Cambodia & Laos Mekong Adventure

At this meeting you CEO will ask to site your travel insurance and complete some other paper work. After your meeting, you may choose to head out for an optional dinner to further get to know your CEO and fellow group members.

We spend this evening in Bangkok. Our hotel is located in China Town, next to the central train station and MRT (Subway), and is only a short USD2 taxi ride from Khao San road and the central shopping area of Siam Square, MBK, Siam Paragon, etc. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. The hotel has a small pool and wifi is available at extra cost.

Angkor, the former capital of the Khmer Kingdom, is one of the wonders of the archeological world. Rediscovered at the end of the last century by French explorers, this vast ruined city is becoming one of the most popular sites in Southeast Asia. You can buy a pass to visit some of the highlights of this ancient capital, like the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, the enigmatic Bayon within the walled city Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and Preah Khan.

During your stay, you can also enjoy a local Khmer dinner with your group, at a nearby village. Supported by G Adventures, this particular meal is kindly prepared and served by our local partners – Philar and New Hope for Cambodian Children. Philar has set up school teaching English to Cambodian children while New Hope for Cambodian Children - NHCC is the local charity organization that provides a comprehensive healthcare and education for vulnerable children and their families. The meal here has been voted the best meal in Cambodia by most of our passengers...and even better, the money for your meal is going directly back to supporting these local grass roots projects.

We overnight two nights in Siem Reap. Our Hotel is located in some 10 minutes walk from city center. The hotel lobby has 2 computers for guests to browse the internet. Free wifi is also available at no charge. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. The hotel also has a swimming pool for you to enjoy.

Approx travel time: Bangkok to Thai/Cambodian border seven hours by private transport. Border crossing from Thailand to Cambodian border is usually 30 mins-1 hour. It is 3 hours to Siem Reap after the border.

Here we will witness the dark side of Cambodian history with visits to Choeng Ek, the site of the infamous Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng prison, the notorious Khmer Rouge prison where thousands of Cambodians perished.

A look at the lighter side of the city can include visits to the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda or the National Museum. The huge Russian Market is packed with souvenirs and all the necessities of daily life. Late afternoon is a great time to visit Wat Phnom where the sanctuary by which the city is named once stood. It is a Buddhist shrine, although a Taoist goddess and numerous monkeys also reside here, and one of the pleasure spots for residents of the city. A drink in one of the many riverside café's watching the sunset is a fitting finale to the day. 

We overnight two nights in Phnom Penh. Our Hotel is centrally located in town, and close to the riverfront. Unlike Siem Reap, Phnom Penh is much bigger, more traffic and it is easier to get lost. Always keep hotel card with you when you are outside. Tuktuk (private transport) usually costs you 2-3 USD to anywhere in town. The hotel has free wifi. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. 

Approx travel time:

Traveling from Siem Reap to Phnom Penn is 6-7 hours by public bus. The bus has air-conditioning and public tv. Best to prepare your earplugs if you don't want to be disturbed by local music on the long bus ride.

Our accommodations in Kratie is located on the banks of the mighty Mekong. All rooms are twin or double share and have air conditioning and basic private bathrooms. The hotel is centrally located within easy walking distance of the local markets and many restaurants.

Approximate travel time:

Phnom Penh to Kratie, 6-7 hours by private transport.

Our accommodations in Don Khong has views overlooking the Mekong River. All rooms are twin or double share and have air conditioning and private bathrooms with hot water. Electricity is not 100% reliable on this island and it is not uncommon that we experience power cuts. We are very centrally located within an easy walking distance of restaurants, morning fish markets, internet and convenience stores.

Approximate travel time:

Kratie to Cambodia/Laos border is 2.5 hours by private transport

After crossing the border, drive to Don Kohng ferry station, 45 mins

Ferry to Don Khing, up to 30 minutes

While spending the night in a typical Lao village environment may not be full of comfort, it gives you a wonderful real insight into local culture and life that a hotel stay can never provide.

Typically the group is divided into 2 or more houses (depending on group size) in close proximity to each other. When it comes time to sleep, mattresses are placed across the floor in central living area. Each mattress comes with a sleep sheet, a pillow and a mosquito net. Bathroom facilities are shared. The evening meal is eaten together in one of the houses with the food provided being very simple - giving you the chance to experience typical Lao cuisine. A vegetarian option is always served and the second option is typically a pork stirfry. Your local guide will spend time explaining the local life of the people in this village. You have the option of swimming in the Mekong and there are a limited number of bicycles available if you wish to cycle around the island.

Evenings can get cold, so please bring a long sleeved top.

We overnight in rustic homestays on Dong Deng Island.

Approximate travel time:

Private bus to Ferry to depart Dong Khong, 5 minutes

Ferry to the mainland, up to 30 minutes

Drive to Champassak ferry terminal, 2 hours

Ferry to Champassak, approx 30 minutes

Drive to Wat Phu (having lunch en route (20 minutes total driving)

Drive back to a private ferry station where we board private local boats to take us to our homestay (20 minutes drive + 20 minutes on the boat)

15 minute walk to the homestay.

Make sure to find the time to browse the colorful textile galleries and relax in the town's many small cafés. And included is the Ethnology Museum and a trip to the stunning Kuang Si waterfall.

We overnight three nights in Luang Prabang. Our hotel is centrally located within walking distance to Luang Prabang Night Market (Black Market in Laos). All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. Free wifi is available.

*Note that during the low season (Apr-Oct) the itinerary may vary slightly due to no scheduled direct flights from Paske to Luang Prabang. Flights will be routed via Vientiane and may require an overnight stay. This may also occur at other times of the year as flights can regularly be canceled or rescheduled. And on some occasions we may have to fly from Savannakhet to Luang Prabang which is a 4 hour drive north of Pakse.

Our hotel in Vang Vieng is nicely located by the Nam Song river, with spectacular sunset views. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. Free wifi is available.

Approx travel time:

Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng is 7 hours on a winding mountain by private minivan.

In the late afternoon of Day 14 we will cross the "Friendship Bridge" back into Thailand to board the overnight train to Bangkok.

We overnight in Vientiane. Our hotel is located in a peaceful corner of Vientiane within walking distance to riverside, night market, and museum. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. Free wifi is available.

Approx travel time:

Day 13 Vang Vieng to Vientiane is approx 3 hours by private minivan.

Day 14 Vientiane to the Friendship bridge Thai border, is approx 30 mins by private minivan.

We then cross Thai immigration and take local tuk tuks to the train station at Nong Khai

Overnight sleeper train Nong Khai to Bangkok Hualamphong station departs around 6pm is approximately

12 hours, usually arriving into Bangkok around 6-7am.

We look forward to receiving your evaluation regarding this tour itinerary and your CEO's performance. We value your input into what we could improve to make this trip even better and of course love hearing about what we are already doing well! You will be sent a post tour email on your return with details on how to go in line and fill in this simple form. Thank you so much in advance.