Full Itinerary

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Brief Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival – Luang Prabang

Day 2. Luang Prabang – Pak Ou caves

Day 3. Luang Prabang – Khuang Si Waterfall

Day 4. Luang Prabang – Vientiane

Day 5. Vientiane – Full day city tour

Day 6. Vientiane – Pakse – Khong Islands

Day 7. Khong Island – Tad Lo – Pakse

Day 8. Pakse – Siem Reap

Day 9. Siem Reap – Exploration

Day1 0. Siem Reap – Exploration

Day 11. Siem Reap – Exploration

Day 12. Siem Reap – Phnom Penh

Day 13. Phnom Penh – City tour

Day 14. Phnom Penh – Departure

 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival – Luang Prabang

On arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After you have had time to rest and freshen up we will head off on bicycles to see some of the highlights of Luang Prabang including a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang. Cycling on we seeing the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. 

Wat Xiengthong – Luang Prabang

Wat Aham – Luang Prabang

After relaxing at your hotel to let you lunch settle we will pay a late afternoon visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. You can enjoy a coffee at the centre’s café if you chose before our climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River. 

Decenting the mountain your will find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

 

Day 2. Luang Prabang – Pak Ou caves

This morning we board our private boat for a pleasant and scenic cruise up on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These caves are an ancient pilgrimage site and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years. 

Pak Ou Caves – Luang Prabang

Ban Phanom – Luang Prabang

Returning to Luang Prabang we disembark our boat and have the option of taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving or returning to the hotel for free time to relax.

Your afternoon and evening is free to explore Luang Prabang town, take in the Night Market or relax at the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

 

Day 3. Luang Prabang – Khuang Si Waterfall

This morning you have the option and opportunity to rise early and participate in the daily morning ritual of ‘Alms Giving’, you will experience saffron-clad monks collecting offerings or ‘Alms’ from faithful local residents. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the daily procession.

Kuang Sii Waterfall – Luang Prabang

Phousi Market – Luang Prabang

After breakfast back at the hotel we begin our journey to Kuang Sii Waterfall stopping along the way to visit the morning Phousi Market, this where all locals of Luang Prabang come to do their daily shopping. You will see a variety of local foodstuffs and products including dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit, everything needed for daily life in Laos.

On arrival at the Kuang Sii Falls you will have the opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim in the topaz pools below the falls, walk along the forest trails and visit the Bear Sanctuary.

Returning to Luang Prabang your afternoon is free to explore or relax at the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

 

Day 4. Luang Prabang – Vientiane (Flight)

You are free this morning to relax at the hotel, get a massage or spa treatment, go shopping or grab a bicycle and go exploring before your afternoon flight to Vientiane.

Wat Visoun – Luang Prabang

Buddha Park – Vientiane

Arriving in Vientiane you will be transferred to your hotel for check in and have time for a short orientation walk of Vientiane, strolling around some of the colonial sights that make this a dream-like city.

Your evening is free to take a stroll along the waterfront, check out the Night Market or relax at your hotel.

Overnight in Vientiane (B)

 

Day 5. Vientiane – city tour

This morning’s city tour enables you to see the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with it’s thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha

Wat Sisaket – Vientiane

Talad Sao Market

We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. 

This afternoon you have the option to continue our tour of Vientiane by bicycle, we will ride the capital taking in sites such Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok, the main shopping district and Vientiane’s Central Market, Talad Sao.

Returning to the hotel your evening is free to relax or take in some more sights of Vientiane and enjoy the sunset over a few drinks on the riverfront.

Overnight in Vientiane (B)

 

Day 6. Vientiane – Pakse – Khong Island (Flight)

After breakfast, we take an early flight to Pakse.

On arrival in Pakse, we drive south to Champassak and to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated mountain top temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao. 

Wat Phu – Don Khong

Mount Phu Kao – Champasak

After lunch we head towards peaceful Khong Island, the largest in the magical 4000 islands region. 

Overnight in Khong Island (B)

 

Day 7. Khong Island – Tad Lo – Pakse

Leaving Done Khone Island, we head for the refreshing mountain climate on the Bolevan Plateau.  The area is famous for its many waterfalls and we will visit two of the best, Tad Fan, with it’s impressive twin falls cascading over 100 metres to the valley

floor below and Tad Ngeuan, with it’s prisitine pools for taking a refreshing dip and coffee shop and plantation where you can sample some real Lao coffee. 

Tad Ngeuan – Tad Lo

Bolevan Plateau – Tad Lo

Along the way you will see the rich soils of the region being cultivated for coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops before we arrive at Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall and numerous ethnic minority groups. We visit the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu. We return to Pakse by late evening.

Overnight in Pakse (B)

 

Day 8. Pakse – Siem Reap – sunset Angkor Wat (Flight)

This morning you will be transferring to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

On arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Bayon Temple – Siem Reap

Phnom Bakheng Temple – Siem Reap

You have some free time to explore the town and then late afternoon we will head out for your first glimpse of Angkor Wat as the sun sets over it’s majestic spires.

Returning to town your evening is free to eat at one of the many fine restaurants and check out the Night Market.

Overnight in Siem Reap (B)

 

Day 9. Siem Reap – Full Day Temple Tour

Today we have a full day of temple touring starting with the south gate of Angkor Thom, the ancient city of Angkor, famous for elephants and human faces carved in stone.

Angkor Thom – Siem Reap

Royal Enclosure – Siem Reap

Once inside the city we will visit The Bayon with it’s nine spires decorated with faces of the king, Jaravarman VII. We will also visit the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the Twelve Prasat.

After lunch we will explore the terraces, base relief, bathing pools and inner santuary of Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavaram II to honour the Hindu gods Vishnu and Shiva, it stands today as one of the wonder of the ancient world.

Returning to town early evening you are free to relax at your hotel or enjoy Siem Reap’s nightlife along Pub Street.

Overnight in Siem Reap (B)

 

Day 10. Siem Reap – Sunrise Angkor Wat – Ta Prohm – Tonle Sap

This morning you have the option to rise early (5.00am) and head out to Angkor Wat for sunrise.

After breakfast at your hotel we visit the temple of Ta Prohm, better known as the “Tomb Raider Temple” because of it’s role in the Hollywood production. From there we explore Banteay Kdei and Preah Khan stopping at Sras Srang, The”King’s Swimming Pool” for lunch at a local restaurant.

Ta Prohm Temple – Siem Reap

Tonle Sap Lake – Siem Reap

Returning to town mid afternoon you will have time for a refreshing swim at the hotel pool before drive to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest inland lake in South East Asia, for a boat cruise around the floating villages and sunset on the lake.

Returning to town early evening you are free to attend a traditional dance at one of the restaurants around town or relax at the hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap (B)

 

Day 11. Siem Reap – Free Morning – Artisans d’ Angkor Silk Farm

Your morning is free to sleep in, relax, get a spa treatment or massage or go exploring.

This afternoon you have the option have free time or visit the Artisans d’ Angkor Silk Farm, Workshops and Gallery. Here you will learn about the silk making

Artisans d’ Angkor Silk Farm – Siem Reap

Angkor Thom – Siem Reap

process from silk worm and mulberry tree to weaving loom and garment. You will also have the opportunity to purchase high quality traditional silk products from the onsite gallery and shop

Returning to town the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore or do some last minute shopping.

Overnight Siem Reap (B)

 

Day 12. Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (Flight)

Today we make an early morning start on our journey to the national capital, Phnom Penh, either by road (January-June) or hydrofoil (July-December) depending on the season.

Royal Palace – Phnom Penh

Silver pagoda – Phnom Penh

Arriving mid aternoon we will check in to the hotel and freshen up then visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, ending up at the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) for happy hour drinks.

Your evening is free to take a stroll along the waterfront and explore the city by night.

Overnight in Phnom Penh (B)

 

Day 13. Phnom Penh – City tour

This morning we will be reminded of Cambodia’s recent tragic past and the brief but bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge regime. We visit Toule Sleng Genocide Museum, the old cental highschool of Phnom Penh transformed into a detention prison (S21) by the Khmer Rouge. From here we travel 15kms out of town to the Cheong Ek Monument, one of many ‘killing fields’ doted around Cambodia.

Madam Penh – Phnom Penh

Russian market – Phnom Penh

Returning to town we will experience something of the efforts of modern Cambodians to overcome this sad period in their history. We will lunch at Friends Restaurant, a vocational training centre and restaurant for Phnom Penh’s street kids. Then we will visit the Royal University of Fine Arts & Dance Academy

where the young Cambodians are reviving their traditional arts and culture.

We will finish our tour with a visit to Psar Toul Tom Pong, also known as the “Russian Market” where you will find anything and everything is for sale.

Arriving back at the hotel late afternoon your evening is free to sample on of the fine restaurants around town and take in some of Phnom Penh’s nighlife.

Overnight in Phnom Penh (B)

 

Day 14. Phnom Penh – Departure

Killing Fields – Phnom Penh

National Museum – PhnomPenh

This morning you will have time to do some last minute shopping before your transfer to Pochentong Airport for departure. (B)

 

Included in above prices:

• Private, Airconditioned Transport
• Boat trips as stated in the itinerary
• English speaking guide
• Admission fees to sites stated in the itinerary
• Meals: daily breakfast at hotel
• Gov’t taxs and service charges
• Luggage handling
• Drinking water

 

Exclusive of above prices:

• Accommodation on a twin shared basis (quote separately)
• Visas and Immigration fees on arrival
• Domestic airticket
• Int’l air tickets to/from Laos
• Travel and/or Medical Insurance
• Lunch or dinner unless stated in the itinerary
• Single room accommodation (quoted separately)
• Child or adult in triple share accommodation
• Foreign language guides other than English
• Peak Season or Special Events Surcharges
• Tip, drinks and other personal expenses

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