Best of Laos and Cambodia 13 days

Arrive in Vientiane. Upon arrival meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Vientiane.

Meals: N/A

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Vientiane

After breakfast, visit Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous, sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Phatuxay Monument, which is Vientiane ’s own Arc de Triumph. Overnight at hotel in Vientiane.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Transfer to Vang Vieng. Amazing mountain sceneries, beautiful landscapes and village visits along the way. Upona rrival, check-in hotel. Enjoy a short tubing along Somg river about 2hours. Vang Vieng tubing can be as relaxing or as hedonistic and adventurous as one desires. Bars have sprung up all along the river offering cheap beer, rope swings, zip lines, and large decks for socializing. Tubing has become one big excuse to party in the river. Floating lazily from bar to bar with a drink in hand is a great way to escape the scorching afternoon sun. Enjoy the stunning view of the town.

Alternative:  Walk in the great mountain scenery and visit of surrounding caves. Enjoy sightseeing the stunning landscape of Vang Vieng.

Stay overnight at hotel in Vang Vieng.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng

After breakfast, We drive to Xieng Khouang, which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. We then drive out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. We also have time, this afternoon seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Stay overnigth at hotel in Xiengkhuang.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: hotel in Xieng Khuang

Early morning, visit Central Market of Phonsavan to watch different Hill Tribes bartering and exchanging merchandises.

Aafternoon, drive to Luang Prabang, drive passes through splendid scenery and past many panoramic lookout points on the winding mountaintop road.  There are several stops en route to take in the scenery.  Arrive in Luang Prabang, check into the hotel, and enjoy an exploring the former royal capital & crown jewel of the ancient Lane Xang Empire (pronounced ‘lan sang’) – the Land of a Million Elephants. Shopping Night Market.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After Breakfast, visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa.  The rounded dome is 1stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Continue to visit Wat Mai.  Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Visit Wat Xieng Thong further emphasizes the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground.  See also the impressive “tree of life” mosaic here.  The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes from the Ramayana.

Climb up Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, along side the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns! Shopping Hmong market, where hundred of Hmong vendors display their handmade handicraft.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After Breakfast, visit the National Museum, once a king’s palace. Displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries.

Begin a Mekong Riverboat trip with your guide on the mighty Mekong River to visit the famous & sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Ou Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot.

On return Visit Por SA Paper Handicraft & textile area at Ban Xang Khong.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, check-out at hotel. Drive out of town 30KM to the beautiful Kuang Sii Fall, where you can swim, relax, soft trek to the top of the fall. On return short stop at Black Hmong Village, where hill tribe hand-made handicraft as souvenirs for visitors passes by.

Alternative: Riding Elephant for sightseeing

Together with our local guide, you will proceed to the “Elephant Village” about 15 km out Elephant riding, Elephant Tour in Luang Prabangof town and in the middle of a green, natural surrounding, settled on the banks of the Nam Khan river. Here you will be introduced to the protected Asian Elephants and go out for a scenic ride in the beautiful settings along the river. Enjoy the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 30- 40 min Elephant ride through which you support the rescue of our former logging Elephants. A stunning landscape, tranquillity and lush Lao nature gives you a relaxed stay on the back of the Elephant. Lean back in your seat and enjoy this exceptional Elephant experience…

Lunch will be served on the river view terrace overlooking the Nam Khan river and the surrounding landscapes. A short boat ride will bring you to the amazing Tad Sae waterfalls (not in dry season from Jan-August). Here you can hang out and relax for a while in the refreshing waterfall cascades. A short boat trip will bring you back to the Elephant Village.

After lunch, transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, check-in at hotel and spend your leisure time in Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Morning, visit Angkor Wat the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Continue to view a wonderful sunset from the Top of Phnom Bakhen Hill.

Afternoon, visit to the antique capital of Angkor Thom (literally: “Great City”), located in present day Cambodia, was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. Continue your visit at the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Morning, visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in Angkor. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som, built in late 12th century C.E. the most distant temple on the grand circuit, small but classic.

Continue your visit to Preah Khan temple, built by the King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. However, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.

Afternoon, take a boat trip for sight-seeing on Tonle Sap Lake, the Great Lake of Cambodia. It is one of the largest lakes in Asia. Here, enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to Phnom Penh. Upon Arrival in Phnom Penh, check-in hotel. Rest of the day is your leisure in Phnom Penh

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Morning, visit the notorious Choeung Ek Killing Fields 15km southwest of Phnom Penh. This one is the site of brutal executions of more than 17,000 individuals, most of whom first suffered through interrogations, torture and deprivation in Toul Sleng Prison during Pol Pot regime (From 1975–1979). Continue your visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison). This prison was a high school, and used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge.

Afternoon, visit Wat Phnom, the most famous buddhist temple in Phnom Penh. Continue your visit to the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town. Visit the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles.

After that, visit at the National Museum. This is one of Phnom Penh’s true architectural gems. The Museum is instantly recognizable with its warm red terracotta and its gracefully cured roof topped by dozens of guardian nagas. It was designed in Khmer style in 1917 by famed French architect Georges Groslier & Ecole Des Arts Cambodgiens.

Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

After breakfast at hotel, we pick you up at hotel. Transfer and to Victory Monument for a photo taking and drop you off Russian Market for shopping before going straight to airport for your departure flight.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: N/A