Laos And Cambodia Adventure

Breakfast at your hotel. We take a short transfer to pier then board on the boat and cruise up on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Cave, enjoy splendid natural scenery along the way and observing local fishermen and daily activities along the river. Pak Ou Caves, locally called Tam Ting, are filled with thousands of golds lacquered Buddha statues. The caves are noted for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of wooden Buddhist figures take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain and reclining (nirvana).

After visiting the cave, then enjoy your lunch at the local restaurant as Lao cuisine.

After lunch, we transfer back to Luang Prabang, en-route visit the local riverside villages of Ban Xanghai, a popular stop-over producing some special varieties of Lao-lao, the local rice wine. Second stop at Ban Xang Khong, known for its handmade paper and weaving craft. In the afternoon, visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a precious collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign.

We then make a tour of the city's oldest temple, Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong where you can see the impressive "tree of life" mosaic set in colored glass. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. Following by morning market where you will immerse in this joyful atmosphere and learn more about local products and the daily life of local people showcases their products such as vegetables, meats etc.

After breakfast, we leave Luang Prabang behind, you head out by vehicle to Ban Long Lao, a Hmong minority village. Wander around to learn more about life in this rural lowland Lao and Hmong community. Following trek leads you first for about half an hour through paddy fields before entering dense mixed growth jungle with a remarkable diversity of tree species. After 3 hours of an up-and-down hike through the forest, you reach Khuang Si Waterfalls. Visit the Free the Bears Sanctuary, to see first hand the good work being done to help the bears. The sanctuary was opened in 2003 and houses Asiatic Black bears which were cubs when they were confiscated by the Forestry Department as they were being taken to the markets for sale. All are growing rapidly and are in good health. Khuang Si Waterfalls, where water tumbles over multi-tiered limestone formations into cool and crystal clear pools, is ideal for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape when the heat becomes unbearable. These waterfalls are a paradise setting surrounded by lush forest. Spend your time splashing around in the pools or walking along the forest paths in the upper part of this fall before retrun back to Luang Prabang in the afternoon and free time. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Breakfast at your hotel. Free time until you transfer to Luang Prabang Railway station for your 1-hour high speed train to Vang Vieng. (Train C91 @ 12:50 - 13:52 pm). Vang Vieng is a small town situated along the Nam Song River and surrounded by karst limestone formations. Upon arrival, welcome by your guide and driver then transfer to check in at your hotel. Enjoy rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Note: Train timings are subject to change.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, we first visit to Tham Jang, a famous cave that served as a refuge for local residents during the Chinese invasion two centuries ago then followed by Tham Nangfa , also known as Angel Cave . This cave boasts vast limestone formations and breathtaking stalactites in unique configurations. The enchanting beauty of Angel Cave makes it a perfect spot for photography and quiet contemplation.

Then, we drive to Ban Na Khae , a very pleasant villages of Hmong and Kamu people where we can explore the different lifestyles of the locals before we continue our way crossing the Nam Song River to the other side of Vang Vieng countryside, passing small villages and rice fields. This journey leads us to the blue lagoon and the Tham Pou Kham cave . The striking landscape, with its towering karst rock formations between Vang Vieng and the blue lagoon, is a sight to hold and makes the trip truly worthwhile. Inside the cave, we find a maze of chambers, galleries, and crevices adorned with stalagmites and stalactites, and the air inside is cool and damp. Following our exploration of the cave, we descend to the Blue Lagoon , where you can relax, swim, or simply unwind in the refreshing waters.

Return to Vang Vieng and transfer by Lao-Chinese expressway to Vientiane in the late afternoon. Arrive Vientiane, check in at your hotel and free time. Overnight in Vientiane

Meal Plan: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour to discover the hidden charms of Vientiane. Vientiane is one of the quietest capital cities in the world, far away from the bustle and hustle of other Asian capitals.

You first visit the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby, is the Presidential Palace. Although you are not allowed to visit inside, it is a good glimpse in to the town’s colonial past as this building formerly served as the French governor’s palace. Next visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them then continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof for sweeping panoramic views of the city and following to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire.

In the afternoon, we drive west of town to Buddha Park (25km, 1h). Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, is a unique sculpture park that showcases sculptures depicting figures from both Buddhism and Hinduism. Within the park, you will encounter over 200 giant Buddha statues in various poses, as well as Hindu deities like Indra riding a three-headed elephant. 

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon around 4 pm and rest of the day is free time. Overnight in Vientiane.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Have breakfast at the hotel then free at your leisure until transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

Sua s’dei and welcome to Siem Reap! You are welcome at the airport by your driver and guide who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center (rooms are available from 2pm). Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure, absorbing the various atmospheres of Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Today is dedicated to the discovery of the essentials of Angkor temples. Let’s first explore Angkor Wat, easily the most famous and best-preserved of all temples within the Angkor complex. It is a massive three-tiered structure crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65-metres from ground level. Next, visit the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Bayon Temple, Baphuon, the royal enclosure, and the Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King are the main elements of this 12th century masterpiece. A lunch break will be arranged in a local restaurant and will be at your own expense. We continue to Ta Prohm Temple, which, unlike most of other Angkor temples, has been left just as it was when rediscovered: a photogenic and atmospheric maze of trees growing out of the ruins. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap

Note: Appropriate attire when visiting Angkor temples is long pants (covering the knee) and shirts that cover shoulders. Skirts, small shorts, tank tops, and other items of revealing clothing are not allowed within temple grounds. Visitors can and are frequently turned away from temples when wearing revealing clothing.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Today, you will head out to Kampong Khleang “floating village”, which is, in fact, a settlement of stilt-houses called home by over 20,000 people. Depending on the season and the water level, structures can tower up to ten meters above the water or be totally immersed and give visitors the impression that houses are actually floating. Greeted by waves of the friendly locals, here you can glimpse Cambodia’s countryside culture and traditional family lifestyle. Afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Note: From February to August/September the water level of the Tonle Sap Lake is very low. It’s muddy and the boat can get stuck. If clients are still keen on having a boat trip on the lake we’ll change to Chong Kneas floating village instead of Kompong Kleang where the condition is a little bit better for the boat trip.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Have breakfast at the hotel then free at your leisure until transfer to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport for your flight to Phnom Penh.

Sua s’dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia which was once called "Paris of the East". You are greeted by our guide and driver at Phnom Penh International airport for your transfer to the hotel. Standard check-in time is at 2p.m. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Duration: 8 hours

Phnom Penh city is situated at the confluence of three great rivers, the “Four faces” of the Mekong River, Tonle Sap and Bassac River. Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s commercial and political hub. Phnom Penh offers several cultural and historical attractions including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Wat Phnom and Toul Sleng Genocide Museum

Our city tour starts with a scale up the steps of a small hill to see Wat Phnom Temple, the birth place of Phnom Penh. Then head to the famous Royal Palace which was built in 1866 under the French protectorate and King Norodom and the Silver Pagoda. Continue to the National Museum, a treasure chest of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artifacts.

Afternoon visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school which was used as the Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping at the Russian Market (Psah Toul Tom Poung). Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

The day is free at your leisure until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant flight!

Meal Plan: Breakfast