The Textiles and Cultures of Laos and Cambodia
February 4 – 19, 2015
You are invited to join Mary Connors, experienced traveler and author of Lao Textiles and Traditions for a 17 day exploration of the vibrant textile scene found in Laos and Cambodia. Tour participants will have the unique opportunity of sharing Mary’s extensive connections with the Lao and Cambodian craft communities as well as her Southeast Asia textile expertise.
The tour will begin in the enchanting LuangPrabang, former royal capital and now a World Heritage Site. With more than 60 Buddhist wat or temple complexes tucked into its tree-lined streets, the town retains its regal charm. Over the past 20 years there has been a craft revival. We will be visiting artisans who will demonstrate weaving and dyeing, gold thread couching,silversmithing and papermaking.
Vientiane is home to a number of highly regarded contemporary textile artists including Carol Cassidy. We will spend a few days here exploring several weaving studios before flying on to Pakse in southern Laos. While in southern Laos we will drive to the Boloven Plateau, home of many ethnic groups such as the Katu who continue to weave their traditional clothing using back strap looms. There will also be an opportunity to visit lowland Lao villages where women weave intricately patterned ikat fabrics. Before flying on to Cambodia we will visit the ancient WatPhu, a Khmer temple that pre-dates the structures found in Angkor Wat.
Siem Reap is the town associated with the world famous Angkor Wat complex of temples. Throughout Cambodia there has been a revival of textile traditions. We will visit a number of organizations promoting weaving and dyeing in this area and as we drive from Siem Reap to Phnom Penhvia Kompong Thom.
While in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, we will visit remarkable sites such as the Royal Palace and the National Museum, home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculptures. We will also drive out into the countryside to visit villages where both silk and cotton textiles are being woven.
Tour Cost:TAC members $3480, non-TAC members $3515.
The cost is based on shared occupancy of rooms and a group of 16 participants. The single supplement is $827. The cost of the tour includes a $400 non-refundable tax donation to the Textile Arts Council. The cost of the tour may change depending on the number of participants. The maximum number of participants is 16 and the minimum is 12. The cost is based on the internal airfare at the time of the original publication of the tour.
The price includes all hotels, meals, gratuities, services of an English speaking guide, internal transportation, including in-country air fare and the flight from Laos to Cambodia, entrance tickets to sites and museums included in the program. Not included are personal expenses such as laundry. Also not included are travel insurance, which is mandatory, Lao and Cambodian visas (available upon arrival) and international airfare. The tour will begin in Luang Prabang, Laos and end in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Physical Activity Requirements: participants need to be able to climb stairs at the historical sites in Laos and Cambodia as well as to walk up and down river banks to board boats on the Mekong River For more information and to register for the tour please contact: