Cambodia - Laos Tour 6 days: The Mystical Adventure

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh 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). Phnom Penh is the capital and most populous city in Cambodia. Phnom Penh has been the national capital since the French colonization of Cambodia and has grown to become the nation's economic, industrial, and cultural center.

Set out on a tour to visit the National Museum which houses Khmer art and sculptures from different periods of Cambodian history. Continue to visit the Central Market and end the trip with a visit to the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh’s namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh. Enjoy the boat ride along the Mekong River to view the sunset and a welcome dinner at the local restaurant on the riverbank.

Meals included: Welcome dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Toul Sleng, it was a high school prior to 1975, an interrogation prison known as S-21 during the Khmer Rouge era, and today it is a genocide museum. It tells the sad story of the thousands of innocent Cambodian people who were tortured on its grounds. Walking through the narrow corridors and former classrooms of the buildings will give you an eerie feeling of being part of Cambodia’s turbulent past. The stories of the victims are documented and some torture devices are on display for visitors to learn about the suffering the people endured. Photographs were taken of each prisoner passing through the prison and hundreds of the haunting black and white photos are now on display in the museum. While this experience may be depressing, it is recommended to visit in order to truly understand the cruel methods of control the Khmer Rouge implemented over the country, then visit the Russian Market. Continue to visit The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda two of the most striking buildings in the capital and considered some of the finest examples of Khmer architecture. They were initially constructed in 1866 by the French. The Royal Palace is home to the current King Sihamoni. The neighboring Silver Pagoda stands out in its own distinctive way. The floor consists of 5,329 solid silver tiles to which the building owes its name. The building houses many golds and jeweled Buddha statues including the highly prized 17th-century baccarat crystal Buddha. Other important buildings that can be found within the compound include Wat Preah Keo Morokat, where Royal ceremonies are performed, and stupas such as King Ang Doung Stupa – the burial site of former King Norodom. If time permits, we visit the central market before transferring to the airport for your flight to Vientiane.

Arrival at Wattay international airport and meet your guide, then transfer to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Visit Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues.

Then, visit the huge golden That Luang monument, where all Lao citizen respect as holy pagoda.

Next, Vientiane’s own Victory Monument, which looks like the Arc de Triumph. This was built at the end of the Indochina wars with money rumored to be American, and earmarked for the airport’s new runway. Thus the departing Americans dubbed this monument the vertical runway! Have a look at the lovely arches inside the monument.

Wandering in night market (open every day) on the bank of Mekong River.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Pick-up by our driver then transfer to airport for the flight to Luang Prabang. Welcomed by local guide and transfer to hotel in Luang Prabang.

Afternoon city tour including sights such as below:

Visit to the most photographed temple, Vat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.

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

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 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.

In the 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