14-Day classic Cambodia & Laos

Phnom Penh

Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh & welcome dinner

Suo Sdei! Welcome to Cambodia!
Upon arrival, your driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Take your time and relax by the pool or venture out for your first look at the city. At 5PM, your guide will meet you at the hotel reception to chat through your trip. Then, you will head out to enjoy the creative local cuisine in Cambodia.

Toul Sleng - Royal Palace

Day 2: Phnom Penh city tour

This morning, your guide will introduce you to the sights of Phnom Penh on a full-day city tour. The first stop of the day will be at Choeung Ek, better known as the 'Killing Fields' where thousands of people were executed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The visit will continue with the genocide museum, Tuol Sleng. Later, we'll explore the magnificent Royal Palace and the waterfront, and see the beautiful colonial architecture that characterises Phnom Penh. With its local flair, historical beauty and culture, Phnom Penh is unique!

Phnom Penh - Sambor Prei Kok - Siem Reap

Day 3: Sambor Prei Kok temples and on to Siem Reap

Today, we depart the capital city and head to the picturesque small town of Kampong Thom. Here we'll discover the hidden secrets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sambor Prei Kok. This temple complex near Kampong Thom, often referred to as Isanapura, dates back to the Angkorian era of Cambodia. There you will find the ruins of nearly 100 brick temples, which are scattered in the dense tropical forest. The mysterious atmosphere of this jungle complex will make you feel like you are in an adventure film. Later, we depart Sambor Prei Kok temple for a journey to the Ancient Kingdom of Angkor. On arrival in Siem Reap town, check in at the hotel and the rest of the day is free.

Angkor Wat - Bayon - Ta Prohm

Day 4: Exploring Angkor Archaeology Park

Today, we will enjoy a full-day guided tour around the unforgettable Angkor complex. First, we will visit Angkor Wat, the most famous of all the temples. The temple, built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II, contains three storeys of libraries, galleries and towers, surrounded by a thick wall and an imposing moat. We will then enter the ancient city through an impressive stone gate carved with elephants. From here, we’ll continue to Bayon Temple, famed for its enigmatic carvings. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant specialising in exotic Khmer cuisine. Ta Prohm temple is your next stop. This unique temple has been left largely as it was found - overgrown by jungle trees and vines - creating one of the most photogenic and atmospheric temples of the entire Angkor site.

Siem Reap - Kulen Mountain

Day 5: Kulen Mountain National Park

Depart early in the morning in a private air-conditioned vehicle to Kulen Mountain. The Kulen Mountain range rises from the plains 50 km north of Siem Reap. On arrival, we will trek up the mountain slope, visit a natural water spring and enjoy panoramic views. From there, we hike into the forest to the magnificent waterfall of Kulen Mountain and the Hindu carvings of Kulen’s riverbed. After a refreshing dip and a bite to eat, we trek along a fantastic undulating walking trail, guided by a ranger from the national park. The route continues through the jungle past remote villages and life-sized stone elephants standing serenely at Srah Damrei. We’ll also visit the small Wat that houses Cambodia’s largest reclining Buddha before heading to the high Kulen waterfall, where we can enjoy a refreshing swim before returning to town.

Siem Reap - Kampong Phluk - Phnom Krom

Day 6: Floating village & sunset dining

Today, discover the great Tonle Sap lake. This is a unique experience offering a great outdoor adventure in Siem Reap’s countryside and exploring a floating village, where you’ll see first-hand the lifestyle of the Cambodian people. Along the way, we will tour the backstreets of Siem Reap, where you will be greeted by friendly locals and get a deeper understanding of their lives and traditions. The journey will end at Tonle Sap lake, where you will experience life on the water. After lunch, you will head back into town. In the evening it's time to catch the sunset at a perfect spot in the countryside. Enjoy the landscapes and a delicious dinner as the sun goes down.

Luang Prabang

Day 7: Morning flight to Luang Prabang, Laos

This morning, we depart Siem Reap for a morning flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided city walking tour around the old quarter of Luang Prabang. Experience the rich traditions and culture of Laos as you visit museums, temples and Mount Phousi. Fill your day with breathtaking sights and engaging glimpses into the history of this UNESCO-listed city. Afterwards, enjoy the creative local cuisine of Laos.

Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves

Day 8: Luang Prabang sightseeing & Mekong River cruise

Today, we enjoy a short guided tour of the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground. We then embark on a cruise upstream along the Mekong River, with tranquil countryside views. We'll visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. Along the way, we also stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine and Ban Xang Khong, a village well known for its silk weaving and papermaking. On return, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for a panoramic view of the city at sunset. From there, we explore the Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local hill-tribe people.

Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall

Day 9: Laotian life & Kuang Si Waterfalls

We start the day by visiting a community rice farm in the idyllic countryside outside Luang Prabang. Surrounded by mountains and rice paddies, you'll have an opportunity to experience rural life as a Laotian farmer. We’ll visit nearby workshops, where local bamboo weavers, blacksmiths and sugar-cane processors practise their crafts. Then take a tour of the organic garden to learn how natural herbs are used in traditional medicine. We then transfer to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where we will enjoy lunch in a tropical garden. In the afternoon we’ll explore the waterfalls and swim in azure pools. We will also pay a short visit to a bear rescue centre. On the way back to Luang Prabang, we'll stop at an excellent craft centre. This is also a great spot to enjoy a drink as the sun sets behind the mountains. We then transfer you back to your hotel.

Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang Elephant Village

Day 10: The elephant sanctuary

This morning, we’ll head from the city to our first stop at Wat Pa Phon Phao, a forest temple with a great view of Luang Prabang. Following the paved road further through teakwood forests and rice fields along the Nam Khan River to visit the resting place of Henri Mouhot. The highlight is a visit to the local elephant sanctuary, set in a stunning landscape with a backdrop of jungle-covered mountains. Lunch will be served here and, afterwards, take a boat ride to visit the Tad Sae waterfall for a refreshing swim.

Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng

Day 11: Journey to Vang Vieng

Today, we depart Luang Prabang by private minivan through tiny villages and winding mountain roads to Vang Vieng. The drive is among the most beautiful in Laos, winding up and down, and offering spectacular views, from jungle to low-lying valleys studded with limestone Karst formations. We also stop at Phoukhoune, with its lively market and fresh air, and visit local hill-tribe villages along the way, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we head south to Vang Vieng. 

Vang Vieng - Nam Song River - Vientiane

Day 12: River kayak and journey to Vientiane

Vang Vieng has a striking river setting, sitting on the banks of Nam Song River and surrounded by a mysterious cave system, towering karsts and lagoons of turquoise water. This town is a perfect destination for adventurers. Today, we will visit some of the caves around Vang Vieng and then we will do a short river kayak that will show us the landscape from a different perspective. After lunch, we will continue by private minivan to the country’s capital, Vientiane, where we will arrive late in the afternoon.

Vientiane

Day 13: Vientiane city tour

Today, we'll take a guided tour of Vientiane and visit the morning market, where you can buy handicrafts from the surrounding hill tribes. Continue to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane, whose monastery walls house more than 2000 ceramic and silver Buddha figures. Your next visit is Wat Phra Keo, which is considered the former 'residence' of the Emerald Buddha. You will then visit the imposing Patuxai Victory Gate, which was built and inaugurated in honour of those who died in the struggle for independence from France. On the way there, you will come to the famous, sacred That Luang Stupa, which is said to represent a banana blossom and is completely covered with gold. It is considered Laos' most important national monument.

Departure

Day 14: Transfer to the airport

Our tour concludes today with a transfer to Vientiane's airport. Take the day to reflect upon your rewarding trip and say goodbye to your guide and driver.