The Best of Cambodia & Laos - 10 Days

Day 1 : Arrive Phnom Penh (Own Ticket)

Welcome to the start of your holiday in the Indochina. Upon arriving into the Pochenthong airport in Phnom Penh, you will be picked up by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Soon after, you will begin to discover why the Cambodias capital city was once called the jewel of Southeast Asia. Your city explorations begin with a visit to the National Museum and see some of the wonderful antiquities from the Khmer civilization. This will be followed by trips to the remarkable Silver Pagoda, a tour of the Royal Palace with its ornate grandeur, and Wat Phnom pagoda. Then we return to your hotel for the first nights stay in Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 2 : Phnom Penh - Siem Reap and Angkor

After breakfast, you will be transferred to airport and fly to Siem Reap. Your Angkor explorations begin in the morning with a visit to the 9th century Roluos temples - PreahKo, Bakong and Lolei. More discoveries await you in the afternoon with a visit to three impressive temples from the 10th century - Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup and PrasatKravan. Here you can marvel at their intricate and ingenious designs. There is also time to take in the canals and waterways of ancient Takeo province. The first day concludes with panoramic views of Cambodia-s spectacular sunsets and Angkor Wat from temple mountain, Phnom Bakhaeng, dating back to 900 AD. Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 3 : Angkor

Following breakfast this morning, enjoy a morning excursion to BanteaySrei, a temple which dates back to 967 AD. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is famed for the intricate friezes carved into its red sandstone walls. On the way back, we will visit BanteaySamre, which was built during Suryarvaman II-s rule in the middle of the 12th century. In the afternoon you will have a chance to discover the pride of Cambodias heritage - the majestic temples of Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 4 : Siem Reap

Wake up to breakfast this morning and we begin the day with a visit to one of the jewels of Cambodia - the awe-inspiring Angkor Thom or - Great City -. This will include many of the finest Temples of King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181-1220. At the southern gate of Angkor Thom, you will marvel at the imposing 23-metre high stone faces of Avalokiteshvara, which featured in the Tomb Raider movie. These astonishing carvings inspire awe and wonder in all who view them. At the centre of this citadel lies the state temple of Bayon, which we will also visit. This temple-mountain, built at the end of the 12th century, is adorned with hundreds of gigantic stone faces. This tour also includes the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and the 12 identical towers of PrasatSuor Prat. Later in the day you will discover some of the most famous temples from the 11th century: Baphuon, Phimeanakas, North Khleang and South Khleang. You will also visit the other important temples of Jayavarman VII: Preah Khan, NeakPean, Ta Prom. The evening is given over to entertainment - a visit to the Apsara Theater to enjoy a fine Khmer dinner and traditional dances. Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 5 : Siem Reap - LuangPrabang

Enjoy the morning with a relaxing boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake. Here we will visit the floating villages of Chong Kneas commune. In the afternoon we will transfer you to the airport for flight to LuangPrabang in Laos. Upon arrival the airport LuangPrabang, transfer to the hotel. Free at leisure time. Overnight in LuangPrabang

Day 6 : LuangPrabang - Pak Ou + City Tour

LuangPrabang is the best known for its beautiful scenery and high numbers of ancient temples. This former capital has a rich variety of architecture from the old facades of French colonial homes to the glittering temple rooftops. After breakfast its time to enjoy an excursion by boat on the Mekong river to the Holy caves of Pak Ou (Tham Ting and Tham Poum). The caves are crammed with the images of Buddha. Along the way we will visit Ban Sanghai to learn about the traditional process of making local rice alcohol or whiskey and weaving. We will have a picnic lunch before returning to LuangPrabang. Afterward we will visit Royal Palace and then we embark on a tour of this enthralling town visiting Wats Xieng Thong, the Golden City monastery. Dating back to the 16th century this splendid temple is considered to be the finest in Laos. We will also visit the fine temples of Wats Mai, Visoun, and That Luang, WatSibounHeuang, Wat Si Moungkoun, Wat Sop, WatSene. Later in the day we adjourn to the Phousi Holy Hill to enjoy the excellent views of the town and a great sunset. Overnight in LuangPrabang

Day 7 : LuangPrabang - Kuang Si

Its an early morning today as we recommend you rise early and participate in a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander through town blessing local people who give those offers (mostly sticky rice). After breakfast, enjoy a day trip to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls where turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. The abundance of water forms a magnificent display of nature. Below the Kuang Si are large ponds perfect for swimming and cooling off under the spray. Before enjoying a picnic lunch next to the pools, we will pass stupendous landscapes, teak forests and several ethnic minority villages (Hmong and Khmu). In Ban Thapan, a weaving village, we can find excellent pieces of Lao textile. Near the waterfalls its worth while to visit a centre where the endangered black Asiatic beers found a safe shelter. Overnight in LuangPrabang

Day 8 : LuangPrabang - Vientiane (Economy Class, FA Laos books)

Its time to be transferred to the airport this morning post breakfast in time to leave our riverside paradise and fly to the sleepiest capital city "Vientiane", pronounced "ViengChane ", the capital of Laos is a slow paced, clean city. The people of Lao and in particular Vientiane could be ranked among the most friendly and honest in the world. Vientiane sits on a bend in the Mekong River amid fertile alluvial plains. At times controlled by the Burmese, Siamese, Vietnamese, and Khmers, it was made a capital city by the French in the late 19th century and the retains flavors of all its past inhabitants. Like LuangPrabang, in the afternoon we will visit the main attractions of Vientiane are the WatsPha That Luang (the Great Sacred Stupa built in 1566 and later covered with 500kg of gold leaf), and the WatSisaket. The latter is the oldest monastery in Vientiane, built in 1824. Inside the walls surrounding the main temple are niches displaying Buddhas. It is said that there are over 10.000 representations of Buddha here, We also visit HoPrakeo the Emeral Buddha-s house and Patuxay the victory gate (Arch de Triumph). In the evening is free for a walk along the path beside the Mekong at the sunset is always popular for travelers and locals alike. Overnight in Vientiane

Day 9 : Vientiane - Buddha Park

Following breakfast this morning we will drive to the Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Laos located just outside the city and visit the Buddha Park where you can find many statues and Buddha images located near the Mekong Riverside, en route we will also visit the National Ethnic cultural park. Its time to return to Vientiane later and the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the capital city yourselves. Overnight in Vientiane

Day 10 : Vientiane - Departure.

Following breakfast this morning, its time to transfer to the airport for your departure flight.