Day tour – Cambodia and Laos 9 days

Tour Program

Summary itinerary

Detailed itinerary:

 Day 1: Welcome to Phnom Penh

Arrive to the airport in Phnom Penh, you will be met by our local guide and driver transferred to your hotel. Then we start the city tour that includes the visit to the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda. We climb up a small hill to visit the legendary Wat Phnom and catch a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. Overnight in Phnom Penh

 Day 2:  A full day exploring Phnom Penh – cruising on Mekong River (Meal: Breakfast)

This morning, we visit the National Museum, which is exclusively dedicated to Khmer art and sculpture. Then head on to the Killing Fields. On the way to the killing fields we stop at the bustling market of Toul Tumpong also known as the Russian Market.

In the afternoon, we visit the Independent monument and the Victoria monument.

Later in the afternoon we enjoy the sunset boat cruise on the Mekong River. Overnight in Phnom Penh

 Day 3:  Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – Angkor temples (Meal: Breakfast)

The following destination of our trip will be Siem Reap via a short morning flight from Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival to Siem Reap, we set off on a short drive to the South Gate of Angkor Thom which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King and the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. We stroll around this massive monument, exploring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.

 Day 4:  A full day exploring Angkor Complex (Meal: Breakfast)

Today, we continue exploring the wondrous Angkor Complex with the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm.

We visit this masterpiece and some nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. They almost belong to the small circuit according to the archaeologists’ division.

We see various famous temples of the grand circuit such as Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup.

We round off our exciting day with a walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. Overnight in Siem Reap.

 Day 5 : Banteay Srei – Banteay Samre (Meal: breakfast)

This morning, driven to the rural of Siem Reap to visit Banteay Srei, the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture. This is a small temple but its carvings are so impressive. It is nearly everyone’s favorite’s site.

The second visit will be to Banteay Samre, with elaborate architecture and exceptional carvings, and we will visit a local village.

Today we also have a chance to explore the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group. Overnight in Siem Reap.

 Day 6: Cruising Tonle Sap Lake – Luang Prabang (Meal: Breakfast)

We visit the famous Tonle Sap Lake on a boat trip out. The traditional boat navigates along a small river towards the gigantesque lake, giving us a chance to explore floating village, local life style, friendly children in small boats and fishermen pulling in morning.

Take a flight to Luang Prabang.

Then visit the impression of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai

We climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as have a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset.

From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local people and hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 Day 7: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou caves – Luang Prabang (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual.

Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to another small village Ban Phanom, which famous for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang

 Day 8: Luang Prabang – Vientiane (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

Catch the morning flight to Vientiane. Here, see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with its 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 Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of 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.

We watch the sunset by Mekong River side and spend the evening here absorbing the city’s nightlife. Overnight in Vientiane

 Day 9: Vientiane and departure (Meal: Breakfast)

Leisure in the morning until transfer to the airport.

What is inclusion in the tour price:

• Private air conditioned transport for transfer & sightseeing as per program
• Domestic flight: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
• International flight: Siem Reap – Luang Prabang
• Domestic flight: Luang Prabang – Vientiane
• Hotel picking up and dropping off service
• English speaking tour guide for sightseeing
• All entrance fees
• Boat trip for sightseeing on Tonle Sap Lake
• Mineral water on car (1 bottle/ person)
• Daily breakfast at hotel
• Nice and clean hotel base on two people share a room

What is exclusion in the tour price:

• Air ticket to Phnom Penh and from Vientiane
• Personal expense
• Travel insurance
• Visa for Cambodia & Laos
• Option, additional, person activates during free time.

Booking