Cambodia Laos Tour 9 days: Natural Discovery

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, meet and transfer by the local guide to the hotel for check-in (Early check-in is NOT included and is subject to the hotel’s availability).

Welcome to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is a sleepy backwater serving as a gateway to the ancient capital of Angkor. It is hard to believe that at its peak in the 12th century, this was one of the most advanced civilizations in the world and home to more than 1 million inhabitants.

Take a Siem Reap Orientation Tour, starting with Preah Ang Check Preah Ang Chom which is the biggest local shrine in the city center. Locals throng here to pray for luck, especially newlyweds, and it is an atmospheric place to visit in the late morning or late afternoon, as the incense smoke swirls around. Then we continue to walk along the Siem Reap riverside to visit the Wat Preah Prom Rath, it is a functioning Buddhist monastery featuring a typical Khmer-style pagoda, a courtyard with statues depicting different Buddhist beliefs, and a hall surrounded by hand-painted picture walls containing a giant statue of seated Buddha and a reclining Buddha. Return to hotel for refreshment

Late afternoon, our guide and driver will meet you again to take you on to walk through the street foot hall where all the locals come for a picnic and drinks after work. You are invited to taste some snacks, drinks, and fruits as much as you can before we go to one of the local restaurants for dinner along with the Khmer Classic Live Band (black forest).

Meals included: Welcome dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Start to tour to visit Angkor Wat Temple, one of the modern wonders of the world. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people. And then, continue to the picturesque Ta Prohm. This beautiful temple is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. The magnificent roots of the trees have merged over the centuries with the temple’s huge stone blocks, emphasizing a ‘forgotten city’ feeling. Return to hotel for relaxation

Lunch at the local restaurant

After lunch, we will visit Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire with its centerpiece; the Bayon temple. As you approach, you will notice the enigmatic faces of former King Jayavarman VII looking in every direction. Your guide will take you to the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a platform from where the King could welcome back his victorious army, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which holds detailed carvings winding along a narrow passageway that leads to the Baphuon complex. Next, we drive to West Baray to get the nicest spot to view the sunset over this manmade lake, and enjoy the snacks and drinks (local beers and snacks) while the sunset is setting down.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel.

Early morning, we drive to Kbal Spean (60 minutes), which translates to “Bridge Head”. From the entrance, it is an easy 3km hike up to the hill passing through a nice forest offering beautiful views over the surrounding plains. On top, you will find a river with many rocks under the surface holding inscriptions and Hindu statues referred to as the Lingas which date back to the 11th century. There is also a waterfall on top that drops significant amounts of water during the wet season but dries up entirely during the height of the dry season (March/April). In the rainy season the route may be slippery and good footwear is advised. Hike down the hill back to the car and drive to have lunch at the local restaurant, after lunch, we will visit Banteay Srei Temple. This red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been preserved remarkably well. They provide an excellent into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs. It was built in the 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god - Shiva. Drive back to your hotel in Siem Reap to relax. Dinner is on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Morning transfer out of the Siem Reap town to a beautiful village in the countryside, you will start to walk through the village houses, and witness very nice and different activities from the locals for their daily life. Just as some examples: are how the locals wash vehicles, sell gasoline in whiskey bottles, or the small shops where the locals sell food on the side of small streets. On the way, you can take some fruits from the plants, enjoy a view of this wonderful area, and interact with very kind people in the village, a 20-minute old mean vehicle ox/buffalo-cart ride through the rice paddies to reach one big local house to see how this family doing daily work such as making rice wine and handicraft works meanwhile the member of the family will offer you of fresh coconut and some manmade rice wine to taste.

Homemade lunch included. An incredible opportunity to get into real Cambodian daily life. You will taste local food, cooked as they do in the villages. Lunch will be provided in a village house, far from any tourists. By taking part, you will also be supporting a local family, bringing benefits to the whole community.

Optional: This homemade lunch experience can be upgraded to a cooking class that you will cook as a local chef; the extra cost is well is USD 17 per person

Hop in your vehicle to drive onward to the next destination, a floating community, and arrive at the quay to embark on a motorized boat to visit the floating houses village which offers an incredible natural phenomenon of making their lives from the lake in a respectful and meaningful way. This is a great chance to witness one of Cambodia’s and the world’s most amazing natural wonders. Drive back to Siem Reap and relax, dinner is on your own

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch (Homemade)

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check-out from the hotel and load our luggage in the car, then we will drive to visit Beng Mealea temple. A sprawling jungle temple constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style by King Suyavarman II in the early 12th century. It preceded and may have served as a prototype for Angkor Wat. Contrary to Angkor, few carvings or bas-reliefs are evident. Today the temple is largely overrun by vegetation and the stone walls are crumbling which adds to its charm in a unique way. Accessibility has improved as elevated walkways have been set up throughout most of the temple, although to see all corners does require a sense of adventure as you will need to climb over stone blocks or walk through narrow passageways. If time permits, we can visit the Chan Sar Community before transferring to Siem Reap Airport for your next flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, get transfer to hotel in Luang Prabang.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Stop and visit fresh local markets and back to hotel for breakfast.

This morning, depart to visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao.  Continue to visit Wat Aham. Then, visit to the most photographed temple, Vat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.

This afternoon, continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

This morning, ferry to otherside of Mekong to visit Ban Xiemienne village.  Take a walk to discover Wat Long Khoun temple, located in the jungle. This monastery historically had important ties with the royal family of Luang Prabang. From its beginnings Wat Long Khoun served as a retreat center for spiritual revitalization. It was traditional practice that the new king-designate spend three days there in ceremonial bathing and meditative retreat.

Then, embark on a traditional long trail boat, for a relaxing cruise upstream on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural lifestyles. You will reach Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. Cruise back Luang Prabang. Stop and visit Ban Xangkhong, a weaving village, where you can jump into wooden looms with local expert for practical and experience.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the rice culture and farming experience with some hands-on activities along the way. Be welcomed by the hospitable farmers who will show you how rice is grown and harvested. You can plant rice in the rice paddy together with the farmers while seeing the buffalos plough the rice paddies. Discover what rice can be used to produce different products

This afternoon, driving through green rice paddies and farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Si waterfall, enjoy your short walking on trails of falls to visit the bear rescued centre. Enjoy spectacular views and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Return to Luang Prabang.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Free time until your transfer by our driver to the airport for your international flight.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: None