SOUTH EAST ASIALAOS  THAILAND 34 " I felt more confident travelling as part of a group in countries that were new to me. Our group worked really well. I enjoyed it all very much." Angela Bickerton south east asia Magical Laos Imaginative Facts Tour code: STMA • Activities: Optional bike riding, village walks, elephant riding, optional inner- tubing • Accommodation: 14 nights tourist class hotels • Transport: Private air- conditioned minibus/ coach, pick- up truck, boats and plane • Flights: Vientiane to Luang Prabang, Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and services of local guides and representatives • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Hua Hin Beach Extension' DAY 1: VIENTIANE- Arrive and check into your hotel. DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG- Guided tour of the highlights of Vientiane, Laos' capital city. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, the cultural, historical and religious centre of this amazing country, one of South East Asia's best kept secrets. ( BD) DAYS 3 & 4: LUANG PRABANG- Guided tour around Luang Prabang's most impressive sites. The rest of the time is free to relax or explore - there are many lovely walks with an abundance of temples and scenic waterfalls. You can hire a bike or wander the leafy streets, stopping at golden temples to chat with the monks. The monks and the Lao people in general are probably the most charming and peaceful people of South East Asia and this is a wonderful opportunity to explore at leisure a place that time forgot. ( B) DAYS 5 & 6: PLAIN OF JARS- Today we drive to the mysterious Plain of Jars. These huge jars are made from a stone not found in the area and no one knows the exact origin or use of these amazing artefacts, some as big as 6 tonnes! Take a guided tour of the plain with the rest of the time at leisure to explore. ( Day 5 - BD, Day 6 - B) DAY 7: VANG VIENG- Drive to the beautiful riverside village of Vang Vieng, situated in the heart of stunning limestone karst scenery. You will have time to hire a bicycle, explore on foot or float down the river on an inner-tube. ( BD) DAY 8: VIENTIANE- A relaxing start to the day followed by a drive back to Vientiane. ( B) DAYS 9 & 10: HINBOUN- Laos is one of the most forested countries on earth. Today we drive deep into the forest to Hinboun, site of an amazing 4 km long cave which the river flows through. There will be time to explore this incredible cave by boat and relax at Sala Hinboun to the sounds of the forest. ( B) DAY 11: CHAMPASAK- We leave our deep forest hideaway and travel south to Champasak, a small village on the Mekong located next to the wonderful ancient ruins of the Khmer temple at Wat Phu. ( B) DAY 12: DON KHONG ISLAND- We drive to the south of the country via the ancient and beautiful Khmer ruins of Wat Phu. We then continue to the island of Don Khong, situated in the middle of the Mekong where the river can widen to as much as 14 kilometres before cascading down waterfalls into neighbouring Cambodia. ( B) DAY 13: DON KHONG- Morning boat trip to Somphamit waterfalls and a chance to catch a glimpse of the Irrawaddy dolphins. ( BD) DAY 14: UBON RATCHATHANI- Drive into Thailand via Kiet Gong village where we take an elephant ride up to the hilltop ruins of Phu Asso. We join the locals for lunch. In the evening we board a flight to Bangkok. ( B) DAY 15: BANGKOK- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) A journey to the superb sights and pristine countryside of Laos • Visit the Imperial City of Luang Prabangand the sleepy capital Vientiane • Travel through dense forest to Hinboun via a mysterious 4 km long cave • Explore the mysterious Plain of Jarsand the karst scenery of Vang Vieng • Cruise the Mekong from Don Khong Island in search of rare river dolphins • Ride an elephantup to the hilltop ruins of Phu Asso Thailand Laos Houay Xai Chiang Mai Pakbeng Hanoi Sam NeuaMai Chau Vietnam Magical Laos Journey through Laos Hanoi to Bangkok Bangkok Ubon Ratchathani Don Khong Champasak Hinboun Vientiane Vang Vieng Plain of Jars Luang Prabang Single Supplement £ 225 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 930and local payment of US$ 230All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1050pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat VientianeBangkok 2009 10- Jan- 0924- Jan- 09 07- Mar- 0921- Mar- 09 06- Jun- 0920- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0911- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0908- Aug- 09 17- Oct- 0931- Oct- 09 14- Nov- 0928- Nov- 09 12- Dec- 0926- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat VientianeBangkok 2010 09- Jan- 1023- Jan- 10 06- Mar- 1020- Mar- 10 05- Jun- 1019- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1010- Jul- 10 24- Jul- 1007- Aug- 10 16- Oct- 1030- Oct- 10 13- Nov- 1027- Nov- 10 11- Dec- 1025- Dec- 10 You can really get to the Heart of the City on our Bangkok City Tour - either pre or post tour. See page 29. don't forget ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

LAOS  THAILAND  VIETNAM 35 SOUTH EAST ASIA Imaginative Facts Tour code: SAJL • Activities: Optional cycling in Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, optional inner- tubing in Vang Vieng, extensive walking in towns or at sites • Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels, 1 night village homestay, 2 nights sleeper trains • Transport: Local bus, overnight train, Mekong river boat, tuk tuk, songthaew ( pick- up truck) • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Hua Hin Beach Extension' DAY 1: BANGKOK- Arrive and transfer to your hotel. DAY 2: BANGKOK- Free day to explore this chaotic city. Overnight train to Nong Khai. ( B) DAY 3: VIENTIANE- Today we arrive at the ' Friendship Bridge' and our first glimpse of the mighty Mekong. We cross into the mysterious jungle republic of Laos and proceed to Vientiane, possibly the sleepiest capital city in the world. DAYS 4 & 5: VANG VIENG- Transfer by public bus to the peaceful riverside village of Vang Vieng. Free time to enjoy the many activities available here. You can cycle among the limestone karsts, inner tube down the river or just chill out amidst lovely scenery. DAYS 6 & 7: PLAIN OF JARS- Travel to Phonsavan which will be our base for exploring this mysterious area. You have a whole day to explore the ancient and mysterious Plain of Jars. Nobody knows the exact origin or use of these amazing artefacts, some as big as 6 tonnes! DAYS 8- 10: LUANG PRABANG- Continue by road to Luang Prabang, one of the most enchanting towns in South East Asia. There are two full free days to explore this wonderful centre of religion and royalty of old Laos. Hire a bike or wander the leafy streets, stopping at golden temples to chat with the monks. You may wish to explore further afield to one of the many waterfalls, temples or hilltops. DAY 11: PAKBENG- Travel by minivan or pick- up truck through jungle clad mountains via the market town of Udomxai. Our afternoon drive leads us to the mighty Mekong. We spend the night in a simple guesthouse in Pakbeng. DAY 12: HOUAY XAI- Take a journey up the meandering Mekong, travelling by public boat and passing through thick jungle, observing life on one of the world's most famous waterways. We transfer to our guesthouse in Houay Xai. DAY 13: CHIANG MAI- Today we cross the Mekong and take either a songthaew ( pick-up truck) or minivan to Thailand's northern capital Chiang Mai. Transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Bangkok. DAY 14: BANGKOK- Arrive and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free. DAY 15: BANGKOK- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) Everything an independent traveller could ask for • Visit the contrasting cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai and sleepy Vientiane • Discover enchanting Luang Prabang, religious centre of old Laos • Explore the ancient and mysterious Plain of Jars • Enjoy the limestone karst scenerynear Vang Vieng • Cruise through lush junglealong the mighty Mekongobserving river life Journey through Laos Imaginative Facts Tour code: SAHB • Activities: Extensive walking at sites, boat trip on the Mekong Delta • Accommodation: 11 nights basic hotels or guesthouses, 1 night hilltribe homestay, 1 night overnight train • Transport: Private minibus/ coach, public bus, boats, overnight train, songthaews ( pick- up trucks) • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and services of local guides and representatives • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Bangkok Heart of the City tour' DAY 1: HANOI- Arrive and check in to your hotel. DAY 2: MAI CHAU HOMESTAY- Today we drive east through stunning scenery to Mai Chau where we are guests of a White Thai family in their stilt house. ( BLD) DAYS 3 & 4: SAM NEUA- Today we travel across the border into Laos and onto Sam Neua. Visit the dramatic Pathet Lao caves used by the revolutionary insurgency during the Vietnam War. ( Day 3 - B) DAYS 5 & 6: PLAIN OF JARS- Today we drive on to the ' Stonehenge' of Laos, a little known collection of monolithic slabs of stone that protrude from the ground. We arrive in Phonsavan which will be our base for exploring this area. We then have a full day to explore the ancient and mysterious Plain of Jars. Nobody knows the exact origin or use of these amazing artefacts, some as big as 6 tonnes! DAYS 7- 9: LUANG PRABANG- Continue by road to Luang Prabang, one of the most enchanting towns in South East Asia. Enjoy two full free days to explore this wonderful centre of religion and royalty of old Laos. Hire a bike or wander the leafy streets, stopping at golden temples to chat with the monks. You may wish to explore further afield to one of the many waterfalls, temples or hilltops. DAY 10: PAKBENG - Travel by minivan or pick- up truck through jungle clad mountains via the market town of Udomxai. Our afternoon drive leads us to the mighty Mekong. We spend the night in a simple guesthouse in Pakbeng. DAY 11: HOUAY XAI - Enjoy a journey up the meandering Mekong, travelling by public boat and passing through thick jungle, observing life on one of the world's most famous waterways. We transfer to our guesthouse in Houay Xai. DAY 12: CHIANG MAI- Today we cross the Mekong and take either a songthaew ( pick-up truck) or minivan to Thailand's northern capital Chiang Mai. Transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Bangkok. DAY 13: BANGKOK- Arrive and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free. DAY 14: BANGKOK- Tour ends. ( B) Visit areas that have been off limits to travellers for years • A fabulous journey off the beaten track • Spend time with ethnic minorities • Explore the mysterious ' Plain of Jars' and the ' Stonehenge of Laos' • Cruise through thick jungle along the mighty Mekong observing river life • Discover enchanting Luang Prabang, religious centre of old Laos Vietnam Laos Thailand Hanoi to Bangkok Single Supplement £ 105 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.87 * Price includes tour price of £ 425and local payment of US$ 130All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 490pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 110 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 22.45 * Price includes tour price of £ 465and local payment of US$ 180All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 560pp Land Only * adventureradventurer Tour duration 15 daysTour duration 14 days Starts SatEnds Sat BangkokBangkok 2009 03- Jan- 0917- Jan- 09 31- Jan- 0914- Feb- 09 28- Feb- 0914- Mar- 09 28- Mar- 0911- Apr- 09 25- Apr- 0909- May- 09 23- May- 0906- Jun- 09 20- Jun- 0904- Jul- 09 18- Jul- 0901- Aug- 09 15- Aug- 0929- Aug- 09 12- Sep- 0926- Sep- 09 10- Oct- 0924- Oct- 09 07- Nov- 0921- Nov- 09 05- Dec- 0919- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat BangkokBangkok 2010 02- Jan- 1016- Jan- 10 30- Jan- 1013- Feb- 10 27- Feb- 1013- Mar- 10 27- Mar- 1010- Apr- 10 24- Apr- 1008- May- 10 22- May- 1005- Jun- 10 19- Jun- 1003- Jul- 10 17- Jul- 1031- Jul- 10 14- Aug- 1028- Aug- 10 11- Sep- 1025- Sep- 10 09- Oct- 1023- Oct- 10 06- Nov- 1020- Nov- 10 04- Dec- 1018- Dec- 10 Starts SunEnds Sat HanoiBangkok 2009 04- Jan- 0917- Jan- 09 01- Feb- 0914- Feb- 09 01- Mar- 0914- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0911- Apr- 09 26- Apr- 0909- May- 09 24- May- 0906- Jun- 09 21- Jun- 0904- Jul- 09 19- Jul- 0901- Aug- 09 16- Aug- 0929- Aug- 09 13- Sep- 0926- Sep- 09 11- Oct- 0924- Oct- 09 08- Nov- 0921- Nov- 09 06- Dec- 0919- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Sat HanoiBangkok 2010 03- Jan- 1016- Jan- 10 31- Jan- 1013- Feb- 10 28- Feb- 1013- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1010- Apr- 10 25- Apr- 1008- May- 10 23- May- 1005- Jun- 10 20- Jun- 1003- Jul- 10 18- Jul- 1031- Jul- 10 15- Aug- 1028- Aug- 10 12- Sep- 1025- Sep- 10 10- Oct- 1023- Oct- 10 07- Nov- 1020- Nov- 10 05- Dec- 1018- Dec- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243