Laos Cambodia Tour 12 Days: Heritage and Coastal Delights

Arrival at Luang Prabang international airport, get transferred to your hotel. Check-in time at hotel is between 13h30-14h00. Time for resting at hotel.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals               : Breakfast

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.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals               : Breakfast

This morning transfer to the pier where you board 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.

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

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals               : Breakfast

Free time until your transfer by our driver to the airport for your international flight to Siem Reap. Welcome to Siem Reap - the charming relics of South East Asia

Arrival in Siem Reap, you will be welcomed by your English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in or luggage drop-off. Regular hotel check-in time is after 2pm and early check-in is subject to room availability.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Siem Reap  

Meals               : Breakfast

Early morning at about 5.00 am, you will be transferred to see sunrise at Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world. If this is your first time being here, you will be excited the moment when the temple complex appears gently right in front of you. You will then explore the site and 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.

08:30am, return to the hotel for breakfast and noon break to avoid the heat.

Late afternoon, visit the picturesque Ta Prohm temple. 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. You will explore 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.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Siem Reap  

Meals               : Breakfast

Depart this morning for Banteay Srei, the only major temple that was not built by a monarch. It was constructed in the 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god - Shiva. Banteay Srei translates to “Citadel of the Women” and is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been preserved remarkably well. Continue a short drive to Kbal Spean, 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 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).

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

This evening, enjoy buffet dinner with traditional Apsara dance show as part of our cultural experience.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Siem Reap  

Meals               : Breakfast

Drive to southern part of Siem Reap to embark on a short cruise at Chong Kneas, a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia’s biggest natural water body. The experience is wonderful as we pass by floating houses, crocodile farm, schools, friendly children in small boats and fishermen at work.

Return to the your hotel for noon break.

Late afternoon, depart again to explore the city of Siem Reap. Start with Phsar Chas (AKA Old market) on the heart of the city and along the Siem Reap riverside. You will find a variety of souvenirs on sales as you walk from one stall to another. Ending at the handicraft centre of Artisans D’ Angkor. Founded in 1992, this organization creates job opportunities for young people from the rural areas while reviving traditional Khmer craftsmanship. Ancient techniques are still practiced here such as wood and stone carving, lacquering, gilding and silk painting.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Siem Reap  

Meals               : Breakfast

After breakfast, free time until taken (without guide) to the airport for a domestic flight into Sihanoukville. On the arrival, picked up by our private car and transferred to the hotel for check-in or luggage drop-off.

Leisure time for the remainder of the day.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Sihanouville   

Meals               : Breakfast

Depart from your hotel to Ream National Park, about 20 km from Sihanoukville. Ream National Park is one of seven national parks in the country. It encompasses over 15,000 hectares with mangrove forests, tropical jungles, and more than 150 bird species. It is also known for its monkey population. Take a boat trip through the mangrove forest and a walking tour of the mountains and see the numerous birds, animals and incredible plant life. Bird watchers are in for a treat here. You will also visit tiny Prince Island, just off the coast and accessible by a small bridge. This is a nice place for photos, or just to put your feet in the sand. Nearby is the Buddhist temple of Wat Ream. There is a huge reclining Buddha and a great view from the top of the hill.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Sihanouville

Meals               : Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy your leisure time on the beach.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Sihanouville

Meals               : Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy your leisure time on the beach.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Sihanouville

Meals               : Breakfast

After breakfast, free time until taken to the airport by our private car for your departure flight.

Accommodation : NA

Meals               : Breakfast