Starting our journey in the city of Luang Prabang of UNESCO World Heritage, we experience the sights of Laos, from this ancient royal capital to the stunning natural beauty of the southern region of "4000 islands".
Cambodia
Heart of Indochina: Laos and Cambodia
Description
Starting our journey in the city of Luang Prabang of UNESCO World Heritage, we experience the sights of Laos, from this ancient royal capital to the stunning natural beauty of the southern region of "4000 islands".
This often overlooked country continues to retain its traditional character and charm and is one of our favorites in Southeast Asia.. Continuing by land to Cambodia, we will not only go out to the mighty Mekong to locate the Irphaddy Dolphins but we will spend time slowly exploring with two wheels the rural tranquility of the Kratie region. Then we will travel to Phnom Penh, the capital of the Cambodian river. Here we will learn more about the modern history of Cambodia, as well as the crumbling unconstitutional past, before we finish at Siem Reap, to visit the magnificent temple complexes of Angkor. This promises to be a fascinating journey into the past and present of Laos and Cambodia, offering a wonderful landscape, amazing sights, friendly locals and amazing food!
Interests
Unforgettable experiences
The jungle of Angor
Escape the crowds and discover the ancient myths and legends of the most remote temples of the Angora jungle
Capital Phnom Penh
Spend time in the vibrant capital of Phnom Penh and learn about the fascinating history of Cambodia
Traditional artistic heritage
Enjoy the artistic heritage of the picturesque city of Luang Prabang, hosting skilled silk weavers and stunning colonial architecture
In summary
MEALS
14 x Breakfast
13 x Lunch
13 x Dinner
TRANSPORT
NUMBER OF PEOPLE
Maximum:
ACCOMMODATION
Itinerary
This is a suggested route. All our experts have traveled extensively in the area and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes or create a trip from scratch just for you..
Detailed program and map
Arrival and transfer to the hotel for check-in. This afternoon tour of the beautiful Luang Prabang World Heritage Site in a traditional boutique hotel. After we all register, we will go for our first wandering in the city and we will enjoy it all. Dinner will be at a local restaurant with great food. Then we will wander home beyond the night market, which is wonderful. Dinner at a local restaurant where we will taste Asian delicacies.
Breakfast
This morning we board our private boat for a cruise on the Mekong River, offering us a panoramic view of the quiet countryside. Our first stop is the village of Ban Muangkeo where we take a short trip to see the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, filled with thousands of Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Returning to Luang Prabang, we will also stop in one of the fascinating villages along the way. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast, Free time until lunch, Dinner
Early this morning we will visit the most historic and enchanting temple in the country, Wat Xiengthong, with its roof resting low on the ground, representing the classic Luang Prabang style. We will then stop at the picturesque Royal Palace Museum for an introduction to local history and then visit the local Phosi Market, where all the locals shop. Later this morning we will visit the beautiful Kuang Si waterfall where we can cool off with a refreshing dip in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths.. Next to the waterfalls is a bear rescue center that does an excellent job in protecting and restoring the rare Asian black bear. This afternoon we will visit Ock Pop Tok, a silk factory where we will learn more about the whole process. Later we will go to the fascinating Center for Traditional Arts and Ethnology, offering an insight into the national cultures of Laos. Dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast, Free time until lunch
This morning there is an option before breakfast to attend the sacred ritual early in the morning of "Tak Bat" or to give alms to the monks. This unique ceremony is still attended by locals in Luang Prabang (which we will observe from a respectable distance). Then we will stop at a local morning market, before making a short flight to Pakse in South Laos, where we will continue by road to Champasak, our base for the next two nights. Arrival at the hotel. Free time in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast, Free time until lunch, Dinner
This morning we travel east on the Bolaven Plateau, located high above the Mekong Valley. During the day we will make various stops in minority villages and visit a working tea and coffee plantation. We will also visit the Tad Fan, an impressive waterfall with a double drop. We return later to Champasak, arriving early in the evening. Dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast, Free time until lunch, Dinner
Early this morning we will visit Wat Phou, in time to enjoy the sunrise over the ancient Khmer religious complex dating from the 5th century. The dramatic location of this temple is one of the highlights of any trip to Laos. After breakfast and a short crossing of the river, we drive to the boat pier and board our local private boat for a tour of the area 4000 islands. Arriving at the picturesque island of Don Som, we will enjoy a meal at a local house, before exploring the island by bike. Later this afternoon we will take a boat to Don Khone where we will have the opportunity to stop at the beautiful Liphi waterfall and enjoy the sunset over the Old French Railway bridge. Arrival at the hotel, Accommodation at the hotel.
Breakfast, Free time until lunch, Dinner
This morning we return by boat to the mainland, visiting the impressive Khone Phapheng waterfalls along the way, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia. Then we are transported to the border of Laos / Cambodia, check passports and continue south to Stung Treng. After our first taste of Cambodian cuisine, we continue our journey south stopping at Kambi on the way, one of the many deep pools where rare river dolphins gather to feed. We board a local boat and travel to the mighty Mekong for a chance encounter with these adored creatures. End, we drive to Kratie, a charming city by the river and we check in at our local hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast, Free time until lunch, Dinner
Early this morning we will enjoy a bike ride on Ko Tong Mekong Island with our special local guide. We travel a few kilometers south of the city on a local ferry crossing and then explore this island that few visit. Our route leads to pristine villages, stopping along the way to meet the locals and get to know their livelihood, such as tobacco growing, rice production, prawns and noodles. We will also stop at a few pagodas along the way to learn more about the local folklore and stories associated with the Mekong River area.. Then we dine at a local family restaurant. This afternoon we will drive to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh - a journey that takes about 4 hours. Coffee city, of croissants and Machiavellian coalitions, Phnom Penh is a really fascinating city in a country with a dark past. On arrival, we will check-in at our hotel for the next ones 2 nights.
Breakfast, Free time until lunch, Dinner
This morning we explore the amazing Royal Palace complex, the home of the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. The palace is located in beautiful gardens and we can see the throne room, the iron pavilion Napoleon III, gift of the French emperor in the 19th century and the silver pagoda, which took its name from 5000 silver tiles covering the floor , everyone weighs 1 kg. Then we continue to the nearby National Museum, which houses the best collection of sculptures in the world from the Angkor period. The building was completed in 1920 and features a lush garden in the courtyard surrounded by collections from pre-Angkor, the Angkor and the post-Angkor period. Subsequently, we will have the opportunity to visit the central market of art-deco and the Russian market for souvenirs. After lunch we will have the opportunity to experience the latest history of Cambodia, learning about the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge. Tuol Sleng was a former high school that was turned into an interrogation center, torture and death. Today it is a museum and serves to remind visitors of the terrible atrocities that took place in Cambodia. Then we will travel out of town to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where prisoners were taken by Tuol Sleng. An old Chinese cemetery, Choeung Ek was turned into a camp for the extermination of political prisoners. The relics 8985 people were exhumed from mass graves and kept in a memorial stupa here. Despite the horrors of the past, is a quiet place to go and a quiet place to reflect on the tragic events that flooded Cambodia and its people. Tonight we will have dinner at a traditional Cambodian restaurant.
Breakfast, Free time until lunch, Dinner
This morning we will drive to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap, which houses the magnificent Angkor temple complexes. In the afternoon we will visit the beautiful village of Kompheim, located just outside Siem Reap. Here we will enjoy a two hour walk in a traditional village with one of the local guides, which will give us an introduction to the daily life of the villagers. Tonight we will eat at a local restaurant, before returning to our hotel.
Breakfast, Free time until lunch, Dinner
Waking up early this morning we head to the beautiful Angkor Wat for sunrise and then we can enjoy a morning tour of the temple before the tourists arrive. We return to the hotel for breakfast and some free time. Early in the afternoon we return to the temple complex, this time visiting Angkor Tom, the famous walled city and home of the fascinating Bayonne Temple with its many magnificent faces smiling. We also visit ‘Ta Prohm’ and ‘Banteay Kdei’, two of the most unique temples of the complex. We will return to our hotel, where in the evening you are free to explore the city freely after your dinner.
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we head to Banteay Srei, Angkor's ultimate art gallery. This tiny pink temple is the jewel in the crown of sculpture of the time. The intricate sculptures here are the best found in Cambodia and the name translates as "Women's Fortress", thanks to the intricate details here, which are considered very nice for a man's hands. Later this morning we will follow small roads through rural landscapes and picturesque villages. Our first stop is the Bakong Temple on the Roluos Group, the first of the great pyramidal mountains that later kings were to copy. From Bakong, We continue to Roluos to visit a local market. After some exploration here, follow the course of the river Roluos to the nearest floating point where we board small wooden boats for the trip to Kompong Phluk. Passing on a narrow waterway, we enter this medieval floating village, where houses stand on top of stilts up to seven meters above the water. Everything lives on water, swinishness, dogs, crocodiles and humans, everyone is looking for space in this incredible floating city. After exploring the local waterways here and a beautiful sunset on the lake, we return by road to Siem Reap
This morning we will have some free time to explore the Siem Reap leisure. Beyond the typical tourist trail is a fiery city full of inspiring people, doing unique work with the goal of returning to Cambodia. This afternoon, our Siem Reap tour gives us a glimpse into the network of social businesses and nonprofits in Siem Reap that are slowly but surely bringing new light and new skills to the bustling and ever-expanding tourist city. We will have the opportunity to learn and get some gifts for the house during the tour, while we know in our own way that we are returning to the community as a responsible traveler. After an early dinner, we will enjoy a unique performance from the Cambodian Circus, also known as the extremely talented Phare Ponleu Selpak from our VIP seats. Literally translated as "the brightness of the arts", this Artistic and Social Center operates as a non - profit association from 1994 and was founded by a group of young former refugees from Batabang Province. Sitting in the center of the large top stage, we will witness remarkable acrobatic and visual arts while supporting one of the most inspiring works of Cambodia.
The tour ends this morning after breakfast.
Breakfast
Dates and prices
Tailor-made experience
Our excursions are also offered as tailor-made, that is, they can be customized by you.
Starting our journey in the city of Luang Prabang of UNESCO World Heritage, we experience the sights of Laos, from this ancient royal capital to the stunning natural beauty of the southern region of "4000 islands".