfast. |
| Photography: | Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.
It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installation |
| Accommodation: | 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. |
| Arriving: | Pre-booked transfers - If you have booked an arrival transfer, please look for our representative who will be holding a sign with your name or Kumuka once you have cleared Customs and Immigration.
Making Your Own Way - The Meeting Point for your tour is advised at the beginning of this dossier. If you have not arranged for us to meet and transfer you on arrival and are therefore making your own way to the Meeting Point it is best upon arrival at to take a metered taxi. Drivers may want to negotiate a price before leaving the airport. Do not agree to this, insist that they switch on the meters and pay the amount that it displays when you arrive at your destination. |
| Optional Activities: | 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. |
| Drug Policy: | Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund. |
| Staying in Touch: | 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! |
| Tour Feedback: | Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback
Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com |
| Contact Details: | KUMUKA WORLDWIDE
UK OFFICE
Hillswood Business Park
3000 Hillswood Drive Chertsey KT16 0RS
Tel: 020 7937 8855 Fax: 020 7937 6664
Email: sales@kumuka.com
www.kumuka.com
AUSTRALIAN OFFICE Level 5, 387 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: 02 9279 0491 Fax: 02 9279 0492
Email: sales@kumuka.com.au www.kumuka.com.au |
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This tour is operated by Kumuka Worldwide. Information given in all brochures, leaflets
and dossiers is given in good faith by the company, and is based on the latest information
available at the date of publication. The company reserves the right to change any
of the facilities or vehicles described in the brochure without becoming liable
for compensation or refund. |
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