Best Of Laos And Cambodia

DAY 1: Arrive Luang Prabang

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Please look for the WORLD EXPEDITIONS welcome sign in the arrivals hall. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia. The tranquility and charm of this city with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. The remainder of the day is at leisure to this beautiful city. Overnight Luang Prabang.

DAY 2: Luang Prabang

An optional early start provides a fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (food & water) from the faithful residents. This tranquil Buddhist tradition experienced amongst the morning mist is well worth the early rise. Today we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its low sweeping roofs which represent classic Laotian architecture. During our time here, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai. In the afternoon we’ll visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups and then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to the city where we climb to the top of Mount Phousi for an exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there we explore the night market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight Luang Prabang.

DAY 3: Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Caves

After breakfast we visit the National Museum (closed Tuesdays) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts, which reflect the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. We then embark on a cruise up the Mekong River, which gives us breathtaking views of the tranquil countryside before we stop to explore the mysterious caves of Pak Ou. These two caves are linked and are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims during the ‘Secret War’. Along the way we’ll also visit the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. We then return to Luang Prabang and upon arrival we visit the traditional villages of Ban Xienglek and Ban Xangkong to see jute paper making and weaving textiles being made by hand. Overnight Luang Prabang.

DAY 4: Drive to Xieng Khoang

Today we leave this charming town and drive to Xieng Khoang an area once devastated by American bombings between 1964 and 1973. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Laos. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. Along the way we can stop at our leisure, to stretch our legs and take capture some wonderful photographs. In the afternoon there will be time to see the old capital of Muang Khoune and its’ nearby villages. Overnight Xieng Khoang.

DAY 5: Visit Plain of Jars

After breakfast, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavan, the biggest ‘plain of jars’ (site 1), before driving 50 km to Muang Kham. On route we visit the tribal villages of Hmong, Tai Dam and Khum. We also visit the hot springs and Tham Piew cave - a historical shrine where hundreds of local people hid during the bombings of the Indo-China War. We explore the local market at Muang Kham and visit local villages before returning to Phonsavan by late afternoon. Overnight Xieng Khoang.

DAY 6: Drive to Vientiane

Today we head to the Laos’ capital, Vientiane. On the way, we visit the Cave of Tham Jang in Vang Vieng, which has now been made famous due to it’s use is the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders. We’ll arrive into Vientiane late this afternoon. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Laos, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. After a short rest, an orientation walk of this relaxed and easy going city is a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Overnight Vientiane.

DAY 7: In Vientiane

After breakfast, we see the major sights of the capital including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former Royal Temple of Wat Prakeo which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image. On the way to Laos’ national precious heritage structure, the famous and sacred That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. In the afternoon we visit Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. Taking in the spectacular view over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight Vientiane.

DAY 8: Fly to Pakse and drive to Tadlo

After an early breakfast, we catch an early morning flight to Pakse. On arrival you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to our next destination, Tadlo. On the way we pass many lush plantations, rolling hills, forests and villages. Part of the pleasure of travelling in this region is observing the beautiful countryside and meeting the local people. We stop at some of the nearby villages, home of the Kato hilltribe people. These people are very friendly and welcome you with waving hands and smiling faces. These ethnic minorities still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their dress. We continue our journey through the Paksong and Boloven Plateau. The Boloven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature due to its location high above the Mekong Valley. Rivers run off this plateau in all directions and then plunge into lush forests in a series of spectacular waterfalls. The scenery around Tad Fan waterfall is spectacular, with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the rich cultivation of coffee, tea, cardamon, bananas, and other crop plantations. It also allows you to venture off the beaten track and discover some of the lesser known areas of Laos, exploring the wild beauty of this southern region. Overnight Tadlo.

DAY 9: Drive to Dong Kong Island

In the morning we enjoy the lush vegetation of Tadlo before driving back to Pakse. From here we enjoy a leisurely trip to the former royal capital of Champasak, our base for exploring the ruins of Wat Phou - one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao. Wat Phu is one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001. This wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 9th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. A festival of this site is held yearly during the full moon in February and attracts numerous pilgrims from all over southern Laos. We then continue our journey by traditional motorboat to Dong Khong Island, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands. This region is one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight Dong Khong Island.

DAY 10: Transfer to Kratie in Cambodia

After breakfast, we board our traditional wooden boat to Ban Nakasung and take a short drive to the Lao – Cambodia border, en route we visit the breathtaking Khone Phapheng waterfall, South East Asia’s biggest waterfall, known as the Niagara of the East. At the border we bid farewell to Laos (and our Laos guide) and cross into Cambodia at the Dong Kalor and Trapaing Kriel border gate (please note a visa for Cambodia must be obtained in advanced). After crossing the border, your Cambodia guide and driver will transfer you to Kratie, arriving late afternoon. Overnight in Kratie.

DAY 11: Transfer to Phnom Penh

Today we transfer from Kratie to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh via Kompong Cham. You’ll arrive Phnom Penh by later afternoon. This city never became completely colonial during the French Indochina period but it has a unique blend taken from Asian and French traditions. The story of the capital of Cambodia dates back to an event in the year 1327. It is said that a rich widow named Don Penh found a tree with five Buddha’s in it. She thus founded a pagoda Wat Phnom Don Penh, the monastery on the Hill of Lady Penh. In 1434 the city founded years earlier by King Ponhea Yat was completed and in 1866 it became the capital. Today Phnom Penh is a bustling city built at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. The city is reminiscent of its French colonial days reflected in the evocative European architecture. Overnight Phnom Penh.

DAY 12: In Phnom Penh

This morning we undertake a sightseeing program in Phnom Penh. We’ll visit the famous Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda. We’ll also spend some time at the central market with its large dome covering, and Russian market, which are great places to do some shopping. Also worth a visit, but rather disturbing is the notorious S21. A former school converted into a prison during Pol Pot times. A trip to the nearby Killing Fields is included and documents the brutality of this period in Cambodian recent history. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 13: Transfer to Siem Reap, afternoon Angkor temples

After breakfast we will transfer by to Siem Reap. On arrival we check into our hotel, which will be our base for the next 2 nights. Before lunch, we’ll have a short briefing at the hotel with our guide regarding the next couple of days and our itinerary for visiting the temples. Later in the afternoon we begin our visit to the Angkor complex. The itinerary has been designed to ensure you visit many of the Angkor sites in the historic order in which they were built during the Golden Age of Angkor (800AD to 1250AD). The Golden Age tour starts with a visit east of Siem Reap to the site of the ancient capital of Rolous. We visit Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. Here we learn about the Angkor history from 800AD to 900AD. Overnight Siem Reap.

DAY 14: Angkor temples

We continue our chronological visit to the temple complexes this morning with “Angkor Civilisation under threat – 1150AD to 1200AD”. Following a stop at the visitors center to learn of the recent reconstruction and preservation projects, our sightseeing takes in one of the regions most fascinating ruins – Ta Prohm. This is a ruin that was once totally enshrouded by jungle, and still stands in the shade of tall jungle cover. After Ta Prohm we explore Banteay Kdei and the neighbouring lake of Sras Srang – “the Kings bath”. Following a short rest at our hotel, we take in the final component of our program - the Angkor Civilisation – 1200AD to 1250AD. We begin at the distant Ta Som and Neak Pean, before entering the walls of Angkor Thom from the northern gate to visit Bayon and the Terrace of the Elephant. A number of other sites will also be visited in Angkor Thom from earlier periods in Angkorian history, such as Baphuon (1060AD) and Phimeanakas (950AD – 1050AD). In the evening, enjoy the sunset at the amazing hilltop temple, Bakheng, which was the first major temple of its kind to be constructed in this area (893AD). Overnight Siem Reap.

DAY 15: Morning exploration of Angkor Wat, trip concludes Siem Reap

This morning we undertake further exploration at Angkor Wat. Our trip concludes this afternoon in Siem Reap.