Mekong Tour
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| The Majestic Countries of Mekong ( Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand ) |
On behalf of GOLD BACKED I have the great honour to welcome you on your travels to the countries of the Mekong . The mighty Mekong River , starting from China and flowing down through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and eventually ending in Vietnam, has been the life blood for civilizations since more than 5,000 years before the birth of Christ . The natural fertility that it brought to this region, has been the basis for the evolution of some of the most magnificent cultures in the world.
Be it Cambodia : " the Land of Angkor " , or Myanmar " the Golden Land " , or Laos : " the Kingdom of the Million Elephants " , or Thailand : " the Land of Smiles ", or Vietnam : " the Land of Mountains and River Deltas " . in every country touched by the Mekong River , you will be able to see and enjoy the gret cultures , the food and the beautiful scenery found no place else in the world.
The Mekong countries are now a region of peace and stability . It is safe to travel here because it is not touched by the major conflicts that plague other parts of our world . People from any country in the world , from any religion and ethnic background are welcomed e=with the same hospitality and friendliness that is the trademark of the Mekong people .To travel and relax here with peace of mind , will truly make your holiday the most enjoyable and memorable.
Travel in the Mekong countries is easy now. All countries have much better roads and means of transport, more air links, more border crossings for international travel , and very easy visa application . This is a real bonus for tourism because now everyone can make the trip that fits their interests, their budget and the time available. Both for short holidays or long holidays, one can now make any imaginable combination of country and region.
Most attractions can be found at a relatively short distance from each other. This gives travelers the opportunity to enjoy a combination of highlights such as leisure at Thailand 's world class beaches, visit one of the Wonders of the Ancient world : Angkor Wat , visit the UNESCO's World Heritage sites in Laos and Vietnam , experience Myanmar 's colourful ethnic minority groups , and do some serious shopping in Thailand.
And for those who like to have an active holiday , all this can be combined with adventure , trekking , home stay , mountain biking sea kayaking diving , rafting etc. etc.
The long-haul air links to the region from Japan , Australia , Europe and American have dramatically increased. Thailand remains the main gate way to travel to the Mekong , but there are also very good direct links through Hong Kong , Singapore , Malaysia , Taiwan and Tokyo.
As a leading tour operator , GOLD BACKED , guarantees that you will not be disappointed. We have a proven track record of topquality services , which reliabitity and care , to the full satisfaction of our clients.
We have built long term cooperation with many travel agents all over the world . You can rely on us, and rest assured that your valued customers are in good hands.
This brochure presents a selection of the most popular tour progammes that we have on offer . However , this broucher is not exhaustive . Let your imagination play with you and we will be able to provide the tailor-made trips that will fit exactly the wishes and requirements of your clients.
Besides this we are also more than willingto work with travel agents to develop tour itineraries that will be the most attractive in your specific market.
We are looking forward to be at your service!
Oscar M. Lynn
General Manager, Gold Backed Travels & Tours.
Travel in the Mekong Region
New Frontiers to a unique experience
The 5 countries the comprise the Mekong Region attract millions of visitors from around the world every year. Yet at the same time they can be regarded as the last frontier of travel in Asia . Thailand is since long one of the world's major tourist destinations, but due to historical reasons very few people ventured beyond Thailand 's borders. Now, the start of the new millennium this has all drastically changed. The Mekong Regions is a zone of peace and stability. Previously isolated countries with closed borders have opened up, inaccessible areas can now be traveled because of better infra-structure, and safely and security are no longer a worry for the international traveler. As a result of these drastic changes the countries of the Mekong are being discovered as a new and exciting destination.
Covering a land area of about 2.3 million square kilometers and a population of roughly 237 million, the Mekong countries are endowed with an immensely rich cultural heritage and a kaleidoscope of stunning natural scenery. They are home to some of the world's must-see icons, including a large number of UNESCO-designated World Heritage sites. Their large diversity ethnic groups, each with their own languages customs, traditions, folklore, cuisine and history date back thousand of years. All these form unique cultural tourism products and destinations which appeal to visitors from all regions and all walks of life.
Each of the Mekong countries owns its specific inimitable natural charms, which serve tourists' desire to experience the outstanding and unique places. This coincides with the possibility to enjoy special interest out-door activities such as cycling, trekking, home stay, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, diving. But also the possibility for example to follow an Asian cooking course or a traditional massage course, and of course last but not least: shopping and souvenirs hunting.
The proximity of the 5 countries and the accessibility via the inter-regional transportation modes by road, air and boat, make it possible to set up an unlimited variety of tour programmes, each with its own highlights catering for the wishes of the individual traveler.
Visiting more than 1 country
New Routes - itineraries that fit the traveler's dreams.
One of the exciting new aspects of traveling the Mekong countries is that travel between the various countries has become so easy. First of all there are many points where the border can be crossed by international travelers. Secondly at several of these border crossings and entry points it is possible to receive a visa on arrival. ( For more information please see under each country section ). And the third reason why travel has become so much easier is that the infrastructure by road and air has improved a lot, creating many more connections. So, all-in-all there are many more options for interesting travel routes. One can easily visit two or three countries in a single trip. Each traveler can design his/her tour itinerary that fits exactly what are their interests and the way they want to spend their interests and the way they want to spend their holidays. So it is not any longer a matter of having to chose between either one option and another option. Now it is possible to combine two or more highlights in the same trip. For example one can easily combine a visit to the hill people of Northern Laos with a week relaxation at one of Thailand 's superb beaches. Or one can travel over land from the magnificent landscape of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam , via the Temples of Angkor to the beach in Thailand . Etc. etc. Any combination is possible.
Also the tour itinerary can be set up in such a way that it fits the time is available for the holiday. It is possible to make the route longer or shorter in a very flexible way and one can choose between over-land travel and air-travel for various sectors of the route, thereby making the time spent exactly as required.
Great itineraries for traveling the Mekong Region
In this section we will propose a number of tour itineraries that are quite popular, and which combine the highlights of two or more countries in the same trip. Please follow the routing on the comprehensive map in this brochure.
Each of these tour programmes can be used as a basis for further planning. They can be shortened or they can be extended. Also extra days can be added if one wants to spend more days at one place. From the map and the detailed information in each of the country sections you can also see that there are several possibilities for short-cuts and for optional extensions.
Note: for more information and details of each of the stopovers and places of sightseeing please see the specific country sections further in this brochure. Or send us an e-mail. It would be our pleasure to assist you or to receive your booking.Programme 1:
Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand
Day 1: Arrive by flight in Hanoi . Free at Leisure.
Day 2: Travel by car to Halong Bay , visit traditional craft villages on the way.
Afternoon: boarding for a cruise on Halong Bay.
Overnight on the boat.
Day 3: Continue cruise on Halong Bay and visit various caves on the numerous island in Halong Bay. Afternoon: return to Hanoi
Day 4: City tour in Hanoi to visit all the interesting land marks.
Evening: enjoy water puppet show.
Day 5: Travel by train to Hue . Free at Leisure.
Day 6: Sight seeing in Hue . Overnight in Hue .
Day 7: Travel by car from Hue to Hoi An via Danang. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Sightseeing in Hoi An to Hue . Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Travel by car from Hoi An to Danang and catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh city .
Day 10: Visit the Mekong Dalta. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city .
Day 11: Travel by car from Ho Chi Minh city to Phnom Penh . On the way visit the Cu Chi tunnels.
Day 12: Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
Day 13: Travel by boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Free at leisure.
Day 14: Visit the temples of Angkor .
Day 15: Visit the temples of Angkor .
Day 16: Travel by car from Siem Reap to Bangkok .
Note: For travelers coming from Europe and America who want to follow this programme it would worth while to investigate if it is possible to purchase a long haul ticket with open-jaw: landing in Hanoi and embarking for the return flight home in Bangkok.
Programme 2:
Thailand - Northern Laos - Southern Laos - Cambodia - Thailand
Day 1: From Bangkok travel by night train to Chiang Mai. Sightseeing in Chiang Mai. Overnight at Chiang Mai.
Day 2: Travel by car from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Overnight at Chiang Rai.
Day 3: Early morning cross the border into Laos and travel by boat over the Mekong river to Park Beng.Visit ethnic minority people along the way. Overnight in Park Beng.
Day 4: Continue by boat from Park Beng to Luang Prabang. On the way visit the Park Ou caves. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 5: Sightseeing in Luang Prabang.
Day 6: Sightseeing in Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Travel by car from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 8: Sightseeing in Vang Vieng. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 9: Travel by car from Vang Vieng to Vientiane. Sightseeing in Vientiane . Overnight in Vientiane .
Day 10: Travel by airplane from Vientiane to Pakse. Free at Lei Sure.
Day 11: Travel by boat over the Mekong to Wat Pou and onward to Si Pan Don. Overnight at Don Khon island.
Day 13: Travel by boat from Si Pan Don to the Lao-Cambodia border and cross into Cambodia . Travel by boat onward to Stung Treng and onward by car to Rattanakiri.
Day 14: sightseeing in Rattanakiri
Day 15: sightseeing in Rattanakiri
Day 16: Travel by car to Stung Treng. Overnight in Stung Treng.
Day 17: Travel by boat from Stung Treng to Kratie and onward to Kompong Cham.
Day 18: Sightseeing in Kompong Cham. Overnight in Kompong Cham.
Day 19: Travel by car from Kompong Cham to Phnom Penh .
Day 20: Travel by boat to Siem Reap. Free at Leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 21: Visit the temples of Angkor .
Day 22: Visit the temples of Angkor .
Day 23: Travel by car from Siem Reap to Bangkok .
Note: to shorten the trip there are the following options:
Programme 3:
Thailand - Southern Laos - Cambodia - Thailand
Day 1: Travel by train or by car from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani. Overnight in Ubon Ratchathani
Day 2: Sightseeing in Ubon Ratchathani. Overnight in Ubon Ratchathani.
Day 3: Travel by car to the city of Pakse in Laos . Sightseeing in Pakse. Overnight in Pakse.
Day 4: Travel by boat over the Mekong to Wat Pou and onward to Si Pan Don.
Overnight at Don Khon island.
Day 5: See the waterfalls of Khon Praphaeng. Overnight at Don Khon island.
Day 6: Travel by boat from Si Pan Don to the Lao-Cambodia border and cross into Cambodia .
Travel by boat onward to Stung Treng and onward by car to Rattanakiri. Overnight in Rattanakiri.
Day 7: Sightseeing in Rattandkiri. Overnnight in Rattanakiri.
Day 8: Sightseeing in Rattanakiri. Overnight in Rattanakiri.
Day 9: Travel by car to Stung Treng. Overnight in Stung Treng.
Day 10: Travel by boat from Stung Treng to Kratie and onward Kompong Cham.
Day 11: Sightseeing in Kompong Cham. Overnight in Kompong Cham.
Day 12: Travel by car from Kompong Cham to Phnom Penh . Sightseeing in Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phnom Penh .
Day 13: Travel by boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Free at Leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Visit the temples of Angkor.
Day 15: Visit the temples of Angkor.
Day 16: Travel by car from Siem Reap to Bangkok .
Programme 4: ( Crossing Border Overland Trip)
Thailand - Myanmar - Thailand.
Day 1: Travel from Bangkok to Tak province. Overnight in Tak.
Day 2: Travel by car from Tak to the border crossing at Mae Sot and enter Myanmar at Myawadi Travelonward to Kyaikhto to visit the Pagoda of the Golden Rock. Overnight in Kyaikhto.
Day 3: Sightseeing in Kyaikhto. Experience the mystic and serene atmosphere of this temple in early morning. Later in the day travel to Bago. Overnight in Bago.
Day 4: Sightseeing in Bago. Late in the afternoon travel to Yangon . Overnight in Yangon .
Day 5: Sightseeing in Yangon . Overnight in Yangon .
Day 6: Sightseeing in Yangon . Take the night bus to Mandalay . Overnight on the bus.
Day 7: Arrive in Mandalay . Free at leisure. Overnight in Mandalay .
Day 8: Sightseeing in Mandalay . Overnight in Mandalay .
Day 9: Take the boat to Bagan. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 10: Sightseeing in Bagan. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 11: Travel back to Mandalay . Free at leisure. Overnight in Mandalay .
Day 12: Travel from Mandalay to the Inlay Lake . Overnight at the Inlay Lake . ( Option: it is possible to make a stop over Kalaw Hill station to visit ethnic minority people and do some soft trekking adventure ).
Day 13: Sightseeing at the Inlay Lake . Overnight at the Inlay Lake . ( Option: it is possible to make a stop over at Kalaw Hill Station to visit ethnic minority people and do some soft trekking adventure).
Day 14: Travel from the Inlay Lake to Kyaing Tong. Overnight in Kyaing Tong.
Day 15: Sightseeing in Kyaing Tong. Overnight in Kyaing Tong.
Day 16: Sightseeing in Kyaing Tong. Overnight in Kyaing Tong.
Day 17: Travel from Kyaing Tong to Tachileik at the border with Thailand, enter Thailand and proceed to Chiang Rai. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 18: Sightseeing in Chiang Rai: Elephant trekking. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 19: Travel from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai and onward to Koh Samui for some well earned leisure time at one of Thailand magnificent beaches.
Programme 5:
Thailand - Myanmar - China - Laos - Thailand
Day 1: Travel from Bangkok to Tak province. Overnight in Tak.
Day 2: Travel by car from Tak to the border crossing at Mae Sot and enter Myanmar at Myawadi. Travel onward to Kyaikhto to visit the Pagoda of the Golden Rock. Overnight in Kyaikhto.
Day 3: Sightseeing in Kyaikhto. Experience the mystic and serene atmosphere of this temple in early morning. Later in the day travel to Bago. Overnight in Bago.
Day 4: Sightseeing in Bago. Late in the afternoon travel to Yangon . Overnight in Yangon .
Day 5: Sightseeing in Yangon .Overnight in Yangon .
Day 6: Sightseeing in Yangon .Take the night bus to Mandalay .Overnight on the bus.
Day 7: Arrive in Mandalay . Free at leisure. Overnight in Mandalay .
Day 8: Sightseeing in Mandalay . Overnight in Mandalay .
Day 9: Take the boat to Bagan. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 10: Sightseeing in Bagan. Overnight in Bagan.
Day 11: Travel back to Mandalay . Free at leisure. Overnight in Mandalay .
Day 12: Travel from Mandalay to Lashio. Overnight in Lashio.
Day 13: Sightseeing in Lashio. Overnight in Lashio.
Day 14: Travel from Lashio to Muse. Overnight in Muse.
Day 15: Cross the border into China from Muse to Ruili and proceed to the town of Luxi . Overnight in Luxi.
Day 16: Travel from Luxi to Dali. Overnight in Dali.
Day 17: Sightseeing in Dali. Overnight in Dali.
Day 18: Travel from Dali to Kunming . Overnight in Kunming .
Day 19: Sightseeing in Kunming . Overnight in Kunming .
Day 20: Sightseeing in Kunming . Overnight in Kunming .
Day 21: Travel to next destination.
Note: From Kunming there are many options for onward travel, such as:
Programme 6:
Northern Thailand - Northern Laos - Vietnam - Cambodia - Eastern Thailand
Day 1: From Bangkok travel by night train to Chiang Mai.Sightseeing in Chiang Mai.
Day 2: Travel by car from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 3: Early morning cross the border into Laos and travel by boat over the Mekong river to Pak Beng. Visit ethnic minority people along the way. Overnight in Pak Beng.
Day 4: Continue by boat from Pak Beng to Luang Prabang. One the way visit the Pak Ou caves. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 5: Sightseeing in Luang Prabang.
Day 6: Sightseeing in Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Travel by car from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 8: Sightseeing in Vang Vieng. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 9: Travel by car from Vang Vieng to Vientiane . Sightseeing in Vientiane . Overnight in Vientinane.
Day 10: Travel by airplane from Vientiane to Hanoi . Free at Liesure.
Day 11: Travel by car to Halong Bay , visit traditional craft villages on the way. Afternoon: boarding for a cruise on Halong Bay . Overnight on the boat.
Day 12: Continue cruise on Halong Bay and visit various caves on the numerous islands in Halong Bay .Afternoon: Rerun to Hanoi .
Day 13: City tour in Hanoi to visit all the interesting land marks. Evening: enjoy water puppet show.
Day 14: Travel by train to Hue . Free at Leisure.
Day 15: Sightseeing in Hue . Overnight in Hue .
Day 16: Travel by car from Hue to Hoi An via Danang. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 17: Sightseeing in Hoi An to Hue . Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 18: Travel by car from Hoi An to Danang and catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh city .
Day 19: Visit the Mekong Delta. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city .
Day 20: Travel by car from Ho Chi Minh city to Phnom Penh . On the way visit the Cu Chi tunnels.
Day 21: Sightseeing in Phnom Penh .
Day 22: Travel by boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
Day 23: Visit the temples of Angkor .
Day 24: Visit the temples of Angkor .
Day 25: Travel by car from Siem Reap to Bangkok
For further information about any these programmes or for any other assistance that you might need, please don't hesitate contact us by FAX or - e-mail. We would be happy to assist you in developing the perfect holiday of a life-time.