Cambodia and Laos Combined Tour 13 Days

Overview:

 

Laos and Cambodia make the perfect couple, a unique travel combination offering you the very best and a true flavour of Indochina travel. Your journey commences in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital with the glimmering spires of the royal palace, the fluttering saffron of the monks’ robes, and the luscious location on the banks of the mighty Mekong; this is one of Asia’s undiscovered gems. Then a visit to Siem Reap with the majestic temples of Angkor – a not to be missed place will bring you great experiences of the city’s culture, wonderful architecture and so on.

A flight to Laos will take you to the fertile soils of the Bolaven Plateau where you can expect to laze in splash pools and perhaps encounter the odd elephant. Your journey ends by a visit to the ancient capital of Luang Prabang where you will be guided amongst some of Asia's finest temples as well as visiting some further lying villages, watching the burnt sienna robes of hundreds of monks and their novices, and more interesting activities that you should not miss.

As your holiday is designed by a special tailor-made tour operator, you have the rights to make as many changes as you wish. We’ll be always happy to oblige the itinerary to meet your exact needs.

 

 

Detailed itinerary:

 

Day 1: Phnom Penh arrival (G)

Arriving at Pochentong airport in Phnom Penh, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey before a sunset cruise on the Chatomouk River. The remainder of the day will be free. You’ll spend the night in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Phnom Penh City tour (B, L, G)

The day will be taken to visit the National Museum which houses the world’s leading collection of Khmer art and sculpture – most notably the legendary statue of the 'Leper King" - and a good collection of pieces from later periods. You'll call in at the Royal Palace, situated on the site of the former citadel and built by King Norodom in 1966; the Palace still serves as the King and Queen's residential quarters and the neary by Silver Pagoda.

After lunch, your guide will show you Wat Phnom – the founding site of the city and the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. Your overnight accommodation will be in Phnom Penh.

Day 3: Phnom Penh/Killing Fields/Siem Reap (B, L, G)

In the morning, your guide will take you to the so-called Killing Fields. Later, you’ll be transferred to Siem Reap by car. Taking just five hours, you’ll pass through provincial towns, villages and roadside hamlets giving you the opportunity to observe life away from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. You’ll spend your night in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

Your day will be devoted to the Temple complex, of which Angkor Wat is a key element. You’ll begin with a visit to Angkor Thom, starting with the Bayon, a bizarre structure of several architectural changes reflecting a switch from Hinduism (the foundations) to Buddhism (the superstructure). Your next visit will be to the Elephant and Leper King Terraces followed by the Baphoun Temple, which is now nearing the end of an eight-year multi-million dollar restoration programme.

In the afternoon, you’ll explore Angkor Wat itself, the largest, and for most people, the most impressive temple in the complex. As dusk nears, a walk to the summit of Phnom Bakheng Hill will afford a panorama of the whole complex lit by the rays of the setting sun, weather permitting of course. Your overnight accommodation will be in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

Your day will be taken up with visits to some of the outer sites including Preah Khan, a huge and highly explorable monastic complex, Neak Pean, a Himalayan-style lake and sanctuary, and East Mebon, a temple-mountain. After lunch, you’ll also see Ta Prohm, strangled by massive tree roots and typical of the condition of the whole complex when it was discovered in 1860 by French naturalist Henri Mouhot. Your guide will then show you the Prasat Kravan (also known as the Cardomom Sanctuary) and Srah Srang lake and landing terrace. The Srah Srang is less touristed and could be sunrise alternative to Angkor Wat.

Day 6: Siem Reap/Tonle Sap Lake/Kampong Pluk/Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll depart Siem Reap for the Tonlé Sap, driving down the eastern side of the lake. Arrive at Kampong Klaing, a remarkable village built entirely on stilts, where you are able to explore the various houses, school and shops before boarding your private boat. You’ll cruise along a short tributary, passing fishermen and children playing in the shallow waters before arriving at a typical floating village where you may either disembark or cruise amongst the waterways.

At the head of the tributary you will continue out on to the ‘Great Lake’ and continue travelling north to Kampong Pluk; a ‘flooded forest’. Accessible only during high water, you’ll pass through the tree tops whilst seated in your boat. Nearby is a fishing village where you can also learn more about the traditional methods used for generations.

Returning to the mainland, meet your driver and return to Siem Reap for another night stay.

Day 7: Siem Reap/Pakse/Khong Island (B, G)

In the morning you’ll be transferred to Siem Reap Airport for your flight to Pakse (Laos). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred directly onto a private traditional boat for a 2-hour cruise to Champassak. Disembark at this ancient town of the Champa Kingdom; continue by car to Wat Phou, another World Heritage Site in Laos, which became recognized by UNESCO in 2002. In the afternoon you will drive to Don Khong, an area of 4000 islands which is the widest point of the Mekong River during the rainy season. This area of the river is also famous for being the home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. En-route, you’ll visit the atmospheric ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo. Arrive at Khong Island via ferry early evening. You’ll spend your night on Khong Island.

 

Day 8: Khong Island and its surroundings (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a long tail boat tour to Don Khone, where you’ll disembark and have the option of exploring the island by bicycle, which takes you to visit the remains of the French period and Liphi Waterfall or “the Corridor of the Devil”. You’ll return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia; this is a really impressive site near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area which is teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Then you’ll drive back to Khong Island for another night stay.

Day 9: Khong Island/Bolaven Plateau/Pakse (B, G)

A morning drive north will take you to the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Our first stop is Houey Ten, a Katu village specializing in knife making. You’ll then stop at a tea plantation, followed by a stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit a coffee plantation and Tha Teng market, a colourful ethnic minority food market. You’ll also explore another interesting minority village, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village, that boasts a sacrificial alter. You’ll arrive at the beautiful Tadlo Waterfall by late afternoon and head back to Pakse with a stop at Ban Houi Hun, an Alak weaving village, where they keep coffins under their houses, and at another picturesque waterfall – Paxuam. You’ll arrive in Pakse by early evening. You’ll spend your night in Pakse.

Day 10: Pakse/Luang Prabang (B, DP)

You’ll have free time until you’ll be driven to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be your own. You’ll stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 11: Luang Prabang City Tour (B, L, G)

This is the morning when you need your alarm clock! Early in the morning after a sustaining beverage and a small snack, you’ll witness one of Laos’ unique ceremonies – the daily ‘alms giving’ ritual of saffron-clad monks walking in a long line holding black bowls to receive offerings from local people. The traditional gift is a handful of ‘sticky rice’, but nowadays money is equally acceptable. You’ll then return to your hotel for a proper breakfast. Afterwards, your guide will take you to visit the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, the roofs of which sweep low to the ground, typical of the classical architecture of Luang Prabang. The morning will culminate with a stroll around Wat Mai temple and a visit to the ‘Day Market’.

After lunch, you’ll start with the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which will give you further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. There is also time to visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek before returning to the Old Town to climb Mount Phousi and enjoy the stunning views across Luang Prabang as the sun sets.

In the evening, you may wish to stroll around to see the Street Night Market, where you can find the handmade textiles made by locals and ethnic minorities from the surrounding countryside. Your overnight accommodation will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 12: Luang Prabang/Big Brother Mouse Village/Nam Ou River Cruise/Pak Ou Caves (B, L, G)

Start the day with a visit to the Big Brother Mouse shop to select some books for the morning’s visit. Heading north out of Luang Prabang you’ll soon leave the paved roads en route to Ban Khia Luang village. Upon arrival there will be ample time to visit the school, play with the kids and watch them enjoy their new books. There is also the opportunity to explore the rest of the village and the local temple.

Drive the short distance to Ban Kok Lin, passing through some beautiful scenery of mountains and paddy fields before stopping for a picnic lunch at a spot that overlooks the Nam Ou River.

In the early afternoon, board a private boat for a cruise down a particularly scenic stretch of the Nam Ou River, stopping as you reach the confluence with the Mekong River to explore the incredible Pak Ou Caves. The caves house literally thousands of Buddha statues, hidden from the looting Chinese Haw in times gone by. The statues range from a few centimetres to the size of a human. Continue on to Luang Prabang, arriving in the late afternoon.

Day 13: Luang Prabang departure (B, DP)

You’ll have free time to spend as you wish until your car and driver arrives to take you to the airport for your departure flight. Tour ends.
 

 

B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, G: Guide, DP: Driver pickup.

 

 

 

Price (person in US dollars)

Other tours:

• Cambodia and Vietnam Explorer 15 Days
• Laos and Vietnam Expedition 15 Days
• Indochina Explorer 19 Days
• Indochina Cultural Expedition 14 Days

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