Highlights of Laos and Cambodia - 8 Days

Welcome to Vientiane – Laos’s capital. Vientiane retains an old-world charm that is becoming increasingly rare. With its wide, open boulevards and many golden temples, this sleepy city hardly feels like a modern capital. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be picked up by our representative and transferred to hotel for checking in. Time for relaxation afterward.

Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane.

Vientiane – the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indochina cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Today, after having the breakfast at hotel, join us on a full day tour exploring the city main attractions such as the National Museum, Wat Sisaket – the city‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the Haw Phra Kaeo.

In the afternoon, wander in the older part of the Morning Market before visiting Pha That Luang, the giant golden stupa. Next, you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane.
Later of this day, transfer to airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be met and driven to the hotel and relax then.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will first visit the former King’s Palace, which is now the National Museum. The many items nicely displayed include rare furniture, traditional costumes and arts, jewelry, ornaments as well as working tools and utensils of the early part of the 20th century. Then, drive out of town to Ban Xanghai, known as the whisky village where the local make their wine lao lao from rice. Next, you will walk down to the pier to board a local motorized boat heading along Mekong to the mysterious Pak Ou caves exploring these mysterious caverns, filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha images.

Later, on the way back to Luang Prabang you will visit Ban Xieng Khong and Ban Xieng Lek which are very famous for making Saa Jute paper.

On arrival in town late this afternoon, join us on a climb up to Phousi Hill – the highest point in the area, to admire the panoramic view of the town at sunset. Transfer back to the hotel and enjoy your easy time afterward.

In the evening, you can either relax in the hotel or explore the nearby Night Market on your own, where you can find an expansive collection of textiles, hand-woven by the local hill tribe people.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

* Optional tour with surcharge: For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laotian people.

After breakfast, join a half day city tour with us to explore the city’s main attractions. Start your day with the visit to the local morning market named Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weaving. Continue the temple exploration at Wat Visoun, the site of the impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Move to Wat Mai, which was built in 1796. Its five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. End your morning visit at Wat Xieng Thong, the Golden City Monastery, which dates back to the 16th century and is considered to be the finest temple in Laos. 

Spend the afternoon on exploring the area around one of Luang Prabang’s most impressive and picturesque waterfalls, Kuangsi. Trek through jungle parklands to Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, located nearby. Established in 2003, the centre has rescued numerous bears from wildlife traffickers and traditional medicine traders. Here, you will help-out with the bears’ midday scatter feed.

Afterwards, stroll to Kuang Si Waterfall, where cascading tiers plummet down into azure pools. Relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where beautiful views and pools await, which are perfect for swimming. 
Transfer back to the hotel where you will spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Have breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy free morning on your own leisure. Later of this day, driving to the Luang Prabang Airport to catch your flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to the ancient Angkor Temples. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by our driver and tour guide for the warm greetings and hotel transfer. 

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Enjoy an entire day dedicated to discovering the mysterious Angkor temples. Wake before dawn with takeaway breakfast and take a “tuk-tuk” ride to visit the magnificent Angkor Wat – the largest Khmer temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architecture.

Have the packed breakfast then set back out on the tour to visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm. From there you will proceed to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon Temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Enjoy a lunch of traditional Khmer cuisine served at the home of a local.
After lunch we drive to Banteay Srei, regarded as the women’s citadel and home to Angkor’s finest stone carvings. Your trip continues to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword): one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. Later this afternoon, you will return to the hotel where you will spend your time on your own.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

This morning, we will process to Tonle Sap Lake – the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a “floating village” – boats have been converted to look like houses and the “village” move from place to place following water levels. 

Return to the town and continue visiting Chantier Ecole-Artisan D’Angkor. This place renowned woodworking, stone carving and polychrome training center and workshops. The tour will offer a glimpse into the unique skills training program, teaching young artists in the techniques and styles of classic Cambodian artistry.

In the afternoon, the guide from ox cart tour will pick you up at 4.30pm and travel to Chreav village. Towards the end of the day you will see people buying food for their evening meal at local markets, working in the fields or enjoying the company from family and friends near their homes. Cruising in the ox cart through the village you will see many friendly local people going about their day. We will take you to a beautiful location in the rice fields just outside the village to see the sunset. After the tour, return to your hotel at around 6.30pm (timing varies throughout the seasons).

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

You will have free time before taking the transfer to Siem Reap International airport for your departure home.

Goodbye & Safe Travels!

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.