Taste of Laos & Cambodia – 15 Days

General Information

Duration: 15 Days/ 14 Nights
Start/End:  Luang Prabang / Phnom Penh
Tour route: Luang Prabang – Vientiane- Pakse – Champasak- Huei Thamo – Ban Veuthong- Pakse – Siem Reap – Koh Rong- Phnom Penh
Tour Categories: Laos Cambodia Tours
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Guides: Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private first-class air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

Highlights

Experience local culture and heritage of Laos through cultural activities and in-depth tours of ancient pagodas and colonial-era sites.
Discover the hidden beauty of the capital with a closer look into the modern buildings and busy street of Vientiane.
Taste the exquisite flavors of Cambodian cuisine and explore colorful local villages to learn more about Khmer culture.
Discover the breath of life along the Tonle Sap Lake and savor every moment among the rustic living of rivers.

Brief itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Luang Prabang
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – afternoon city tour
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khouang Si Waterfalls
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Afternoon city tour
Day 5: Vientiane – Pakse – Champasak – Wat Phou Cruising Trip
Day 6: Huei Thamo – Oum Moung Temple – Khong Island Cruising Tour
Day 7: Ban Veuthong – Khong Pha Peng Waterfall – Xieng Di – Pakse Cruising Vacation
Day 8: Pakse – Fly to Siem Reap – Optional: Angkor Street food tour
Day 9: Siem Reap, Discovery of the Heart of Angkor
Day 10: Siem Reap, Beng Mealea & Tonnle Sap Lake
Day 11: Siem Reap – Fly to Sihanoukville – Koh Rong
Day 12: Koh Rong Beach Free
Day 13: Koh Rong – Boarding To Sihanoukville – Overland to Phnom Penh
Day 14: Phnom Penh – Toul Sleng Genocide Museum – Capital of Tour
Day 15: Phnom Penh – Departure

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Luang Prabang (B)

Say hello to Luang Prabang. Welcomed warmly by our tour guide and then transfer to the hotel for check in and refreshing breakfast.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Afternoon city tour (B, L)

Wake up early in the morning, we enjoy a delicious breakfast before taking a boat trip along the Mekong River to witness the reputable and mysterious caves of Pak Ou. After that, we pay a visit Ban Xang Hai, where famous for rice wine and Ban Xang Khong – famous for Saa papermaking.
After having lunch, we head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We also visit Wat Mai – the holy temple and The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign.
The last stop is Huean Chan Heritage in Luang Prabang. We can take a chance to learn about Laos’s culture and many more.
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khouang Si Waterfalls (B)

Get up early in the morning to join in Morning Alms Giving ceremony.
We start our day with a visit to Morning Market and then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for a panorama view of the Mekong River and the city. After that, we transfer back to the hotel for a special breakfast and a short break.
Afterward, we reach Khoang Si waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or stroll along the forest trails.

Buffalo Dairy Farm and Living Craft Center are must-see visits to enjoy the local artisans working to create traditional silk products and handicraft. Interestingly, we can take a great chance to stop at Bear Rescue Center before hiking to the waterfall and swimming.
At the end of the day, we transfer back to Luang Prabang and stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Vientiane – Afternoon city tour (B, D)

In the morning, we start a flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, our tour guide will meet and transfer to hotel for check-in and delicious breakfast.
After that, we head to the oldest temple in Vientiane with thousands of miniature Buddha statues – Wat Sisaket. It is the former royal temple Wat Prakeo contains Emerald Buddha image. On the way, we also pay a visit to the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa. It is a great chance for you to stroll around and take beautiful photos of the majestic Patuxay Monument, which is called Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

In the evening, we transfer to the hotel in Vientiane for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 5: Vientiane – Pakse – Champasak – Wat Phou Cruising Trip (B, L, D)

Start a new day with a flight to Pakse and then enjoy refresh breakfast before reaching Sinouk Coffee house in central Pakse. We take about 2.5 hours to Champassak with cruise boats via long tail riverboat. Upon boarding at the Vat Phou boat, you will be served a special lunch on deck. All meals are included on the Vat Phou Mekong cruise and our galley produces the finest of Laotian, Vietnamese and Thai dishes, lovingly prepared and beautifully presented.
In the afternoon, we continue to discover the Vat Phou  – the majestic pre-Angkorian 10th-century temple complex and our boat’s namesake. It is a great time for you to observe the museum at the ruins site, stroll along the highest temple and take many beautiful photos.

As the sun begins to set, we transfer you back to the Vat Phou boat to enjoy the tropical sunset and stunning views on the deck. Dinner is served on board, while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village.

Day 6: Huei Thamo – Oum Moung Temple – Khong Island Cruising Tour (B, L, D)

Today, we kick off a new day with delicious breakfast on board before setting sail to the village of Tomo. With a few minutes, we will see a small village from the mysterious hidden forest temple of Oum Muong. Next, we rejoin the boat to continue our cruise Southwards.
In the lunchtime, you will be served special lunch, while we leisurely sail closer to the wild paradise known as the 4,000 Islands. All meals are included on the Vat Phou Mekong cruise and the galley produces the finest of Laotian, Vietnamese and Thai dishes, lovingly prepared and beautifully presented.
In the late afternoon, we take a boat to Laotian Village, where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries. You will have a chance to visit the local school and have fun moments with the students.

We complete our day’s cruise at Don Khong, the largest inhabited island in the river archipelago.

In the evening, we transfer back to the hotel for dinner and leisure time.

Day 7: Ban Veuthong – Khong Pha Peng Waterfall – Xieng Di – Pakse Cruising Vacation (B, L, D)

After having breakfast, we will take the Vat Phou boat cruises down the Mekong to the small village of Ban Veuthong. While you have breakfast on the deck, the Vat Phou boat cruises down the Mekong to the small village of Ban Veuthong, where you board a small boat to immerse in 4,000 Islands to Khone Island. After that, we head to the old French railway, the French colonial house, and stroll across the bridge that links Khone and Det Islands.

In the lunchtime, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on Don Khone Island along the banks of the river.
This afternoon, we will take students to visit the Khone PhaPheng waterfalls, the “Niagara of the East”. After having a fun time at Phapheng waterfall, you will be transferred back to Pakse by bus where the tour will end.

Dinner and overnight accommodation in the Pakse.

Day 8: Pakse – Fly to Siem Reap (B)

Say goodbye to Laos. Welcome to Cambodia!
Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, after clearing an immigration and visa custom, you will be welcomed warmly by our local guide and driver. They will transfer you to the hotel for check in and chill out. The rest of the day is free at own leisure.
Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

Optional Tour: Angkor Street Food Tour
This tour offers you a great chance to experience local cuisines ranging from in the early mornings and afternoons. An amazing itinerary will take you to the heart of Khmer culture with a perfect combination of Tuk-Tuk and walking food tours in Siem Reap. With 4 and 5 hours tours give you a journey of exploration and adventure with exceptional Khmer cuisines. You have ample opportunity to learn all about Khmer cooking, see exactly why Khmer cuisine is now booming, and why it’s every food gourmand’s dream. How interesting it is!

Day 9: Siem Reap, Discovery of the Heart of Angkor (B, L, D)

Breakfast is ready to serve you at the hotel. We start a dynamic day with some reputable temples. Enter this last capital of the Khmer empire through the Southern Gate where giant carvings of gods and demons flank each side of the entrance. Inside this great city, explore the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and Terrace of Leper King. Feel the serenity that exudes from the stone face carvings of the Bayon and temple walls covered in emerald-green moss intertwined with roots. After lunch, visit Angkor Wat – one of the wonders of the world. Next, we will climb to the summit of Bakheng Mountain or Pre Rup Temple to enjoy a spectacular sunset.

Then, we transfer back to Siem Reap for dinner and leisure time at the hotel.

Day 10: Siem Reap, Beng Mealea & Tonnle Sap Lake (B, D)

After having breakfast, we take a long drive about 65 km Northeast of Siem Reap to BengMelea, where you get a deeper understanding of majestic temple. It was built during the 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II, at about the same time as Angkor Wat of which its layout and style closely mirror. However, BengMelea is completely ruined and largely overrun by vegetation.

In the afternoon, we will enjoy a special lunch before driving down south to see the great annual flood of Tonle Sap Lake. Taking a boat excursion to see the village of Kompong Phhluk on stilts is a highlight of this tour. Interestingly, we will explore this great ecosystem by way of canoeing and hear the calls of the birds or macaque monkeys while observing the forest beneath the lake’s surface. Seeing the Buddhist temple with some beautiful Buddhist life painting on the ceiling definitely leaves an unforgettable time. After that, back to town to visit the school of fine art “Le Artisans D’angkor”.
At the end of the day, we transfer you back to a welcome dinner and scrumptious snacks with Apsara Dance Performance show at Kannel Restaurant. Then, stay overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 11: Siem Reap – Fly to Sihanoukville – Koh Rong (B)

In the morning, you will be served a delicious breakfast before taking a domestic flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival, greet warmly by the driver then proceeds to the pier, you will then take a joining speedboat to Koh Rong, and discover one of the most beautiful islands off the Sihanoukville Coast. You can swim, sunbathe and relaxes on the white sandy beach. It is the truly Paradise on Earth! We complete the day with a sparking view with the starry night sky on the island.

Dinner and stay overnight in Koh Rong, Sihanouk Ville.

Day 12: Koh Rong Beach – Free(B)

Today is a free day for you. After having breakfast, you can do anything at leisure on your own. Accommodation in Koh Rong, Sihanouk Ville.

Day 13: Koh Rong – Boarding to Sihanoukville – Overland to Phnom Penh (B)

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, relax on a lazy beach until afternoon. Afterward, we check out from the hotel before embarking on the boat to return to Sihanouk Ville and then continue by private vehicle about four hours to Phnom Penh with our driver.

Upon arrival in the late afternoon, the rest of the day is free for you relaxing and refreshing. Stay overnight at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 14: Phnom Penh – The Capital of City Tour (B, L)

We start our day with a welcome breakfast and warm coffee. After that, we transfer you to Beoung Cheoung Ek Memorial Museum (Killing Fields), where the Khmer Rouge regime executed and buried more than one million victims from 1975 to 1979. You will get a closer insight into this historical spot with horror stories of Cambodia history. Next, you will go back to the Tuol Sleng Museum in Phnom Penh.

After having lunch, we will take you to the National Museum, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. The Royal Palace is the most reputable palace in Cambodia with the classic Khmer roofs and ornate gilding. Its architecture shares the common with its neighbor is Thailand. Because the King Sihamoni is living in the palace, visitors are only allowed to visit the Throne Hall, the Royal Treasury Hall, Napoleon II villa and Silver Pagoda. More interestingly, in the evening, when the weather is no longer extremely hot, it will be the proper time for cyclo trip along the Mekong riverfront. We also have a short visit to Wat Phnom.
Finally, we transfer back to the hotel in Phnom Penh for a sound sleep.

Day 15: Phnom Penh – Departure (B)

The last day of your trip, you will be served a special breakfast and then you free at your own leisure until departure time. Our tour guide will pick up you and transfer to Pochentong Airport for your departure flight. Tour ends. We hope this trip leaves a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you.