Discover the wonders of Cambodia and Laos on this 13 day tour which kicks off in Phnom Penh, exploring Siem Reap and the incredible Angkor Complex, before taking in the highlights of Laos. Visiting royal palaces and beautiful temples, remote villages and picturesque Vang Vieng, then ending on a high in enchanting Luang Prabang.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Phnom Penh
Monday. Welcome to Cambodia! On arrival at the airport you’ll be transferred to our hotel to enjoy some free time. This evening you can get to know your tour group as we enjoy dinner together.
Overnight: Phnom Penh | Dinner
Phnom Penh sightseeing
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing today as we take a guided tour of Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Explore highlights of the city including the National Museum of Fine Arts and the striking Royal Palace. Admire the diamond-encrusted statues of Buddha at the Silver Pagoda before we visit the notorious Toul Sleng Prison ($21). We’ll learn more about the darker side of Cambodian history as we tour the prison and visit the Killing Fields. The brutal Khmer Rouge regime executed thousands of people here during their rule from 1975 - 1979.
Overnight: Phnom Penh | Breakfast
Angkor Wat
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap. Say goodbye to Phnom Penh today as we fly to Siem Reap. Visit the Angkor National Museum before we discover Cambodia’s most famous attraction - the spectacular Angkor Wat temple complex. This famous site is so iconic that it features on the Cambodian flag. Admire the carvings and bas-reliefs on the walls and marvel at the shimmering moat that surrounds the entire site.
Overnight: Siem Reap | Breakfast
Angkor Thom & NGO circus project
Choose to rise early this morning and see Angkor Wat bathed in the light of the rising sun. We then travel to the temples of Banteay Srei and visit an exotic butterfly sanctuary, before arriving in the village of Preak Dak. Here you have the opportunity to take part in our tree planting initiative. Plant a jackfruit or mango sapling, which will grow to provide the low-income villagers with food and fruit to sell.
This afternoon, we return to the Angkor Temple complex and visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Discover the many faces of the Bayon Temple and the Terraces of the Elephants. Later, visit Ta Prohm Temple and attend the remarkable Phare NGO circus project. The project teaches children living on the streets how to perform circus tricks and you’ll be inspired by their skills.
Overnight: Siem Reap | Breakfast
Tonle Sap Lake
Enjoy a half-day excursion to Kampong Phluk, a cluster of villages on the Tonle Sap floodplain. The colourful buildings in this community are built high up on stilts to keep them safe and dry. Enjoy a boat trip on the lake before we return to Siem Reap where the afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight: Siem Reap | Breakfast, Lunch
Free time in Siem Reap
Today is free to enjoy in Siem Reap as you please. Why not pay a visit to the bustling central market and haggle for souvenirs? This evening take a stroll down Pub Street and explore the vibrant nightlife on offer.
Overnight: Siem Reap | Breakfast
Goodbye Cambodia, Hello Laos
Siem Reap - Vientiane (Laos). Today we say goodbye to Cambodia and fly to Vientiane, via Phnom Penh. On arrival in Laos you’ll be transferred to our hotel in the capital, where the rest of today is at leisure.
Overnight: Vientiane | Breakfast
Vientiane sightseeing
Today we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Vientiane and discover highlights including the Wat Si Saket monastery and the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaeo. We also visit Pha That Luang, the most important monument in Laos and a national symbol. See the Patuaxi monument, built to honour those who lost their lives in Laos’ struggle for independence from France. Finally, explore the sculptures in Buddha Park and enjoy a sunset dinner beside the Mekong River.
Overnight: Vientiane | Breakfast, Dinner
Vang Vieng
Vientiane - Vang Vieng. Leave Vientiane and travel through the countryside to Vang Vieng. En route we stop at Ban Keun and the market of Thalat, where local hill tribes come to trade goods. We also pay a visit to the archaeological site of Vang Xang. These mysterious sculptures of Buddha are overgrown by the forest and no one knows for certain where they came from, though they are believed to date back to around the 11th century. The rest of today can be enjoyed at leisure - why not explore the local caves or take a bike ride through the surrounding countryside?
Overnight: Vang Vieng | Breakfast, Dinner
Luang Prabang
Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang. Today we explore the famous Tham Jang caves, once used as a bunker for the local people during Chinese invasions. Visit Ban Huai Ngai village to learn about the traditional way of life for Laotians, before we arrive at the UNESCO-listed city of Luang Prabang.
Overnight: Luang Prabang | Breakfast
Luang Prabang sightseeing by tuk-tuk
Explore Luang Prabang in style today as we ride along in traditional tuk-tuks to discover highlights of the city. Visit the bustling Morning Market and the golden Wat Xiengthong Temple. Our tour ends with a trip to the former Royal Palace - now a national museum.
This afternoon we travel to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfall, stopping at several villages en route. Meet local people from different ethnic minorities and learn about their lives and culture. When we arrive at the waterfall there will be time to swim in the turquoise waters or stroll along the forest trails.
Overnight: Luang Prabang | Breakfast
Living the Land Farm experience
Travel into the countryside today for an authentic half-day farming experience. Learn how rice is planted and cultivated in the rice paddy and have a go at ploughing the paddy with a water buffalo. Later, enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional Laotian cuisine before we return to Luang Prabang for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps visit the UXO Centre to learn about the Second Indochina War.
Overnight: Luang Prabang | Breakfast, Lunch
Luang Prabang
Saturday. Enjoy your final morning in Luang Prabang as you please before our tour comes to and end with an included departure transfer to the airport.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. Prices shown are per person when there are 2 persons (or 3 persons if you wish to book a triple) sharing a room. The 'Solo Room' price is applicable to all solo travellers, or if your booking party cannot reach the minimum of 2 persons in a room. Solo Rooms can also be booked by any other person wanting the comfort and privacy of their own room.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Harmony Phnom Penh Hotel, Phnom Penh
Just 5 minutes from the Royal Palace, the Harmony Hotel in Phnom Penh is an elegant hotel with a great location. The spacious rooms feature plush furnishings with a smart decor of dark wood flooring and white walls with accents of colour. The hotel features a rooftop infinity pool and Jacuzzi with views across the river and the city, a perfect spot to relax after a busy day sightseeing. Guests can dine on a choice of Asian and Western dishes at the hotel's restaurant and enjoy a wide selection of beverages.
Angkor Paradise Hotel , Siem Reap
Not far from Angkor Wat, the Angkor Paradise Hotel offers elegant accommodation in a world famous setting. Guest rooms are beautifully furnished with traditional wooden floors and all mod cons. All rooms have either fabulous views of the city or the hotel's outdoor pool. The hotel also boasts a great onsite restaurant, fitness centre and pool terrace. The Angkor Paradise Hotel is situated a short distance from Siem Reap international airport and the majestic Angkor Archaeological Park.
Crowne Plaza Vientiane, Vientiane
Offering a fantastic city center location, Crowne Plaza Vientiane is within walking distance of attractions such as the Laos National Museum and Wat Sisaket. Its guestrooms combine traditional Lao and modern decor, with complimentary WiFi available throughout the hotel. A 24-hour fitness room is available for those keen to stay active or, if you’re looking to unwind, choose between a soothing spa session or the waters of the outdoor infinity pool. Two restaurants serve local and international cuisine, with a cosy lounge bar offering live entertainment and excellent cocktails.
Santi Resort and Spa, Luang Prabang
Set just outside the main town of Luang Prabang, the Santi Resort and Spa is a modern property set in manicured gardens. Guest rooms are set on two levels and are spacious with excellent amenities. Meals are served in the main restaurant and the outdoor pool is perfect for a cooling afternoon dip. If you need to get into town then take advantage of the free shuttle service that runs nearly every hour. Located on the outskirts of Luang Prabang.
In Brief
