12-day Fascinating Laos Cambodia

Itinerary

Day 1: Luang Prabang – Arrival (B)

Pass By: Luang Prabang Airport, Laos
Arrive in Luang Prabang International Airport and meet your driver on arrival. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 2: Luang Prabang city tour (B)

Pass By: Wat Xiengthong, Khem Khong, Luang Prabang, Laos
Following the alms ceremony we’ll take a stroll through the morning market where local people gather to buy and sell food and goods, then back to the hotel for breakfast and refreshment.

After breakfast it will be time to set out for a city sightseeing tour that includes the most important Luang Prabang sites. First up is Wat Visoun, known as the ‘Watermelon Stupa’ due to the unusual spherical shape of its stupa, followed by the stunning Wat Xiengthong, a 16th century temple that will impress even those who are feeling rather ‘templed out’. This utterly unique temple features a Red Chapel with elaborate carvings depicting scenes from daily 16th century life, and the Chapel of the Funeral Chariot with gilded decorations and an assortment of Buddha figuirines.

Pass By: Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, Ban Khamyong, Luang Prabang 06000 Laos
Next on the agenda is a visit to The Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre, an exhibition space and fair trade store dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of traditional art and lifestyles of Laos. We’ll continue exploring important cultural sites with a visit to the National Museum (closed on Tuesday). Situated in the grand former Royal Palace, the collection of valuables housed here include the famous Prabang Buddha statue and gifts received from foreign dignitaries. Overnight in Luang Prabang.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 3: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Cave - Kuangsi Waterfall (BL)

Pass By: Pak Ou Caves, Near Pak Ou the Tham Ting, Ban Pak-Ou 0603 Laos
The day will start with our guide picking you up at your hotel to take you to the pier. You’ll travel on a long-tailed boat, 2 hours upstream on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Carved into the side of a limestone-cliff and opposite the mouth of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, Pak Ou consists of two large caves. Both caves are repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from a centimeter to two meters in height. En route, typical Laotion villages can be glimpsed behind a curtain of foliage, and nets and fish traps are easily spotted.

After the caves we’ll visit Ban Xanghai, a popular village for sampling traditional rice whisky which is produced here, followed by lunch at a restaurant on the banks of the Mekong river. After returning to Luang Prabang, you’ll hop from boat to car to visit Ban Xangkhong, a village that’s famed for its wood-paper making and naturaly-dyed silk weavings which make perfect presents to take back home.


Pass By: Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang 06000 Laos
In the afternoon, followed by an excursion to stunning Kuang Si waterfall about 28km awaythe captivating turquoise cascades and fantastically fresh water at ths waterfall have to be experienced to be believed and are sure to be a highlight of your trip. There will be plenty of time to swim and relax in the numerous pools of incredibly refreshing water.
Along the way ethnic minority villages can be visited. After a day of splashing about in Kuang Si’s healing water it will be time to return to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 4: Luang Prabang - Vientiane (B/-/-) -by bus 8 hours

Stop At: Vientiane Center Lao, Khouvieng road, Vientiane 0100 Laos
Transfer to the bus station for a ride to Vientiane. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 5: Vientiane City Tour (B/-/-)

Stop At: Sisaket Temple, Ave Lane Xang, Vientiane, Laos
Pick-up at your hotel and we start to explore Vientiane, the city of the moon – an ancient city, situated on the bend on the left bank of the Mekong. It is the largest city and the capital of Laos. Embark on a sightseeing tour of the city’s major historic sites including religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple that survived from the Siamese war of 1828 with its cloister containing more than 8000 Buddha statues;
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Wat Ho Phra Keo, Rue Setthathirath, Vientiane 0100 Laos
Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in and around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa, containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Lao Arc de Triomphe), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today the landmark of Vientiane.

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 6: Vientiane - Phnom Penh (B) - by flight

Pass By: Phnom Penh International Airport, 12000 មហាវិថី​ សហព័ន្ធរុស្ស៊ី, រាជធានី​ភ្នំពេញ, Cambodia
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 7: Phnom Penh – City Tour (B/L /-)

Stop At: Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Have breakfast in the hotel. Firstly, visit The Silver Pagoda (or the temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Pagoda’s steps are of Italian marble and inside, its floor is comprised of more than 5000 silver tiles, which together weigh nearly 6 tons. In the center of the pagoda is a magnificent 17th century emerald Buddha statue made of Baccarat crystal
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Wat Phnom, Street 96 Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Next to The Royal Palace the grand home of Cambodia’s King. At the end of the tour visit Wat Phnom located on a man-made hill, 27 meters high, in the middle of Phnom Penh. The pagoda was built for the first time in 1372 to house four Buddha statues said to have been deposited by the waters of the Mekong River. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 8: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B/-/-) by bus 8 hours

Stop At: Mekong Bus Station, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Transfer to bus station for ride to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 9: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (Angkor Wat – Angkor Thom) (BL)

Pass By: Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap 17259 Cambodia
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the former capital of the Angkor Kingdom, Angkor Thom, which translates to “Great City”. The city covers an area of 9km² in which numerous breath‐taking monuments were built. The South Gate offers the grandest access to the city where the Victory Gate grants access on the East side, leaving the East Gate, which is also known as the Gate of the Death beautifully untouched in a very quiet part of the complex. The centrepiece of the city is the Bayon. Its most distinctive features are the 216 serene stone faces that seemingly face all directions. The Baphuon and Phimeanakas are structures built in the 11th and 10th century respectively and both were built in the pyramid style.

The Terrace of the Elephants is a 300 meters long terrace that has three main platforms and two subsidiary ones. The south stairway is framed with three‐head elephants gathering lotus flowers with their trunks. The central stairway is decorated by lions and garudas in bas‐reliefs in a stance of support for the stairways. One of the main attractions of this terrace is the facade decorated with elephants and their riders depicted in profile. Likewise, the Terrace of Leper King was constructed in the 12th century. The curious name of this terrace refers to a statue of the Leper King that is on the platform of the terrace.
The remainder of the morning is dedicated to Ta Prohm, which is considered to be the most photographed temple within the Angkor complex. Constructed in the Bayon style between the late 12th and early 13th century, Ta Prohm was left pretty much untouched by archaeologists. The trees that grow out of the ruins allow for a mysterious feeling filled with photogenic opportunities. King Jayavarman VII constructed the temple as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university and it is estimated that close to 80.000 people resided at the temple. Lunch is served at a local restaurant in the Angkor area.


Pass By: Angkor Wat, Sangkat Nokor Thum, Siem Reap Cambodia
End the day with a visit to Angkor Wat, which dates back to the first half of the 12th century. King Suryavarman II constructed this magnificent masterpiece and built it to become the largest religious monument in the world. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, reliefs and sculptures make it one of the finest in the world. This temple is an expression of Khmer art at its highest point of development. It took in its entirety roughly 30 years to construct Angkor Wat. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 10: Siem Reap – Floating Village half day (B)

Pass By: Tonlé Sap, Cambodia
Enjoy a morning at leisure. Afternoon, located on the north‐western tip of the Tonle Sap, Me Chhrey village allows for an authentic floating village experience. The small village is home to families who unlike other floating communities still live in wooden house boats. The village moves throughout the year, depending on the water levels of the lake. At the end of the dry season when the lake’s water levels are at its lowest, the villagers move closer to shore and live primarily from agricultural activities on land. By visiting a local home you get a better understanding of life on the lake and your guide would be more than happy to translate your questions to your hosts.

Pass By: Angkor Silk Farm, Airport Road Puok District, Siem Reap 17259 Cambodia
Return to the port and visit the Silk Farm of Artisans d’Angkor, located a 15 minute drive away. Here people with underprivileged backgrounds are given an opportunity to improve their livelihoods by reviving the ancient crafts of making art and producing silk. A local representative accompanies you and walks you through the farm and explains all the steps necessary to produce quality silk. Overnight in Siem Reap.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 11: Siem Reap - Relax (B/-/-)

Pass By: Angkor Wat, Sangkat Nokor Thum, Siem Reap Cambodia
Have breakfast in the hotel and relaxing. Overnight Siem Reap.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: twin/double/triple share room

Day 12: Siem Reap - Departure (B/-/-)

Pass By: Siem Reap International Airport, NR6, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Have breakfast in the hotel and relax until time of transfer to the airport for the departure flight.

END TOUR.


No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.